Secreted high in the inland hills among wild orchards and rolling groves, Sirince Village is a scenic little village dotted with a dollhouse collection of stone and stucco houses. The area was probably settled when Ephesus was abandoned, but what you see today mostly dates from the 19th century. The story goes that a group of freed Greek slaves moved here in the 15th century and called the village Çirkince (Ugliness) to deter others from following. The name was changed to the more honest Sirince (Pleasantness) in the 1920s during the founding of the new republic.
Before Atatürk’s republic, Sirince was a larger town inhabited by Ottoman Greeks. The current villagers, who moved here from Salonica during an exchange of populations in 1924, are ardent fruit farmers who also make and sell an interesting assortment of wines. Flavours range from raspberry and peach to the trendier black mulberry and pomegranate.
Sirince Village is by no means the ‘undiscovered gem’ as usually marketed in other guidebooks. In fact, it’s the village’s widely known reputation for authenticity that has marked the start of its demise. During the day, souvenir shops run the entire length of the main street as vendors try to lure you in using a smattering of catcalls in different languages. Visitors who ignore this and stay the night (at a stiff premium, of course) will be well rewarded with the chance to see the real village after the tour buses have gone.
Sights & Activities
If you’re trying to avoid the crowds then it’s best to visit in the evening when the droves of daytrippers have long retreated from the mountains 3pm is about the busiest time of day. Şirince’s charm lies in its subtleties, so your time is best spent simply ambling around the crooked cobbled lanes and admiring the adorable architecture.
The ruined Church of St John the Baptist ( 8am-8pm summer, 8.30am-6.30pm winter) is of limited interest. Faded frescoes adorn the walls, which date back to Byzantine times. Funds are scarce, so restorations have yet to turn the space into more than a sanctuary for cawing birds.
Sleeping
Sirince is a captive market, and room rates can be ludicrously inflated for what you get.
Shopping
These days almost every house on the village’s main street has been transformed into a storefront selling a variety of local wares, namely fruit wine. Ask to sample your wine of choice before making the purchase it’s not everyone’s cup of tea some of the flavours taste a bit too much like cough syrup. Other shops sell olive oil, soaps and leather goods, usually crafted locally (it’s best to ask). It’s worth stopping by Demetrius of Ephesus (Sirince Köyü 26) , a local artisan who crafted most of the jewellery and trinkets for the movie Troy you’ll know you’re in the right place when you see the photo of Brad Pitt hanging above the cash register.
This village still boasts the typical stalls with olive oil, wine, leather goods, clothing, etc. But the people in Sirince were a little less pushy than in the larger areas. Saffron was a particularly good value there!
Even just outside the peak tourist season, Sirince was very busy on a Friday evening. Lots of kitschy souvenirs, but the locally made fruit wines were pleasant. The air was cooler than down below in Selcuk and this made for a very enjoyable evening.
We wish we had spent more time at this beautiful village. The wines made at the village are one of the best found in the region. Every street and corner is scenic and a candidate for a beautiful photograph. Spend time here, roam its alleys and if you have the time consider spending a couple of nights as well.
All the places are othantic and the environment is really fresh and clear all of them beautifulll
Nice village, taste local fruit wines, one day visit is enough, very suitable destination when you drive from northwest to southwest Turkey.
Sirince, is a quaint Turkish village, set in the hills. Here you can enjoy wondering around the old stone houses, eat local food, and taste their famous wines. There is also a market place, selling all their local produce and souveniers. Well worth a visit!
If I had oppurtunity, I would love to live in this lovely village in the rest of my life
A beautiful mountain village set amongst acres of natural fruit trees. Production of various fruit wines which can be freely sampled at the various shops located within the village, bottles of wine for sale at very reasonable prices. The access roads are rather scary as tight narrow hair pin bends & sheer drops at either side of the steep, windy…
It's a nice village in a beautiful hilly location. Full of boutique hotels and simple-but-good restaurants. Cooler than the close by Ephesus, I recommend it as a relaxing break from archeology/beach wandering.
You'll fall in love with this village in the mountains of Turkey. It's like it had stood still in time. Great restaurants with fresh food, local markets, children in the streets playing, locals selling their locally made wears. All fun. The view of the hillside rooftops and surrounding trees are beautiful. A must see.