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.
Comapred to the villages in the Greek islands, there not much to see or do. It was a great stop after Ephesus, but I don't consider it a destination on it's own. Touristy village, where buses will stop with their masses of people.
While this village has been discovered by tour groups, most groups depart around 4 pm. In the late afternoon and evening wandering through the bazaar tasting the local wines and talking with the locals is wonderful. Great experience of life in a small Turkish village. Good prices on many items like dried fruits, nuts and spices.
nice little village up in the hills,great to walk round but need walking shoes on as roads are made of big cobbles, not suitable for prams
This rural hillside town takes you back 50 years. Definitely worth a short drive up into the mountains from Ephesus. We had dessert and wine at Artemis, an old schoolhouse turned into a winery. It was chock full of character and old world charm, and the service was great.
We went to Sirince in winters when it was not much of a tourist season so town had a half sleepy feel to it..However I found it a very pretty small town setting worth visitng for say 3-4 hours..
I like the Sirince where the old still tries to continue to keep its ways. The market seems to be loosing its charm with stores that are geared towards the tourist but when you start walking outside the touristic areas you feel that you are now in a time capsule.
I went there from Selcuk by mini bus. The village was small and good atmosphere. There were a lot of shops. I found a wine bar where I could do tasting first and choose the favorite one. In front of a restaurant, a boy was playing Turkish traditional drum for demonstration.
Completely silent and peaceful.
Sirince is a wonderful hill village about 8 km from Selcuk, near Ephesus. The village is known for its ottoman houses, fruit wine and olive oil. Its a charming place with narrow streets with lots of restaurants.
This village is a "must see" if you get the chance. Great views, lovely little restaurants up the mountainside and you taste all the fruitwines in the village shops.