Sirince Village

Sirince once was a Greek Orthodox village,

Sirince once was a Greek Orthodox village, 7 Miles away from Ancient city of Ephesus (current Selcuk town) and  20 miles away from Kusadasi. Sirince was once called Cirkince (ugly). The name is especially chosen to distract people from moving to the village.

How old is Sirince?
First foundation of the village dates back to the 1st century. Early christians of Ephesus escaped to the village to be protected from prosecutors. The village stayed as a Greek Orthodox Village until the exchange agreement between Republic of Turkey and Greece in 1924. During this exchange Greeks living in Turkey were exchanged with Turks living in Greece. This was a forced migration of both sides at the post war period of WW1. Turkish families mainly from Kavala region moved to the area. Greek families who moved from the village founded a new town named as "Nea Efesos'' (Νέα Έφεσος)

The official name change of the village was in the early years of the Republic of Turkey. Name of the village changed from Cirkince to Sirince. Until 20 years ago, the main industry of the village was agriculture. Because of its unique historical background, beauty. Since the village name was mentioned many times in novels and travel shows and documentaries, Sirince Village today is a very touristy site. 

​What is Sirince famous for?
Today the main industry is tourism. A lot of village homeowners converted their homes into restaurants, hotels and shops. Sirince Village, today is known with olives and peaches grown in july and fruit wines. Fruit wines are sweet wines, more like dessert wine. The most popular fruit wine from Sirince is black mulberry. 

Visitors can also find lots of herbal products such as lavender teas, sage, bay leaves, olive oil soap bars, olive oil lotions. Today the village is a perfect synthesis of Turkish-Greek culture. Visitors may enjoy taking pictures of old Greek homes. Most of them today are being restored and turned into small hotels. There are two abandoned Greek Orthodox Churches from the 19th century. 

On the weekends, Sirince becomes so crowded with Turkish visitors from big cities like Izmir and Aydin. Our recommendation is to visit this village during the weekdays. 

For the visitors there are many restaurants and small hotels.

Recommended hotels to stay in Sirince:

• Gullu Konaklari - Boutique Hotel
• Markiz Konaklari - Boutique Hotel
• Nisanyan Boutique Hotel
• Stonehouse Byipek Hotel

​Recommended Restaurants:

• Unalìn Yeri
• Ocakbasi Ali
• Panorama Restaurant

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Is Sirince worth visiting?
For travelers, traveling to Kusadasi, Selcuk and Izmir, we recommend to visit Sirince Village.
A visit to Sirince is highly recommended after visiting Ephesus on a day trip. But it is best to spend the night in Sirince. This hidden gem in Turkey really comes alive when the sun goes down.

For travelers who are overnighting in Sirince Village, we provide private Ephesus Tours from Sirince and also we offer private tours of Ephesus including visit to Sirince Village. If requested private airport transfers from Izmir Airport to Sirince Village.

For more information, contact us.