We are going to Istanbul and plan to fly over to Izmir to spend a day at Ephesus. We're planning on two nights in the area. My first thought was Izmir since that is the airport area. However, as I read different posts on this site, Selcuk is beginning to intrigue me. The more recent postings seem to choose Selcuk as a more charming town and less of a cruise ship port town. For people who have recently been to the area, which town would you choose as a base for a day at Ephesus and why?
Posted by
Salem, Oregon, USA
3916 posts
I stayed in Kusadasi with a RS tour. It is a cruise port town for sure, but that isn't necessarily a recommendation against it. Selcuk is the town that includes Ephesus and its museum, so it would be convenient to stay there. Izmir and the airport are an hour drive away from Ephesus. Are you going to rent a car? Hire a driver? For planning purposes, check the cruise ship schedule for Kusadasi for the days you plan to visit Ephesus, the place really does get mobbed when there are ships in port.
Posted by
923 posts
Turkey was our first trip together as a couple, waaay back in '90. Izmir was OK but was a full-on city. Kusadasi can be pretty touristy but was still attractive. *Selcuk was where we bought the single most incredible bunch of jackets and coats ever. Useful, nicely-designed and durable: we still wear them. I wore one of mine today during an unusually frigid April day. The price was about a third of what we'd have paid for the same coats back in Canada.
Pinch-me value!
Selcuk all the way whether you buy any clothing or not.
I am done. the end
Posted by
Duluth, MN🌲
11773 posts
As the others have said, Izmir is a larger city. I think it's worth a visit, but if you want a place to stay for a few days, I would probably go with Selcuk. That's where I stayed when I went to Ephesus, and I enjoyed the town. It was pretty charming, and there were some fun shops and great Turkish delight there!
Posted by
Everett, WA
1316 posts
Another vote for Selcuck. We stayed there April 4 and 5. We were just down the street from St John's church with all the stores and restaurants with in easy walking distance.