Sirince, A Charming Hill Town In Turkey’s Cobblestone Maze Of Selçuk

A regular stream of local and international tourists visits Sirince to buy, eat, and drink. In some instances, traffic is so congested that automobiles are unable to pass.

Legend has it that it was founded by freed Greek slaves who gave it the name irkince — Turkish for “ugly” — to keep it hidden. It was then renamed irince, which means “beautiful” in Turkish.

Despite the influx of tourists, Sirince retains its air of seclusion. Yes, the streets are lined with tourist-oriented stores and restaurants, but they are housed in previously occupied homes and spaces that do not detract from the town’s rustic vibe.

For a scenic 20-minute ride, hop on one of these minibuses that leave Selçuk’s otogar (bus station) every 20 minutes or so.

 Salep is sweet and highly rich, with a peculiar, almost flowery flavor, and is dusted with cinnamon. It’s also served piping hot, so take care. This tiny cup sold for 5TL.

Pomegranates are widely available in Turkey. They’re frequently offered as freshly pressed juice at stands like this. It’s tasty, tangy, and sweet with a subtle chalkiness. Irince is a town in Turkey’s Zmir Province.

Where to go and how to get there:

Go to the otogar (bus station) in Selçuk and grab one of the minibuses that leave every 20 minutes or so towards irince. It’s only 8 kilometers east of Selçuk and a picturesque 20-minute ride away. The fee was only 3.50TL each way if my memory serves me right.

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