With only a couple of weeks to explore Turkey, including a dreamy 7-night sailing trip, we had to be choosy about our stops—especially with those long distances (and that’s coming from an Australian!). Figuring out transport can be a bit of a puzzle, but the bus system is affordable, easy to navigate, and, quite frankly, part of the adventure.
Ephesus was non-negotiable for me—I’ve always wanted to see it. So, we settled on Selçuk, the closest town, for a two-night stay. We found a charming little pension run by an Australian-raised Turk—an eight-hour bus ride from Istanbul. Sure, it was long, but frequent pit stops to stretch, grab a coffee, and use the loo made it pretty bearable. Plus, free tea, coffee, and water onboard—who can complain?
Once we arrived, I figured we’d need a taxi, but nope—our accommodation was just a quick 500-meter stroll from the bus station. We were greeted with a warm, very Aussie-style welcome—laid-back and friendly. The room was exactly what I expected: simple, clean, and roomy enough for our bags and us. I’ll spill more about our amazing hosts and this cozy spot at the end.
We still had time to grab a light dinner and take a quick look around the town. I could tell right away—two nights here? Not nearly enough! Selçuk has this incredibly chill vibe that took me right back to my backpacking days in Southeast Asia. The locals? Absolutely lovely—always up for a chat or to help with directions. And the strays? Probably better taken care of than most pets back home. The “watermelon man” quickly became our unofficial tour guide and important landmark, pointing us in the right direction for everything, including the bus to Ephesus.
Ephesus: Stepping Back in Time
After a great night’s sleep, we had breakfast on the terrace, overlooking these massive stork nests—such a cool sight—before heading off to Ephesus. It’s just a short minibus ride away. You could walk it, but in the peak of summer? Hard pass—bus all the way.
Ephesus is something else entirely. This isn’t just a ruin—it’s a whole ancient city and was considered one the 7 Ancient Wonders of the World. You could easily spend an entire day there, but with the heat, we decided a few solid hours would be enough. The ancient Celsus Library blew me away—such stunning architecture, with much of the facade still standing.
And the Terrace Houses? Worth every extra penny for the inclusive ticket—much of it is still in well preserved, it’s like stepping into the past. You can almost imagine what it would have been like living here.
But honestly, what got me the most was just walking along those ancient paths, thinking about all the incredible people who walked there before me. Cleopatra & Mark Anthony among them. Just imagining that gave me chills.
The onsite experiential museum is also worth a visit as it guides you through the life phases of the city and it's eventual demise.
The Strays of Selçuk: A Quirky, Canine Community
That evening, we had dinner at Agora Restaurant in the little square, and we were in good company—by which I mean surrounded by the town’s resident dogs. There was this one scrappy runt who could’ve been Scooby-Doo’s nephew - Scrappy Doo, and was so named. The locals filled us in—Selçuk is known as a hotspot where other villages bring their “extras” when they’re overloaded. Many of the locals end up adopting these dogs, but instead of keeping them at home, they bring them to work so they can hang out with their buddies. These dogs were so friendly and calm—it’s clear they’re treated well, and we never saw a single scuffle.
At one point, we heard a sudden burst of barking and saw the dogs sprinting off. When we asked the waiter what was up, he casually said, “Oh, must be a new dog getting dropped off. The others are just checking out the new kid on the block.” Apparently, within a couple of days, the newbie would be part of the gang. Seriously, I’d come back here just to hang out with these dogs. They’ve got it good.
Accommodation: Cozy Vibes and an Amazing View
Our accommodation - ANZ Guest House Pansiyon, was just right—simple, clean, and welcoming. The cherry on top? The rooftop terrace with a view of the column of Artemis, one of the last bits of the once-glorious temple. The location couldn’t have been better—everything was an easy walk away, and our hosts were always around for a chat, some local tips, and a good laugh. It had that friendly, laid-back atmosphere that makes you feel like you’re staying with friends rather than in a hotel.
It was the perfect base for our Selçuk and Ephesus adventure.
Next.. on to the Ferry from Kuşa Dasi (about 20 minutes by taxi) to Samos Island, Greece.
Blog coming! Including a crazy driving adventure.
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