Essentials
- City
- Selçuk, İzmir, Turkey
- Population
- 37,000
- Internet Speed
- Average 45 Mbps (Fiber available in central areas up to 100 Mbps via Türk Telekom)
- Currency & Banking
- Turkish Lira (TRY). 1 USD ≈ 32.50 TRY, 1 EUR ≈ 35.20 TRY (March 2026 estimates)
- Tap Water
- Not recommended for drinking; buy 19L water jugs (Damacana) for approx. 75 TRY
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/F sockets
- SIM Card
- Turkcell (Best coverage), Türk Telekom, Vodafone. Tourist SIM approx. 900-1200 TRY for 20GB
- Banking for Expats
- Ziraat Bankası, İş Bankası; Wise and Revolut (Standard) work well for withdrawals
- Accommodation
- Local Guesthouses, Airbnb, and small boutique hotels like Ayasoluk Hotel
- Cashless Friendly
- Mostly yes, but carry cash for local markets and small dolmuş (minibus) rides
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb (Avg $40/night) or Sahibinden.com for monthly furnished rentals
- Budget Accommodation
- ANZ Guesthouse (approx. 600 TRY/night), Boomerang Guesthouse
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Atatürk Mah (Old town center) near St. John’s Basilica
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Cumhuriyet neighborhood (quieter, more residential, better fiber internet availability)
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- None dedicated; Ephesus Library or Selçuk Municipality Cultural Center offer quiet zones
- Best Cafe for Work
- St. John Cafe (Good Wi-Fi, view of the castle) or Pink Bistro
- Networking Events
- Informal meetups at Selçuk Efes Kent Belleği (City Memory Center)
- Social Events for Expats
- Expats in Selçuk/Kuşadası Facebook Group; weekly Saturday market meetups
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No Uber; use local Yellow Taxis (Selçuk Taksi: +90 232 892 3122)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Amazon Antique (approx. 350 TRY per day for bicycles)
- Best Beach Nearby
- Pamucak Beach (9km away), accessible by dolmuş for 40 TRY
- Top Regional Airline
- Pegasus Airlines (flying from İzmir ADB airport)
- Top International Airline
- Turkish Airlines / SunExpress
- Highway Access
- E87 Highway connecting to İzmir and Aydın
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Selçuk Train Station (IZBAN suburban rail connecting to Izmir Airport)
- Public Transport Passes
- İzmirim Kart (Used for IZBAN and local buses)
- Regional Travel
- Dolmuş (Minibuses) to Kuşadası (50 TRY) or Sirince (35 TRY)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Selçuk Devlet Hastanesi (Public); Private hospitals in nearby Kuşadası (Gözde Hospital)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Various retreats in Şirince village (8km away) such as Nişanyan Hotel grounds
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Selçuk Belediyesi Spor Salonu (Municipal gym, approx. 500 TRY/month)
- Laundry Services
- Selçuk Laundry in the town center (approx. 200 TRY per load)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Yemeksepeti and Getir
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Çöp Şiş (small meat skewers) at Selçuk Köftecisi
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Okumuşlar Pide (Vegetable pides) and Ejder Restaurant (Mezes)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Şirince Hera (for fruit wines and desserts) or local Baklavacı Hamdi Baba
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Saturday Open Market (Cumartesi Pazarı) for fresh produce
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Trendyol, Hepsiburada
- Grocery Delivery
- Migros Sanal Market, Getir
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Old Town (Near the Aqueduct) - Queen's Bar
- Local Brewery
- Efes Pilsen (Industrial, but based in the region); artisanal fruit wines in Şirince
- Wine Bars
- Kaplankaya and various cellars in Şirince village
- Street Food Stalls
- Midye Dolma (stuffed mussels) and Gözleme in the market area
- Popular International Cuisine
- Old House Cafe & Bar (Mixed European and Turkish)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Ephesus Ancient City (Entry approx. 700-1000 TRY)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Ephesus Archaeological Museum (Selçuk Center)
- Historical Sites
- Temple of Artemis, House of the Virgin Mary
- Religious Sites
- Basilica of St. John, İsa Bey Mosque
- Annual Events
- Selçuk-Efes Camel Wrestling Festival (January)
- Cultural Districts
- Şirince Village (Historic Greek architecture)
- Theater Venues
- The Great Theatre of Ephesus (Seasonal performances)
- Local Markets
- Saturday Farmers Market (Pazar Yeri)
- Music Scene
- Live acoustic music at Wallaby's Apple Tree Garden
- Street Art
- Mural art near the Selçuk Municipality building
- Cooking Classes
- Cooking classes at Bizim Ev Hanım Eli
- Art Galleries
- Artemis Sanat Galerisi
- Historic Buildings
- Ayasoluk Castle
- Local Heritage
- UNESCO World Heritage designation for Ephesus and surrounding sites
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Dilek Peninsula-Büyük Menderes Delta National Park (45 mins away)
- National Parks Nearby
- Dilek Peninsula National Park
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Cycle path from Selçuk center to Pamucak Beach
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Ayasoluk Hill (View of the entire valley)
- Birdwatching Locations
- Belevi Lake (north of the city)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Designated picnic zones at Pamucak Beach
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- PTT (Postal Service), Aras Kargo, Yurtiçi Kargo
- Tech Repair Services
- Local shops on Şahabettin Dede Cd.
- Table Tennis Spots
- Selçuk Youth Center (Gençlik Merkezi)
- Language Classes
- Halk Eğitim Merkezi (Public Education Center) for Turkish courses
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Selçuk Efes Kent Belleği
- Community Centers
- Efes Selçuk Belediyesi Akıncılar Center
- Gaming Lounges
- Netpoint Internet Cafe
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Prohibited in Turkey
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 45,000 TRY per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 1,800,000 TRY)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 35,000 TRY per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 1,400,000 TRY)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 42,000 TRY per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 2,520,000 TRY)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 32,000 TRY per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 1,920,000 TRY)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 40,000 TRY per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 3,200,000 TRY)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 30,000 TRY per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 2,400,000 TRY)
- Corporate Tax
- 25% (Standard rate in Turkey)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 10%
- Tax System
- Residency-based; worldwide income for residents
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 40%
- VAT
- 20% (Standard rate)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, applicable to foreign shareholdings of 50%+
- Property Tax
- Annual tax ranging from 0.1% to 0.2% of value
- Property Transaction Tax
- 4% (Split 2% between buyer and seller)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Digital Nomad Visa available (requires $3,000/mo income) but no specific local tax exemption yet