General Information
Şirince: As charming as the meaning of the name indicates, Şirince is a lovely little village comprised of narrow streets with old adjacent houses. Though a small village, Şirince is worldwide famous as the hub of fruit wines.
Şirince is a district of Selçuk located in Izmir province. According to old sources the history of the town, referred to as “Ephesus in the Mountains,” dates back to the ancient times.
It is known that the crisp white houses that are well preserved in the present day were constructed in the 19th century. Preserved in their original architectural state amidst a lush green landscape, the houses reveal a magnificent view.
Well known for its boutique hotels, small restaurants, wine cellars and hospitable Aegean people, Şirince is ready to welcome guests in any season!
Attractions
Şirince, the name of which means “charming”, is an Aegean village that is indeed identical with the meaning of its name for its magnificent landscape composed of lush green forests , olive trees and ample vineyards.
In the vicinity of Izmir and holiday resorts such as Çeşme and Kuşadasi, Şirince welcomes you with an amazing view of forested hills by the end of an uphill road.
The stands and little shops located at the entrance of the village, selling all sorts of home made delicacies and hand made souvenirs, render a colorful view in the eye of the visitors. In addition, the local wine producers often welcome their guests by offering free samples of the fruit wine made of the grapes and fruits grown in the region.
Following the steep and paved streets of the village you will either come across an old house steeped in history or some corner where local delicacies are sold if not some carefully preserved buildings or monuments of interest. Operated also as boutique hotels, the interior decorations of these quaint houses are interesting as well.
You may enjoy a glass of wine and try some of the traditional specialties of the Aegean cuisine at the local restaurants and give your evening a finishing touch by trying some of the gummy ice cream and desserts made according to local recipe.
The two historic churches located in the small village will not only take you to the 19th century but also impress you with their architecture and chiaroscuro.
The soaps, jams and local souvenirs made of a variety of natural products are ideal tokens of a memorable visit to the village and may also be given as gifts to loved ones.
As for the scenery, you will enjoy watching the sunset in Şirince as the orange colors of the evening beam on the wooden windows of the white washed houses of the village and also take pleasure in the view as the sun rises again behind the lush green hills.
Şirince is the ideal holiday destination for vacationers who delight in exploring ancient villages and natural wonders.
Events
As a small but charming village Şirince attracts great attention for its festival offering a rich program with colorful activities.
Organized in October every year, the Şirince Vintage Culture, Art and Friendship Festival becomes the scene of a variety of entertaining activities and events such as live performances, wine tastings and dance shows.
How can I get there?
In close proximity to Izmir, Şirince is within easy reach via a variety of transportation alternatives.
There are direct flights to Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport from all destinations of Turkey and major destinations of Europe. The transportation vehicles leaving from the airport will take the passengers to Selçuk where they can get on the minibuses to Şirince.
Izmir is also accessible via highway. Visitors to Şirince can take one of the buses from Izmir to Selçuk and get on the minibuses to Şirince from there.
Another alternative is to rent a car and enjoy the scenic beauty of the landscape while driving uphill in the direction of Şirince.
Source: http://goturkey.com/
