Selçuk and its surroundings are rich in interesting, historical places The biggest attraction is, of course, the ruined city of Ephesus, located about 3 kilometers from the town center.

If you already find yourself in the vicinity of Ephesus, find the Cave of the Seven Sleepers (tr. Yedi Uyuyanlar), located nearby. It is a Byzantine necropolis where dozens of rock-cut tombs can be seen. The cave is connected to a legend of young, persecuted the Christians of Ephesus.

On the way to Ephesus make a little detour and stop at the remains of Artemision - a huge temple dedicated to the goddess Artemis. In ancient times, Artemision was considered to be one of the Seven Wonders of the World. However, today little remains from the period of the splendor of this structure. It is hard to believe that this was once the building larger than the Parthenon in Athens. The cult of the mother goddess, Artemis, also called Cybele, was the main engine of growth in Ephesus and attracted crowds of pilgrims to the area.

The history of Artemision is also related to Saint Paul, who lived for some time in Ephesus. During his stay, he came into conflict with a local goldsmith. The controversy arose from silver models of Artemision, sold to the pilgrims. This practice was against Christian teachings. Saint Paul could have been tried and killed, because of the greed of local merchants. Soon afterward the apostle left Ephesus.

The ruins of Artemision were used for the construction of the basilica of St. John. Some of the building materials were even used during the erection of the Church of the Holy Wisdom (Hagia Sophia) in Constantinople.

Saint John also visited the Ephesus. He came with Mary - the mother of Jesus, as he had promised to take care of her. She reportedly ended her life there. The house in which she lived (called Meryemana by the Turks), was situated on the Hill of Nightingales (tr. Bülbüldağı), located about 8 kilometers from Ephesus. Today, it is a sanctuary that is visited both by the faithful and curious tourists. If you're planning to visit this place, remember to wear appropriate clothes. Unfortunately, there is no public transport to the place, so you have to take into account the expense for a taxi or a long and steep climb uphill.

İsa Bey Mosque is an interesting monument of Muslim architecture. It was built in 1375 and represents the transitional period of Anatolian architecture - post-Seljuk, but pre-Ottoman. The mosque is open to visitors outside the hours of prayers. Another historic mosque in Selçuk is Ishak Bey Camii. It was also built in the 14th century, during the reign of a local Aydınoğulları dynasty. The building, restored in 2005-2006, is a structure where the dome rests on an octagonal base, with a free-standing minaret.

In the center of Selçuk, one can also see some old Turkish tombs, Ottoman traditional houses and the remains of an aqueduct, favorite nesting place for storks. This massive structure, built by the Romans and restored in the Byzantine period, runs parallel to İnönü Caddesi, on the west side of the town. Currently, it is a popular place for romantic walks and meetings in restaurants and cafes.

The highlight of the trip to Selçuk should be a visit to Ephesus Museum, located in the town center. The second museum in the area is Çetin Museum, nearby the roundabout by Pamucak Beach. Its exhibitions are devoted to ethnography and include a collection of dolls dressed in folk costumes and an exhibition dedicated to local traditional dances. In the center of Selçuk, on Anton Kallinger Caddesi, operates Crisler Library, created by the eminent American researcher of that name. It boasts a vast collection of books devoted to Ephesus as well as ancient, biblical and Islamic history.

Nearby Selçuk there is a picturesque Şirince, famous for its fruit wines. On the southern side of the town, on D550 route to Aydın, there is Çamlık Tren Müzesi i.e. Railway Museum. It is the largest of its kind in Turkey and one of the largest in Europe. There are 33 steam locomotives and several passenger cars, including a favorite private car of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. The museum is open daily, from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm (in winter to 5:00 pm). The admission ticket costs 5 TL.

Other attractions of the region are Belevi Mausoleum from the Hellenistic era and Goat Castle (tr. Keçi Kalesi), towering above the access road to Selçuk.

In addition to historic attractions, visitors in Selçuk can enjoy a range of cultural festivals and sports events, including famous camel wrestling and traditional oil wrestling.