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Up in the hills at about 9 km east of Selçuk amid grapevines and orchards sits the old Greek town Şirince. During the exchange of populations in 1924 after the Greek-Turkish War, the original Greek inhabitants left and the present villagers moved here from the vicinity of Selanik (Thessaloniki). Sirince offers you fresh air, old Greek houses and an atmosphere of repose and relaxation. Unfortunately in recent years tour buses have it included in their circuit with the result that much of its authenticity has been replaced by souvenir shops.
Şirince is a magnificent small mountain village "lost" but a short distance from the coast. Everything from olive trees and goats to the marketplace reminds you of the typical Turkish atmosphere. Except the village was actually of Greek orthodox influence until 1924 when its inhabitants were swapped with Turkish newcomers as part of a population exchange.














