Sustainable Tourism in Izmir: Why Urla and Selçuk Achieved Silver Certification

Selçuk is a district in the province of İzmir, located in Türkiye’s Aegean region, close to the Aegean coast and just 2 km from the ancient city of Ephesus, one of the most visited archaeological sites in the world.
It is efficiently connected to the city of İzmir (approx. 60 km) via railway and major roads, and lies near coastal destinations such as Kuşadası.

The territory alternates between urbanised areas, rural zones with vineyards, olive groves and mixed agriculture, and natural landscapes linked to the Küçük Menderes River valley.

According to official data from the Address Based Population Registration System (ADNKS / TÜİK) and local surveys updated to 2024, the population of the Selçuk district is approximately 38,600–38,700 inhabitants (the most cited figure for 2024 is 38,688).
It is therefore a medium-small centre, with strong seasonal peaks driven by tourism.

Historical Background

The history of Selçuk spans thousands of years and multiple civilisations: from prehistoric settlements and Greek colonies to Imperial Rome; from Christianisation and Late Antiquity to the arrival of the Turks, and finally the modern era marked by archaeology and cultural tourism.
In this sense, Selçuk — thanks to Ephesus and Ayasuluk Hill — is one of the most layered and historically rich contexts in western Anatolia.

The History of Selçuk – 10 Key Points

1. Prehistoric settlements: the area has been inhabited since the Neolithic and Bronze Ages.
2. Hittite identification: the ancient name Apasas (or similar) may refer to the earliest form of Ephesus.
3. Greek foundation: it became one of the main Ionian cities and an important Mediterranean port.
4. Temple of Artemis: in the 6th century BC the city moved next to the sanctuary, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
5. Hellenistic re-foundation (c. 300 BC): Ephesus was expanded and monumentalised by a general of Alexander the Great.
6. Roman golden age: capital of the Province of Asia, with up to 250,000 inhabitants; the Library of Celsus and the Great Theatre were built.
7. Christian centre: from the early centuries it became a major religious site, with the tomb of St John and the proximity of the House of the Virgin Mary.
8. Post-Roman decline: the port’s silting caused economic crisis and led to the settlement moving to Ayasuluk Hill.
9. Turkish and Ottoman period: Ayasuluk became a strategic centre with its fortress and the Isa Bey Mosque; the town remained rural but active.
10. Modern revival: from the 19th century onwards, archaeological excavations brought Ephesus back to light and transformed Selçuk into an international cultural and tourism hub.

Strengths

Rich historical and cultural heritage

The proximity to Ephesus, the Temple of Artemis, the Basilica of St John and the House of the Virgin Mary makes Selçuk one of Türkiye’s most significant cultural destinations, where history, religion and anthropology coexist in a unique way.

Balanced quality of life

With a population of around 38,600, Selçuk offers a slower pace of life compared with larger cities, without sacrificing essential services. Healthcare facilities, schools and key local services cover everyday needs, while İzmir provides access to more advanced services.

Strong agricultural identity and access to local products

The local economy combines tourism with high-quality agriculture (grape, olive, fig, citrus).
Local markets offer fresh products at generally affordable prices, supporting a healthy and accessible lifestyle.

Sustainability-focused initiatives

Recent years have seen the development of agritourism and environmental education projects, including demonstration farming villages and rural valorisation routes. These initiatives aim to protect the landscape and promote sustainable agricultural practices.

Strategic location and mobility

Selçuk is well connected by train, bus and major roads.
Its proximity to İzmir Adnan Menderes Airport makes it attractive and accessible for remote workers and those with international connections.

Welcoming community and “slow living”

There is a strong sense of community, with cultural festivals, local events and a more relaxed daily life compared with large urban centres.
The Mediterranean climate and compact urban fabric support a calm, enjoyable lifestyle.

Living in Selçuk

Ideal for:

• Tourism, culture and hospitality professionals: excellent for those working in heritage, hospitality or cultural experiences.
• People seeking balance between nature, history and services: perfect for those wanting tranquillity without isolation.
• Remote workers: lower costs than major European cities and easy access to İzmir.
• Families or couples looking for a slower lifestyle: good local services, safe environment, strong community.
• Agriculture or food-and-wine enthusiasts: ideal territory for small agricultural projects, agritourism or local product initiatives.

Key Elements Behind the Silver Certification

🟦 Ephesus Field Life Village

A sustainable agriculture, educational and agri-tourism project: an area (e.g., ~5,000 m², according to official information) dedicated to traditional farming practices, environmental education, workshops and experiences connecting rural communities with visitors.

🟦 Sustainable management of the Ephesus area and heritage protection

As the district including the UNESCO site of Ephesus, Selçuk has implemented measures to balance high visitor numbers with heritage protection, visitor management and the development of alternative routes (rural villages, cultural experiences) to help distribute tourist flows.

🟦 Support for local agriculture and traditional supply chains

Valorisation of local products (vine, olive, figs) and integration of resilient agricultural practices, along with measures to counter youth outmigration by creating local opportunities linked to sustainable tourism.

Examples of Local Products and Practices

Olive (EVOO and derivatives)

The Selçuk area and nearby valleys are part of the Aegean olive-growing tradition, with many farms using:

• manual harvesting
• cold pressing
• preservation of centuries-old olive groves as cultural heritage

The local “Zeytin Yolu” (Olive Route) promotes tourism itineraries, guided visits and educational tastings.

Figs (dried figs of the Küçük Menderes valley)

Selçuk is part of the high-quality fig production area (Mevlana figs).
Local cooperatives support artisanal processing and natural drying.
Pilot projects have tested solar-powered drying systems to cut energy use and improve hygiene standards.

Resilient Agriculture and Climate Adaptation

Low-water agriculture

Expansion of drip irrigation, especially for vineyards and orchards.
Pilot projects using IoT soil humidity sensors (UmbriaTech in partnership with Turkish companies).

Regenerative agriculture

Increasingly adopted techniques include:

• cover cropping
• compost from agricultural waste
• reduced tillage
• planting of native hedgerows and trees for functional biodiversity

Rural landscape restoration

Projects across the Aegean valley promote:

• restoration of historical terraces
• reintroduction of drought-resistant local varieties
• conservation of dry-stone walls and ancient rural structures, often linked to cultural tourism routes such as the Cultural Heritage Trail.

Economic Opportunities and Youth Retention

Micro-enterprises linked to sustainable tourism

Growth of small businesses such as:

• artisanal jam and preserve producers
• natural cosmetics based on olive products
• rural guesthouses collaborating with vineyards and agritourism farms
• tasting tours and cooking classes run by young entrepreneurs

Agricultural incubators and university programmes

Ege University and İzmir Katip Çelebi University offer:

• training in agri-food marketing
• courses on innovation in Mediterranean agriculture
• Erasmus+ projects on climate resilience in farming systems

Mini-incubators support:

• digital agriculture start-ups
• sustainable packaging systems
• short-supply-chain distribution networks

Youth cooperatives and community models

Examples in nearby rural areas include:

• cooperatives such as Tire Süt Kooperatifi, whose model has been replicated in other sectors
• young farmers in Selçuk launching biodynamic production and direct local markets with support from the agricultural district.

Concrete Examples of Recent Projects

(non-exhaustive, but representative of current directions)

• Urla Agro-Tourism Cluster – network connecting wineries, restaurants, agronomists and nature guides to create integrated rural tourism packages.
• Ephesus–Selçuk Rural Heritage Path – cultural route linking vineyards, historic hills and agricultural hamlets.
• İzmir Metropolitan Municipality – Sustainable Agriculture Programme (Sürdürülebilir Tarım Programı)
  Supporting drought-resistant crops, quality improvement of local products, short supply chains and farmers’ markets.
• Women’s Agricultural Cooperatives (Kadın Kooperatifleri)
  Initiatives involving women and youth in:
  • fig drying
  • olive oil and natural soap production
  • processing of aromatic herbs

Community Engagement and Training

Educational programmes for operators, schools and awareness campaigns for residents and local businesses.

Integration with metropolitan policies

Activities are coordinated with İzmir Metropolitan Municipality (technical and strategic support), strengthening management capacity and compliance with standards.

Cross-cutting Measures and Procedural Requirements that Likely Made the Difference

(These are typical elements required and verified by Green Destinations and help explain why the assessment was positive.)

• A sustainability management system (reporting, indicators, and action plans for improvement).
• Independent audits assessing local practices and compliance with Green Destinations indicators.
• Measurable actions on environment (waste reduction, habitat protection), culture (heritage conservation), economy (benefits for local communities) and governance.
  (The experiences of Urla and Selçuk show concrete examples in all these areas.)