Ayasoluk Hotel

Overview

Ayasoluk Hotel is a small stone hotel on the western slope of Ayasuluk Hill in Selçuk. It sits on the road that climbs from the town to the Basilica of St. John. The family that built it still runs it. Because of where it stands, several rooms and the restaurant look straight across to the monuments of the hill.

Ayasoluk Hotel on Ayasuluk Hill

The hotel keeps an older spelling of the hill's name, Ayasoluk, while Turkish heritage bodies write Ayasuluk. Both forms, however, come from the Greek name of St. John the Theologian. Tradition holds that the apostle lies buried on this hill. From the restaurant terrace, you look over the İsa Bey Mosque and the basilica. You can also see the site of the Temple of Artemis and the Cave of the Seven Sleepers.

Quick facts

• Good for: a base within walking distance of Selçuk's sights
• Best combined with: a morning at the Basilica of St. John and an afternoon in Ephesus

The Building and the Hill

Local stone at Ayasoluk Hotel

Local craftsmen raised Ayasoluk Hotel in stone, in the building style of the region. Inside, several rooms have fireplaces for the winter, and the bathrooms use marble. It is a family business, and the founders run it themselves. So the hotel stays small, with only a few types of rooms.

The history of Ayasuluk Hill

People lived on this hill from the Neolithic to the end of the Ottoman period. After the 7th century, the people of Ephesus moved up here from the old city below. Later, the Byzantines, the Aydınoğulları and the Ottomans each built parts of the castle walls. The walls have 15 towers. Inside, you can also see the ruins of an Ottoman palace, a hamam (a Turkish bath) and a mosque. Since 2015, the hill's monuments have formed part of the Ephesus World Heritage Site.

The Basilica of St. John and İsa Bey Mosque

Emperor Justinian had the basilica built over the place where tradition puts the tomb of St. John the Apostle. The tomb itself lies under the center of the church. Much later, in 1375, İsa Bey built his mosque on the same hill. Above both, the Ayasuluk Castle, Selçuk crowns the summit, north of the basilica. We arrange your entry to the Basilica of St. John and the castle above it.

Where Ayasoluk Hotel Sits

If you come by car, drive toward the castle. Then turn at the sign for St. John's Basilica. On foot, the hotel is under ten minutes from the Selçuk bus station. When you fly into İzmir, the İZBAN commuter train runs from the airport to Selçuk. It is a short walk up the hill. Otherwise, the hotel can arrange a transfer from the airport.

The ruins of Ephesus lie about 3 km (2 miles) from Selçuk, so they are close enough for a morning visit. Back in town, the Ephesus Museum shows finds from the ancient city and the Temple of Artemis. Our Ephesus guide covers the wider area, from Şirince to the coast.

Who It Suits

Ayasoluk Hotel suits travelers who want to walk to Selçuk's sights and sleep somewhere small. Couples can take a king room, which also has a view of the mosque and the basilica. Solo travelers, though, have single rooms on the garden level. For families, one larger room has a second small mattress in its window bay.

Staying at Ayasoluk Hotel

Updated: October 25, 2026.

Rooms and views at Ayasoluk Hotel

All rooms have heating, air-conditioning and rain showers, while the twin and king rooms also have fireplaces. One larger room looks toward Mt. Pion, the hill above the ruins of Ephesus. It also looks over the farmland that now covers the city's first harbor, and on toward the Aegean Sea. The restaurant cooks traditional Turkish dishes with fresh local produce each day. We book your stay at Ayasoluk Hotel.

Seeing Ephesus with Us

Would you like to stay on Ayasuluk Hill and see Ephesus with an expert? From Ayasuluk Hill, the basilica is next door and Ephesus a short drive; send us your dates for the hotel stay and a guide for Ephesus.