Tazı CanyonA field guide

Entry 03 Ancient site

A guide to the ancient city of Selge

The Roman theatre of ancient Selge seen from above, with village houses behind it
Fig. 1 The theatre of Selge from the hillside above, beside the village. Photo: Dosseman, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons (resized)
Rows of stone seats in the theatre of Selge, with rocky terraces and wooded hills behind
Fig. 2 Among the seats of the Selge theatre. Photo: Dosseman, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons (resized)

What makes the place unusual

Most ancient sites are fenced away from everyday life. At Selge, the ruins and the village share the same hillside. You come for the antiquity, and what stays with you may be the way people live around it.

Things to look for

  • The Roman theatre, the part of the site visitors tend to remember.
  • Scattered architectural stones lying where they fell, in fields and between homes.
  • The setting itself: a mountain village high above the river valley.

The ground and who it suits

Paths are uneven and there are loose stones. It is not suitable for wheelchair users, and anyone with limited mobility should think carefully. Good shoes matter here as much as at the canyon rim, though the hazard is a twisted ankle rather than a drop.

Respect a place where people live

Ask before you photograph someone or their home. Stay off the walls and leave every stone where you found it.

How to see it

Our regular option is Tazı + Selge, which starts only from the Side area. Lunch and transfer are part of it, and entrance fees are extra. If you are torn between this and the river, compare the two days.

Common questions

Is Selge suitable for wheelchairs?

No. The paths are uneven and rough.

Can I visit Selge from Antalya or Alanya on this tour?

No. Tazı + Selge leaves only from the Side area.

Last checked: 8 November 2026