Selcuk Efes Camel Wrestling Festival

Selçuk Efes Deve Güreşi Festivali

View on map
Sports & AdventureSelçuk/Efes
DatesDates TBA · Usually JanuaryCheck locally before booking
DurationWinterEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forCompetition, enduranceCamel wrestling, deve guresi in Turkish
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: TRY
CategorySports & AdventureFestival type
The story

Selcuk Efes Camel Wrestling Festival in Selçuk/Efes

The Selcuk-Efes Camel Wrestling Festival is Turkey's largest and most prestigious camel wrestling event, held annually in mid-January in Selcuk, a town in Izmir province two kilometers from the ancient ruins of Ephesus, featuring around a hundred elaborately decorated Tulu camels competing in paired matches before large crowds.

Selcuk sits just two kilometers from the ruins of ancient Ephesus, once home to the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, giving the town an archaeological pedigree that draws visitors year-round, but each January it hosts a very different kind of spectacle rooted in a much more recent, though still centuries-old, Aegean nomadic tradition: camel wrestling.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Camel wrestling, deve guresi in Turkish, is a centuries-old Aegean tradition in which male Tulu camels, a hybrid breed bred specifically for size and temperament, wrestle in pairs in response to a female camel in heat being paraded nearby, with matches judged on which camel forces the other to retreat, fall, or cry out

02

The mystery stays covered

The Selcuk-Efes event, documented as running since at least the 1990s, stands as the largest and most closely watched of dozens of camel wrestling festivals held across the Aegean region each winter, distinguished by the sheer number of competing camels, elaborate handwoven and pompom-covered saddle coverings called cul, and its setting immediately beside one of the ancient world's most significant archaeological sites

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Camel wrestling descends from a centuries-old Aegean nomadic tradition using specially bred Tulu camels

Water and renewal

Living ritual

and modern festivals retain traditional elements including handwoven pompom saddle covers

The sacred route

Living ritual

and zurna-davul music

The local code

Living ritual

with animal welfare safeguards such as muzzling and handler ropes now standard practice

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually January

Getting around

For Selcuk Efes Camel Wrestling Festival, plan transport around the exact Selçuk/Efes venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Warm winter clothing is essential, since the festival takes place outdoors in January; layered coats, hats, and gloves are recommended against Aegean winter chill.

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

For Selcuk Efes Camel Wrestling Festival, stay near the part of Selçuk/Efes you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

TRY

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map41.01 N, 28.95 EOpen in Google Maps

Selçuk/Efes, Izmir, Turkey

Nearest airportADB — Adnan Menderes
TransportFor Selcuk Efes Camel Wrestling Festival, plan transport around the exact Selçuk/Efes venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.
Stay areaFor Selcuk Efes Camel Wrestling Festival, stay near the part of Selçuk/Efes you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Selçuk/Efes via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Selçuk/Efes, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for January.Compare faresFestival gearWarm winter clothing is essential, since the festival takes place outdoors in January; layered coats, hats, and gloves are recommended against Aegean winter chill.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Turkey and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

We may earn a small commission from trusted travel partners at no extra cost to you.

FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Selcuk Efes Camel Wrestling Festival?

Selcuk Efes Camel Wrestling Festival is listed for January · Winter. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Selcuk Efes Camel Wrestling Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Selçuk/Efes, Turkey. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Winter is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Selçuk/Efes, Izmir, Turkey

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLdailysabah.com
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually January
Source statusOfficial source linked
Related festivals

Continue the route.

Photo pending

Argungu Fishing Festival

Past edition: 11–14 February 2026

Argungu, Nigeria
Photo pending

Bay to Breakers

Past edition: 17 May 2026

San Francisco, United States
Photo pending

Daytona 500

Past edition: 15 February 2026

Daytona Beach, United States
Photo pending

Daytona Bike Week

Past edition: 27 February–8 March 2026

Daytona Beach, United States

Spotted something out of date? Submit a correction →