Selçuk Camel Wrestling Festival

The Selçuk Camel Wrestling Festival (Deve Güreşleri) is held on the third Sunday of January each year in Selçuk, the small Aegean town most visitors know as the gateway to Ephesus. It is the largest camel wrestling event in Turkey and one of the most distinctive traditional spectacles in the country, drawing around 20,000 spectators and close to 100 competing Tülü camels.

The Tradition Behind the Event

Camel wrestling has been part of the Aegean and Anatolian winter cultural calendar for over two millennia. The sport relies on the natural behaviour of male Tülü camels (a Bactrian-dromedary hybrid) during mating season, when they instinctively wrestle each other for dominance. Owners train and condition their animals year-round, and competition camels are among the most carefully kept animals in rural Turkey, dressed in elaborate embroidered blankets and decorated saddles for the event.

The camels do not fight to injury. Matches typically end when one camel falls, runs off, or sits down. Referees intervene quickly, and teams of handlers keep animals apart between rounds.

What Happens on the Day

The festival grounds open in the morning outside Selçuk’s stadium. Before the wrestling begins, the camels parade through town in their ceremonial dress, drawing large crowds. The actual bouts run from late morning into the afternoon across a dirt arena, with a bracket system that pairs animals of similar size and weight.

Alongside the wrestling, the festival functions as a large open-air market and food fair. Vendors sell gozleme (stuffed flatbread), köfte, roasted chestnuts, and a local rice dish traditionally served at camel events. Folk music plays throughout the day, and the atmosphere is loud, festive, and heavily local — international visitors are a distinct minority here.

Getting There

Selçuk is around 75km south of Izmir and easily reached by train from Izmir Basmane station. Trains run regularly and take approximately 75-90 minutes. Buses also connect Izmir’s main otogar with Selçuk. If you are based in Izmir, the most practical option is an early morning train to arrive before the camel parade begins.

Tips for Visitors

Arrive before 09:30 to catch the opening parade. The arena is general admission and fills quickly — bring a cushion or folding seat, as the dirt embankments can be uncomfortable for a full day. January in the Aegean can be mild (10-15°C) but bring a layer for the morning chill. Entry to the festival grounds typically carries a small admission fee; verify the current price through official tourism channels before travelling. Photography is welcome throughout, and the decorated camels make for striking subjects both in the parade and in the arena.