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Latest Izmir hotel reviews
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Favorite thing: The huge bazaar in the city centre stretches from the coast road to the Konak area, and is a major shopping centre with a vast array of goods inside. It combines modern businesses, shops and cafes, with antiques, dried fruit, household and leather goods in old alleyways with vaults and domes.
While you are walking in Kemeralti, you may feel that all shops and shoppers of Izmir has gathered all together in this place.. Bt why dont you have a rest and sometea under this tree...
Written Nov 11, 2003
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Favorite thing: Center of Izmir.. The new modern Square has been rebuilded by the municipality and is now called one of the most modern Squares of Turkiye..
The watch tower in the middle and Kemeraltý behind the Square and the port.. The square is always crowded with locals and like ants running to theirnets, you can see people walking in and around..
Written Nov 11, 2003
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Favorite thing: .. Lays many cafe and restaurants.. After the renovation fo Kordon many cafes has also renovated their shops and some modern cafes are there waiting for you.. You can spent your leisure times here.. Or you can walk a little more and rest on the grasses..
It is quiet amazing to see all these youngsters at those pubs on saturday noons.. But on weekdays during office hours, it s all quiet..
Written Nov 11, 2003
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Favorite thing: Izmir with its districts and surronding towns has many attractions.. The city center lays inside the Izmir Gulf and on both sides..
However the Gulf is dividing the city in to Two, and this is also creating a kind of two cities inside one city..
Izmir and Karsiyaka(Other side) two unlikely sides, Each doesnt belong to another.. And nobody wants to belong the other..
You can hear a local say "I am not from Izmir, I am From Karsiyaka..".. So.. One izmir is indeed two :)
Written Nov 11, 2003
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Favorite thing: The climate is called to be comfortable, with a relatively mild summer due to the refreshing breeze from the Aegean. But it is too hot in Summer time.. The breeze of Izmir is famous.. Almost every summerday in the afternoon that refreshing breeze helps you to recover.. Without the breeze ????
July and August has the most humid and hot weather.. Sometimes temperature reaches 40C in summer.. Winters are relatively warm.. As izmir has very nice summer escapes, you may not see much locals in summer. They shall be at Cesme, Kusadasi or foca.. Best time to visit shall be April, May, June... September, October...
Written Nov 11, 2003
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Favorite thing: Third biggest city of Turkiye.. The second cosmopolit city after Istanbul.. And showing the Modern Face of Turkiye..
The city with an atmosphere of Mediterranean Europe than traditional Turkey. Once the ancient city of Smyrna, is now a modern, developed, and busy commercial centre, set around a huge bay and surrounded by mountains..
Covered an area of around 12000 KM2 with a population of roughly 3,5 Million..
Written Nov 11, 2003
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Favorite thing: Nargile is one of the oldest traditions in Turkey. The original nargile came from India, but it was primitive and it was made of coconut shells. Nargile came to Anatolia in the 17th century and it was an important part of coffee houses. Even today the nargile continues to give a special pleasure to the smokers. Smoking nargile is quite different than smoke a cigarette. Smoking nargile takes many hours, so its a relaxing time, to think, to talk with friends. This habit doesnt suit to the modern style of living.
However all over Turkey this custom continues to exist and there a lot of nargile cafes, where you can see many people (not only tourists) who enjoy this old pleasure.
Updated Oct 26, 2003
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Favorite thing: Izmir has very good roads but it is quite dangerous for a foreigner to drive in the city. They re driving very fast!!
The suburbs are very crowed , especially in the shopping areas, where the parking is very difficult.
Updated Sep 21, 2003
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Favorite thing: Turkish cuisine is very colorful and contains different tastes. Different tastes in every region contribute to the complexity of Turkish cuisine. The Southeast Anatolian region is famous for Kebaps. The Aegean region, known for its olive production, is famous for its delicious olive oiled vegetables and herbs. Istanbul cuisine combines the most delicious flavors of each region.
Turks before eating it is common to say "Afiyet Olsun" which is the same as saying "Bon Apetit", and secondly, to complement the chef, it is polite to say "Elinize Saglýk" which means "health to your hands" and as asecong meaning "very delicious, well done".
Written Jul 24, 2003
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Favorite thing: Ancient Cities
Bergama
Ephesus Ruins
Bayraklý (Former Ýzmir)
Located at the northeast of Izmir Bay, Bayrakli was the first known settlement of Izmir, which archaeological excavations indicate was probably around 3000 BC. There is a structure from the 7th century BC, situated on the upper part of Bayrakli, which was the grave of the mythological king, Tantalus.
Kadifekale (Velvet Castle)
The old fortress on the hill at the southeast of the city offers unrivalled views of the surrounding area, and at its best at sunset, when the lights start to come on and the call to prayer echoes from many mosques. It was founded in the 4th century BC by Lysimakhos, one of Alexander the Great’s generals, and was strategically placed in view of the harbour and the city. It is possible to walk up to the citadel from the Agora, through narrow streets and old houses, and it remains open although is not lit at night. On the walls of the ruins are Roman and Byzantine engravings and the remaining structures include the south walls and five towers at the west, which date back to the Medieval Age.
Agora
Within the crowded streets of Konak, the agora used to be the venue for political gatherings and elections. It was built on the orders of Alexander the Great, probably in the 2nd century BC, and is the only surviving pre-Ottoman monument, although what remains was the reconstruction by the Romans after a devastating earthquake. There are 14 Corinthian columns, vaulted chambers and hundreds of Ottoman graveyards in the eastern section. Many treasures unearthed during excavations are now exhibited in the Archaeology Museum.
Fondest memory: Mosque, Church and Synagogues
The most important mosques in the city are Hisar, Yali (Konak), Salepcioglu and Kestane Pazari Mosque. Others in the city include Sadirvan, Basdurak, Kemeralti (built in1812), Faik Pasa, (repaired in 1842), Han Bey, Hatuniye Mosque, Seyh, Fettah, Yali, Ali Aga, Selvili Mescit, Abdullah Efendi and Iki Cesmelik Mosque.
St. Polycarp Church, in Gaziosmanpasa, is the oldest church in Izmir and was lavishly rebuilt in the 19th century by the French. St Polycarp was Smyrna’s first bishop, and when he refused to follow the orders of the Romans to renounce his faith, he was burnt at the stake.
Religion Tourism
Other churches include;
Dome Cathedral St. John Sehit Nevres Bul.29, Alsancak.
Santa Maria Halit Ziya Bul. No: 67
Notre Dame De St. Rosarei 1481 Sokak. No: 8, Alsancak
Notre Dame De Lourders 81 Sokak No: 10, Goztepe
St. John the Bapist Kemalpasa Caddesi. No: 15, Buca
Santa Maria Kars Okulu Sk. No: 5, Bornova,
St. Anthony of Pauda 1610 Sokak. No: 5, Bayrakli
St. Helen 1729 Sokak. No: 53, Karsiyaka
St. John's Church (Anglican) Talat Pasa Bulvari, Alsancak
St. Mary Magdalene (Protestant) Hurriyet Caddesi No:18, Bornova
Aya Fotini (Orthodox) 1374 Sokak. No: 24, Alsancak (Open for only festivals)
Synagogues;
Bet Yisrael Mithatpasa Caddesi. No: 265
Sinyora Iveret 927 Sokak. No: 7, Mezarlikbasi
Saar Asamayim 1390 Sokak. No: 4, Alsancak
Berkholim Ikicesmelik Caddesi. No: 40
Written Jan 8, 2003
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Reviews and photos of Izmir attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Izmir sightseeing.
Ancient Cities Bergama Ephesus Ruins Bayraklý (Former Ýzmir)Located at the northeast of Izmir Bay, Bayrakli was the first known settlement of Izmir, which...
209 members live in Izmir
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A: Hi :-) You can rent a car without driver for at least 30/35 euros per day, or you can rent taxis as much as you like if you need a driver. Anyway this will have a...
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1
Izmir is a huge modern city, the third biggest in Turkey, situated on gulf of Izmir by the Aegean sea. Although the city is laying next to a huge bay and up to the surrounded hills it’s really a pity...
2
IZMIR , The Holy Land Which is 5000 years old...
Izmir is the third biggest city in Turkey with a population of around 2.5 million, the second biggest port after Istanbul, and a good transport hub. Once the ancient city of Smyrna, it is now a...
3
Sitting is the cafe shop one afternoon of August, in front of Alsancak port, a red sun was diving behind Karsiyaka.. Suddenly a thought passed from my mind.." this is my last visit to Izmir".. I had...
4
I don't know where to start as I am deeply connected to this city cuz it is my hometown. Izmir means family reunions, smell of the sea, taste of "boyoz" in the morning, the clock tower, the crowds of...
5
Izmir, the city that I lived for nearly two years.. I was a Marine in the navy and In the Draw, Izmir was my luck.. I had to do my military service at Izmir Military Shipyard.. I have stayed there...
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