Izmir Travel Guide -2-

   It is the second article after Izmir Travel Guide -1-, because Izmir is a big city and there are too many things to do and just an article can`t get enough to cover all of them.

   First article (Izmir Travel Guide -1-) ends in Alsancak district of Izmir and all places covered in the first article are close to each one and you can get them on foot. But, in the second article (this article) places covered are not close to each one (some of them may be close but not all) and you may need to use public transportation or your own car, or something else which you think works.

   Here is my route and, art things i did and are places i visited:

1. Asansor (Lift)

Lift is the orange one in this photo

   This is a lift taking passengers from the bottom to the top. Height difference between them is 58 meters. I strongly advise anyone traveling to Izmir to get Asansor because of the view at the top. For time being, using the lift there is free and at the top, there is a restaurant in which you may want to enjoy.The view of Izmir at the top:

2. Dario Mario Street and Synagogue

   Dario Mario was a popular Turkish musician in the past. Even though he was born and grow up in different place in Turkey, he came to Izmir and loved it too much. Hence, he had lived in Izmir until he passed away. During his time, Izmir loved him too and after his death, his name given to street in which he lived and in respect to him, a synagogue (owing to his religion) was built in the street. The street and the synagogue is next to Asansor.

3. Kadifekale

   It is a castle at the top of the hill. It is near to Izmir city center but you can get there on foot from the center. The way to get Kadifekale from Dario Mario street is taking bus in the Dario Mario and get to main bus station in Konak. At there, find the bus going to Kadifekale (bus number 33 and every 20 min there is a bus)

The view of Kadifekale from Agora

   Kadifekale was especially used in Roma era and what you can find there is the remains of Roman Empire in the historical castle and the beautiful view of Izmir over the hill. Remains have not been harmed too much so if you are interested in history, it is the place to which you should go.

4. Izmir Ethnography Museum

   It is a museum in which you can find things ranging from traditional Turkish clothes to previously-used machines producing traditional Izmir goods. Here is especially peerless for those wanting to get to know more about Turkish traditions.

   Its location is within walking distance from Konak bus station. (in which you get a bus going to Kadifekale) Entrance is free.

5. Izmir Archaeology Museum

   Izmir has a long history getting back to Roma Empire. There are many archeologic researches in Izmir.In this researches, many things have been found and all of them are being shown in this museum. If you are interested in history, here is the place you should be In Izmir.

   It is in front of  Izmir Ethnography Museum. Entrance to museum is unfortunately not free but fortunately cheap.

P.s. Which one you go first between Kadifekale and, Izmir Ethnography and Archaeology  museum is up to you.

6. Portrait and Sculpture Museum

   If you are interested in fine arts, you will be excited to what you will find in this museum. But, if not, it may be better not to get there for you. Entrance to the museum is free and it is located near to Konak bus station.

7. Taking a Ferry Tour

   There is a say in Izmir that if you come to Izmir and you leave Izmir without getting in Ferry, i miss half of your journey. I think so about that because taking a ferry tour is the one of the best moment of traveling to Izmir. There are many piers you can buy your ferryboat ticket but if you follow my route, Konak Pier is the place after Kadifekale or the museums above.

P.s. Actually there are i can say two Konak Pier. One is for commerce (restaurants, cafes, shops and cinema) and the another is for ferry. Pier used in here is the second one and its location is near to Konak underground station.

   If you want to enjoy more with Ferry tour from Konak, i strongly advise you to get the ferry tour going to Bostanli. The reason is there are two routes from Konak and these are Karsiyaka and Bostanli. Karsiyaka ferry tour is always crowded but Bostanli one is not. Furthermore, you can enjoy with a brilliant park from Bostanli to Karsiyaka.

   Here is the video i recorded during my time with ferry tour:

8. Park

   If you are a tourist (of course you are if you read it) the only thing there is walking throughout park nearby the sea till Karsiyaka pier. You can enjoy with green and fresh air together with sea air when in the park. Moreover, if you bring your sport item (tennis racket, basketball...vs) with you, you can enjoy doing sport in the park.

9. Karsiyaka

   It is the name of a district of Izmir. It is especially popular among Turks with its bazaar. The bazaar is too big and you can find lots of things ranging from clothes to electronic items.

   Besides to its bazaar, it is the place in which the house of Zubeyde Hanim (who is the mother of ATATURK-the founder of modern Turkey) is. This house represents the modern Ottoman style house-design and you also have a change to see items ATATURK used and to be taken a photo with wax figure of ATATURK.

   The house is open everyday at 8:30-12:30 _ 13:30-17:30 except for Mondays (closed on Mondays).

10. Urla

   Some of you may not want to spent their entire time in Izmir on these things and want to do something entertaining. If you fall into this category, this place is for you. Urla is a district which is far away from city center. It welcomes tourists with its natural habitat and its magnificent beach. Actually, there are many beaches in Izmir but Urla`s is one of the best-known (with Alacati).

   You can rent a boat and go on seafaring. If you bring your fishing rod with you when going to Urla, you can catch fish when on the sea. If you can`t catch any, you can eat your fish in the restaurant at Urla port.

  Moreover, there is an interesting gallery at the port. Its name is Yorgo Seferis gallery. You may have fun when visiting this gallery.

11. Alacati

   If you are too young for fishing, you would want something different and more entertaining. Alacati especially welcomes this kind of tourists. Alacati is also a district of Izmir and away from city center.

   When you reach Alacati, first thing you will see is a big bazaar and nice places (behind me in the photo above). The bazaar there is a little different from any bazaar in Izmir. It is especially a fantastic place for women because you can find quality goods and the last fashion goods.

   Walking inside Alacati, you can see Alacati beach. It is the center of surfing in Turkey. You can rent your surfboard there. If you don`t know surfing, don`t worry you share the same problem with the vast majority of people being around there. You can get education about how to surf and use surfboard there from  the professional even if you bring your own surfboard.


Enjoy your visit to Izmir....