30 Mar Why Izmir is worth a visit (for sure!)
Izmir is the third most populous city in Turkey, a modern city full of history and memories. If you find yourself in Turkey, Izmir should definitely be on your list. You can easily spend two days enjoying this vivid city and of course, you can combine your visit there with other destinations, like Cappadocia or Greece! In this post, we give you 8 reasons why Izmir is worth a visit (but pay attention – you may find much more)!
Travel to Izmir! |
LOCATION
Asansör
Our favorite place in Izmir is Asansor. If you walk around 20 minutes along the seaside, you can easily spot it. It is basically an elevator built in 1907 to make it easier for people to move between the top of the cliff and the seaside. The view is incredible, especially on a sunny day. The Asansor has a café-restaurant at the top, where you can enjoy a cup of coffee. In addition to the great view that this place offers, the prices are very reasonable. So, just take your time and enjoy it!
Konak Square & the clock tower
Konak is considered the center of Izmir. The most famous sight is the clock tower, the symbol of Izmir! Long story short, the clock was built as a gift to Sultan Abdülhamid and is more than 120 years old. Besides the clock tower, you will also see historical mosques and of course, many alleys with cafes, restaurants, and bars. If you feel like it, you may feed the pigeons, which are all over the square! Do not forget to take a picture, of course, and enjoy the hustle and bustle of the city center.
Check also: From Izmir – Best of Ephesus Private Tour
Kemeraltı Market
Full of life, people, cheap restaurants, and workshops, Kemeralti is a must! Walk around, shop, and feel the Turkish spirit. This market was built during the Byzantine times and is now a vivid bazaar, so keep in mind that it can be crowded, and you may feel overwhelmed – but still, it is an interesting place to visit. Located just a 5-minute walk from Konak Square, it is easy to spend your morning between those two areas. The variety of colorful pottery and the strong smell of spices make it one of our favorite places in Izmir. Keep in mind that it is quite easy to get lost there, but this is part of the experience as well…so embrace the situation!
Check also: Istanbul- Small Group Street Food Tour with Local Guide
Alsancak
This quarter is one of the most beautiful areas in Izmir. There, you will find many restaurants and pastry shops to fulfill your appetite. It is also a great neighborhood for walking by the seaside. You can still see some traditional Greek houses (terraced, double-story houses) that were occupied before 1922. The paved road is quite picturesque and ideal for some photo shooting. At this quarter you will also find the Ataturk Museum.
Traditional coffee and tea & mussels cooked in many versions.
Once you find yourself in Izmir, you have to try the traditional beverages: traditional coffee accompanied with Turkish delights and aromatic tea. Don’t worry, you can find them everywhere! Another must thing to do in Izmir is to try mussels. For some reason, you can find them all over the place! Turkish people eat them stuffed with rice, raw or fried. We ate a ton of them, accompanied with cold beer. Just yummy!
Izmir is a great destination to combine with other places! You can also visit Cappadocia (our favorite region in Turkey), or with a rip to Greece! There are direct flights from Izmir for both destinations.
Go for a brunch, the Izmir way
Now, this was a nice surprise, especially for foodies like us! You will feel like a king (or queen) with their huge brunches: Imagine many little plates with a great variety of products, like olives, ham, fruits and cheese right in front of you. Just take your time and enjoy it. No rush here! There are many places that offer “Turkish brunch” or breakfast. We can suggest one place that we have tried ourselves: “Moresi Eski Koy”. Nice place with huge portions! We have heard that “Swissotel Buyuk Efes” also offers good breakfast but we haven’t tried it.
Read also : “12 things you must do in Cappadocia“
YABA TRAVEL TIPS
MAY - AUGUST
3-4 DAYS
AIRPLANE
+250/PERSON
PASSPORT - IDENTITY
