Visit Izmir: What are the best things to do and see in the queen of the Aegean?
Izmir (traditionally known as Smyrna), is a huge metropolis of more than 4 million inhabitants located on the Aegean Sea near the Gulf of Izmir. Third agglomeration and second port of Turkey, it was founded around 3000 BC; the name of the city would come from that of a Amazon queen. A symbol of the Hitlerite kingdom, it has a millennial history, as evidenced by the surrounding archaeological sites, monuments and vestiges scattered this and there in the historic center of the city. Today, Izmir is a modern, pleasant, highly westernized city by its geographical location, and has a prominent seaside resort.
Are you asking me to do Izmir during your stay? Here is the answer with our 6 essentials to visit Izmir and taste its pleasures without losing a miette!
1. The Tour de l’Horloge
Photo credit: Flickr – Ceyhun Jay Isik
Tour de l’Horloge is the emblematic monument of the city: overlooking the famous Konak square in the city centre, it was designed by a French architect, Raymond Charles Père in 1901 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the accession to the throne of Abdülhamid II.
Konak Square is the place where everything is done, where everything is in Izmir, and the fabulous writing for this building that is just as much. For gourmets and lovers of street food, don’t hesitate to taste an authentic kebab, a thousand places of what can be found in France: they are legion on the square!
2. The Yali Mosque
Photo credit: Flickr – Allan Watt
Built in 1755 by love by the wife of the governor of Izmir of the time, Ayse Hanim, Yali Mosque is an institution in Izmir. Located, it also, on Konak Square, a few steps from the Tower of Horloge, and the Governor’s Palace, it presents this in particular that its form is quite unusual: it is perfectly octagonal! It is possible to visit it, even for non-Muslims, subject to decooling and, for female gent, to wear a veil. She has a single dome and a small minaret, and the visit is worth a visit for who wants to do in Izmir.
3. L’Asansör
Photo credit: Flickr – Francisco Anzola
L’Asansör is a vertical historical monument, whose name drifts. from our typical French elevator, and for cause: built in 1907 by a rich banker in the district of Karatas, on the cliff side, it had a utilitarian vocation. Indeed, it was intended to facilitate the transport of goods from the bottom, up, and vice versa!
Today, it has become an emblematic place of the commune and allows to be restored by taking advantage of a spectacular view of the city: a delicious restaurant has taken place at the top of the tower, and will allow travellers seeking to do in Izmir, and do not fear vertigo, to enjoy a unique moment by tasting the broochettes of grilled lambs with stuffed vine leaves, a famous meal typical of the city.
4. Mount Sipylos
Photo credit: Flickr – Carole Raddato
The Mont Sipylos (Turkish, Spil Dağı; These two cultures intertwined, especially in the western part of Turkey, let’s recall it) is a mountain that dominates the province of Manisa and monitors the city of Izmir. It is a height of 1513 m and serves, for those who seek to make in Izmir, a sports parenthesis allowing the practice of hiking: many trails swipe it and allow, once reached its summit, to enjoy a wonderful view of all the Gulf of Izmir and the surrounding cities.
5. The Karagöl
Photo credit: Flickr – Eren Günüc
Visiting Izmir gave you hot? No problem, go ahead. Karagöl , a mountain lake extending into the countryside, about fifteen kilometers north of the city! If, in Turkish, its name means ‘black lace’, don’t worry, no monster will come to you and many warm campsites are located on both sides of its fresh waters. Many people come to cool off during the summer, and the children love to enjoy the typical local grape ice cream!
6. The ethnographic museum of Izmir
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons – Quintucket
What to do in Izmir when we seek to grow effectively? The ethnographic museum is an interesting cultural stop for who wants to learn more about the seldjoukide period; The museum takes place in a splendid period building, initially used as a hospital, and allows to discover more about Ottoman customs, traditional architecture and everyday life on the smyrniote coast. It would be a shame to visit Izmir without going through this museum, whose visit is, cherry on the cake, free!
How to get to Izmir?
Visiting Izmir from the air, it is necessarily going through Adnan Menderes Airport, the city’s international airport: it is located 18 kilometres south of Izmir, and our partner Ulysses will allow you to get there by finding a flight at the best price.
Ferries also provide the maritime link between Izmir and the entire coast of the Aegean Sea and the Gulf of Izmir, and use this means of travel is ideal for those who seek to enjoy a nice boat ride.
And because enjoying nature is definitely one of the best things to do when you come to visit Izmir, many agencies car rental It is possible to use a vehicle to walk freely: as with us, the road network is, at least close to the towns of good size, of very good quality.
Where to stay in Izmir?
To visit Izmir is to explore a large Turkish city: you will find several types of accommodation and places to choose according to your wishes, and your budget. The city has several hundred hotels and, it will not surprise anyone, it is obviously the simplest and flexible solution for the occasional traveler who is looking to visit Izmir; moreover, you will find your ideal accommodation by consulting the offers on this Compare hotels .
But it is also possible for you to dive into Turkish culture renting an apartment in the heart of the city, or a room in one of the many old converted farmhouses house d’hôtes , typical of Ottoman traditions. The options are not lacking, and the Turks are a very warm and laughing people, open to the world and frying Western culture.
If, in the countryside, campsites will welcome you and offer you the same benefits as in France, there is more surprising: the wild campsite is quite encouraged in Turkey and it is perfectly possible to place its tent at an individual - after having asked, of course; practice is widespread and encourages trade!
Now you know how to best enjoy when you come to visit Izmir, and the charms of this region with so fascinating character during your stay. But will you manage to choose what to do in Izmir and... will you prefer to go there winter, or summer?
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