The climate is comfortable, with a relatively mild summer due to
the refreshing breeze from the Aegean. The long attractive
palm-fringed promenade, Birince Kordon, which stretches the
entire length of the city up to the Alsancak Ferry Terminal, is
a popular spot for evening walks, and there are many cafes along
the waterfront. Izmir has a good selection of culture and
entertainment, from the Archaeological and Ethnographic Museums,
to the Izmir State Opera and Ballet and Izmir State Symphony
Orchestra, to the many bars and clubs. The cosmopolitan and
lively city gets even busier during the International Izmir
Festival (mid-June to mid-July) with music and dance, with
performances also in nearby Cesme and Ephesus.
Districts : Balcova, Cigli, Gaziemir, Karsiyaka, Konak,
Aliaga, Bayindir, Bergama, Beydag, Bornova, Buca, Cesme, Dikili,
Foca, Karaburun, Kemalpasa, Kinik, Kiraz, Menderes, Menemen,
Narlibahce, Odemis, Seferihisar, Selcuk, Tire, Turbalı and Urla.
Aliağa: Aliağa, which is 60 km. north of İzmir, have signes of İzmir
and Bergama civilizations. 4 of the 12 cities, composing the
biggest and most important ones among Aiol cities, whose number
is exceeding 30 at Aegean coasts, are within Aigaia, Kyme, Myrna
and Gryneion province territories.
Dikili: Dikili is a pretty province and popular summer resort,
around 120km north of Izmir. Candarli is nearby, and the area is
full of natural beauty as well as historical interest. There is
a crater lake in Medivenli village, and pine groves and ancient
caverns in Demirtas and Delitas. The area is also famous for its
hot springs, which can be found in Nebiler, Bademli and Kocaoba
villages. The port at Dikili is large enough for three passenger
ships, and is a good transport connection.
Seferihisar: Teos antic city at Sığacık region, Karaköse ruins
at Doğanbey - Gerenalanı region, former settlement area
constructed within castle and castle, constructed by Ottomans at
Sığacık, monumental structures of Seljukian and Ottoman period
at province center of the province, whose settlement history
reaches till 1000 B. C., are composing the archeological and
historical source potential of the region. Seferihisar has
beautiful beaches and bays with its 27 km. Coastal band.
Menderes: Menderes province, which draws attention with its
satsuma, beautiful bays and historical values, is 20 km. away
from İzmir. Lebedos Antic City is at west of province at Ürkmez
region. Ruins of Kolophon, Klaros, Notion and Lebedos Antic
Cities, which are on Menderes - Seljukian road as adjacent to
each other, are composing the important archeological sources of
the province. Gümüldür borough is the producer region of
Satsuma, which is a world famous kind of tangerine. Özdere is
one of the nine big tourism regions of Aegean Region, and it is
a tourism borough where amateur fishermen can fish besides its
clear sea and coast. Various colored and shaped beads which are
produced in natives at Görece Village of Menderes, are drawing
attention of national and international tourists.
Karaburun: Karaburun is at the northern point of the Urla
Peninsula, and its northern and western coasts have beautiful
bays surrounding the Izmir bay. There were settlements in this
area which date back to the Stone Age, and excavations have
indicated it was a developed cultural centre during the Hittite
period, then a trading centre during the Aiol, Lydia and Roman
civilisations. It is now the newest suburb of Izmir, and has a
couple of small guest houses and fish restaurants. Its most
dramatic feature is the setting, with villages and orchards
clinging to the steep rock face. There is a bus service in the
area, although private vehicles offer more possibilities for
exploring.
Urla: Urla is in the middle of the peninsula and holds all the
characteristics of the Aegean. It lies 38km west of Izmir and
used to be a cultural centre with remains unearthed dating back
to the Hitties. It was originally the site of the Ionian city of
Clazomenae, with probably the oldest regularly used port in the
world. Pieces of art and sculpture found during excavations are
now exhibited in the Louvre, Athens National Museum and Izmir
Archaeology Museum.
Torbalı: An ancient Ionian city, famous for its wines and
religious centre, has three marble alters devoted to the Roman
Emperor August and his foster child Germanikys, in an ancient
theatre which dominates the valley. Pieces of art found during
excavations are exhibited in Izmir and Ephesus museums. The town
has the remains of an old port and a few holiday complexes, and
is set attractively against a pine forest.
Ödemiş: North of Odemis, which is 113km southeast of Izmir, are
the ruins of Hypaiapa. The historical importance of the region
began with Birgi, west of Odemis, which was the capital during
the Aydinogullari period and contained outstanding examples of
Seljuk and Ottoman architecture. Birgi has been on the World
Cultural Heritage list since 1994, and points of interest here
include Cakiraga Mansion, Imam-i Birgivi Medrese and Sultan Sah
Mausoleum.
Tire: One of the largest towns in the area, Tire is 82km
southeast of Izmir and lies at the foot of the Aydin Mountains.
Its long cultural heritage includes periods under the Hittites,
Frygians, Lydians, Persians, Romans and Byzantines, and
developed its strong links with the economy during the Ottoman
period. The town has an attractive old quarter with many
impressive examples of Islamic architecture, and a lively
Tuesday market influenced by the gypsy population in the
surrounding villages.
Kemalpaşa: The historical background of Kemalpasa, which lies
29km west of Izmir, dates back to 1300 BC. It was host to the
Akkads, Hitties, Seljuk and Ottoman civilisations, and was a
resort between the Art and Ion cities during Roman and Byzantine
times. The only remains from the Hittites in the Aegean region
is the Karabel relief, which is in the province. Previously
known in ancient times as Nymphaion, the town lies at the foot
of Nif mountain at 200m altitude, and is best known for its
cherries and pine forests. |