Izmir is considered the most modern and open-minded city in Turkey and is able to show the traveler the country from a completely different, more western angle. Located on the coast of the Aegean Sea, the object a priori promises to give tourists a lot of picturesque landscapes and spectacular views. But also on its territory there are many architectural objects and entertainment points where every guest of the city should visit. Izmir, whose sights can be viewed both in the center and in the surrounding area, will forever change your idea of Turkey as a purely eastern state.
Izmir Wild Life Park
Among the sights of Izmir and the surrounding area, first of all, you should see the zoo, one of the largest in Turkey, where more than 1,500 species of wild animals live. Most of the animals here live in natural conditions, and the thoughtful landscape design with its hedges, ponds and streams allows visitors to imagine that they are in a real tropical reserve. Among the animals that live in the zoo, representatives of the African savanna, such as elephants, zebras, giraffes and lions, are of particular interest. Also here you can see all kinds of reptiles, insects, fish and birds. At the entrance to the complex you will find a bird enclosure, where you can feed the feathered inhabitants by hand.
Izmir Zoo is a great place for a family holiday. Its well-kept, flowery grounds include several cafes, gazebos and children’s playgrounds. For young visitors, there is a special area where everyone can interact face-to-face with tamed animals (rabbits, horses). Please note that the zoo is located 32 km northwest of the center of Izmir and it is most convenient to get to the property by rented car or taxi.
- Address: Sasallı Merkez Mahallesi, 2d Sasalı Villalar, 35620 Çiğli/Izmir, Turkey.
- Opening hours: The attraction is open daily from 09: 00 to 16: 00.
- Visit fee: 7 TL.
Alsancak District
To fully immerse yourself in the magical atmosphere of Izmir, be sure to go to its most lively Alsancak district. In the evenings, the area begins to vibrate with a special vital energy. Alsancak district is a mix of a business center with historical islands and entertainment venues. It is here that the famous Ataturk Museum and Culture Park are located, which presents the architecture of the 18th and 19th centuries. Along the area stretches the embankment, where it is pleasant to walk, enjoying both urban landscapes and sea views.
Alsancak district is literally dotted with various bars, cafes, pubs and restaurants, from which the sea bay is perfectly visible. There are also numerous hotels and shops. Fresh mussels and corn can be purchased from street vendors. On the embankment, tourists like to rent boats and go on a boat trip. The quarter is considered one of the cleanest and most well-protected places in Izmir. It is best to visit Alsancak during the velvet season from September to October, when the city is not so hot anymore.
- Address: Alsancak Mahallesi 35220 Konak / Izmir, Turkey.
Clock Tower (Saat Kulesi)
If you look at photos of the sights of Izmir in Turkey, you can often see an elegant Clock Tower in the pictures. The object has long been a hallmark of the area, which is definitely worth seeing when you are in the city. The tower stands on the territory of the central city square Konak-in the epicenter of the congestion of tourists and locals. The building was built at the beginning of the 20th century in honor of the twenty-five-year reign of Sultan Abdul Hamid II. The clock adorning the tower, the padishah received as a gift from the German King Wilhelm II. The attraction is distinguished by its artful openwork decoration and looks especially fascinating in the evening, when its illumination is turned on.
Around the building there are bubbling fountains and benches, from which many tourists, having bought seeds, feed flocks of pigeons. Not far from the tower there is a port, a shopping center and an old market where you can buy a lot of interesting goods. We recommend that you take a walk along the nearby embankment, as well as look at the miniature Yala Mosque. In summer, the square gets crowded in the evening, so it’s best to visit the tower during daylight hours.
- Address: Konak Mahallesi, 35360 Konak / Izmir, Turkey.
Car Museum (Key Museum)
If you decide what to see in Izmir, then do not forget to include the Automobile Museum in your sightseeing list. The gallery’s opening was initiated by three Turkish car collectors, who have managed to collect more than a hundred unique exhibits around the world since 2001. This is a relatively young, but very rich collection, which includes 130 cars, including both retro models (starting from 1886) and modern designs. Also here you can see a collection of motorcycles, consisting of 40 exhibits: there are models of the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries. In addition, in the museum you will find a section with miniature copies of cars, of which there are 2550 pieces.
In separate rooms of the gallery, you can view a collection of scarves with automotive symbols, study a variety of machine parts and original equipment used at gas stations since the beginning of the 20th century. The exposition is quite extensive, so you should spend less than 2 hours reviewing it.
- Адрес: Çapak Mah., Özgörkey Cad. No:5, 35860 Torbalı/Измир, Турция.
- Opening hours: The attraction is open from Wednesday to Sunday from 10: 00 to 17: 00. Monday and Tuesday – closed.
- Admission fee: adult ticket – 20 TL, children’s ticket-10 TL.
ARKAS Art Center
Many tourists prefer to visit the sights of Izmir on their own, which allows you to optimally plan your visit to the city. If you are interested in painting and appreciate art, then you will probably be interested in visiting the ARCAS Art Center. This is an art gallery located in the very center of the embankment, in the building of an old mansion. The museum is spread over two tiers and consists of 9 exhibition halls and one studio. In some rooms there is a permanent exhibition of paintings from the 19th and 20th centuries. The other part is reserved for temporary exhibitions, not only artistic, but also archaeological. Curiosity is aroused by the exterior and interior decoration of the historic building itself, where the French consulate was once located. It is noteworthy that you can see the exhibits presented in the museum completely free of charge.
- Address: Kültür Mahallesi, 1380 Sk. 3-1, 35230 Konak / Izmir, Turkey.
- Opening hours: daily from 10: 00 to 18: 00, on Thursdays-from 10: 00 to 20: 00. Monday is a day off.
Asansor (Tarihi Asansor)
One of the main attractions of Izmir is the ancient elevator connecting the lower and upper parts of the city. It can be reached from Konak Square in about 20 minutes. On the way to the property, you will have the opportunity to walk through the narrow streets of the Jewish quarter and look at the old houses of Izmir, whose walls are painted in red and blue colors. Take the elevator to a height of 58 m and reach a beautiful terrace with scenic views of the Aegean Sea and coastal urban areas.
There is a convenient restaurant upstairs that serves national cuisine and hot drinks. Prices in the establishment are very reasonable. If you are looking for a place in the city where you can take unique photos, then this landmark of Izmir is very suitable for beautiful pictures. At the same time, everyone can use the elevator completely free of charge.
- Address: Turgut Reis Mahallesi, Şht. Nihatbey Cd. 76 / A, 03500 Konak / Izmir, Turkey.
- Opening hours: daily from 10: 00 to 00: 00.
Izmir Teleferik Cable Car
The cable car in Izmir has existed since 1974, but in 2007 it was closed for a large-scale reconstruction, which took as much as 8 years. A modern funicular lifts its passengers to the steep hill of Dede Dağı Mountain, located at an altitude of 423 m above sea level. In total, there are 20 booths, each of which can accommodate up to 8 people. The hill ride takes about 3 minutes, during which travelers can enjoy beautiful panoramas of the city and surrounding nature. Within an hour, the cable car can take up more than 1,000 passengers.
At the top of the hill, tourists enjoy spectacular views of the sea bay and mountain landscapes. Large binoculars are installed around the entire perimeter of the park, which can be used for 1 TL. There are several cafes and restaurants, as well as children’s playgrounds. There are also special picnic areas with gazebos and barbecue areas at the top. A local cafe sells firewood and meat for barbecue. It is worth considering that it can be quite windy upstairs, so don’t forget to bring a light jacket.
- Address: Teleferik Mahallesi, Sakarya Cd. No: 127, 35330 Balçova / Izmir, Turkey.
- Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday-from 10: 00 to 22: 00. Monday is a day off. The last ticket can be purchased one hour before closing time.
- Cost of the trip: 8 TL. Travel is free for children under 5 years of age.
Kemeralti Market
The main attractions of Izmir in Turkey, of course, include the city market of Kemeralti. Built in the 17th century, the bazaar is not only the main place for shopping, but also a point where you can see the ancient monuments of architecture. These include the local Khizar Mosque, built in the late 16th century and is the largest religious site in Izmir. There is also an ancient caravanserai building, where most of the shops are located today. Many tourists claim that Kemeralti is a smaller version of the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul.
The Izmir market sells goods for every taste, including clothing, souvenirs, leather goods, watches, etc. At the same time, prices here are very moderate, which is not typical for most tourist bazaars in Turkey. This is one of the few places in Izmir where you can experience a real oriental flavor and feel the authentic spirit of market trading. At the bazaar, you should definitely try Turkish coffee, which is ground and prepared right in front of your eyes.
- Address: Konak Mahallesi, Anafartalar Cd., 35250 Konak / Izmir, Turkey.
- Opening hours: The attraction is open daily from 08: 00 to 20: 00.
Konak Square
At the end of our description of the sights of Izmir in Turkey with a photo, I would like to dwell in more detail on the central Konak Square. This is the main pedestrian area of the city, which is popular with both tourists and locals themselves. The place is quite picturesque and at the same time rich in objects that will be interesting to see from an architectural point of view. The square is adjacent to the sea bay, along which stretches a neat embankment decorated with fountains, sculptures and monuments. It was named Konak in honor of the provincial palace of the same name, located nearby. As we wrote earlier, it is here that the main symbol of Izmir rises – the Clock Tower and the miniature Yala Mosque stands.
- Address: Konak Mahallesi, 35360 Konak / Izmir, Turkey.
Conclusion
Izmir, whose sights reveal the city from completely different sides, can be a real godsend for many travelers who are used to relaxing only in the Mediterranean region of Turkey. An important advantage of Izmir is the opportunity to organize a rich holiday, including an overview of architectural buildings and natural sites, visits to cultural institutions and entertainment points. At the same time, entrance prices are quite affordable, and some city attractions do not require any payment at all.
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