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Where is Ephesus Ancient City, Click for directions.

Ephesus Antique City is in the Selçuk district. It is in the Selçuk district of Aydın. You can come here with organized tours or in your private car. It is possible to enter from two different points, the lower door, and the upper door. The Museum card is valid. The fact that Prophet Yahya brought the Virgin Mary here, his church, and the writing of the Gospel of John, which is the main part and essence of the Bible, in Selçuk make this region holy.

The first establishment of the ancient city of Ephesus within the borders of Selçuk District of Izmir Province dates back to BC. It goes back to 6000 years. During the research and excavations carried out in recent years, the mounds (prehistoric hill settlements) around Ephesus and the settlements belonging to the Bronze Ages and Hittites on the Ayasuluk Hill, where the castle is located, were found. The name of the city was Apasas in the Hittite Period. B.C. The port city of Ephesus where immigrants from Greece started to live in 1050 BC. It was moved around the Temple of Artemis in 560. Ephesus, which is visited today, was built by Lysimachus, one of the generals of Alexander the Great, in BC. It was founded 300 years. Ephesus, which lived its most glorious times in the Hellenistic and Roman periods, had a population of 200,000 as of the capital of the Asian state and the largest port city. Ephesus was relocated again during the Byzantine Period and came to Ayasuluk Hill in Selçuk, where it was founded for the first time.

Where is Ephesus Museum, Click for directions.

Opened in 2012, the museum will take you to other worlds. The museum is divided into two sections Archeology and Ethnography. It is home to finds from the nearby Ephesus excavation site. History is visualized on the back of the artifacts with drawings showing where they were found in those days. The statue of Artemis, the statues of Socrates, and the Emperors are magnificent and of course, you will see the excellent handicrafts of the sculptors of the time. The museum is paid and the museum card is valid. It is open to visitors every day of the year.

Where is Key Museum, Click for directions.

If you are passing through the bagged sides of Izmir, you should definitely get here. You'll have a pleasant few hours. If cars and motorcycles are your thing, you'll love it. A very professionally created museum. All details have been thought of. We can say that it is one of the travel spots that car enthusiasts must visit.

Where is Şirince Village, Click for directions.

Şirince village is an old Greek village located 7 Km from Selçuk District if you are in İzmir or Ephesus-Selçuk region. It changed hands after the great exchange. The people of the city bought old houses, restored them, and settled down. A very beautiful, green and modern village with an atmosphere as if it came from Italy. Since it is a very touristic location, it is worth going to the village in a quiet period and seeing the view. It is a touristic village that is a must-see and enjoyable to visit with its various homemade soaps, handicrafts, markets selling olive oil products, wine houses, cobblestone streets, and historical Greek houses. You can find many kinds of wine.

Where is Urla & Urla Bag Road, Click for directions.

Urla

The town of Urla, which is approximately 40 km away from the city center of İzmir; is adjacent to the tourism regions of İzmir such as Çeşme and Seferihisar. It is full of places to visit with its impressive nature, hidden coves, beaches, streets smelling of art, historical villages, pier decorated by fish restaurants and anchored by colorful boats, vineyards where world-famous wines are produced, markets, museums, hills with magnificent views and much more. You can choose for a weekend getaway or a pleasant tourist holiday during the Izmir holiday.

What is Urla Vineyard Road?

If you want to taste wine and buy wine, it is a must-visit place. Urla Wine Producers and Viticulture Association realized the Urla Vineyard Road project for the development of wine tourism.
Urla Vineyard Road is a road that you draw according to your pleasure between wineries and vineyards in Urla. When the word road passes, it can give the impression that this is a route made in a certain sequence and direction, but it is not. There is a map on which winemakers are marked. And in parallel with this, there are signs on the roads so that you can drive on your own. You can navigate by following the markings on the roads with your map.

Where is Agora Ruins and Smyrna Ancient City, Click for directions.

It is a very, very important and beautiful historical site that people who come to Izmir pass by without realizing it. Also in the city. An open-air museum with historical ruins is located very close to the Kemeraltı bazaar. Do not miss those magnificent works that you can wander around and see in a short time. Excavations are also continuing.

İzmir Agora or Smyrna Agora is an agora located in the Konak district of İzmir today and was founded in the 4th century BC. It functioned as the state agora of the city at the time. After the earthquake in 178 AD, it was rebuilt with the support of the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius. It was used as a cemetery and prayer place during the Ottoman period. The first excavations in the area were carried out in 1932. Izmir Agora was included in the World Heritage Tentative List as a part of the heritage area created by UNESCO in 2020 as "Izmir Historical Port City".

Where is Bergama & Pergamon Ancient City, Click for directions.

The capital of the Kingdom of Bergama (Pergamon), stretching from Çanakkale to Antalya. Bergama is an archaeological site that has been included in the UNESCO world heritage list, bearing the traces of Ionian, Hellenic, Roman, and Byzantine civilizations, and where music, theatre, worship, education, sports, and the first health sciences were practiced in ancient times. It is possible to reach the Acropolis by cable car or road, and the ancient theatre, temple, altar, library, sports school, and settlements can be visited. Behind the hill, there is a balcony with a magnificent view overlooking the dam lake.

If you are a museum cardholder, you can visit it free of charge.

Where is Çeşme - Alaçatı, Click for directions.

Erythrai Ancient City
The ancient city, which is almost an open-air museum, is one of the must-visit places in Çeşme. The ancient city includes the theatre, the Kybele Rocks, the Temple of Athena Polias, the Heroon, and the Matrone Church.

Çeşme Castle
II. The castle, which was built during the Bayezid period, was built in 1509. The castle, which has not lost anything of its strength since then, also hosts various festivals. Today, it welcomes its visitors as Çeşme Archeology Museum

Çeşme Spas
Although it stands out with its sea, sand, beach, and sun, Çeşme is quite assertive in thermal tourism. Every year, thousands of people flock to Çeşme to find health in the hot springs.

Donkey Island
The name of the island was given by the island proliferation of derelict donkeys that were once left here. Eşek Island, which does not have any accommodation facilities and facilities due to the living space of these lovely friends, is provided by daily boat tours departing from Çeşme. Eşek Island is a paradise for those who are particularly fond of diving. A slit with a depth of 60 meters attracts a lot of attention from those who do diving.

Germiyan Village
This village, which we recommend to those who are interested in gastronomy, is located 23 km from Çeşme. What makes this village, which consists of Turkmen settlements, special is that it is the first and currently the only village in our country that has been included in the Slow Food movement. In the village, which is included in the Slow Food movement, which aims to keep local, organic, and natural products alive and support their production, you can consume many foods you can only eat here with appetite and pleasure.

Alaçatı
It is the most unforgettable point of summer vacation with its stone houses in harmony with thousands of colors, windmills with a fairy-tale look, and many other beauties.

When we look at the past of Alaçatı, although it dates back to the Ancient City of Erythrai, its current atmosphere dates back to the 1800s. The architectural features of the houses also reflect many features of the period. In the 1800s, the Greeks lived in Alaçatı and were engaged in viticulture and winemaking. The main source of income was viticulture and the structure of the houses was formed accordingly. I think Alaçatı houses with their colorful windows, doors decorated with bougainvillea, each with its specific details, are among the must-sees in Alaçatı.

Alaçatı streets are perhaps the most enjoyable of the places to visit in Alaçatı! Most enjoyable if you ask me. Winding narrow streets with cobblestones, traditional stone houses that will catch your eye with their colorful doors, Alaçatı shopkeepers from their shops to eating places, and bougainvillea surrounding the walls.
 

Where is Seferihisar & Sığacık, Click for directions.

Sığacık, the sea-smelling neighborhood of İzmir Seferihisar, is one of the most beautiful escape routes of the Aegean Region with its historical castle, the local producer's market where handicraft products are sold, cute house pensions in the castle, restaurants serving delicious seafood, deep blue sea and beaches.

Being the first member of Citta Slow in Turkey, Sığacık, the most visited area of Seferihisar, was a quiet fishing village for many years. With the increase in escaping from the city and the interest of those looking for an alternative route close to the city, it becomes difficult to find a place in Sığacık on weekends.

Where is Ege University Botanical Garden, Click for directions.

Ege University Botany and Herbarium Center was established in 1962 to protect many plants. You will have the chance to find, watch and see many dried and live plants in the Botany and Herbarium Center, which draws attention with its living and inanimate plant collection.

Where is Izmir Natural Life Park, Click for directions.

Fair Zoo, which was established on 18 acres in Kültürpark in 1937 as Turkey's first zoo, was transformed into Turkey's first Natural Life Park on a 425-decare area in Çiğli Sasalı in 2008.

The Natural Life Park, where animals live freely in shelters specially prepared for them, similar to those in their natural habitats, and where the city and its inhabitants breathe with thousands of trees and plant diversity, has become one of the attraction centers of İzmir in a short time.

İzmir Natural Life Park hosts more than 2700 animals of 134 species and more than 250 plant species on an area of 425 thousand square meters. While the number and diversity of animals increase, new studies are carried out in the park on the welfare of visitors and especially the education of children.

Source: https://www.izmirdogalyasamparki.org.tr/en/home

Where is Izmir International Fair and Culture Park, Click for directions.

Kültürpark, which was established in 1936 at the request of Atatürk, is located in a large area of 20,000 m2, Atatürk Open Air Theatre, 16 exhibition halls, 4 conference halls, İsmail İnönü Art Center, İzmir Art, Parachute Tower, Youth Theatre, Celal Atik Sports Hall, İzmir History and hosts many facilities such as the Art Museum.

İzmir Kültürpark, which is very active with cultural and artistic activities throughout the year; It is one of the most popular recreation areas of İzmir with its jogging paths, walking tracks, sports fields, and swimming pool. Offering a wonderful view with more than 8000 trees and more than 200 plant varieties, Kültürpark hosts thousands of people with its many international fairs such as the Izmir International Fair.

Source: https://ief.izfas.com.tr/en

Where is Church of Saint Polycarp, Click for directions.

It was built in 1600 in the name of Polycarp, the student of John, who was one of the twelve apostles who was martyred at the age of 86 by the Romans in 155 because of his faith, and the Bishop of Izmir, Polycarp, and it is the oldest church in Izmir. In 1625, the permission of the Ottoman Sultan Suleiman I and the King of France XIII. It was built at the request of Louis. The frescoes on the ceiling, the sculptures on the walls, Hz. The shroud of Jesus and many other sacred items are worth seeing. Although the outside of the building looks plain, the magnificent work dazzles you when you enter. The church always attracts the attention of tourists with its different architectural structures and the process it has gone through in history.

Where is Cunda Island, Click for directions.

first place you should visit in Cunda, as it is known among the people, is definitely its streets. Explore the cobblestone roads with their bay windows and colorful doors, smelling beautiful history as if it came out of a painting. Walk-in front of the doors, balconies, and windows, inhaling the scents of flowers. Since it is small and there is no life in many parts of the island, you can easily travel everywhere in one day.

Visit Taksiyarhis Church. The church was built in 1873 by the Greek Orthodox community of Cunda Island. During these years, the majority of the island consisted of Greeks. The church was dedicated to Taksiyarhis, the Guardian Archangels Gabriel and Mikhail.

Since the distance to Ayvalık is about 15-20 minutes by car, you have the chance to visit both places easily. There are many lovely boutique hotels and pensions converted from old historical Greek houses and accommodation opportunities.

Where is Foça, Click for directions.

t takes an average of 1 hour from Izmir to Foça by car.

Beş Kapılar Castle
Beş Kapılar Castle, located on the beach in Old Foça and known to have been built in the 12th century.

Persian Cemetery
The tomb from the Persian Civilization, which invaded Phokaia, one of the most important Ionian cities of its time, is one of the most solid examples of the Persians, who ruled in Anatolia for 200-odd years. The tomb, which belongs to the 5th century BC, was restored in 2001.

Kozbeyli Village
Kozbeyli is an old Greek village surrounded by stone houses, which has not yet been invaded by crowds. The beauty of the village is directly proportional not only to the fact that it is an old settlement but also to the fact that it is surrounded by centuries-old pine and olive trees and offers a magnificent view of the Aegean Sea.
 

Where is Karaburun, Click for directions.

Sazak Village
Sazak, the abandoned village of Karaburun, located right across Chios, is an old Greek village. After the Greeks immigrated to Chios with the population exchange in 1923, the village was completely abandoned.

Kösedere Village
Historical stone houses, the historical Kösedere Mosque dating from 1299, stone houses can be visited.

Mordoğan 
Taking its name from the magnificent sunrise, Mordoğan is 20 kilometers away from the center of Karaburun. Let's talk about places to visit in Mordoğan. When you come to the Old Mordoğan Village, you can see Müesser Aktaş Ethnography and History House, Narkisos Spring, Ayşe Hatun Mosque, historical village fountain, and windmills.

Where is Kuşadası, Click for directions.

It is a distinguished district of Aydın province, we must say that Kuşadası is a peninsula. It takes its name from Pigeon Island. It has a castle on it, which is connected to the land by a road. The castle can be visited.

• Visit Öküz Mehmet Pasha Caravanserai
• Right next to the caravanserai, there are places to shop in the Kuşadası Bazaar / Kaleiçi Mosque area.
• Turkey's only Micro Miniature Museum is located at the 17th consumed historical Castle Gate. And it's definitely a must-visit place.
• Davutlar Village. First of all, on the way from the Kuşadası center to Davutlar, you can visit the Oleatrium Olive and Olive Oil Museum and witness the change in the history of olives.
• Kuşadası National Park. If you come to Kuşadası, make sure to stop by Dilek Peninsula. This is a natural area that was declared a national park in 1994 and has an area of approximately 28 thousand hectares. There are 256 bird species living on the Dilek Peninsula. In addition, many animals such as wild boar, lynx, and hyena are the hosts of the national park.

Where is Ayvalık, Click for directions.

Since Ayvalık is connected to Balıkesir, the closest airport is Edremit. It is also possible to come from Izmir, but it is 1-2 hours away. If you are coming by car, there is no problem, but if you are going by plane, we recommend you rent a car. In this way, you will have the opportunity to visit Cunda, Ayvalık, Sarimsakli, the beautiful beaches around Dikili and Yeniçahori (Küçükköy), which has started to make its name known as a smart village.

• Visit Yeniçarohori aka Küçükköy, 20 minutes away in Ayvalık. An abandoned place left by the Greeks.
• Ayvalık Taksiyarhis Church is one of the must-see historical buildings.
• We recommend you to watch the sunset at the Devil's Table. This hill, which is approximately 8 kilometers away from Ayvalık Center, takes its name from the pit called the Devil's Footprint. Based on a mythological story, this legend is about Zeus' foster mother chasing the devil. While escaping, the devil leaves a footprint here.
• If you are planning a gourmet trip, October and November are the best of all. That's why you should definitely not think of Ayvalık as just a sea vacation. Many flavor enthusiasts continue to come here in winter.

Where is Kemeraltı Bazaar, Click for directions.

It is a historical bazaar in the Konak district of Izmir. Those who come to Izmir will definitely pass through here. It is a place where you will be intertwined with the history that can meet all your needs for eating, drinking, and shopping.

Where is Dario Moreno Street, Click for directions.

It is a pleasant street named after the nostalgic, calm, peaceful, but also pleasant, Izmir-loving artist Dario Moreno, which you will pass on your way to the historical elevator.

Dario Moreno, whose real name is Davi Arugete Moreno, was born on April 3, 1921, in Aydın to a Jewish Turkish family. He had a deep love for İzmir, where he spent his childhood and youth. Although he tried many different jobs, his desire to play the guitar and sing prevailed. He died on December 1, 1968. Although his will was to be buried in Izmir, which he loved very much, his mother buried him in Israel.