Travel Guide Izmir, Turkey

1. Konak Square / The Clock Tower / Yali Mosque

The center of Izmir and the pole of tourist density is the Konak district, where the Konak (Meydani) Square is located. The square is named after the Vali Konagı (Mansion of the Governor of İzmir Province), which is located here. Konak Square is the absolute center of Izmir. It has a square shape, on one side is the mentioned mansion, but also the Town Hall. The market is populated with pigeons, which come in large numbers to be fed by passers-by. On one side of the square is a very beautiful fountain. Also here we find two other sights: the Clock Tower and the Yali Mosque.

In the center of the square is the symbol of Izmir, the Clock Tower (Saat Kulesi), built in 1901. The monument was designed by the French Raymond Charles Père and commemorated the 25th anniversary of Abdulhamid II’s accession to the throne. The watch was received as a gift from the German Emperor Wilhelm II. The building is built and decorated in Ottoman style. The tower is 25 meters high and is surrounded by four circular fountains. The column of the tower is of Moorish inspiration. The clock tower of Izmir also appeared on the 500 lira banknote, which circulated for 6 years in the last century.

At the exit to the square towards the bazaar is the Konak (Yali) Mosque. I visited it quickly as it is a small and simple place of worship. It was built in 1748 by Ayse Hanim. It is built in an octagonal plan and has only one room. You must take off your shoes at the entrance.

More information here https://mytravel.express/en/obiective-mte/konak-clock-tower-izmir-turkey/

2. The Bazaar / Kizlaragasi Inn

Address: Tarihi Kızlarağası Hanı Han Yönetimi 871 Sokak No:19/106 Hisarönü, 35250 Konak. It is open from 9 am to 7 pm, except on Sundays.

Near Fevzi Paşa boulevard we entered the bazaar (kemeralti). The bazaar is one of the emblems of Turkish trade. In the bazaar you can say that you can find everything, but that’s not really true. The abundance and diversity of products, the competition between sellers and the negotiating spirit of the Turks give color to this place. In one area of ​​the bazaar is the Kizlaragasi Inn, which is nothing more than a covered bazaar shaped like a maze of halls.

3. Cumhuriyet Square (Meydani)

In the Cumhuriyet Meydani square, several circulation arteries meet in a semicircle, on the other side of the semicircle being a pedestrian area. The square is beautifully lit up in the evening. A large statue attracts attention. It is a monument that represents the struggle for the independence of Izmir.

4. Kültürpark

Address: Mimar Sinan, Şair Eşref Blv. No.50, 35220 Konak.

Kültürpark is a public park with wide avenues, monuments, fountains, sports fields, but also an open-air museum. palm trees, limes, oranges and magnolias with large flowers are the attractions we find in the park. It has multiple entries, Kapisi. A large magnolia tree is 30 meters. We also found a monument with Egyptian inscriptions. The open-air museum featured blocks of masonry, stacked two on top of each other, with bags hanging between them. White statues are found near the fountains. The Izmir International Fair is held here.

Further info here https://mytravel.express/en/?p=9225

5. Agora of Smyrna

Address: Namazgah, Tarik Sari Sokağı No:29, 35240 Konak. Visiting schedule: daily 8:30 – 17:00.

Smyrna Agora or İzmir Ören Yerı Agora is an ancient Roman agora. The settlement of Smyrna, the first name of Izmir, was built by the Greeks in the 4th century BC. The Agora was ruined by the earthquake of 178 AD. The Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius ordered its reconstruction. The agora included several gates, the access to the port, the theater, the stadium and the Pagos. The basilica and its north-west gate, the temples, the ruins, the western portico and the Faustina Gate are visited. From the Agora is a beautiful perspective to the Velvet Citadel, located on top of the hill.

You can read more information on the links https://mytravel.express/en/ghiduri-mte/travel-guide-izmir-turkey/ and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agora_of_Smyrna

6. The Velvet Castle (Kadifekale)

Kadifekale or the Velvet Castle it is located in the northeast of İzmir, only 2 km from the shore of the Aegean Sea, on Mount Pagos, which has an altitude of 186 meters and is more of a hill. The fortress was built in the 3rd century BC. From the castle is a wide panorama of the bay and the city of Izmir. From the hotel I received the information that it is unsafe to visit this objective.

7. The Historical Elevator

Address: Turgut Reis, Sht. Nihatbey Cd. 76/A, 35000 Konak. Visiting schedule: daily between 6 a.m. and midnight.

The elevator or Asansör was built by Nesim Levi, a Jewish businessman, in 1907 to overcome the topographical barrier between the neighborhoods of Mithatpasa Street located at sea level and Halil Rifat Pasa Street located at the top of the hill. Before the elevator was built, 155 steps had to be climbed, which still exist today. It is a public elevator. Access is free. At the top station there is a superb view of the Aegean Sea and the Bay of Izmir. Two binoculars are installed on the balcony of the station.

You can read more information on the links https://mytravel.express/en/obiective-mte/the-historic-elevator-in-izmir-turkey/ and http://www.izmirjh.com/en/ana-sayfa/yeni-yahudi-mahalle/ elevator/