Izmir Local Custom Tips by Aggeliki

Take a horse drawn carriage along the promenade during the day and evening. It is one of the most famous characteristics of the town.

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In every central road of Izmir you can find small kiosks that they sell turkish sandwiches, with cheese and tomato.

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They are blue, yellow and white coloured beads, in various traditional forms, made from glass. They have been made in Anatolia for thousands of years. They are believed that protect people from the evil eye.

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Known as turkish delight, "Lokum" is a sweet made from sugar, water and starch. A good Lokum keeps its freshness at least six months. As they say good Lokum won't make you thirsty, even after eating 8-10 pieces!!!! Perfect combination with turkish coffee.

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Cay (Tea): Cay is the most preferred drink of the Turks along with the traditional Turkish coffee. It is almost everywhere, every time, either during daytime or in the evening. Turkish tea is served in delicate, small clear glasses to show the deep red color, called tavsan kany (rabbit blood)..

Ayran: A delicious drink made out of yogurt, diluted with water, salted, and must be served cool. It is very much valued by Turks and is the perfect accompaniment to kebap.

Raki, the national alcoholic drink of Turks has a high degree alcohol and should not be consumed quickly. Most people drink it by mixing it with water. Colorless rakı turns milky white when mixed with water. They fill 1/3 of their glass with rakı then add water and finally ice. Ice is never put in the glass first. If rakı is met with ice before water, it crystallizes and the taste changes. Some people drink rakı straight. In addition the rakı should be cold. It is customary to eat meze (various foods served in small plates) while drinking rakı. Raki is also famous in Crete island (Greece) and it is server with the same way.

It is known that for muslims alcohol is forbidden, for their religion.

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This is a very old custom, which we also had in Greece, but now it disappeared. But in Turkey still you may see very often on the roads people that they clean shoes. This photo is from Kizlaragazi han, the old Bazzar of Izmir.

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When i saw this small coffee shop , i felt like i came before. I went this summer there and of course they had the most nice turkish coffee i drank in Izmir. It is near the central entrance of Kemeralti Bazzar , but i dont remember the name of this shop. I was so exciting that i was talking photos from every corner of the shop!:)

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