visit the Konak area and other Izmir, Turkey Things to Do Tips

On a warm, sunny afternoon, this place gets crowded with locals strolling along and enjoying their beautiful city. Like most of the area near the shore, this part of the city is very picturesque and gives me the impression that people here are relaxed and happy. The clock tower is a good landmark to use if you need a place to meet up. The entrance to the bazaar is right there, as well as access to the promenade and the trains and busses.

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Directions: Konak is on the south end of the promenade. The clock tower should be on most tourist maps of the city.

I haven't tried to count, but there must be hundreds and hundreds of Mosques in Izmir. You should visit one. It's a nice experience. I'm not religious, but I like the Islamic idea that we are all "reverts." You were always Muslim and if you convert to Islam, you are not really converting at all, because you always were -- so you're "reverting to Islam."

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There is a park located in the north of the city dedicated to the remains of what was old Smirna.

According to Wikipedia, the term Old Smyrna is used to describe the urban settlement in Tepekule, Bayrakl?, to make a distinction with Smyrna re-built later on the slopes of Pagos (Kadifekale today). The most important sanctuary of Old Smyrna was the Temple of Athena, a little shabbily restored today. The most ancient ruins preserved to our day date back to 725-700 BCE.

It's not much to see, but it's there -- a five minute walk from the Bayrakli ferry pier.

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Walk around Izmir a bit, and you're bound to see plenty of these old buildings. Someone told me they are a good example of Greek architecture in Izmir. If you know more about this, please drop me a note. Thanks!

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I just wanted the opportunity to put more of my Ephusus Museum photos on here. It's a good stop when you go to Ephesus. You can easily spend 2 hours there. Also, there are constantly guided tour groups going through and you can listen in to get more details on everything (if you find one who speaks your language -- lots of English and German groups). There is a new section to the museum that is still being built at the time I'm writing this (April 2007). It focuses on the gladiators from when Ephesus fell under the rule of the Roman Empire. What I saw when I was there was really good, and it looks like it will be even better soon!

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Directions: The Ephesus Archaeological Museum is located in Selcuk, which is 70km away from Izmir, where Ephesus ancient city is found.
Website: http://www.ephesus.us/ephesus/ephesusmuseum.htm