Revealed in central Izmir during excavations carried out in 1932-1941 in the district of Namazgah. covering an area of 120 x 80 m, the Agora throws invaluable light on Roman period Izmir. It was not only a market place, but the location of public institutions and the Temple of Zeus. The Agora is open to the public between 9.00 -12.00 and 13.00 -18.00. The statues found here are on exhibit in Izmir Archaeological Museum. South of Konak Square in Bahri Baba Park, Izmir, Turkey - Tel: +90 (0)232-4848324 - This museum houses many fine sculptures and antiquities discovered in Izmir and other neighbouring ancient cities.

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A select neighbourhood with a unique character in modern Izmir. Stretching from the waterfront esplanade inland most of the area has been transformed into a pedestrian precinct, so there is no traffic to disturb shoppers and strollers.

The streets lined by modern buildings and attractive shops lead onto the square where Alsancak station stands. Dating from 1858 the colonial architecture of the station distinguishes it in style from the rest of the city. Trains to Buca, Aydın and Denizli depart from here. The old part of town can be found in the back streets behind the sea promenade

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One of the most interesting places to visit in Izmir is to take a ride up to the mountain park in the Teleferik (Cable Car) [not open on Mondays]. At the top the is a large lake view and you can have BBQ in the pine forests. There are shops and bars and restaurants available. If you decide to have a BBQ then you buy your meat and vegetables and bread from the shops available and the charcoal BBQ is set up for you by the park staff - and do not forget a little tip for the charcoal man! Please do not take you own food.

Also a Balçova is an excellent municipal open-air swimming baths - this is to be found just alongside the bus terminus at Balçova itself.

In the area of Balçova, a district of Izmir, lies a small piece of heaven in the otherwise busy city of Izmir.
The cable car was built in 1974 by Balçova Belediye. There are 20 cable cars altogether, each cable car is able to carry up to 4 people. The distance from the bottom of the hill to the top is 1000 meters.
Whist you are in the cable car going up the steep hill, you can see the most amazing view of Izmir Bay.
When you get to the top, there's a long road with many cafes and restaurants and a few shops. At the end you will see a picnic area where you can have your own barbecue.

You don't need to bring anything (even if you wanted to - you can't - they check your bags for drinks etc.) But there's a small supermarket there where you can buy fresh salads, vegetables and all kinds of different meat for your BBQ. The staff from the supermarket bring a BBQ set to your table and your fun can begin.
The view from one side is the beautiful bay of Izmir, whilst on the other side there is a spectacular view of a dam, with luscious green trees and mountains surrounding it.
It's great and makes for a lovely day out, especially if you want to chill out and have some peace and quiet away from the bustling city.

Street of Bars. Some of the attractive old houses under conservation order in Alsancak now house bars and restaurants.

There are many excellent restaurants in this area all serving Turkish Cuisine to the local Izmirlis and their families.

A suburb of Izmir, Bornova was the hub of the Levantine community in the late l9th and 20th centuries. Today it houses the campus of Ege University.

The Izmir - Manisa road passes through Bornova, which is linked to the city center by a 7 km railway line.

It is situated at the Manisa and main Ankara crossroads. It has many upper class type houses in standing their own gardens.

Another symbol of the city, this picturesque clock tower in Konak Meydan was built in 1901 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Abduhamit II's accession to the throne. The clock itself was a gift of Emperor Wilhelm II of Germany.

The Clock Tower is to be found right at the entrance to The Kemeraltı Market area and is quite near to the ASANSÖR - (see above) - also you can walk across the road and the local central bus terminus is just a few yards away. You can get a corporation bus to almost any part of Greater Izmir and its environs. If you walk up to the seaside (about 200m - then you arrive at Konak Feribot İstasyonu and can take regular ferries to Karşıyaka or Bostanlı

This popular and attractive resort west of Izmir is famous for its modern hotels, sparkling clean sea and wonderful sandy beaches. It is on a peninsular and is a dormitory weekend spa for Izmir.

An ancient city three km from the town of Selçuk south of Izmir. During both the Hellenistic and Roman periods Ephesus was the most important port and cultural centre of the eastern world. The remains of the city are still spellbinding today.

The magnificent temples, public buildings, villas and streets of Ephesus have been excavated and restored by the Austrian Archaeological Institute, and it requires little effort to imagine the city as it was in its heyday.

The best way to visit is start from the back gate - then you can walk down all day and not get tired. Most tours take you to the front gate - but you have to walk uphill all day...

Izmir's legendary fish. Found widely in both the Mediterranean and Aegean, this delicious fish with a dark blue back and silvery sides is now extensively farmed.
Go into any of Izmir's many sea food restaurants and order grilled Çipura, accompanied by a salad of diverse local herbs and pure olive oiI. What could be more sublime!

Çipura - The Turkish:
Ege ve Akdenizin bu namlı balığı Marmarada seyrek bulunur. Ortalama 25 - 35 cm. boy ve 0,5 - 3 kg. ağırlıktadır. 60 cm. ve 6 kg. olanlarında seyrek olarak görülebilir. Etçil bir balıktır. Kuvvetli çenesiyle küçük kabukluları, balıkları ve diğer hayvanları kolayca yer. Yaz devresinde sığlarda, kış aylarında da 35 - 40 m. Derinliklerde yaşar. İki yaşın üzerindekiler daha da derinlere iner. üremeleri Ekim - Aralık aylarında olur. 100,000 - 150,000 yumurta döker. Eti çok lezzetlidir. Ayrıca üretim kültürüne uygunluğu nedeniyle ekonomik değeri çok yüksektir.

Çipura - The English:
This famous Agean and Mediterranean fish is often found in the Marmara. It averages 25- 35 cm in length and 0.5kg. to 3.0 kg. weight. Sometimes 60cm. length and up to 6.0 kg. in weight can be found. It is a carnivorous fish. With its strong jaw it easily consumes small molluscs, fish and other creatures. In summer time it lives in the shallows, in winter months it lives at a depth of 35-40m. Those over two years of age will go down deeper. Their productive months are between October to January and they lay between 100,000 to 150,000 eggs. Their flesh is very tasty to eat. Moreover, because they are suitable for productive culture (fish-farming) their economic value is very high.

A picturesque fishing town 50 km north of Izmir. A magnet for holiday makers during summer today, Foça was an important Ionian town in antiquity. The Phokaians were famed for their commercial prowess, courage and seamanship. They established trading colonies at distant ports, and were the founders of the French port of Marseilles (the ancient Massalia).

The city's most magnificent mosque in the district of Hisar next to Kemeraltı office complex. The mosque was built by Yaküp Bey in 1592. It is roofed by a large dome resting on eight piers, and noted for the decoration on the altar niche and pulpit.

This holy Christian shrine on Bülbül Dağı - (Nightingale Mount) - between Selçuk and Ephesus (Efes) was sanctified by Pope Paul VI in 1967, after the Vatican confirmed that the Virgin Mary had spent the last years of her life here. Numerous travel agencies in Izmir organize day tours to the House of the Virgin Mary and Ephesus.

The sea breeze which brings relief to Izmir's inhabitants in the blazing heat of high summer.
Here is a view of the Kordon along the Izmir seafront where you can stroll and enjoy the cooling atmosphere in the evening breeze.

Since I932 this international trade fair has been the highlight of the summer season in Izmir. From late August to end of September the fair doubles as a popular festival of music and stage events in the Culture Park. In season there are many restaurants and bars open together with a couple of open air theatres and night clubs.
There is also a zoo and a permanent fairground (Lunar Parkı) in the Kultur Park grounds where the International fair is held.

Velvet Castle, to be literal. This 4th century BC castle commands a bird's eye view of Izmir and is the perfect place to watch the sun set over the city. Do not visit after twilight as it is the home of feral dogs.

The name of this district of Izmir on the north shore off the Gulf of Izmir means - "Opposite Shore", as indeed it is. The inhabitants of this pleasant residential area with its own esplanade claim an identity distinct from the rest of the city.

In their view, Karşıyaka is a town in its own right with an individual culture and history.

Take the ferry boat over from Konak and walk up the main street to the railway station. You can have tea in the lovely cafe on the platform - and if you are lucky you can return to Basmane in central Izmir on the train around the Gulf.

Izmir's best known local dish, now popular almost everywhere in Turkey. But to enjoy it at its finest you must eat it at the house of an Izmir family or in an old fashioned back street restaurant in the city.

Finely minced meat is kneaded with onion juice, salt, pepper and fresh breadcrumbs. Shaped into balls or fingers this mixture is fried, and placed on a bed of fried green peppers, tomatoes and potatoes in a shallow pan. Serve hot.

• Malzemeler - Ingredients
• 500 gr. kıyma - 500gr. ground lamb
• 4 dilim bayat ekmek içi - 4 slices crumbed stale bread (white only)
• 2 adet kurusoğanın özel suyu - The juice of 2 cooking onions
• 2 diş sarımsak - 2 cloves of garlic - crushed
• 1 adet yumurta - 1 egg
• 1 çay kaşığı kimyon - 1 teaspoon cumin
• ince kıyılmış maydonoz - finely chopped parsley
• yağ - cooking oil

• Sosu İçin - For The Sauce
• 2 çorba kaşığı domates salçası - 2 soup spoons concentrated tomato paste
• 2 çorba kaşığı un - 2 soup spoons flour
• 2 çorba kaşığı teryağ - 2 soup spoons butter
• 2 su bardağı su - 2 tumblers water
• tuz - salt

Yapilişi - Method

Yumurta hariç tüm malzemeyi yoğurun. Sonra yumurtayı da ilave edin, yoğurun. Ceviz büyüklüğünde kopartıp avuç arasında oval hale getirin. Orta ateşte pişirin. Bir tavada unu, yağı kavurun. Domates salçası, su ve tuz ekleyip kaynatın. Köftelerin üzerine dökün. Servis sıcak yapın.

For the Meatballs: Knead all ingredients together except the egg. Then add the egg and knead again. Cut off pieces about walnut-size and roll between the palms into an oval meatball. Cook then on a medium heat in some oil.

For the sauce: Heat the flour and butter in a frying-pan. Add the tomato-paste, water and salt and cook to a sauce. Drizzle the sauce over the cooked meatballs and serve hot on a bed of fried potato, fried green pepper and grilled fresh tomato.

Afiyet olsun - Bon apetit

The old fashioned shopping district of Izmir, consisting of narrow streets winding their way from Konak towards central Izmir around Anafartalar Caddesi. Here you can find jewellers, drapers, shoemakers, and shops specializing in all kinds of goods from leather to olives and cheese. The atmosphere of an earlier century still pervades the buildings here, with their distinctive 19th century doorways and roof tiles.

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The famous esplanade between Konak Meydan and Alsancak is packed with promenaders on weekends and fine evenings. As families and young lovers hand in hand stroll along the waterfront, horse-drawn phaetons with colourful ponpons swinging from the harnesses trot past, and cars cruise by. Izmir's esplanade is the subject of a popular old song: "My lover used to say, Let us meet on the Kordon one day, Perhaps at ten o'clock."

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Lokma is Izmir's celebrated sweet pastry. Tiny balls of yeast dough are fried in hot oil and steeped in syrup as you wait. Queues of customers gather at the stalls where the best lokma is made.

This picture is of Ayshe hanim purchasing some lokma from a pavement seller in May 2006 to take to her mother's garden in old Manisa.

Pasaport The name for the dock and pier between Konak and Cumhuriyet Meydanı. Pasaport Dock was built in 1876. The dock building is in the Turkish revival style inspired by Ottoman and Selçuk architecture which was popular in the 1920s and 1930s. Until not so long ago the area was full of old fashioned coffee houses which served hookahs (nargile) as well as tea and coffee, but today pubs have supplanted most of them.

The remains of this magnificent ancient city are situated north of Izmir. Founded in the early 3rd century BC, Pergamum was the most powerful and extensive kingdom of Western Anatolia throughout the Hellenistic period. Parchment is though to have been invented here. On the hill which rises steeply in the centre of Pergamum is the Acropolis and the world's steepest amphitheatre with seating for 16,000 people. The remains of temples Of Athena and Dionysus. The splendid altar of Zeus at the entrance of the Acropolis was taken to Berlin Museum by Carl Humann in 1871. A flight of 20 steps leads up to this remarkable structure, which dwarfs the room at Berlin Museum, as it awaits expectantly the day when it will be released from confinement and return to its hilltop site in Pergamum. The ruins of the Asclepion on the plain below reveal almost all the original features as a result of the excavations. Named after the god of medicine Asclepios, this complex was one of the foremost heath centres of the ancient world.

The ruins of Teos are set amidst olive groves at one end of Siğacık harbour near Şeferihisar, famous for its beaches and thermal springs. Thales relates that Teos was selected as capital of the league of twelve Ionian cities in the 7th century BC. The largest temple of Dionysus ever built in Teos.

A town in the foothills of the Aydın mountains 94 km south of Izmir. Selçuk is the site of Ephesus Museum, a magnificent castle and the 6th century Basilica of St.John. The road to the resorts of Marmaris and Bodrum passes through Selçuk, while Kuşadası, port of call for many yachts and cruise liners, is just a twenty minute drive to the north.

Excavations at Tepeküle in the district of Bayraklı have thrown light on Izmir's early history. Izmir was originally a settlement of the Aeolians, who were contemporaries of the first Trojans, and dates back to the third millennium BC. The city was subsequently occupied by the Ionians, and the Lydian King Alyattes conquered the region in 600 BC, razing Izmir's temples and houses. Today the ruins of the Temple of Athena and houses can be seen at Tepeküle.

Urla is a resort 42 km from Izmir on the road to Çeşme. Izmirliler (the residents of Izmir) spend their summers and weekends here, the site of the ancient Ionian city of Klazomenai. This city was the birthplace of the illustrious philosopher Anaxogoras, and is latterly also famous for a local pastry dish - katmer - [a kind of flap-jack] - and for its meat and fish restaurants.