Izmir - the birthplace of Homer - is the third biggest city of Turkey in terms of population. Izmir is less cosmopolite compared to Istanbul and Ankara because it takes less internal emigration than them. The natives of Izmir are generally known to be more liberal and western-minded in Turkey. The gay life in Izmir is getting more and more visible each passing year. The gay exclusive bars and clubs have been opened within the last 10 years in Izmir.

Visitor feedbacks for gay life in Izmir:

*Alsancak has a lot more to offer for gays and it's very cosmopolitan. Hotels are cheap and very comfortable. (06-21-2006)

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Exclusive Gay Bars and Clubs in Izmir:
 

Izmir, Alsancak panorama from the sea

 MIX  (MARGINAL BEER & DANCE HOUSE)
Address: Cumhuriyet Bulvari No:347/A, 2nd Kordon. Phone:0232 4220335

This gay venue reported by the owners, claimed to be one of the most popular gay bar in Izmir. They make miscellaneous shows on different days of the week. (October 2004)

 PAPIRUS BAR DISCO  23:00-03:00
Kibris Sehitleri Caddesi (street), Alsancak, Izmir.

Visitor feedbacks:
"Papirus located in Alsancak district near Ege Palas Hotel is the only real gay bar in Izmir. No special dressing code is required." (March 18, 2006)

 BONCUK 
Address: Fevzipasa Bulvari (boulevard), Basmane (district) Izmir. Near the main Train station, next to Nil hotel.
It has a poor environment, where the majority of the clients are feminine gays, queers and usually-active bisexual men with mustache.
PS: The information about this venue is not very up to date. Please use this information accordingly.

Visitor Feedbacks:
"BONCUK Bar is not a gay nightclub anymore. Straight people run this bar. (30/04/2009)

 KA BAR & CLUB (100.100)
Address: 1471 Sokak. No:45/A, Alsancak- Izmir.
KA is a senior gay bar & club in Izmir, which was formerly called "Yuzbinyuz". The clientele is mixture of gays, transvestites as well as some rent-boys.
Located at the end of the second street after the Military Building on Kibris Sehitleri Caddesi (one of the major streets of central Izmir). Or, you can take the first right from the Bornova street which is opposite of the railway station to get there. Alsancak district is the center of night life in Izmir.

Visitor Feedbacks:
"Opening hours: Everyday between 21:00-04:00 am. There are many transvestites and rent boys  (19/07/2008)

 CIXS BAR  
Address: 1448 Sokak (street), No:5/B Alsancak, Izmir. (Behind Ege Palas Hotel)
The venue was reported by the owners as a bar-dancing welcoming a mixture of gays, straight acting bisexual boys/men, transvestites and transsexuals. (June 2004)

Visitor feedbacks:
"The manager is a transsexual and consequently there are more transvestites and transsexuals besides many rent-boys and some gay men who are interested in them. They play underground and techno music. The entrance fee is 13 Lira. Usually more busy than KA bar" (19/07/2008)

"I went to this club last night and I only found transvestites and rent boys. They were all looking for money. Not real gay club. (28/04/2009)

 ZILLI BAR  
This venue was suggested by a website visitor as below, therefore the accuracy of the information provided here is not guaranteed.  Please use accordingly

"Zilli Bar/ CLUB is located in Alsancak / Izmir. It's a new opened bar located in a narrow street. Straights and gays are running this bar which is attending by a mixture of gays and straights/ men and women. The address of this bar is : Cumhuriyet Blv. Pt no pot: 371/B. (2.Kordon) Alsancak/Izmir. No entry fees and the owners are very nice and friendly" Submitted on 30/04/2009
 
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Gay or Gay-Friendly Restaurants and Cafe Shops in Izmir:
 

 FIESTA CAFE
Address: 1448 Sokak (street), No:14 Alsancak, Izmir.
You can better reach there from Kibris Sehitleri Caddesi (street) in Alsancak
A gay and lesbian friendly but actually a straight owned cafeteria reported by the owners in October 2003. They want to welcome the upscale clients especially.
e-mail: fiestacafe@mynet.com

 X-CAFE
Address: 1469 Sokak No: 70 (Barlar Sokagi-Bar street or former Bornova Sokak) Alsancak
Phone:0232-4651587 / 0533-7924596
e-mail: xcafe2003@yahoo.de
A gay friendly cafeteria reported by the owners in March 2003

Lesbian Friendly Cafe Shops in Izmir.

 DEFNE CAFE
Address: Alsancak- Izmir, Turkey.
It is located in a lane next to Simit Sarayi (local tea house chain) on Kibris Sehitleri street in Alsancak.
This cafe shop has been reported by a website visitor as as a lesbian owned/friendly cafe shop. Whereas we would like to remind people that there are controversial comments about the gay-friendliness of this venue in other internet resources and gay forums. (03/02/2009)

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Other Recommended Restaurants and Cafe Shops in Izmir:

Sakiz Adasi Café.
Address: Right opposite of Alsancak ferryboat station on Kordon (waterfront of Izmir)
Sakiz Adassi is a cozy cafe-shop. It is not a gay venue; nor it is explicitly gay-friendly but seems to be a popular venue among the local gays of Izmir who do not like loud night clubs with many rent-boys and those prefer a more relaxed and quality atmosphere.

Starbucks
Address: Dr. Mustafa Bey Caddesi No: 5/A Alsancak, Izmir
Starbucks in Alsancak seems to be the meeting place in early hours for some gay men living in Izmir.

Visitor feedbacks:
"In Izmir, Alsancak Starbucks and also possiblly Gloria Jeans cafe shops are the places you are most like to see the most gay men around in early hours, mostly straight acting and not very visible types though" (10/30/2007)

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Gay Friendly Cinemas in Izmir:
There is not any gay exclusive or explicitly gay-friendly cinema in Izmir, but most heterosexual erotic/porno cinemas are frequented by some gay men. Because of Turkey's bisexual culture it's very possible to meet interested-people in suchlike places. In a few of them gays are really welcomed, but still better be a little discrete, because they are open to straight men as well, some of whom can be homophobic.
 

 SARAY SINEMASI

Address: In Kapilar quarter of, Basmane district, Izmir..
Basmane district is at the upper part of Alsancak and it is well-known with the main train terminal. There are many cheap hotels, small business offices and low quality pubs in Basmane. 

Visitor feedbacks:
"Both Saray and Saray 1 cinemas have been closed a while ago"  31/03/2009

 SARAY-2 SINEMASI
Address: Ikicesmelik Caddesi (street) Mezarlikbasi (quarter of) Cankaya (district) - Izmir.
Mezarlikbasi district is the birth place of the late singer Dario Moreno The Agora of the ancient Izmir is located somewhere behind Mezarlikbasi.

Visitor feedbacks:
"Both Saray and Saray 1 cinemas have been closed a while ago"  31/03/2009

 BUYUK SINEMA
Address: Gaziler Caddesi (street) ,Tepecik, Yenisehir, Izmir
Tepecik is a smaller locality; a part of Yenisehir district officially. It is infamous with its brothel and sleazy night clubs. 

 FERAH SINEMASI
Address: 541 Sokak (street) Esrefpasa district, Izmir
(The street labeled 541 is behind Is Bank (the local branch of the bank called Is Bankasi)
The information about venue was sent by a website visitor on March 2008, and there is guarantee of its accuracy.

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Gay Friendly Sauna or Bath Houses in Izmir:
Please note that most owners of action places such as cinemas, baths and saunas do not like to be mentioned on gay websites or guide books even if they want gay people to come to their venues for business reasons. These are mostly straight owned/managed places.

 ISTANKOY HAMAMI
Address: 926 Sokak No:6, Kemeralti, Konak, Izmir.
The hamam (not explicitly gay-friendly) is located somewhere behind the Salepcioglu Mosque. Kemeralti is older part of Izmir's central district of Konak, a traditional shopping quarter with narrow streets housing cinemas, cafes, spice shops, souvenir shops and many others.

Visitor feedbacks:
"I went to Istankoy hamam today. Very cool. I believe this Hammam is the only gay friendly in Izmir ..... . They all know it is a gay Hammam but do not say that you are a gay. Pay only 13 TL and 2 TL tips. It is cost less than $10. ( 31/03/2009)

 TEVFIK PASHA HAMAMI ( g )
Address: Anafartalar Caddesi, No:501, Konak, Izmir
Located not far from "Agora open air museum" This old Turkish bath is also not a gay venue intentionally, but it is very likely to meet interested men if you visit. It is owned by straight people, and better not to declare your are gay (even if they would guess it). They simply play the three monkeys here.

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Other Recommended Sauna or Bath Houses in Izmir:
Not necessarily in order to find partners, a visit to a historical Turkish bath is at the top of the must-do list for gay tourists visiting Turkey. The following ones are recommended (none-gay) baths in Izmir listed for those who would not want to miss this exotic experience.

 BASMANE HAMAMI
Address: Anafartalar Cad. 890 Basmane Izmir.
Telephone: (0 90 232) 483 02 74
A good sample of historical Turkish baths in Izmir, a 17th century Ottoman structure. Open between 06:00 - 23:00 catering for men only.

 LUKS HAMAM
Address: Anafartalar Cad. (street) No:660 Kececiler (quarter) Izmir .
Telephone: (0 90 232) 483 02 74
Also called Kadi Hamami, this hamam is estimated to be built in the 16th century. It is a twin hamam structure with separate men-women sections. Men section is open everyday until 22:00. It is a well-groomed hamam with an impressive octagonal dome in the main area.

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Gay Cruising Areas  in Izmir:

 Fuar  
Fairground area which is officially named Kultur Park (Culture Park), also called shortly "fuar", where the annual International Izmir Fair is being organized (See Website) You can see the cruising gay men especially around the long pool (uzun havuz) and around the traffic circle at the main entrance of the fairground area.

 Kordon  
The famous promenade area, waterfront by the boulevard in Alsancak. Cruising happens mainly late in the evenings, at the less busy parts. Izmir's Kordon is well know all over Turkey, and has become inspiration to many classic and popular Turkish songs.

 Konak Square  
The park near the clock tower and the neighborhood of the clock tower in Konak, which is the district regarded as the down town of Izmir. Cruisy mainly after dark. The clock tower in Konak is the symbol of Izmir city.

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Gay Beaches  in Izmir:
There are no beaches in Izmir with visible gay/lesbian scene. In fact there are no beaches near the city center, just like in similar metropolitan cities.  Because of population the sea is not very clean and the coast line is occupied by stone-made or concreted waterfront. The following beaches can be recommended to gay men visiting Izmir just for swimming and water sports. It is more likely to see gay men in Pamucak beach and some central beaches in Cesme.

 Cesme
The beaches around Cesme, which is popular summer resort mainly for Turkish tourists with respect to similar towns like Bodrum and Marmaris. Cesme is a town on the west coast of Turkey and one of the districts of Izmir Province, some 90 km away from the city center. It is a prominent center of international tourism in Turkey and is famous for its clubs, beaches and fish restaurants. It is one of Turkey's touristic areas with landscapes of cultivated fields of aniseed, sesame and artichokes dotted with fig and gum trees. There are many Blue-flag bays nearby. Alacati, near Cesme is a windy area in all seasons and so it is a famous windsurf palace. Alacati is also famous for its architecture, vineyards and windmills built over 150 years ago. Alacati has crystal clear water, consistent and steady wind.
(PS: Cesme is pronounced like chesh-me)

Visitor Feedbacks:
"When you get out of Cesme drive into the earth road which goes to Fun Club on Altinkum beach (7 km from Cesme). You will need to park your car when you reach to Fun Club, and walk about 200 meters to the left hand side of the beach. You can meet nice guys on Sundays especially. Some people swims naked in this part of the beach which is referred as "nude beach" (ciplaklar plaji) by some local people.

 Pamucak
Pamucak beach is in Selcuk town, just at the border of Izmir province and Kusadasi, 5 km from world-wide famous ruins of Ephesus ancient city, and also called as "Ephesus beach" by some people.  Pamucak Beach, is about 11 kms in length.  The beach, is sandy and has a clear water. It is very suitable place for water-sports and camping. Ephesus Princess, Aqua Fantasia, Surmeli Ephesus, Richmond Ephesus, are de luxe, club and resort hotels, which lie on the beach. The Pamucak region has also a camping area, aqua park, forest rest area covered with red pine woods 10 km from Selcuk – Kusadasi highway. Horse or Jeep safaris are the exotic activities that can be participated.

 Karaburun 
Another seaside town out of Izmir city. Karaburun region is comparatively much less visited than Cesme although it provides an anticlimax to its southern neighbor and the associated attractions especially for those who want to escape the trails of mass tourism. The district's administrative zone is bordered by the districts of Cesme and Urla in its south and faces the Greek island of Chios.

 Cesmealti
Cesmealti, a part of Urla district of Izmir is about 36 km. away from Konak; which is a lively and natural tourism center. The long beaches which stretches from Cesmealti to Içmeler cause the regions population to expand by two or three times during the summer months. The Urla Camp Municipality Beach, the natural beaches and swimming pools of some holiday villages located in Cesmealti serve tourists all season long.


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GAY GROUPS AND ORGANIZATIONS

Gay Groups and Gay lesbian Organizations in Izmir:

KAOS GL IZMIR
Gay and Lesbian Solidarity Organization in Izmir, Turkey.  Web: http://www.kaosglizmir.com/

Gays and Lesbians in Izmir who had been pioneers of Turkish gay movement with disorganized small groups such as Biz GL, Otekizmir (the other Izmir), Pembe Uçgen (Pink Triangle) united their powers to continue together with the experiences which they got from these groups, in September 2006. The group gathering as an initiative previously, enunciated that they denominated themselves as Kaos GL Izmir in January, and rented their own office in June of 2007. Thus, meetings which were being organized in some cafes with many difficulties and limited opportunities, are now being organized in their own offices.

Kaos GL Izmir aims to support firstly gays and lesbians living in Izmir and the existence of all lesbians, gays bisexuals and transgendered people in society with their own sexual identities; works for their cultural, social, legal benefits; tries to prevent discrimination and struggles against homophobia everywhere.

History of gay movement in Izmir.
The first gay group that we know in Izmir, was a group called “Biz GL” who made meetings in Iskenderiye Library at the end of the 90’s. Although Biz GL which was pioneered by a group of gay and lesbian who organized around Arkadas Café, managed to make meetings with around 60 people, unfortunately it disbanded because of deficiency of awareness about being organized and lack of gay-lesbian movement experience.

In October, 2001, Oteki Izmir, was established by lesbians and gays regularly made meetings till September 2001, especially took a part in some activities like International Antimilitarism Meeting with antimilitarist movement in İzmir. But, being organized which based on antimilitarism that was not enough to produce solutions for primary problems for gay society, caused disbandment in short time.

Up until now, most longevous group was PUI (Pembe Ucgen Izmir- Pink Triangle Izmir) which was established by gays and lesbians who first gatherd on internet platform formed in June 2002 . In regular meetings every week, lots of cases which concern gay and lesbian society like family, coming out, sexual health, militarism, gender politics etc.., was discussed. Although conflicts and problems with the cafés which meetings were made in, caused to make changes with the place of meeting every time, PUI managed to continue for two years. In time, disagreements and serious conflicts that came up in group caused disbandment and after two years, members annihilated PUI by themselves.


Gay & lesbian Internet Sources for Izmir:

Yahoo Group For Turkish Lesbians
A Yahoo Group to meet Turkish Lesbians from all over Turkey. You can leave a message to meet Turkish lesbians and lesbian tourists living in or visiting Izmir in this group.

Yahoo Group for Turkish Gays
A Yahoo Group to meet Turkish gay men from all over Turkey. You can leave a message to meet Turkish gays and gay tourists living in or visiting Izmir in this group

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IZMIR GAY TRAVEL

 

Turkish gay travel agency is organizing daily city tours, budget and tailor made package tours, boat cruises, hotel reservations in Izmir and all around Turkey.

Gay and Lesbian Friendly Izmir Daily City Tours:
There are many daily tours and activities you can join while you are in Izmir including Ephesus, Pamukkale, Dalyan, Turtle beach,  Saklikent, Tlos, Yakapark, Scuba Diving, Jeep Safari, Paragliding, Rafting, 12 Islands, Butterfly Valley etc. 
Details  
 

GAY OR LESBIAN FRIENDLY HOTELS IN IZMIR

There are no gay exclusive or explicitly gay/lesbian friendly hotels in Izmir.  Other recommended hotels listed below can be booked on-line via gay-owned Turkish travel agency located in Istanbul.

Let us know if you want to recommend any hotel in Izmir for gay visitors

 

Lesbian and Gay Friendly Izmir Hotels
	INTERNATIONAL ONLINE SECURE SYSTEM Book Your Hotels Online via International Secure Reservation System with the Guarantee and Protection of Istanbul Pride Travel. Pride Travel has special rates agreements with hotels from all over Turkey, including Izmir. Easy to search, hotels listed starting from the cheapest	Search Hotels

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ABOUT IZMIR   Ruins in Izmir Agora Clock Tower The Port of Pasaport, Izmir IZMIR INFO: The prominent information, districts and other attractions in and around Izmir are listed below in alphabetical order:   AGORA: Revealed in central Izmir during excavations carried out in 1932-1941 in the district of Namazgah. eovering 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.   ALSANCAK: A select neighborhood 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, Aydin and Denizli depart from here.   ANGLICAN CHURCH : This church was built in 1835 by Levantines of English extraction living in Buca. The church is famous for its wood carving, beautiful stained glass windows and huge organ.   ASANSOR: The city's famous public elevator, and a symbol of Izmir. This elevator links Mithatpasa street below with Halil Rifat Pasa street at the summit of the precipitous hill. It was built in 1907 and restored by the municipality in 1993. The upper terrace has a breathtaking view over the city and the bay. Here there is an Open-air cafe, a restaurant and a Genoese tavern.   BALCOVA: This spa is on the outskirts of Izmir on the road to Urla and Çesme. Turn left at Inciralti crossroads to reach Balçova thermal springs one kilometer down the road. Known as the Agamemnon Springs in antiquity, this may have been the first hydrotherapy center of the ancient world. Today there are modern facilities for visitors to the hot springs and luxury hotels. The temperature of the water is 63 degrees C.   BARLAR SOKAGI: Street of Bars. Some of the attractive old houses under conservation order in Alsancak now house bars and restaurants.   BASMANE: In this district are Izmir's old fashioned shopping streets, the park where the famous Izmir Fair is held each summer, and Basmane station. The trains to Manisa, and suburban rail buses to ßornova and other destinations leave from this station.   BORNOVA: 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.   BUCA: Once Izmir's summer resort, Buca is today part of the city. With a population of 200000 in 1990, Buca is today a commercial and university district. The British Levantine merchants who ran businesses in Izmir from the late l8th century onward s built imposing mansions here. Not until the 1950s did Buca undergo radical change as various institutions moved into the mansions, whose extensive gardens are under conservation.   CLIMATE: Typical Mediterranean climate, with hot dry summers and warm wet winters. The average temperature is 18 degrees C. Snowfall is extremely rare, and approximately 148 days of the year are clear and sunny . CLOCK TOWER: 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 25 m high tower is currently being restored.   CESME: This popular and attractive resort west of Izmir is famous for its modern hotels, sparkling clean sea and wonderful sandy beaches.   EPHESUS: An ancient city three km from the town of Selcuk south of Izmir. During both the Hellenistic and Roman periods Ephesus was the most important port and cultural center 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.   FOCA: A picturesque fishing town 50 km north of Izmir. A magnet for holiday makers during summer today, Foca 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).   HISAR MOSQUE: The city's most magnificent mosque in the district of Hisar next to Kemeralti office complex. The mosque was built by Yakup 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.   HOUSE OF THE VIRGIN MARY: This holy Christian shrine on Mt.Bulbul between Selcuk and Ephesus 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.   IZMIR FAIR: Since I932 this international trade fair has been the highlight of the summer season in Izmir. From late August to early September the fair doubles as a popular festival of music and stage events in the Culture Park.   KADIFEKALE: Velvet Castle, to be literal. This 4th century BC castle commands a bird's eye view of Izmir and is th perfect place to watch the sun set over the city.   KARSIYAKA: The name of this district of Izmir on the north shore off Izmir Bay 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, Karsiyaka is a town in its own right with an individual culture and history.   KEMERALTI: 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 jewelers, drapers, shoemaker, and shops specializing in all kind s 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.   KORDON: The famous esplanade between Konak Meydan and Alsancak is packed with promenades 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 es trot past, and cars cruise by.    PASAPORT: (Not a printing error, but the Turkish for "passport). The name for the dock and pier between Konak and Cumhuriyet Meydan. Pasasaport Dock was built in 1876. The dock building is in the Turkish revival style inspired by Ottoman and Selcuk 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 waterpipes as well as tea and coffee, but today pubs have supplanted most of them.   PERGAMUM: The remains of this magnificent ancient city are situated north of Imir. Founded in the early 3rd century BC, Pergamum was the most powerful and extensive kingdom of Western Anatolia throughout the Hellenistic period. Parchment is thought  to have been invented here. On the hill which rises steeply in the center 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 fligth 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 health centers of the ancient world.   SELCUK: A town in the foothills of the Aydin mountains 94 km south of Izmir. SeIcuk 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 Selcuk, w hile Kusadasi, port of call for many yachts and cruise liners, is just a twenty minute drive to the north.   SMYRNA: The ancient name for Izmir and the heroic Amazon who founded the city according to Herodotus and Strabon.   TEOS: The ruins of Teos are set amidst olive groves at one end of Sigacik harbor near Seferihisar, 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.   TEPEKULE: Excavations at Tepekule in the district of Bayrakli 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 milenium BC. The c ity 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 Tepekule.   URLA: Urla is a resort 42 km from Izmir on the road to Cesme. Izmirians 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" and for its meat and fish restaurants.

 [Rehberde yer almak, reklam vermek ya da yeni yerler eklemek icin form doldurun]