From Wikitravel

Izmir is a rapidly growing modern town in Turkey.

[edit] Understand

İzmir is the third biggest city in Turkey with a population of around 5.5 million, the second biggest port after Istanbul, and a very good transport hub. Once the ancient city of Smyrna, it is now a modern, developed, and busy commercial center, set around a huge bay and surrounded by mountains. The broad boulevards, glass-fronted buildings and modern shopping centers are dotted with traditional red-tiled roofs, the 18th century market, and old mosques and churches, although the city has an atmosphere more of Mediterranean Europe than traditional Turkey.

[edit] History

The history of Izmir stretches back to around 3000 BC when the Trojans founded the city in Tepekule in the northern suburb of Bayrakli. This was the birthplace of Homer, who was thought to have lived here around the 8th century BC. The Aeolians, the first settlers, were eventually taken over by the Ionians, and then the Lydians destroyed the city around 600BC before a brief recovery following Alexander the Great’s arrival in 334 BC.

After his death, Alexander’s generals followed his wishes and re-established Smyrna on Mount Pagos in Kadifekale, and the city then prospered under the Romans. It was destroyed by an earthquake in 178 AD but later reconstructed and became a major commercial port. After the Byzantines, the city had a turbulent time under the Arabs, Seljuks, Crusaders and Mongols, until Mehmet I incorporated it into the Ottoman Empire in 1415. Under Suleyman the Magnificent, Smyrna became a thriving and sophisticated city and a huge trading center, despite its frequent earthquakes. It was cosmopolitan, with Greek Orthodox, Jews and Muslims, and many languages were spoken amongst locals and visiting traders.

Following World War I and the defeat of the Ottoman Empire, Greece was granted a mandate over Izmir and entered the area, coming against the resistance of Ataturk’s nationalists. This resulted in a 3-day bloody battle, during which 70% of the city was burned to the ground and thousands were killed, and the beaten Greeks eventually left on the waiting ships. Ataturk formally took Izmir on 9 September 1922 which is celebrated as the day of victory in Izmir.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By Rail

Izmir has two railway stations: Basmane in the city center is the major terminal for intercity trains, and Alsancak in the north is mainly a commuter and local route.

The main intercity services include: Ankara (Mavi Tren is the fastest at 14 hours), Denizli (3 express trains daily, 5-6 hours) and Isparta (9 hours). Trains for Istanbul connect with a ferry at Bandirma.

Basmane Station Tel: (0232) 484 8638 Alsancak Station Tel: (0232) 458 3131

[edit] By Sea

There is a weekly ferry from Istanbul-Izmir (19 hours), operating at weekends, and one or two weekly ferries between Izmir and Venice (67 hours). All ferries dock at the Alsancak Ferry Terminal, 2km north of the city center.

Alsansak Yeni Liman (terminal) Tel: + 90(0232) 464 8864 / 89. Fax: 464 7834.

[edit] By Air

Adnan Menderes Airport, 16km south of the city center, has several daily flights to Istanbul, Ankara and Antalya. There are also regular flights from many European cities. Airport buses go to and from the city center, and there are hourly trains to Alsancak Station.

Airport Tel : +90 (0232) 274 2187. Fax: 274 2071

Iz Air (www.izair.com.tr) operates from Turkey and has flights to a lot of places in Turkey.

[edit] By Road

The bus station or otogar is 6km north east of town although there are plenty of dolmus that make the journey there from the centre. The bus station is huge and has an Internet cafe, plenty of facilities for food and drink and a large number of agencies selling tickets for coaches which, if departing imminently, they will be shouting out the destinations of. It also has pay toilets.

Buses to Istanbul take 9 hours (including a brief trip on a ferry) and travellers are provided with water, hot drinks, snacks and regular stops for toilets and food all for free on the better services for fares around 35YTL per person one way.

[edit] Get around

• Walking in Izmir

You can explore Izmir by inside city walking.Walking Routes to center of city ar very easy to walk and enjoyable

[edit][add listing] See

• Konak Square, a high clock-building with palm trees.
• Alsancak, small streets with lots of bars in old Greek houses, where you can have tea or a beer and try several waterpipe flavors.
• Kadifekale, old castle on the hill which it's named after.
• Agora, remains of the Roman Empire.

[edit][add listing] Do

• Walk around at Kordon. You can walk around beside the Aegaen Sea.
• Kemeralti: A big bazaar, where you can buy clothes, presents etc. There are also a lot of lounges where you can sit.

• Kizlaragasi Hani: An old kervansaray where you can shop for carpets and jewelry

[edit][add listing] Buy

You can go to Konak Pier, a small mall along the Kordon with a cinema and with local and other known brands. Another mall is called Forum, in Bornova. Forum is a very big mall with all brands and a supermarket.

[edit][add listing] Eat

• Melons, because Izmir has a warm climate it is fresh to eat melons.
• Izmir has a famous restaurant that serves the region's specialties, especially shish kebabs.
• Fish, grilled sea bass and mezes. Usually the fish is fresh and plenty in all seasons.
• Kumru, a warm sandwich, made with a special bread with sesame seeds, Turkish sausage, grilled cheese and tomatoes.
• Tulum Peyniri, a kind of cheese specially made in Izmir region.
• Copsis Kebab at Topcu in Cankaya

[edit][add listing] Drink

• DoyDoy is a nice and cheap pub in İzmir
• Kordon

[edit][add listing] Sleep

In Izmir there are several hotels. Hilton is very close to city center in Alsancak, and Swissotel is going to open this year which is also located in Alsancak. Also there is Crowne Plaza, which is about 30 min. from center.

[edit] Get out

• Cesme a small village for all summer activities, half an hour drive to Izmir.

• Selcuk, a few hours by bus or train to the south of the city, includes Ephesus and Virgin Mary’s House. It is also a few kilometers away from Kuşadası.

This article is an outline and needs more content. It has a template, but there is not enough information present. Please plunge forward and help it grow!