This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel.
İzmir, which is the third-biggest city of Turkey after Istanbul and Ankara, is situated on the western shore of the county, in the region of Anatolia. It is a big, busy, and fairly crowded city, with definitely less charm than Istanbul. However, it might still be worth a few days' visit, especially if you are interested in history.
İzmir is one of the oldest settlements of the Mediterranean, but has monuments and sights from almost every era in history, with Ancient Roman ruins and Medieval remains hidden all over the place waiting to be explored. Moreover, it is a great base for exploring the nearby Ephesos, the famous Ancient Greek city.
Within the city itself, some of the places that are definitely worth a visit include the Clock Tower in the Konak district, an exotic tower made of marble that also functions as a fountain, and which is situated in the middle of an atmospheric square and right next to a promenade along the shore. In this area, there are some nice cafes and restaurants with views of the sea. Another one is the Asansor elevator that takes you up to a panoramic viewpoint above the city, from where you can marvel at the coastline as well as the nearby hills.
Yet another place of interest is the Agora Open Air Museum, where visitors can admire what is left of the Ancient Greek city that once stood here. Last, but not least, a stay in İzmir cannot be complete without a visit to the Kemeralti traditional Turkish bazaar, a place that was set up by the Ottomans in the sixteenth century. It's a perfect place to buy your souvenirs, try locally made pomegranate juice, or just walk around and soak in an atmosphere that you cannot find anywhere else in the world.
You are certain to find a hostel in İzmir to suit your budget, taste, and standard. An İzmir hostel is a great place from which to base yourself to see everything the area has to offer!
Written by local expertz for Izmir
JudyM
