Izmir - Made Easier
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Izmir, previously known as ‘Smyrna’ is also called the ‘Pearl of the Aegean’. Izmir is the third largest city of Turkey with a population of about 3 million and its metropolitan municipality has about 4.3 million.
Izmir has a Mediterranean climate with long and dry summers (it can go up to 37-43*C but average is around 33*C), and mild/cool and rainy winters (it can go down from 0 to -4*C, but average is about 7*C). Rainfalls and strong winds occur mainly in December and January and when it rains, it pours!
To get information about the cost of living in Izmir, click HERE
The city is composed of several districts:
In the north you have Çiğli, Bostanli, Karşıyaka, Bayraklı.
The city center is Konak (Alsancak is part of it). East of Konak you have Bornova.
In the south you have Buca, Gaziemir and the airport.
In the west you have Balçova, Narlıdere and Güzelbahçe
Izmir, previously known as ‘Smyrna’ is also called the ‘Pearl of the Aegean’. Izmir is the third largest city of Turkey with a population of about 3 million and its metropolitan municipality has about 4.3 million.
Izmir has a Mediterranean climate with long and dry summers (it can go up to 37-43*C but average is around 33*C), and mild/cool and rainy winters (it can go down from 0 to -4*C, but average is about 7*C). Rainfalls and strong winds occur mainly in December and January and when it rains, it pours!
To get information about the cost of living in Izmir, click HERE
The city is composed of several districts:
In the north you have Çiğli, Bostanli, Karşıyaka, Bayraklı.
The city center is Konak (Alsancak is part of it). East of Konak you have Bornova.
In the south you have Buca, Gaziemir and the airport.
In the west you have Balçova, Narlıdere and Güzelbahçe
A) Karşıyaka, Bostanli, Bayraklı. Located in the Northeast part of the Izmir Bay. In Karşıyaka is also popular among some foreigners, but mainly is growing into a business and residential area. In Bostanli you will find on Wednesdays the very well known Market selling fruits, vegetables, fish, cloths and much more. From Bostanli as well as from Karşıyaka there are Ferry Boats that go into Konak, Pasaport and Alsancak- the city center. From Bostanli there is also the car Ferry crossing the Bay
to Üçkuyular (next to Levent Marina). The Metro is also connected from here to the city center and up to the airport. The Tram along the waterfront has been finished in 2018 and goes from Ataşehir over Mavişehir, Bostanlı İskele, Karşıyaka İskele to Alaybey.
B) Bornova: Nice residential area. You will find here some mansions and gardens from the levantine area. There are also 2 main shopping malls and the biggest university, EGE University that was established in 1955. The metro line also goes here.
C) Konak- Alsancak: The clock tower in Konak is the official Izmir city center. Ferry station has the same name. From here you enter the famous area called 'Kemeraltı'- a huge district turned into bazaar where you can find anything you want. Some main museums swell as the Opera is in this area. In Alsancak you will find the main big hotels and the elegant shopping houses and restaurants. The famous 'Kordon' (Atatürk Caddesi) - Riverfront is full of restaurants and bars and full of live all day and night long.
Alsancak is also very popular residential area, also among foreigners. In front of the main Hotels, you have the Ferry station called 'pasaport' and at the end of the Kordon you have the station called 'Alsancak'
Alsancak is also conected with the Metro. There is 'Alsancak' at the main Train Station- This Metro goes up to the airport and there is the Station called 'Çankaya', next to the Kemeraltı district.
The Tram along the waterfront (from Fahrettin Altay over Levent Marina (Üçkuyular, Balçova) - Göztepe - Alsancak train station, University to Halkapınar) has been completed in march 2018.
D) Göztepe: Between Konak and Balçova on the southern shore of the Gulf of Izmir. Mainly residential. There is a Metro Station, one Ferry station and the Tram along the waterfront (from Fahrettin Altay over Levent Marina (Üçkuyular, Balçova) - Göztepe - Alsancak train station, University to Halkapınar) has been completed in march 2018. Göztepe is also home of a very good football team of Izmir.
E) Balçova: Known for its thermal water springs, it hosts now some hotels with wellness services. You will find also several modern Shopping malls in the area.
F) Narlıdere and Güzelbahçe: Residential area
G) Buca and Gaziemir: In this areas you will find the Free Trade zone, the MEF International School, the NATO Headquarters and the Airport. It is well connected with the metro.
H) Information on URLA, please click HERE
I) Information on MANISA, please click HERE
J) Information on ÇEŞME, please click HERE
>>More information about Transport in Izmir: Click HERE
to Üçkuyular (next to Levent Marina). The Metro is also connected from here to the city center and up to the airport. The Tram along the waterfront has been finished in 2018 and goes from Ataşehir over Mavişehir, Bostanlı İskele, Karşıyaka İskele to Alaybey.
B) Bornova: Nice residential area. You will find here some mansions and gardens from the levantine area. There are also 2 main shopping malls and the biggest university, EGE University that was established in 1955. The metro line also goes here.
C) Konak- Alsancak: The clock tower in Konak is the official Izmir city center. Ferry station has the same name. From here you enter the famous area called 'Kemeraltı'- a huge district turned into bazaar where you can find anything you want. Some main museums swell as the Opera is in this area. In Alsancak you will find the main big hotels and the elegant shopping houses and restaurants. The famous 'Kordon' (Atatürk Caddesi) - Riverfront is full of restaurants and bars and full of live all day and night long.
Alsancak is also very popular residential area, also among foreigners. In front of the main Hotels, you have the Ferry station called 'pasaport' and at the end of the Kordon you have the station called 'Alsancak'
Alsancak is also conected with the Metro. There is 'Alsancak' at the main Train Station- This Metro goes up to the airport and there is the Station called 'Çankaya', next to the Kemeraltı district.
The Tram along the waterfront (from Fahrettin Altay over Levent Marina (Üçkuyular, Balçova) - Göztepe - Alsancak train station, University to Halkapınar) has been completed in march 2018.
D) Göztepe: Between Konak and Balçova on the southern shore of the Gulf of Izmir. Mainly residential. There is a Metro Station, one Ferry station and the Tram along the waterfront (from Fahrettin Altay over Levent Marina (Üçkuyular, Balçova) - Göztepe - Alsancak train station, University to Halkapınar) has been completed in march 2018. Göztepe is also home of a very good football team of Izmir.
E) Balçova: Known for its thermal water springs, it hosts now some hotels with wellness services. You will find also several modern Shopping malls in the area.
F) Narlıdere and Güzelbahçe: Residential area
G) Buca and Gaziemir: In this areas you will find the Free Trade zone, the MEF International School, the NATO Headquarters and the Airport. It is well connected with the metro.
H) Information on URLA, please click HERE
I) Information on MANISA, please click HERE
J) Information on ÇEŞME, please click HERE
>>More information about Transport in Izmir: Click HERE
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Here are the Links to the following Municipalities:
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Moving & Relocation Companies:
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Moving Companies:
Relocation companies:
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Click at the following links to get more information about Izmir:
- Transportation, Real Estate, Relocation Services, Communication
- Culture ( Culture centers, Museums, places to visit, galleries)
- Hospitals, Clinics, Doctors
- Health Clubs, Beauty Centers, Hairdressers & Hamams
- All about Sports
- Hotels in Izmir
- Kids: All for the small kids
- Restaurants, Clubs & Pubs in Izmir
- Pastry & Chocolates
- Special Food Items & Beverages
- Schools & Books
- Friends recommend
- Fashion & Co: Shopping centers, souvenir shops
- International Groups & Activities in Izmir
- Upcoming Events in Izmir and surroundings
- Day trips out of Izmir
- URLA
- ÇEŞME
Special thanks to all the friends who are helping to put this information together:
Zeynep Beyter, Paloma Iñiguez, Beatriz Merino, Isis Batram, Nicole Katrantzis, Balbina Segura, Julica Ortlinghaus, Diana Borja Dologh, Isla Selupucin, Meral Sönmezgil, Rebecca Davis, the IWAI and many more
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