First things first: the quarantine might be over in most of the countries or the restrictions might have been lowered, but the COVID-19 pandemic is not over! We still have to take good care of ourselves and the ones around us by respecting what the authorities advice us! Find in the end of this article some simple actions that will make your future journeys safer and more enjoyable 😇
Coming back to the fun part, yes, I traveled in June and I cannot express in words the happiness felt after 3 months of quarantine. This spring surprised us all in different ways and completely changed our plans, nor to say COVID almost distroid my hope of seeing anything else in Turkey (except Ankara, the city where I’ve been staying all this time). Fortunatelly, what is now called the “first wave” came to an end and the cases dicreased significantly. 🥳Thus, the authorities allowed Turkish people and residents to finally travel at least inside the country (during quarantine it was not allowed to roam even within the borders and big cities have been “closed”).
Transportation
First thing one has to know when arriving in a new city is how to arrive fast and cheap to the main places. In Izmir that is not a problem for visitors as it is very easy to make a metro card which can be later charged using cash or card and used as well for the tram. The subway is simple to use with just one line, the only disadvantage being that you cannot use it to go to the main bus station (which is on the way out of the city).
Moreover, I suggest renting a bike and enjoy the port side by riding along its 40 km bicycle track. On this side is very safe and easy to ride bikes even if you are an expert or just beginner as it is a pietonal area free of cars. Anyways, if you have good driving skills, the city has a total of 90 km of bike roads which could be used to explore more. Boats represent also an alternative, especially for crossing from one side of the shore to another, and of course walking around by foot is always an option with such a central distrcit waiting to be unpuzzled.😉
Konak Square
Is maybe the most popular area of Izmir and the most full of life. It’s hosting some of the main attractions such as the clock tower, the small Konak blue mosque, a quite big bazaar (Kemeraltı Çarșısı) where you can get lost so fast, nice terraces and the seafront with Piraeus’ harbor, fishing places, green fields with youths hanging out, singing or playing some games and a looooot of pigeons. Here you can also find cake shops selling the famous desert called “Izmir bomba” (or chocolate bomb) which is specific to this side of Turkey and fast snacks such as Kumru or other similar pastries🤤
Agora
Or Izmir’s open air museum takes us back to the origins of the city and provides proof of the ancient Greek stories. It actually illustrates a central spot (agora means “gathering place”) in the old city of Smyrna which has been affected by earthquakes and latter rebuilt when Romans arrived here.
Visiting this museum made me understand better the past influences existing in the south of Turkey and why some foods, clothes or traditions differ a little from what I experienced in the central part of the country: seaside cities are more colorful, people are more energic, the music is louder, you can hear many languages spoken on the streets and the variety of products is bigger as the trade and tourism are growing.
Mount Kadifekale
A location popular as well for its history and many tales rummoring around it. The castle had been built during Alexander the Great (in the same period with Smyrna’s refoundation) and it is believed the idea of extending the city to this spot came to the ruler’s mind through a dream in which goddesses spoke to him. 😴 Nowadays, only part of the old castle has been restored and is known for the tower which offers the best panoramic view over Izmir.
Asansör
The old building which used to serve as an elevator for public service carrying people and goods is today located on the street Dario Moreno (named in the memory of the famous singer who lived there) and is hosting one of the top restaurants in the city. As you can imagine, it is a great place for taking panoramic pictures and enjoying the sun setting in the sea.
Atatürk monument
Monument dedicated to the Turkish War of Independence and is located in the Republic square near seaside. Atatürk’s massive bust carved out of a mountain (with the same meaning) can be observed also from the back of the castle on the other side of Izmir.
Other places that were not in my interest, but which you could visit are: Izmir Wildlife Park, Hisar Mosque and interior museums (Ataturk museum, the ethnography and archaeological ones or the history & arts and many other). Fun parks are also popular attractions of the city, but unfortunatelly they were closed due to the pandemy. Yet, you can give them a try if the situation will change: Aqua City and Lunapark. I can’t say much as well about the night life as most of the places were forced by law to close at 10 PM (COVID again), but from what locals told us we know it is a student city and, during normal times, clubs and pubs are full.💃🕺
Of course, because Izmir is near the Aegean Sea, there are also beaches where I could swim and enjoy the nice weather but the best ones are actually just near the city. This is why I will tell you more about them in my next post. Stay tunned for Ceșme’s review!💙
👀If the quarantine ended just like in my case while I was is Turkey and you want to escape, than here are some suggestions to have in mind. Not that you have never heard this before or that I want to get you bored buuuuuttt….👀
- Always have a mask with you
Even if it is not mandatory to wear it in open air areas such as parks, you should still put the mask in crowded places, means of transport and any inside places (note: it does not protect you but you can protect the others in case you are a carrier without knowing it).
- Check the companies that take care of your journey
It is very important to do so, especially if you travel by bus/train and not by personal car. The new “normal” conditions require passengers to wear a mask inside the vehicle and to occupy just half of the capacity of it (as I observed, there are sold only the window seats and only family members can sit next to each other). Tip: you can understand if the rules are respected from the prices (which should be almost double considering we now pay 2 seats instead of one)
- Also I would recommend carrying a sanitiser with you, even if there should be provided in each transportation, shop, hotel and so on (if there is possibility of washing the hands, that is even better).
- Always keep the recommended distance
- Some touristic places changed their working program or did not start working yet so check on all available sources before going in one place (the best way is by calling directly or asking locals – internet posts are not always updated)
- Borders might be closed! Take this as an opportunity to discover better your own country! 🙂
STAY SAFE !
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