2.5 days in Aegean Turkey

May 31, 2008 12:57 PM

2.5 days in Aegean Turkey, flying in/out of Izmir. Recommendations?

We fly in the morning of day 1, and have a night flight out day 3. How much is actually worthwhile to see in Izmir itself? Would it be realistic (i.e., transit), to go to both Selcuk and Pamukkale? If not, which should we pick?

posted by kickingtheground to travel & transportation (4 comments total)

Disclaimer: I'm from Turkey but my experience with Izmir is limited.

Izmir is a beautiful city and definitely has quite a character that is different than other Turkish cities. It's more western by nature, mostly due to the Greeks that used to live on the Aegean part of Turkey. It's quite big and if you look for it there'll definitely be a lot to do in downtown.

Selcuk is pretty close to Izmir; it would take like 1 hour at most. Probably less if you have a arranged it beforehand. Pamukkale is actually in another city called Denizli and it's around 3-3.5 hours away. What you could do if you want to visit both is you could visit Selcuk the first day and Pamukkale the second day.

You could check out Walk Izmir for some walking routes if you definitely need to do something in the city.
posted by the_dude at 2:41 PM on May 31

Get the heck out of Izmir, we were there 1 day and in Selcuk / Sirince the 2nd day. Would much rather have spent 2 days in Selcuk / sirince. It was rather difficult to get there by bus from izmir, you think it would be easy. We spent abuot 2 hours and 3 different buses getting there, we arranged transport back for twice the money but half the time and headache. Didnt get to pamukkale, it was a bit too far for us.
posted by outsider at 3:40 PM on May 31

Please don't hang out in Izmir. Don't know if they've dealt with their sewage yet, but when I was there 10 years ago the bay was the colour and odour of an open cesspool. The city is completely forgettable.

Similarly unimpressed with Pamukkale. I know it looks so cool in the photos, but when you get there you find you are standing in 3-4" of warm water, wiggling your toes in mucky white clay. Whoopdee freaking do!

If I were you, I would get myself to Ephesus. The ruins of Ephesus are the most impressive I have ever seen, the experience changed my life and despite many many years of travel since then it is still, for me, the most interesting place on the planet. The amphtheatre is huge, and carved out of the side of a mountain. You can stand where Paul talked the inhabitants out of Diana worship, and to give this new Jesus Christ thing a try.

Trust me, you won't forget it ever. Please, go to Ephesus.
posted by Meatbomb at 3:48 PM on May 31

As for sewage, it's been dealt with a few years ago. Nevertheless Izmir is definitely not as beautiful or interesting as Istanbul is. I actually think all the places around Izmir are more worth visiting for a foreigner than the city itself.

As a Turkish person myself, I had trouble getting around to places in Izmir. Trying to planning ahead might be a futile effort since you'd be dealing with local transit companies and stuff, especially if you are going to go to small places. Your best bet would be trying to find a reliable Turkish person to arrange all that stuff with you. If not, ask the people in your hotel. As much as Turkish people take pride in their hospitality, people who are trying to make a quick buck out of tourists exist as they do everywhere so be cautious but not too cautious.

I wholeheartedly second the Ephesus suggestion. Pamukkale might be hit or miss, some people find it really fascinating. Might not be worth all the travel as others have pointed out.
posted by the_dude at 10:17 PM on May 31