Izmir

Ships berth at Alcansak, a pier area with an industrial appearance. Upscale Alcansak, with plenty of stores, cafe's and restaurants, is less than a 5 minute walk away.

For downtown, leave the pier area, turn right along the water front and ask for Konak, the centre of town. It is a pleasant 25 min. walk along the boulevard.

The Passenger terminal is in service and has its own cafes and stores, including a decent prized duty-free Shop, as well as passenger reception facilities. Izmir Chamber of Shipping provides city brochures.

Taxis are plentiful. A trip each way to Konak Square, the main entrance to the bazaar, should cost about 12 - 15 Turkish Lira.

Take a printable map with you.

Historically called Smyrna, Izmir is Turkey's third most populous city and, after Istanbul, the country's largest port. It lies in the Gulf of Izmir beside the Aegean Sea.

Known as Punto in old times, Alsancak has long been one of the city's most important residential districts and its burning heart. It has been described extensively by travelers and writers of international fame. In "Le Captive", published in his book "Les Orientales" (1829), Victor Hugo depicts Izmir, whose fame had reached the Western World, as a princess.

Turkey's third largest city is known in Turkish as "Beautiful Izmir". It stands at the head of a long, narrow gulf furrowed by ships and yachts; behind the palm lined promenades and avenues following the shoreline, the city rises in horizontal terraces up the surrounding mountain slopes.

See Konak Square, its clock tower, fountain and palm trees, and the Bazaar, the truly lively centre of Izmir. In Alsancak, small streets are lined with nice bars in old Greek houses where you can have tea or a beer and try several water pipe flavors. Other sights include Kadifekale, the old castle on the hill, Agora and its Roman Empire remains, and museums around Izmir such as the Archaeological Museum.

Walk through very lively Alsancak and have a drink on the Kordon for great views over the bay. At Kemeralti, a big bazaar, shop for clothes & gifts and pause for Turkish tea; its inner part is mostly closed on Sundays. Kizlaragasi Hani is an old kervansaray for carpets and jewelry. You can also visit one of Izmir's many Thermal Spa's or Shopping Centers, take a cheap but great ferry trip to other parts of Izmir, or visit Cesme, the beautiful sea side resort town less than one hour's drive from Izmir.

Izmir operates an open hop on/off sightseeing bus every half an hour, covering the major highlights; a 24 hour ticket is 10 Euro. Because the bus is completely open, take an umbrella for rain or head cover in the heat of summer. It departs immediately in front of the cruise terminal. In town, taxis are cheap, regulated and easy to find, but drivers can charge more than the meter for long journeys, so agree the fare in advance. Turkey's most unusual transportation is the Dolmus for routes buses do not take. The word means "To Fill"; the dolumus therefore leaves when it is full!…

A shore excursion from the pier can visit Pergamon, an intellectual centre of Asia Minor in antique times, and Asclepion, an ancient healing centre.

After driving through the country side, visit the ruins of the great city of Pergamon, a learning and arts centre with one of antiquity's greatest libraries. Its Acropolis, above the modern town, contains the celebrated library, a steep and impressive amphitheater, the temples of Trajan and Dyonisus, the monumental altar of Zeus, the sanctuary of Demeter, a gymnasium arranged on three terraces and the Agora.

The next stop is Asclepion, southwest of the lower city, a sanctuary for the god of health, Asclepios. This healing centre resembled a modern natural healing clinic: patients received exercises, drugs and herbal remedies, or took the honey cure and drank spring waters for treatment. Snakes were sacred to Asklepios for their power. Galen was among the famous physicians of the Asclepion.

Ephesus (Efes) also appears on many tour agenda's. Dating from 1000 BC, this archaeological site has a perfect acoustical theater, temple and baths, and is about 75 minutes from Izmir.

Izmir's bazaar is very large and it is easy to get lost; the inner part is closed on Sundays. The sightseeing bus has several pick up points around it, and the many surrounding stores, mostly selling the same wares, are open on Sundays.

Traditional carpets, copper goods, painted ceramics and jewelry are popular purchases, with leather goods, sandals and beachwear also widely available.

Try some serious haggling at souvenir shops and stalls. Local mini markets cover basic food essentials, while the supermarkets are similar to those found at home.

For upscale shopping, head to the Alsancak area close to the port, which is open 7 days a week. The large Migros supermarket is directly across the terminal.

Turkish food is amongst the best in the world. Its many climatic zones grow most ingredients locally, creating a vast array of produce to excite and entice the palate. Beyond famous kebab dishes, there are many traditional Turkish foods to choose from. Turkey is justly famous for meze (appetizers), hundreds of small dishes ranging from simple cheese with melon combinations to elaborately stuffed vegetables. They are served in all Turkish restaurants and traditionally accompanied by Raki, a clear anise- flavored spirit claimed to be Turkey's national alcoholic drink.

Turkey uses the Turkish Lira. Although many shops and restaurants in coastal resorts and big cities accept foreign currency, take Turkish Lira if travelling to other parts of the country. Public transport accepts Lira only. A credit or debit card can be used to withdraw local currency from cash machines, including one right outside the terminal.

Internet-cafés, or net-cafés, can be found around the bazaar. They all have good DSL connections, with connection costing about more or less 1 YTL/hour.

Some hotels and restaurants/cafés offer free wireless connections.

Ask a local how to reach the internet cafe at 1470 SK; it is about 200 meters from the Izmir Cruise Terminal.

Emergency Ambulance: 112 throughout Turkey; Police: 155 throughout Turkey.