Izmir

Izmir is the third-largest city in Turkey (after Ankara and Istanbul) and the second-largest port in the country after Istanbul.

Izmir is in the western part of Turkey, off the coast of the Aegean Sea, on the shores of the Gulf of Izmir. The city is surrounded by bays and mountains and is decorated with buildings with glass facades and red roofs, which makes it more reminiscent of medieval Europe than Turkey. It is the most important and largest commercial center in the country. The locals call it "Beautiful Izmir". This is the place of concentration of yachts and passenger liners.

Restaurants and cafes on the coast hospitably welcome visitors during lunch breaks and after the working day. During the summer months, locals prefer to enjoy long weekends starting on Thursdays. Of all the cities in Turkey, Izmir is the most modern and contrasting: it is the city where Christians, Muslims, and Jews live together.

Izmir, together with the surrounding areas: Bergama, Cesme, Foca, Kemalpasa, Selçuk, Tire, Urla, offers its guests many unique historical and cultural places for recreation, beaches, hot thermal springs, and, of course, famous Turkish cuisine, consisting mainly seafood and fresh vegetables.

This ancient city is about 3000 years old. Its first name is Smyrna. According to legend, the city was founded by the queen of the Amazons, Samornia.

The population of Izmir

The population of the city is more than 4 million people (4,061,074 people according to statistics for 2013).

The climate of Izmir

Is moderate Mediterranean: the swimming season lasts 5 months - from May to September. Summers are hot and dry, winters are cool and rainy. From mid-spring to mid-autumn, the air temperature stays at +21...+28C, while in the other half of the year the temperature stays at +5...+10C. It rarely snows and there are frosts.

Izmir is known for

• The ancient city of Ephesus. Ephesus is the most famous ancient city in Turkey, which we highly recommend you to visit. Even though the journey from the center of Izmir to Ephesus takes 1 hour and 15 minutes, it is well worth it. On the territory of well-preserved Ephesus is one of the Seven Wonders of the World - the Temple of Artemis. At the foot of the picturesque Bulubul mountain near Ephesus, there is another Christian landmark - the House of the Holy Virgin Mary.
• According to Holy Scripture, before his death, Jesus Christ asked Mary and John to take care of each other. John took Mary to the city of Ephesus and later built a house for her in a secluded place. You can also visit the ancient city of Pergamon, near Izmir.
• Horse-drawn carriages (phaeton). Horse-drawn carriage rides have been popular in Izmir for many centuries, you can take a tour of the cozy district of the city - Alsancak (narrow streets with many bars and restaurants in houses from the Ottoman Empire, where you can try rare varieties of tea, beer or hookah) for a small fee.
• Boyz is a pastry that can only be purchased in Izmir. Locals serve it with tea for breakfast. It comprises very thin layers of dough and has a round shape.
• Lokma is another traditional Izmir dessert. The Turkish word "lokma" is borrowed from Arabic and means "piece". The dish is a small donut, deep-fried, sprinkled with honey or sugar syrup. They are sprinkled with powdered sugar or grated nuts and served with coffee.
• Thermal waters. There are several springs with thermal water in Izmir. The most famous resort with healing waters is Balcova Thermal. 
• Figs. Almost all figs sold in Europe are exported from Izmir. We recommend trying fresh figs (only available during the summer months), but dried ones are also available.

In Izmir, you must complete

Walk along Kordon, the embankment of the Izmir Bay, where palm trees grow and apartment buildings rise, green lawns are planted between them and paved pavements pass. Here you can also ride a horse-drawn carriage (19th-century phaeton) and visit Atatürk's house.

Property in Izmir

Izmir is one of the three largest cities in Turkey with developed farming, trade, and industry. It is one of the most populated cities in Turkey. However, because of its extensive area, it is not overpopulated. Although it is not cheap to buy property in Izmir, there is a high demand from buyers and investors, real estate in Izmir brings good rental income.

Demand for villas is especially high in Cesme, as this area is located closest to the sea and only half an hour's drive from the center of Izmir. Over the past years, Izmir has become popular with foreigners, because the transport infrastructure is conveniently thought out, and allows you to quickly get  to different parts of the city.

Commercial real estate

Probably the best type of investment for those who want to profit is buying an office or shop in Izmir. You can even find office space that will help you get your money back immediately thanks to 10-15 years of rental income.

Luxury villas in Izmir

Alsancak is the most popular residential area of ​​Izmir by far. However, real estate prices here are very high. Especially real estate prices in the Kordon Alsancak area can start from as low as 500,000 euros.

Narlıdere is a beautiful area currently being built up, where most of the new residential complexes are being built. Sahilevleri Street is home to the most exclusive villas with extensive gardens, usually worth over 1,000,000 euros.

Other popular residential areas are Karsiyaka and Göztepe.