Urla

Urla town forms the neck of the Çeşme Peninsula as it stretches from İzmir city center towards west. Urla town has a northern and southern shoreline along the Aegean with crystal clean waters, great nature, and historical sites. Just 35 kilometers from the city center of İzmir, Urla promises visitors an unforgettable vacation.

Urla, a strategic coastal city that has hosted different civilizations throughout history, is worth visiting both for its historical identity and its natural beauty. The ancient city of Klazomenai and the Bronze Age site of Liman Tepe, where Türkiye's first underwater excavations took place, reveal the region’s ancient history. Liman Tepe tumulus discovered near Urla harbour, at the İskele quarter dates back to 4000 BCE. Liman Tepe, the oldest port in the Aegean Sea and Klazomenai, known in antiquity for its olive oil production, are two important sites in Urla.

Other places you can include in your travel plans are the Klazomenai Olive Oil Plant, which is the first olive oil production facility in Anatolia, the Gazhane Building, the Necati Cumalı Memorial and Culture House, and the Urla Underwater Museum.

The historical Arasta Market (Arasta Çarşısı) and Malgaca Bazaar (Malgaca Pazarı), which have an important place in the commercial life of the district, are also worth visiting. The market’s shops and the bazaar are historical treasures that are full of colorful stories from the past. If you get tired, you can sit at one of the many cafés at the nearby Urla Art Street (Urla Sanat Sokağı).

Urla is known for its farm-to-table fine dining restaurants and vineyards. Don’t forget to try the most famous farm-to-table restaurant there when you are in Urla.

Every year, Urla hosts the Artichoke Festival, Kite Festival, Traditional Grape Harvest Festival, and Village Theater Festival. Before traveling to Urla, make sure to check the local events calendar!