Izmir

Izmir is third most populous city of Turkey and located extreme west of Turkey coast near the Greece islands. The city has beautiful shore line and surrounding mountains.The city is one of the famous destination for tourist in Turkey and is easily accessible by Air, Bus and Trains.

 The Airport (Adnan Menderes) is located south of the city and easiest way is to take Havas Bus from airport to center costing nearly 20 lira and takes nearly 50 min (more info at http://www.havas.net/en/Pages/default.aspx) . The subway goes from front of the Domestic terminal and arrives at Torbali as final stop (more info at http://www.izmirmetro.com.tr/) . Bus services (Route nos. 200, 202 and 204) from Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport are provided by General Directorate of ESHOT of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality.

Route 200; Mavisehir, Airport
Route 202; Alsancak Cumhuriyet Avenue, Airport
Route 204; Izotas (Bornova - subway - bus station), Airport
more information can be found at www.eshot.gov.tr

The city has two famous universities which was the actual reason for me to visit the city. 

1-Ege University

2- Dokuz Eylul University

Ege university is on the Metro line and easy to access from the center where as the Dokuz Eylul is south of the city and  has four main campus areas .; Tınaztepe, Dokuzçeşmeler, Buca Eğitim and İnciraltı. Industrial Engineering Department is in Tınaztepe campus in Buca.

Tınaztepe Campus

In this campus there are Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Faculty of Business, Institute of Social Sciences, Faculty of Architecture, Faculty of Engineering and Maritime Faculty. Also main library is in this campus. There are many buses and Dolmus going there but take help from someone as it is quite complicated some times from the place you take it.

Both universities are state of the art and has many research and study opportunities. Ege university is old and very wide spread where as Dokuz Eylul uni is relatively new and campus area is very nicely made.

Things to see

The city is big and very wide spread, you can chose from beaches, center, shopping or museums.

The major things you shouldn't avoid are

1. Saat Kulesi (Clock Tower)
2. Konak Square
3. Synagogue Street (Havra Sokagi)
4. Bostanli Pazari
5. Kordonboyu
6. Beaches (cesme)
7. Trip to Ephesus

Its a nice city and has a lot of ancient sites and buildings, the Greek style old houses are very common and culture is very similar to European style. The foods places are mostly crowded and many coffee and teas houses are there to offer a unique experience of tea or coffee in center of Bazaar with traditional setup.

Find below some interesting photos from the city.

some old Greek style houses still remain on the coast

 Izmir sahil

 Ferry boat to cross the sea

 Municipal is not very good inside the city

 wonderful street with aligned trees

 Horses near the main KONAK square for sight seeing

 monument of Izmir and sea at the back

 sea in the front and row of cafes and restaurant (enjoy the sunset)

 beautiful sunset from the cafe

 clock tower

 mosque just behind the clock tower,KONAK

 Izmir public transport money charging machine

 shopping for marriages 

 entrance of Bazaar

 Garden area near the mosque in bazaar

 Very strong coffee (one end of the shopping bazaar)

Old Greek Building with a Ottoman style Balcony

days and weeks are not enough to enjoy the city you need to settle there :)