Ödemiş and Birgi in the Izmir Province

During our trip we got the tip to visit Ödemiş and Birgi which are around 130km away from Izmir. Ödemiş is famous for the best potatoes in Turkey and also the Ödemiş köfte which is very tasty! Every Saturday there is a farmers market in Ödemiş, which is worth a visit. So, if you head to Birgi, take a stop in Ödemiş.

Birgi

Birgi is a village near Ödemiş (around 13 km away). Since 1994 Birgi is listed as a World Cultural Heritage, as it is famous for it's Selcuk and Ottoman architecture. There are many sights to see. For example : Two beautiful mosques, a hamam, an old Madrasa... One of the most interesting sight (in my opinion) is the Çakırağa Konağı. The Birgi Çakırağa Konağı is a mansion, build by a wealthy merchant in the 1761-1764. The entrance fee to the Çakırağa Konağı is 3 TL.

If you go to Birgi, prepare to walk a lot. In summer a tourist train also runs through the village.

How to reach Ödemiş and Birgi?

By train from/ via Izmir From Izmir (the train also stops at the Izmir airport) you can go by train to Ödemiş. The train runs 7 times a day and takes around 2 hours.

The time table you can find here:TCDD time table

By bus You can also use the bus from Izmir or even Istanbul and Ankara (it takes around 9-9,5 hours) and other cities to go to Ödemiş. Between 5 am and 9pm every 30 minutes a bus leaves from Izmir Bus station to Ödemiş.

To Birgi From Ödemiş you have to use a Dolmuş from the bus station to get to Birgi. It runs approx. every 30 minutes or until it is full. The fare is around 3 TL and the travel time is around 20 minutes.

Addresses:
İzmir Otogarı Izmir Bus station Karacaoğlan Mh., 35070 İzmir http://www.izotas.com.tr/
Odemis Otogari Cumhuriyet Mah., Ödemiş Merkez/İzmir +90 232 544 4746

Before you start a trip, check the provided information carefully, they may be outdated, time tables change sometimes quickly and unannounced. The information is supplied without liability.

Farmer's market - semt pazarları

One way to experience Istanbul aside the tourist places is to visit a farmer's market. Since every quarter holds it's own market, you will be able to find an open market easily. At the market, one not only can buy fresh products but also clothes, household products and other bits and pieces. If you find a crowded stand, don't be afraid, take a look maybe you will be able to make a bargain. Or just a snack?
If you can find a gözleme stand: sit down, order one and then enjoy your gözleme and the hustle and bustle around you.

Here is a list of markets in Istanbul. I took the list from Cin Cevap
Location - Weekday

Bahçelievler – Monday

Bahçeşehir – Tuesday and Saturday

Bakırköy – Saturday
Near the İncirli metro station

Beşiktaş – Saturday

Beykoz – Thursday

Beylikdüzü – Sunday

Bostancı – Thursday

Büyükada – Thursday

Erenköy – Thursday

Fatih – Wednesday

Fındıkzade – Friday

Göztepe – Monday

Kadıköy – Tuesday and Friday

Kartal – Friday

Kozyatağı – Friday
Opposite of Carrefour, near Atacan Koleji.

Mecidiyeköy – Sunday

Pendik – Saturday

Üsküsar – Friday
Near private Anadolu Medical Hospital, located in the center.

Sanayi Mahallesi – Thursday

Şirinevler -

Şişli – Friday, Saturday, Sunday

Yeşilköy – Wednesday
Near the Florya water front, close to the Atatürk Airport.

4.Levent – Tuesday

The Guardian has a top ten list of markets in Istanbul. (Not only farmer's markets): Top Ten

MINIATÜRK

If you don't have time to travel other parts in Turkey, you should visit Miniatürk in Istanbul. There you can see many famous sights and landmarks of Turkey in miniature (As the same of the place already suggests :))
At the entrance you will be asked, which guide language you would like to have. You will get a ticket with your desired language (So far various languages are available e.g. English, Arabic, German... ). On the entrance ticket you will find a bar code, which you can scan at a small box in front of every sight and It will give you some audio information.
Inside the Miniatürk, there is also an Atatürk memorial hall and the Crystal Museum, which shows a few sight of Istanbul engraved in glass cubes. If you need a rest or an refreshment you can stay at the restaurant. (I must say it is little bit pricey..) Two gift shops offer a wide range of souvenirs. (I think, the prices in the shop were okay, last time I went there.)

Miniatürk opens everyday from 09.00 to 18.00. The entrance fee for foreigners is 10 TL at the moment. Miniatürk can be reached by following buses:
36T - CEBECI - TAKSIM
41ST - SEYRANTEPE - TOPKAPI
47 - YESILPINAR-EMINÖNÜ
47E - BINEVLER - EMINÖNÜ
47N - NUR SITESI - EMINÖNÜ
54HT - HASKÖY - TAKSIM - MECIDIYEKÖY
Just get off at the Miniatürk bus stop.
Please check the bus routes and timetables before you get on the bus!

Anadolu Kavağı

Anadolu Kavağı is a small town in the North of Istanbul. There are many fish restaurants and nearby, on a hill sits the ruins of the fort Yoros. Fort Yoros was build around 1262. The full tour of the of the Şehir Hatları Şehir Hatları Bosporus cruises takes a break there for almost 3 hours. It is enough time to climb to the fort Yoros and to take a lunch in one of the many restaurants.
The full Bosporus tour starts at 10.35 in Eminönü and ends there too, at 16.25. A double way ticket costs 25 TL.

Şehir Hatları Borporus cruise information

Anadolu Kavağı embarkation point

Fort Yoros

Where the Bosporus meets the Black sea

On the way up to Fort Yoros

Cumalıkızık

Short trip to Cumalıkızık village near Bursa. Cumalıkızık is an old ottoman village.