Things to Do in Karaburun: 6 Places to Visit

Places to Visit in Karaburun

• 1 Historic
• 1 Nature
• 1 Beach
• 3 Attraction

While you are in Karaburun, you can also see the highlights of Izmir province. These places are in other districts.

• Ephesus Ancient City — An ancient city in Selçuk that was the capital of the Roman province of Asia and was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2015. Its most important structures are the 2nd-century Library of Celsus, the Great Theatre seating 25,000, Curetes Street and the Terraced Houses with their frescoes and mosaics.
• Pergamon Acropolis (Bergama) — Capital of the Hellenistic Kingdom of Pergamon, famous for its theatre on a steep slope, the Temple of Trajan and the foundation of the Altar of Zeus, which is now displayed in Berlin.
• Temple of Artemis — The remains of the temple, counted among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, in Selçuk; only a single column still stands today.
• House of the Virgin Mary — On Mount Bülbül near Selçuk, a house believed in Christian tradition to be where Mary spent her last years; identified in 1891, it is an important pilgrimage site that many popes have visited.
• Izmir Clock Tower — A 25-metre tower in Konak Square, built in 1901 for the 25th anniversary of Abdülhamid II's accession to the throne; it is the symbol of the city.
• Kemeraltı Bazaar and Kızlarağası Caravanserai — A historic bazaar that grew from the 17th century onwards as the shoreline was filled in; with its caravanserais, mosques, synagogues and narrow lanes it is the heart of the city.

Practical Information for Visiting Karaburun

Suggested time

1–2 days

Best time to visit

Summer months (for diving), February (Mimosa Festival)

Places to visit

6 places

• 🐟

  Karaburun Sea Bass

  Sea bass from the clear waters of Karaburun, served grilled or baked in salt.

• 🎃

  Sakız Kabağı Dolması (stuffed mastic squash)

  Mastic squash, native to Karaburun, stuffed with a rice filling and cooked in olive oil.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Karaburun

• 🌊

  Peninsula Way of Life

  Although close to İzmir, Karaburun is one of the rare places that has kept its calm and natural way of life. Fishing, olive growing and mastic cultivation form the basis of traditional life.

Local Products

• Karaburun Mastic Resin — Resin obtained from mastic trees grown on the Karaburun Peninsula, used in the food and cosmetics sectors.
• Karaburun Artichoke — Artichokes grown in the peninsula's mild climate, sold fresh and tinned.

Economy

Karaburun's economy is based on fishing, olive growing and tourism. Wind power plants have created a new source of income. The peninsula's unspoilt nature has potential for eco-tourism.

How to Get to Karaburun

Karaburun is 95 km from İzmir. Minibus services run from İzmir. It is also possible to reach the district by sea.

Get directions on Google Maps Getting to Izmir

Karaburun: Frequently Asked Questions

Continue Your Trip

• 🍽️ What to Eat in Karaburun Famous dishes and local products →
• 🗺️ Things to Do in Izmir The province's 17 best places and all its districts →

Other Districts of Izmir

• Aliağa 8 places Kyme (Cyme) Ancient City, Güzelhisar Dam and Aliağa Tuzla Bird Paradise
• Balçova 6 places Balçova Thermal Facilities, Balçova Cable Car and Dino Park and İnciraltı City Forest
• Bayındır 10 places Bayındır Çiçek Festivali Alanı, Bayındır Tarihi Çarşı and Ergenli Canyon
• Bayraklı 5 places Bayraklı Mound, Folkart Towers and Bayraklı Business Centre and Smyrna Ancient City (Tepekule)
• Bergama 8 places Asklepion (Temple of Health), Kızıl Avlu (Temple of Serapis) and Bergama Museum
• Beydağ 7 places Beydağ Dam, Beydağ Historic Mosque and Çamlık Picnic Area
• Bornova 8 places Ege University Campus and Botanical Garden, Bornova Levantine Mansions and Bornova Big Park
• Buca 6 places Buca Levantine Houses, Buca Pond and Hasanağa Garden
• Çeşme 5 places Çeşme Castle, Ilıca Beach and Çeşme Marina
• Çiğli 3 places İzmir Bird Paradise (Kuş Cenneti), İzmir Natural Life Park and Çamaltı Saltworks
• Dikili 9 places Çandarlı Castle, Dikili Thermal Springs and Atarneus Ancient City
• Foça 9 places Mediterranean Monk Seal Habitat, Foça Coves and Foça Castle
• Gaziemir 6 places Adnan Menderes Airport, ESBAŞ Free Zone and Surroundings and Gaziemir Pond Park
• Güzelbahçe 5 places Güzelbahçe Fishing Harbour, Kahramandere Beach and Güzelbahçe Art Village
• Karabağlar 5 places Yeşildere Valley, Uzundere Waterfall and Karabağlar Market
• Karşıyaka 8 places Zübeyde Hanım Mausoleum, Opera İzmir and Karşıyaka Seafront
• Kemalpaşa 8 places Kemalpaşa Castle (Nif Castle), Nif (Nymphaion) Ancient City and Kemalpaşa Cherry Orchards
• Kınık 9 places Yıldırım Beyazıt Mosque, İbrahim Ağazade Mosque and Kınık Castle
• Kiraz 11 places Kiraz Plateau, Kiraz Historic Bazaar and Bozdağ Ski Centre (nearby)
• Konak 11 places İzmir Clock Tower, Kemeraltı Bazaar and Kadifekale
• Menderes 5 places Notion Ancient City, Klaros Temple of Apollo and Tahtalı Dam
• Menemen 3 places Menemen Museum (Kubilay Museum), Kubilay Monument and Menemen Historic Bazaar
• Mordoğan 8 places Kocakum Beach, İskele Beach and Yeni Liman (New Harbour)
• Narlıdere 8 places Sancak Castle, Dokuz Eylül University Faculty of Medicine Hospital and Narlıdere Seafront Promenade
• Ödemiş 9 places Bozdağ, Gölcük Lake and Birgi Historic Houses
• Seferihisar 5 places Teos Ancient City, Sığacık Castle and Harbour and Akkum Beach
• Selçuk 11 places Ephesus (Efes Antik Kenti), Temple of Artemis Ruins and Ephesus Museum
• Tire 4 places Tire Historic Bazaar and Hans, Tire Museum and Kaplan Village Yörük Park
• Torbalı 4 places Metropolis Ancient City, Küçük Menderes Plain and Mount Nif
• Urla 6 places Klazomenai Ancient City, Limantepe Mound and Bademler Neighbourhood