Things to Do in Kiraz: 11 Places to Visit

Places to Visit in Kiraz

• 4 Historic
• 1 Ancient City
• 5 Nature
• 1 Attraction

While you are in Kiraz, 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 Kiraz

Suggested time

1 day

Best time to visit

Summer months (plateau season)

Places to visit

11 places

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  Kiraz Pidesi (thin-crust flatbread)

  Kiraz pide, with its thin dough, is baked in a stone oven in minced meat and cheese varieties.

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  Keşkek (wheat and meat dish)

  Keşkek, made by cooking and pounding wheat and meat for a long time, is an indispensable dish at weddings in Kiraz.

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  Kestane (chestnuts)

  Chestnuts from the chestnut forests at the foot of Bozdağ are used in confectionery and as a local delicacy.

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  Üzüm Pekmezi and Sirke (grape molasses and vinegar)

  Table and wine grape varieties are grown in Kiraz, and grape molasses and vinegar are produced.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Kiraz

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  Plateau Culture

  Kiraz is one of the districts in the interior of the Aegean that keeps plateau culture alive. The tradition of moving to the plateaus in summer continues.

Local Products

• Kemalpaşa Kirazı (Kemalpaşa cherries) — Kemalpaşa Kirazı was registered as a protected designation of origin on 24 March 2021 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 702). Product group: processed and unprocessed fruit and vegetables and mushrooms. Registered by: Kemalpaşa Agricultural Support and Development Association.
• Kiraz Tobacco (Kiraz tütünü) — In the past, Kiraz was one of the highest-quality tobacco-producing centres in the Aegean. Production has declined today, but tobacco culture holds an important place in the district's history.
• Kiraz Honey (Kiraz balı) — Pine and flower honey obtained from Kiraz's forest and plateau areas is known for its natural and organic qualities.

Economy

Kiraz's economy rests on agriculture and livestock farming. Tobacco, olives, figs and grain are the main agricultural products. Forestry and beekeeping are also important sources of income.

How to Get to Kiraz

Kiraz is 140 km from İzmir. Bus and minibus services run via Ödemiş.

Get directions on Google Maps Getting to Izmir

Kiraz: Frequently Asked Questions

Continue Your Trip

• 🍽️ What to Eat in Kiraz 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
• Karaburun 6 places Karaburun Peninsula Coves, Karaburun Underwater Archaeology Museum and Karaburun Wind Power Plants
• 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
• 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