Things to Do in Urla: 6 Places to Visit

Places to Visit in Urla

• 4 Ancient City
• 1 Nature
• 1 Cultural

While you are in Urla, 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 Urla

Suggested time

1 day

Best time to visit

Spring and autumn (April to June, September to November)

Places to visit

6 places

• 🌿

  Urla Enginar Dolması (stuffed artichokes)

  Urla's famous artichokes are stuffed with olive oil, rice and spices and then cooked. They are at their most delicious when fresh artichoke season arrives in spring.

• 🫒

  Ege Mezeleri (Aegean mezes)

  Aegean mezes served in Urla's wine houses, including olive oil herb dishes, cheeses and seafood, make a rich spread.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Urla

• 🍷

  Wine Culture

  Urla is one of the centres of boutique wine production in Türkiye. Wine tastings along the vineyard routes and harvest festivals enrich the region's cultural life.

Local Products

• Urla Sakız Enginarı (Urla Sakız artichoke) — Urla Sakız Enginarı was registered as a protected designation of origin on 24 November 2017 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 245). Product group: processed and unprocessed fruits, vegetables and mushrooms. Registered by: İzmir Commodity Exchange.
• Urla Wines — Urla's boutique winemakers produce wines of world standard from local grape varieties.
• Urla Enginarı (Urla artichokes) — Urla artichokes are among the most valuable vegetables of the Aegean, prized for their size and flavour.

Economy

Urla's economy is based on winemaking, tourism, agriculture and fishing. Boutique wine production and gastronomy tourism are important sources of income.

How to Get to Urla

Urla is 38 km from Izmir. It lies on the İzmir–Çeşme motorway. There are regular minibus and bus services to Izmir.

Get directions on Google Maps Getting to Izmir

Urla: Frequently Asked Questions

Continue Your Trip

• 🍽️ What to Eat in Urla 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
• 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