Izmir's Kordon is a Turkish Gem


The city of Izmir lies on the Aegean Sea and until the 20th century was known as Smyrna. It is a city of over 4 million people and ranks as the 3rd largest city in Turkey. The waterfront in Izmir is one of the finests public waterfront areas you'll find anywhere in the world. I've been many places around the world and I can't think of one that is nicer.

The area along the Aegean Sea drew me like a moth to a flame. It is alive with people fishing,
The Clock Tower dates to 1901
walking, running, bicycling, picnicking, romancing, reading, playing music, and just sitting. The Kordon is a place where you can breathe in the fresh sea air while a crescendo of Turkish life plays out all around you. Starting with the seawall, you find people fishing, relaxing, or maybe romancing. Next is a wide promenade, wide enough for thousands of locals and tourists to get their steps in. Next is a bit of green space, a bicycle path, and then a wide open green space that fills up with thousands of blankets spread out by people who are out for a picnic, reading, napping, playing music, or looking at their phones. The Kordon fills up with people as the day progresses and those people are treated to a magnificent Aegean Sea sunset. 

When I returned home I did a little research and found that this world-class promenade almost never came to be. In the 1990s the city planners envisioned a 6-lane highway running right along the edge of the water. People protested and filed complaints and in 1999 a court order declared the waterfront a protected area. The Kordon has come to be one of the finest waterfront areas I've has the pleasure of visiting. I highly recommend making Izmir a stop on your itinerary in Turkey. Make sure your hotel is near the Aegean Sea along the Kordon. Staying in Izmir you won't be too far from Ephesus and many other historical sights. Your hotel or travel company will be able to book you some really nice tours.

It's easy to walk for hours along the Aegean Sea.

Note the sea of picnickers on the right side of the photo. 

One of the narrow areas along the waterfront still has a dedicated walking and biking lanes.

Izmir has a modern tram system with beautiful stations.

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