Nature and Local Culture Route in Izmir in 1 Day

If you have one day in Izmir, I have prepared a special route where you can escape the city crowds and experience both nature and local culture. This route covers a total of four stops and focuses on the Kemalpaşa and Buca areas, allowing you to easily move between places within walking distance.

Nazarköy (Kemalpaşa) – Izmir's Evil Eye Bead Village

Nazarköy, near Izmir and connected to Kemalpaşa, is one of Turkey's most well-known centers for handmade glass evil eye bead production. In this charming village, formerly known as Kurudere, you will encounter trees adorned with colorful beads and houses with mosaic decorations as you walk through the streets. You can visit workshops to see how the beads are made, hike on the Mahmutdağı ecotourism route, or start your day with a village breakfast. Every corner of the village is decorated with the evil eye bead theme; you can spend approximately 1-1.5 hours here.

Alaş Kazakh Valley Kımız Farm

After Nazarköy, we move to Alaş Kazakh Valley Kımız Farm at the foothills of Mount Nif. This is a unique place founded by Shirzat Doğru, a Kazakh Turk, where traditional kımız (fermented mare's milk) is produced. At the farm, you can join horseback riding tours, taste Central Asian cuisine in a Kazakh yurt, or simply enjoy this different atmosphere. It is advisable to allocate about 1.5 hours to this farm, especially for families with children, as it offers horse love and outdoor activities.

Thousand-Year-Old Historical Plane Trees

As you proceed from Kemalpaşa towards Buca, you will encounter the Thousand-Year-Old Historical Plane Trees near the town of Kaynaklar. These monumental plane trees, standing right in front of Hasanağa Garden, have carried the memory of the region for centuries. Registered by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, these trees offer you a natural break and an opportunity to rest in their shade. You can allocate approximately 1.5 hours to explore these magnificent plane trees with a short walk and take photos.

Buca Pond

The last stop of the day is Buca Pond, located in the Buca district. This 167,000 square meter recreation area is full of walking and cycling paths around the pond, picnic tables, and children's playgrounds. Renovated in 2014, this area is one of the most preferred urban resting spots in the Aegean Region. Here you can walk along the pond, sit in a cafe and relax, or watch the sunset. You can also allocate approximately 1.5 hours for this place.

The places on this route are close to each other, which allows you to make efficient use of your day. You can find local delicacies in Nazarköy and Kımız Farm. A private car will be the most comfortable option for transportation.