Urla

Urla is a charming coastal town about 38 km from the city center of İzmir. Excavations show that the Limantepe Mound at the Urla Pier dates back to 4000 BCE. The ancient city of Klazomenai, one of the twelve Ionian cities on the southern shore of the Gulf of İzmir, was strategically located in today's Urla district to control maritime traffic to the gulf and neighboring small islands. Another important industry was olive oil production, with archaeologists having unearthed the remains of an olive press dating back to the 6th century BCE. They found carbonized olive pits, terracotta pots used to separate the juice of the olive fruit mixed with olive oil and hot water to facilitate the process, as well as small hand mortars or grinding stone tools that could have helped crush the olives. Urla was known for its wine production in ancient times, as it is today. Local vineyards produce some of the best wines in Türkiye. Urla’s picturesque harbor is lined with fish restaurants, cafes, art galleries, and a popular yacht marina for sailing enthusiasts. The town center transforms into an open-air market where artisans sell designer items, handmade goods, local produce, and olive oil. Urla Sanat Sokağı (Artisans Street) is where crowds wander every Sunday to sip tea and enjoy the charming little shops.