Tay Park (Pony Park)

Tay park is another one of Izmir's hidden gems.  As the name implies, the park hosts several ponies and horses, and children are allowed one free ride per visit.

In addition to being able to ride and pet the ponies and horses, there are other farm animals in the park as well.  There are enclosures with goats, ducks, rabbits, and chickens, and viewing areas for pheasants and lizards.

How to get there:
If you are coming from Alsancak or Konak, take the ferry to Karşıyaka.  When you walk out of the ferry station, cross the street, and walk to your left until you reach the Osman Bey Parkı stop.

The most direct route I have found so far is to take the 777 bus.  Get off at the bus stop AFTER the Carrefour.  It should take about 15 minutes.  After getting off the bus, walk up to the stop light and cross the road.  Walk towards the sign that says Tay Park, the entrance is on the left.

Note: The bus comes frequently on weekends (about every 15-20 minutes), but less so on weekdays (about every 45 minutes).  This bus also gets very busy on Wednesdays as it passes by a very popular bazaar.

For the most up to date hours, you can visit the website below, choose 777 from the dropdown, and click "Hareket Saatleri"
http://www.eshot.gov.tr/HareketSaatleri.aspx?TIP=TumHatlar

Cost:
Free

Hours:
I could not find official hours, but some websites have said that you can ride the horses from 8-12 and 1-5

Features:
Playground
Benches
Cafe

More Information:
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Taypark-Mavisehir/253351341359539?rf=208791745857407
Article (in Turkish): http://www.karsiyakalife.com.tr/2012/01/tay-park-ziyaretcilerini-bekliyor/

Doğal Yaşam Parkı (Wildlife Park)

If you plan to visit Izmir with children, enjoy zoos, or just want to get away from the city center for a nice outdoor walk, the Doğal Yaşam Parkı is a really great experience.  It is easy to get to, rarely busy, and offers great views of the local wildlife.

If you only have one day in Izmir, the park may not be for you, as there are many other things to see.  But I feel like the animal park is one of Izmir's hidden gems.  I have been to many zoos in the US, and while they have been nice, they are often crowded.  This park is spacious, clean, and well decorated.  I have never seen it crowded, but if you would like to experience it on its least busy times, go in the morning, on a weekday, or on a cool/overcast days.

What keeps me going back to the park though is the amazing views of the animals.  They are frequently active and close to viewing areas.  During our visits, the lions, pumas, tigers, bears, wolves, and hyenas often come within inches of the viewing areas.  In my opinion, these up-close encounters are the best part of the park.

The park is also recognized as having the first and only elephant family in Turkey.  They are also the only Turkish zoo with a rainforest enclosure.

How to get there:
If you are coming from Alsancak or Konak, take the ferry to Karşıyaka.  When you walk out of the ferry station, cross the street, and walk to your left until you reach the Osman Bey Parkı stop.

The 777 bus will take you to the animal park.  It takes about 25 minutes to get there, but it is very easy to find as the animal park is the last stop.  The bus comes frequently on weekends (about every 15-20 minutes), but less so on weekdays (about every 45 minutes).  Note: this bus gets very busy on Wednesdays as it passes by a very popular bazaar.

For the most up to date hours, you can visit the website below, choose 777 from the dropdown, and click "Hareket Saatleri"
http://www.eshot.gov.tr/HareketSaatleri.aspx?TIP=TumHatlar

Cost (as of 2014):
When you get off the bus, you will walk to a ticket office.  They will give you a coin that will act as your ticket.

3TL for adults
1TL for students
Small children are free

Note: there are separate lines for adults and students.  The people at the gate will help you though.

Hours:
Opens: 9:00am
Closes: Varies seasonally
             Winter (October 25 - March 1) - 4:30pm
             Spring (March 2 - March 30) - 5:30pm
             Summer (April 1 - September 21) - weekdays 6:30pm; weekends and holidays 7:30pm
             Fall (September 22 - October 24) - 5:30pm

Features:
Playgrounds
Benches
Cafes
Outside food allowed

Map:
Coming soon

More Information:
Park Website: http://www.izmirdogalyasamparki.org.tr/

Photos:

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Welcome to Izmir

I get the sense that Izmir is often overlooked.  People pass through it on their way to Ephesus or Çeşme.  They spend a day of their cruise here and take a guided tour.

My goal here is simply to share some of what I have experienced while exploring Izmir on my own.  I moved to Izmir in 2014 and have slowly been discovering all that the city has to offer.

This is by no means a complete guide, but I hope that this helps people find some of the great and often overlooked things that Izmir has to offer.