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Çandarlı is a small and quiet town located in the Dikili district of İzmir province in Turkey. If you are looking for a quiet, peaceful and natural seaside town to spend time then it is for you! 😊 It is named after the Çandarlı family, who were influential during the Ottoman period. The town is situated on the coast of the Aegean Sea and is known for its beautiful beaches, clear waters, and scenic views. It is a popular tourist destination, especially during the summer months, and offers a range of activities such as swimming, sunbathing, and water sports. In addition to its natural beauty, Çandarlı also has a rich historical heritage, with several ancient sites nearby including the ruins of the ancient city of Atarneus.
Çandarlı Castle
Çandarlı Castle (Çandarlı Kalesi in Turkish) is a medieval castle located in the town of Çandarlı in the Dikili district of İzmir province in Turkey. The castle was built by the Aydınoğlu principality in the 14th century and was later occupied by the Ottoman Empire.
The castle sits on a hill overlooking the Aegean Sea and the town of Çandarlı. It was constructed with stone walls and towers and includes a central keep and several other buildings. The castle has undergone various repairs and renovations over the centuries, and some parts of the castle date back to the Byzantine period.
Today, Çandarlı Castle is a popular tourist attraction and a symbol of the town's history and heritage. Visitors can explore the castle's ruins and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding area. The castle is also used as a venue for cultural events and festivals, such as the Çandarlı Castle Culture and Art Festival, which takes place each year in August.
Olive trees
You can see olive trees all around Çandarlı. Olive trees are also important in traditional Mediterranean agriculture and are often grown alongside other crops, such as grapes and citrus fruits. They are economically important for their fruit, which is used to produce olive oil. The olives are harvested in the fall, and the oil is extracted from the fruit through a process of pressing or centrifugation. Olive oil is widely used in cooking and is also valued for its health benefits, as it is high in monounsaturated fats and antioxidants.
Çandarlı Food market
In the town centre, once a week, you can see "Pazar" which means "market" in English. It refers to a place where goods, such as food, clothing, and household items, are sold by multiple vendors. In Turkish culture, visiting the local market is a common practice, and it is often seen as an opportunity to socialize and enjoy the lively atmosphere. As you can see in the photos you can find very fresh fruits, vegetables and seafood which are sold daily in the fish market once they are caught from the sea.
Food and drinks
There are coffee and tea places in the town market area, which are located just near the sea. I would recommend having Turkish tea or coffee and have some snacks while watching the view. For food and drinks, you can go to bars, restaurants and cafes in the beach area, near the seaside, around Çandarlı castle.
How to go to Çandarlı?
To go to Çandarlı, I would recommend flying to Izmir first and from there, there are a few different transportation options available for traveling from Izmir to Çandarlı:
Bus: You can take a bus from Izmir to Çandarlı. The journey takes around 2 hours and there are several bus companies operating on this route.
Car: You can also drive from Izmir to Çandarlı, which is around 80 kilometers away. The journey takes around 1.5 to 2 hours depending on the traffic and road conditions.
Train: Another option is to combine train and shuttle journey from Izmir to Çandarlı. There is a regular train service between İzmir and Aliaga and from there you can take a shuttle to Çandarlı.
Hope you will enjoy your visit to Çandarlı! 😊 If you have any questions about my post or if you just would like to have advice from a local please feel free to contact me by e-mail or by filling out the contact form in the website.
Lots of love from Turkey.
Dilek
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