Urla, where my family has lived for more than 20 years, has become something like our hometown. It's my favorite corner where I can relax and enjoy the sea and nature. In this summer issue, I want to tell you about Urla. If you have not been there yet, you should include it in your vacation plans.

Urla is an ancient residential area. It is located within the Ionian civilization and even includes the hares of the city of Klazomenai.

After the Roman era, the place became known as "Vourla," meaning reed, and became Turkish.

The ancient names also include Klizman, the name of today's Güzelbahçe region, which for a time during the Roman period was called Bryela, meaning woman of the god (it is believed that Vourla evolved from this word).

Archeologically, it has been proved that the first people in Urla began about 6000 years ago with the Limantepe hill settlement in the present district of Iskele.

Urla is one of the oldest ports and trading places in the Aegean.

This Limantepe region is also located in the ancient city of Klazomenai, which was the largest and most important center of olive oil production and trade at that time.

Urla, under Roman-Byzantine rule until the 13th century, came under the Aydınoğulları principality in the 14th century and then under Ottoman rule.

It is 35 km from the city center. To the east are Güzelbahçe and Seferihisar, to the west Çeşme, to the northwest Karaburun and the Aegean Sea, to the north İzmir Bay, and to the south the Aegean Sea. As you can see, Urla is located in the middle of the Aegean paradise.

There are many beautiful places to visit in Urla. If I want to take you on a gastronomic tour, I will consider where to go. First, you need to stroll around the markets a bit. It will give you the pleasure of experiencing the old neighborhood markets with their natural products, colors, and enthusiasm.

The Malgaca Bazaar is one of Urla's oldest commercial centers. The inhabitants of Urla cover their needs in this market, which is open every day. Some shopkeepers try to revive some non-existent businesses in this market. They sell in this market to restore the profession they inherited from their grandfathers. In this way, the continuity of the culture is ensured.

There are jewelers, watch repairers, motor repairers, and cafes in the markets. The maintenance and protection of this market are the responsibility of the municipality of Urla.

Since 2015, the artichoke festival has been held in the neighborhood every spring, promoting the cuisine of Urla. In addition, every year, on the ninth of March in the Urla district of Özbek, the Herb Festival is held.

At the Urla Art and Antique Market, which is open on Sundays, you can enjoy the stalls of antique and handmade products you will visit in the shade of the two-story houses.

If like me, you are a lover of sports and the sea, the Urla Wind Surf School is a place that will please you as an activity.

Urla is a place where you can find gourmet delicacies and good food and drink places.

I want you to try the local wines in Urla. You will be able to experience quality drinks while having pleasant conversations in special places like Perdix wine house, Urlice Winery, Mmg Winery, Usca vineyard house, Tapavino wine house, and Wine house.

The Mediterranean and Turkish cuisine are at the forefront of my taste. Accordingly, I choose my restaurants, but in Urla, there is a special place for every cuisine.

The Simge Restaurant, the Pier Restaurant, and the Crab Restaurant are just right for you for delicious fish dishes.

For Mediterranean cuisine, I recommend Od Urla.

Çökelek Urla is one of my favorite places for pita and kebab.

I believe exploring a place means exploring its past, experiencing some of its flavors, chatting with people, going to the sea, and lying in the sun.

I wish you good discoveries for this summer... I hope to meet you too when you come by in Urla...