Güzelbahçe Sahili ve İskelesi

Güzelbahçe Coast is the central section of the district's shoreline on the south-western side of the Gulf of İzmir, which runs from Limanreis on the Narlıdere border to Çamlıçay on the Urla border. According to Wikipedia the district is bordered by Narlıdere and Karabağlar to the east, Urla to the west and Seferihisar to the south, while its whole northern edge opens onto the gulf. The heart of the shore is the pier and fishing harbour at Yalı, the district's most populous neighbourhood, and the coast road that runs on either side of them. From here the inner gulf, the slopes of Narlıdere and, on a clear day, the mountains of the far shore all fit into a single frame. For a long time Güzelbahçe's shore was the waterfront of a small fishing and market-garden town. Wikipedia notes that fishing and farming still form the basis of the district's economy. The oldest name of the town is Kilizman; in 1936 it became the centre of a sub-district of Urla under the name Kızılbahçe, and it gained its own municipality in 1954. It took its present name on 6 July 1957, when it was also separated from Urla and attached to the central district. In 1992 it was merged with Narlıdere under the name Narlıbahçe, and a law passed on 27 December 1993 made it a separate district. According to a report in Karar, the section of the coast road between the Yalı harbour and the Night Market area was renovated by the district municipality in two phases and reopened under a name chosen unanimously by the municipal council. The renovated strip combined street furniture, palm trees, a park and beach landscaping. In an earlier project, as reported by the Anadolu Agency, a new footpath of more than one kilometre was built between the pier and the First Harbour. The Ali Bey stream crossed by this path was rehabilitated, illuminated fountains were placed at its mouth, and a timber footbridge was built over it for pedestrians. This stretch at the mouth of the stream was closed to traffic and turned into a recreation area of about 1600 square metres. Palm trees were planted, turf was laid, and benches and picnic tables were set out; during the day the area is also used as a beach. The timber bridge is one of the nicest stops on the walk west from the pier. Standing on it you can see the stream on one side and the gulf on the other. Güzelbahçe Pier is one of the piers of İZDENİZ, the company that runs İzmir's ferries. Because whether ferries operate here, and their times, can change from season to season, check İZDENİZ's current timetable before you go. Even on days without a service, the pier is a natural meeting point for people walking along the shore. The fishing harbour right next to it is a good place to watch the boats come back in the early morning. According to Wikipedia there are eight beaches along the district's shore, one of which holds a Blue Flag. Yeni Bakış lists the public beach in the Siteler neighbourhood as one of the local favourites. The same source says that people also swim near the Night Market area in Yalı and along the shore of the Maltepe neighbourhood. Check the district municipality's announcements before you go to find out which beaches are suitable for swimming that season and which one holds the Blue Flag. Life on the shore is not only about the sea. Wikipedia notes that the district has a fish market, that a night market is held in Yalı every evening in summer, and that weekly producers' markets open in the Çamlı, Yaka and Yelki neighbourhoods. Starting at the pier on a summer evening and walking towards the night market is the easiest way to see Güzelbahçe's waterfront life. Further inland, the İnkaya Cave in the Yelki neighbourhood, about 222 metres long, and the Bardacık Festival held in Payamlı since 2013 are two separate places to head for after the shore. The shore is reached from central İzmir by ESHOT buses; Yeni Bakış lists routes 8, 82, 975 and 984, but check the current routes on the ESHOT website. There are plans to extend line M1 of the İzmir Metro from Narlıdere towards Güzelbahçe and Urla, and the plan includes stations named Güzelbahçe İskele and Yalı. Coming by bicycle from the Narlıdere shore is also possible; Wikipedia notes that the district has three BİSİM bike sharing stations. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons for walking the shore. Yeni Bakış notes that the coast can be windy and cold in winter, so spring and summer are better times to come. In summer there is little shade in the hot hours, so save the walk for the morning or for sunset. After Güzelbahçe you can carry on west to Urla İskele and then to Barbaros village to make a full day along the coast.