Kadifekale
Kadifekale
3.5
About
This ancient fortress was strategically built in view of the harbor and city in the 4th century BC. Roman and Byzantine engravings can still be seen on the remaining walls.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
3.5
219 reviews
Excellent
61
Very good
61
Average
53
Poor
22
Terrible
22
Miss Honest
United States11 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
A great historic fortress and castle with a green courtyard and lots of paths to walk around. The view from the top of the castle walls is amazing. The entrance is free and we enjoyed walking in the green ancient tree and grassy area. The courtyard cafe is very cheap and we enjoyed the afternoon in this historic spot.
Written August 14, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Turkanuck
Izmir7 contributions
Went to Kadifekale a month or so ago. It's easy to get there on the #30 bus from Konak, which takes you through ancient (pre-1922) slums and winding streets. The fortress has an unbeatable view over the city, and if you go there around the time of the ezzan (the call to prayer) you'll experience the wave of sound passing over the city - beautiful, once the local tone-deaf muezzin shuts up.
Women from southern Turkey have set up their looms and weave everything from glasses cases to rugs as you watch. Their work can be quite lovely, worth taking home as a souvenir.
But.... watch out for the kids! There's a gang of little and not-so-little boys ranging through the place who'd rather pick your pocket than smile at you. Real brats, and dangerous, too. Do not - I repeat, do not! - carry anything in your pocket that you're attached to. (They didn't take anything from us, but when we'd gotten away from them we found pebbles in our pockets that we hadn't felt being put there - those kids are good.)
Go in a group, and go around noon or late afternoon to hear the ezzan.
Women from southern Turkey have set up their looms and weave everything from glasses cases to rugs as you watch. Their work can be quite lovely, worth taking home as a souvenir.
But.... watch out for the kids! There's a gang of little and not-so-little boys ranging through the place who'd rather pick your pocket than smile at you. Real brats, and dangerous, too. Do not - I repeat, do not! - carry anything in your pocket that you're attached to. (They didn't take anything from us, but when we'd gotten away from them we found pebbles in our pockets that we hadn't felt being put there - those kids are good.)
Go in a group, and go around noon or late afternoon to hear the ezzan.
Written November 11, 2005
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mona A
Amsterdam, The Netherlands24 contributions
Sep 2017 • Solo
never go! it's too dangerous! no security , not safe. i was walking alone that two guys tried to rob me! it was so scary. i ran to a restaurant and tried to call a taxi, they were waiting outside and was trying to convince the taxi driver to help them. no one was speaking english to help me!
Written October 4, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Charlie J
1 contribution
Sep 2014 • Family
It is in a really dangerous neighbourhood and you will be stared at the whole time you are there the view is impressive but it is not really worth it to go.
Written July 25, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lana Irshaid Suliman
Nablus, Palestinian Territories174 contributions
Aug 2019
It is an old castle up the mountain amazing views of Izmir but the sight needs to maintain and prepare for tourists or visitors
The roads to kadifekale are narrow in a poor area when you arrive no information deck neither boards to tell you about the place it needs to be organize the municipality must do there job it is a pity to find a historical place ignored like that
The roads to kadifekale are narrow in a poor area when you arrive no information deck neither boards to tell you about the place it needs to be organize the municipality must do there job it is a pity to find a historical place ignored like that
Written August 28, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
COYDRCOY
Izmir, Türkiye110 contributions
May 2011 • Business
You may find it very interesting,colored people-generally gypsies- all around,smell of mussel and rice cooking at every house for the street sellers -2 TL or less than 1 Euro for 30 of them in a pack-and try !!!!!!!!,,western half of the surrounding 1-2 flat houses are cleared away for the sake of a forest park which is in the beginning years,a huge castle and 3 mosques nearby,from the parking area platform the city view is under your foot,try not to step away from your group,watch your pockets and cameras,prefer taking the municipal touring bus and keep on board,expect lots of adrenalin washing your vessels
Written April 6, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter
Athens, Greece2 contributions
Jun 2014 • Solo
A. Very nice views of Izmir & the port, but the site doesn't have much of archaeological interest aside from the cisterns, which you can't enter.
B. I'm amazed how many folks say to "exercise extreme caution," etc, merely judging by the appearance of the folks they passed or saw. None of these reviews mentioned any actual problems encountered, merely the *sight* of "gypsies," "colored people," teenagers, and "homeless-looking people." Yes, there are Romani (that's the not-racist word for "gypsy," by the way) & Kurdish people & (omgomg) teenagers there. Yes, they are mostly poor. But for chrissake, you're on an urban mountaintop in Turkey, you should probably expect to see some poverty & some brown people.
B. I'm amazed how many folks say to "exercise extreme caution," etc, merely judging by the appearance of the folks they passed or saw. None of these reviews mentioned any actual problems encountered, merely the *sight* of "gypsies," "colored people," teenagers, and "homeless-looking people." Yes, there are Romani (that's the not-racist word for "gypsy," by the way) & Kurdish people & (omgomg) teenagers there. Yes, they are mostly poor. But for chrissake, you're on an urban mountaintop in Turkey, you should probably expect to see some poverty & some brown people.
Written June 5, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nikos m
Chios Town, Greece9 contributions
Oct 2011 • Friends
Sunday afternoon at Kadifekale!
All the senses are awakened. If you leave yourself, you will experience something unique.
If you never came in contact with the balkan gypsies, you may be scared, feel threatened, or whatever. But if you have a previous experience, you know that these people, these kids running, playing soccer, these ladies baking bread are people that face life with a different philosophy. No better or worse... Just different.
The view, besides the beautiful sunset, hides many historical aspects. The Kemal carved mountain, the Smyrna bay, the Lysimachus castle.... Sometimes you have to dig deep, so to find beauty. But once you re there, you know that the trip was worth all your efforts.
If you go to Izmir and missed Kadifekale, then you missed a big part of the things that this journey had to offer you. And take a walk round these narrow streets, because this "mahala" is a live museum. It's not only the view.... Never was.
You may see much more beautiful sunsets. But a sunset, charged with history, life, emotions? Kadifekale is one of a kind....
All the senses are awakened. If you leave yourself, you will experience something unique.
If you never came in contact with the balkan gypsies, you may be scared, feel threatened, or whatever. But if you have a previous experience, you know that these people, these kids running, playing soccer, these ladies baking bread are people that face life with a different philosophy. No better or worse... Just different.
The view, besides the beautiful sunset, hides many historical aspects. The Kemal carved mountain, the Smyrna bay, the Lysimachus castle.... Sometimes you have to dig deep, so to find beauty. But once you re there, you know that the trip was worth all your efforts.
If you go to Izmir and missed Kadifekale, then you missed a big part of the things that this journey had to offer you. And take a walk round these narrow streets, because this "mahala" is a live museum. It's not only the view.... Never was.
You may see much more beautiful sunsets. But a sunset, charged with history, life, emotions? Kadifekale is one of a kind....
Written July 25, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bernie B
Auckland, New Zealand41 contributions
Apr 2011 • Solo
I walked from Swissotel Izmir to the top of Kadifekale, it is a long walk and when it is hot it is even longer. The walk was interesting and quite strenuous, take your water bottle with. I was warned not to walk through the Kurdish settlement, however I decided to take the risk and do it nonetheless in the daytime. It was the most memorable time of my Izmir trip, people were so friendly, they offered me biscuits, water, even their chairs to sit on. With my limited Turkish people were in awe nonetheless, doing hand gestures I eventually reached the top. Enroute I saw first hand how the Kurds lived their daily lives it was GREAT!! The view from the top was amazing and was well worth the trip. There are lots of woman selling carpets etc.. I bought a lovely hand woven rug for TL5.00 and wished that I had bought more now. Elsewhere the identical carpets are about TL25.00. Even though it is not pure wool, I now have a wonderful memory in my home of these friendly people.
Written August 14, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ayatomark
London, UK12 contributions
Jul 2011 • Couples
We decided to go up here because we'd read a bit about it. Thank goodness we took a bus (from Konak bus station, ask a driver for Kadifekale) as I would have been sorely disappointed if I'd walked all the way up.
After we arrived we struggled to find anything worth looking at. There are a few sad looking ruins (arches), begging kids and few tourist trap stalls. There's rubbish everywhere (i guess it's a mix of a hang out spot and a wind trap) which makes it look like a car park.
The only notable point is that you can get a great view of Izmir, probably the best view so if you really need that view picture then get the bus up, find the spot (by the big flag), take the picture and then get out of there (there's no charge to get in).
Oh, and be careful up there, you can climb all over the walls and it's a long fall down!
After we arrived we struggled to find anything worth looking at. There are a few sad looking ruins (arches), begging kids and few tourist trap stalls. There's rubbish everywhere (i guess it's a mix of a hang out spot and a wind trap) which makes it look like a car park.
The only notable point is that you can get a great view of Izmir, probably the best view so if you really need that view picture then get the bus up, find the spot (by the big flag), take the picture and then get out of there (there's no charge to get in).
Oh, and be careful up there, you can climb all over the walls and it's a long fall down!
Written July 24, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Merhaba. Kadıfekale kırık cıkıkcı adil bey yada oglu ortopedi doktoruna ulasmak istiyoruz
Åževket K
Izmir Province, Türkiye
Oğlu Yusuf Yaşar Yıldırım , Gaziemir cerrahı tıp merkezi nde , oradan ulaşabilir siniz
Buca kooptan kadife kaleye nasıl gidebilirim?
SUREYYA EROÄžLU
Izmir, Türkiye433 contributions
Önce Konak ordan Kadifekale otobüsüne binebilirsiniz,
Buca dan Eşrefpaşa yada Varyant ın sonundan da binebilirsiniz Kadifekale vasıtalarına.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Kadifekale
- Hotels near Kadifekale:
- (0.70 mi) Piano Hotel
- (1.02 mi) Izmir Marriott Hotel
- (0.65 mi) Oglakcioglu Park Boutique Hotel
- (1.00 mi) Key Hotel
- (0.52 mi) Hotel Baylan
- Restaurants near Kadifekale:
- (0.07 mi) Burritos De Kadas
- (0.87 mi) Gozlemecim
- (0.96 mi) Mengoli Burgers Steak Fries
- (0.46 mi) Hayyam Meyhanesi
- (0.05 mi) KFC
- Attractions near Kadifekale:
- (0.64 mi) Nar Holidays
- (0.43 mi) Agora Open Air Museum
- (0.92 mi) Izmir Ephesus Tours
- (1.06 mi) Ephesus Port Tours
- (1.28 mi) Gezenthi Travel Agency
Kadifekale Information
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Very Good Reviews | 61 |
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