Sığacık, Seferihisar, Izmir, Turkiye

Sığacık is Turkey's first “Citta Slow”, that is, a quiet city.

3 to 4 years ago, the photogenetic quality of the perfectly restored streets of Sığacık (Seferihisar's Beach Town), plus the weekly market that's set up here on Sundays, and the less-traveled ancient city of Teos were enough.to make one fall in love with this gem.

Lately I have heard that some travelers that have returned were a little bit disillusioned with some of the changes they found. It had become popular with the visitors coming back again and again and spreading the word about it's charms.

So, out of town entrepreneurs settled into the houses and started businesses and all of a sudden the calmness was nowhere to be found. So goes the saying: "You can please some of the people some of the time, but you'll never please all the people all of the time..."

It is the same old story that has echoed throughout the coastal havens all along the coast of Turkiye since tourism became a money-maker in the Republic of Turkiye. It is inevitable that change is going to occur and ruffle feathers.

Whichever way you look at it, the streets of Sığacık and the refreshing beaches of Seferihisar district are always going to offer exquisite respite to those seeking it, so it makes for an ever-changing catharsis.

Selected Hotels, Houses & Villas in Sığacık

In Sığacık, there are mainly boutique hotels, small hotels and hostels instead of the big corporate hotels. Since some of the historical houses in Kaleiçi are operated as hostels, you can not only see these beautiful houses but also experience what it's like to live in them.

If you prefer, there are also brand new structures somewhere in between. There are also very nice rental houses in the area.

When you come to Seferihisar, if you are going to mostly be limited to hanging at Sığacık only, it is not necessary to have a rental vehicle. It's a very small place and everything is close together.

In Sığacık, you will want to swim and experience the excellent dining spots to be found in the surrounding area. Therefore, if you are not coming with your own vehicle, it is recommended you rent a car if you want to see Teos and other beaches . If you do hire a car - get one from the Izmir Airport at more affordable prices.

Seferihisar is Turkey's first Citta Slow , that is, “City of Calm” . This title, which Seferihisar received in 2009 , is given by a committee in Italy to settlements with a population of less than 50 thousand, whose architecture, culture, traditions and crafts have survived to this day in the face of urbanization and globalization, and it is strictly supervised.

One of the main goals of Citta Slow is “Slow Food” by integrating eco-gastronomy practices into daily life in local communities and towns that help develop the slow philosophy.

Slow Food is a movement that was born in Italy as a reaction to the fast food movement that took over the world under the leadership of America. So it's not really about being slow, it's named after a pun that opposes fast food. Slow Food means holding on to the ancestral cuisine against the globalization and unhealthy foods.

Cittaslow is an organisation founded in Italy and inspired by the slow food movement. Cittaslow's goals include improving the quality of life in towns by slowing down its overall pace, especially in a city's use of spaces and the flow of life and traffic through them.

Other Turkish 'Citta Slow' locations are: Ahlat, Akyaka, Arapgir, Eğirdir, Foça, Gerze, Gökçeada, Göynük, Güdül, Halfeti, İznik, Köyceğiz, Mudurnu, Perşembe, Seferihisar, Şavşat, Taraklı, Uzundere, Vize, Yalvaç and Yenipazar.

The main aims of the Citta Slow movement are:

-making life better for everyone living in an urban environment
-improving the quality of life in the cities
-resisting the homogenization and globalization of towns around the globe
-protecting the environment
-promoting cultural diversity and uniqueness of individual cities
-providing inspiration for a healthier lifestyle


www.cittaslow.org

No matter how you look at it, the streets of Sığacık coupled with the cooling beaches of the Seferihisar district are worth spending far more than just a day. or two at.

The Sığacık plain and the coasts to the south of it are flat and indented. These areas were filled with alluvium brought by the streams and took their present shape.

The highest elevation in the district land is in Çakmaktepe with 680 meters. The biggest influence on the climate of the region belongs to the sea. Due to the proximity to the sea and the mild effect of the sea, the temperature does not fall much in the winter months.

While high summer temperatures are experienced in and around Seferihisar, winters are mild. According to this situation, it can be said that Seferihisar is within the Mediterranean thermal regime zone.

Because in 4 months of the year (June-July-August-September) the temperatures are above 20 ° C.

The average annual relative humidity in Seferihisar is 64% and varies according to the months. From autumn, the relative humidity is more than the annual average until the end of spring, and from May it is below the annual average.

Looking at the minimum humidity status; it is understood that the atmospheric humidity does not fall below 10% in any month.

The relative humidity rate increases in the winter months when the western sector winds are active, the temperature decreases and the cloudiness increases, and it decreases in the summer months when the northern sectoral winds are seen and the cloudiness decreases.

In short, it can be said that the relative humidity values in the region under the influence of the sea are high every month.

The average annual rainfall in Seferihisar is 588.1 mm. The wettest season is winter and what a rainy month is December (142 mm). The least rainfall is in the summer at 1 mm in July.

Seferihisar has a semi-humid, mesothermal, water deficiency feature that is very strong in summer and takes sea effect. Between May and September, the lack of water in the soil adversely affects the agricultural activities in the region.

In the period from November to April, there is water in the soil because evaporation is low and rainfall amounts are sufficient.

Agriculture - especially olive cultivation form the basis of economic activities in Seferihisar, but citrus and artichoke cultivation are also important sources of income. 80% of the population here is engaged in agriculture.

On the other hand, fishing and tourism are also important sectors that contribute to the economy of the district.

Teos ancient city, Sığacık Castle, the Marina and Sığacık Market are places that must be visited. If you come across it, there are also concerts in Kale Square during the summer.

Also, while you're here, we say stop by Seferihisar Nature School, which is half an hour away from Sığacık. You can be sure that there is a place to open your mind.

Places to Visit
Teos Ancient City
Sigacik Kaleici
Sigacik Castle
Sigacik Market
Teos Marina
Nature School
Akkum Beach
Aquarium Beach
Akarca Public Beach
Food and Beverage
Artemis Restaurant
Milos Fish
La Dude Art Cafe
Like Mulberry
Cartel Coffee & Cocktails
Fehu Konak
Jolly Boys Cafe & Bar
Shopping
Zeybekoglu Dairy


Whether you know or don't know much about history, this ancient city lost in olive trees is a place that can be visited even when your secondary purpose is to go trekking. The most important historical era of Sığacık was BC.

Teos (Ancient Greek: Τέως) or Teo was an ancient Greek city on the coast of Ionia, on a peninsula between Chytrium and Myonnesus.

Pausanias writes that the city was founded by Minyans from Orchomenus under the leadership of Athamas, a descendant of Athamas the son of Aeolus.

Teos was one of the twelve cities which formed the Ionian League. The city was situated on a low hilly isthmus. Its ruins are located to the south of the modern town of Sığacık in the Seferihisar district of Izmir Province, Turkey..

The most basic structure here is the Temple of Dionysus in Ionian order. The temple here was the largest temple in the world dedicated to Dionysus, the God of Wine.

Teos was a flourishing seaport with two fine harbours until Cyrus the Great invaded Lydia and Ionia in c. 546 BC.

The Teans found it prudent to retire overseas, to the newly founded colonies of Abdera in Thrace and Phanagoria on the Asian side of the Cimmerian Bosporus.

The port was revived by Antigonus Cyclops. During the times of the Roman emperors, the town was noted for its wine, a theatre and Temple of Dionysus.

These are positioned near the acropolis, which is situated on a low hill and had fortifications by the 6^th century.

A shipwreck near Tektaş, a small rock outcrop near Teos harbour, dates from the Classical period - around the 6^th to the 4^th centuries BC and implies trading connections by sea with the eastern Aegean Islands.

It was a member of the Lydian group of the Ionian League, one of the four groups defined by Herodotus, based on the particular dialects of the cities.

Vitruvius notes Hermogenes of Priene as being the architect of the monopteral temple of Dionysus at Teos.

The modern village of Sığacık is situated close to the ruins of Teos. The interior of what was previously the city has now been intensively farmed, which makes it difficult to excavate the site.

Through ploughing, pottery has been brought to the surface of the earth, which has been collected through an archaeological survey.

An interesting rental agreement chiseled into stone was uncovered in 2016 in the ruins of Teos. There is also an amphitheater where concerts are still held.

Sığacık, at only 5 kilometers from the center of Seferihisar, is a seaside town like a film set, hidden inside the walls of the castle built by Kanuni for the Rhodes expedition, lined with cobblestone streets, filled with mansions with courtyards, bay windows and wooden shutters.

Its perfectly preserved architecture, intellectually sound residents and soul-soothing beauty has a tendency to produce enjoyable sensations for your holiday relaxation.

It is the ideal place for those who want to spend their holiday at the seaside and in a place with soul.

“Oh no, Sığacık will turn into another Alaçatı!” Take a deep breath - now exhale. Alaçatı is hardly luxurious, it's stuck in a more local style with its pastry shop and embroidery aunts.

For some this is very nice, for some it is not nice at all. It means to you what it means to you and something far different to another...

Whichever way you look at it, the streets of Sığacık and the refreshing beaches of Seferihisar are worth a day off.- or maybe 2? Or an entire holiday...?

How are you going to get there?

By Car:
When going from İzmir on the Çeşme Motorway (032/E881) towards Çeşme, exit at the Seferihisar/Güzelbahçe exit, which is the first exit of the motorway. After passing through the toll booths. Follow the Seferihisar sign and turn right. You can reach the center of Seferihisar after about 20 kilometers from this straight road.Seferihisar is only about 5-6 kilometers further.

By Minibus:
İzmir-Seferihisar minibuses depart from İzmir Üçkuyular Garage, and minibuses going from Seferihisar to İzmir depart from Seferihisar District Garage.

By Bus:
You can take the F.Altay – Seferihisar bus number 730 to go from Izmir to Seferihisar.

Seferihisar, is the seat of the district and is surrounded by blue flag beaches : Sığacık Büyük Akkum, Ekmeksiz, Akarca and Ürkmez Beaches. Let us remind you that Seferihisar Municipality has put umbrellas and sun loungers on all beaches.

The place most would prefer would be Büyük Akkum by far . But since there is an entrance fee for Büyük Akkum, there is the option of the public beaches in the vicinity:

🏊 Sığacık Big Akkum Beach This place is for those who like to swim in icy water. The beach is sand. It can be a little windy. It gets very seedy on the weekends when it's packed. Click for location.

🏊 Ürkmez (Aquarium) Beach The sea is clear and clean. But lyou should be warned in advance: It has a fast-deepening sea and a stony beach.

🏊 Akarca Public Beach You can choose Akarca Public Beach, which is 7 minutes by car from Sığacık, to swim and spend your day at a quieter place. Although it is a public beach, there are businesses there as well. The sea is a little pebbly and cool.

🏊 Breadless Beach ♡ Unfortunately, Ekmeksiz Beach lost land, put out tenders, but was closed to the public. However, it is one of the most precious beaches here. Hopefully it will open in the near future.

Agriculture and especially olive cultivation form the basis of economic activities in Seferihisar, but citrus and artichoke cultivation are also important sources of income.

80% of the population here is engaged in agriculture. On the other hand, fishing and tourism are also important sectors that contribute to the economy of the district.

Places to Visit near Sığacık

Teos Ancient City, Sığacık Castle and Marina, Sığacık Market are places that must be visited. If you come across it, there are also concerts in Kale Square in the summer. Also, while you're here, we say stop by Seferihisar Nature School, which is half an hour away from Sığacık. You can be sure that there is a place to open your mind.

The ancient city of Teos, which was founded by the Cretans who fled from the Achaeans in 1000 BC and later became the city of the Ionians. The most basic structure here is the Temple of Dionysus in Ionian order.

The temple here was the largest temple in the world dedicated to Dionysus, the God of Wine. There is also an amphitheater where concerts are still held.

The ruins are spread over a very large area. If you want to visit every part of it, we say spare 2 hours. But instead, you can learn the most important places from the attendant at the door and walk around in an hour or so.

Sığacık, 5 kilometers from the center of Seferihisar, is a seaside town like a movie set, hidden inside the walls of the castle built by Kanuni for the Rhodes expedition.

It is lined with cobblestone streets, filled with mansions with courtyards, bay windows, wooden shutters, perfectly preserved architecture, intellectual residents and soul-soothing beauty.

Seferihisar, is the Tangerine capital of Türkiye. It celebrates the beginning of the tangerine season with the Tangerine Festival, which exhibits products made from tangerine and is held each year in November.

Even though it’s not in a regular tourism season period, if you happen to be in the area during that time, it is highly suggested that you attend this colorful festival.

It is the ideal place for those who want to spend their holiday at the seaside and in a place with a soul.

Sigacik Castle

It is estimated that the Sığacık Castle, which is located in the immediate vicinity of the port, was built during the Seljuk period.

However, the most important item in the history of the castle is the navy commander Parlak Mustafa Pasha , who was prepared for the Rhodes Campaign at the suggestion of Admiral Piri Reis during the Ottoman period, upon orders of Suleiman the Magnificent.

The castle has 3 gates. There were still these wooden gates there until 30 years ago. Unfortunately, the whereabouts of these gates are currently unknown - may have been used as firewood during a particularly cold nasty day in the fireplace of local village house..

NOTE: Parking the car in Sığacık can be a pain in the ass, so it is recommended that you park in the first place you come upone done with it.

www.saltinourhair.com/turkey/antalya-old-town-guide

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