Istanbul, Izmir & Football

RedPanda

Hello, I'm in Turkey for a week soon. A few questions for anyone who's been...

Is a week too long in Istanbul? Any day trips out to relaxing places that are easily organised..? I've read up on the islands before, they look cool.

Is Izmir a dodgy port city, and is it worth me going for a night or two? I'm leaning towards no.

Has anyone here been to see Galatasaray? If so, tickets via an agency like Viagogo? There's also Besiktas v Fenerbahce but that I think is impossible...

Cheers for any help at all.

Absurdistan

got a couple of turkish cypriot mates, one fenerbahce and one galatasary............will ask them latter today and get back

Brendan_O_Connell

Izmir is quite nice, not dodgy at all.

RedPanda

Cool, cheers. Galatasaray have Kasimpasa which is a derby but I don't think too big a game.

I've just been alerted to the Ephesus ruins near Izmir too, they do look cool.

BowieAddick

Hi RP, I went to Turkey a couple of years ago just outside of Izmir, went in to town a couple of times and it was fine no problems at all.
We also went to Ephesus which I thought was fantastic and well worth the visit, would highly recommend.

DaveMehmet

I saw England play in Izmir in 91, from the little I saw it's a hell hole. Got coached straight from the airport to the ground (about 3 hours before kick off) As we got outside the ground I could hear a thumping but couldn't see where it was coming from. Looked at the coach next to us and blokes were jumping off a wall on top of the coaches and smashing the roofs in. Stuck in a corner of the ground with no food/drink facilities and faced a constant barrage of coins, food etc for the entire game.

se9addick

Went to Istanbul a couple of years ago, great city. Went to a Fener game, fantastic experience and we also went Bursa to watch Bursaspor, that was a bit dodgy.

valleyman1973

DaveMehmet said:

I saw England play in Izmir in 91, from the little I saw it's a hell hole. Got coached straight from the airport to the ground (about 3 hours before kick off) As we got outside the ground I could hear a thumping but couldn't see where it was coming from. Looked at the coach next to us and blokes were jumping off a wall on top of the coaches and smashing the roofs in. Stuck in a corner of the ground with no food/drink facilities and faced a constant barrage of coins, food etc for the entire game.

I was on that coach thought that was it no police escort. On that visit Izmir was a hell hole.

scidbox

In Istanbul last Oct. A week is not enough. Loads to do. Bosphorus trip I thought would be touristy but was very good. Islands for a day trip is very good. You need 2 days at least for sultanamet. Football will cost 100 quid + if you can get a ticket. Galata, taxim area will take a day and the Asian side which is a much cooler and different vibe needs a day. If you do go Izmir direction, 1 hour west on bus from airport is Cesme, very nice small place, great beaches, diverse accommodation and great hot springs. Turkey generally very friendly and not as sleazy as it's rep.