Foça @ Travel Turkey

The town of Foça is situated at about 69 km north by northwest of İzmir city center. The district also has a township with own municipality named Yenifoça (literally "the new Foça"), also along the shore and at a distance of 20 km (12 mi) from Foça proper. For this reason, Foça itself is locally often called as Eskifoça ("the old Foça") in daily parlance. The ancient city of Phocaea is located between the two modern Foças.

Additionally, Yenifoça, taken over by the Genoese in 1275 and initially as a dowry, was the more active of the two Foças during the Middle Ages, due principally to the region's rich alum reserves, the Genoese lease over them having been preserved well into the Ottoman era.

Eski Foça stretches along two bays; a larger one named Büyükdeniz ("the greater sea") and a smaller cove within that large one, named Küçükdeniz ("the smaller sea"), where the medieval castle is also located.

Many parts of the district are under strict environmental protection, due to the value of the flora and the fauna, and the beauty of the small bays and coves, especially between Foça and Yenifoça. Therefore, a judicious way to get to know the district would be by boat tours regularly organized in partance of the center town. Because of the protective measures, new constructions are not permitted in many parts of the district and Foça is set to preserve its unique characteristic as composed principally of old houses.

The construction project for a 300-boat capacity marina in Foça is recently tendered and started, upon the completion of which the town in expected to open to still more active international tourism.
The municipality announces that, twice-a-day ferry services to Mytilene (Midilli in Turkish), to be operated by a private company will start as of 1 May 2007.

Foça is the site of one of three marine protected areas established in Turkey for the preservation of the Mediterranean Monk Seal, a heavily endangered species of sea mammals.

Seal spotting trips can be arranged locally in Eski Foça for anyone wanting to see the Monk seals in their natural environment, however no one can guarantee their presence. Local fishermen advise that the most probable time of the year to view Monk seals is autumn, when the sea is cooler and the area quieter.

The area has some spectacular coastal scenery and volcanic rock Islands. A local tour on a "gullet," a traditional Turkish boat, is recommended for those who enjoy seeing things from a different perspective. One of the largest Islands, Orak, is part of a chain known as the Sirens Rocks. In ancient Greek mythology, sailors were said to crash their ships upon these rocks due to the enchanting voices of the mythical sirens that inhabited them.

The weather conditions are ideal for sea tours and the crystal clear waters will entice any reluctant swimmer in.

The Devil's Bath is a rock tomb thought to date back to approximately 4th century BC. It is situated 2 km east of Eski Foça at the foot of Candede Hill. Entrance to the tomb is gained via an archway and inside there are two chambers.

Eski Foça castle, or Beşkapılar Kalesi, was originally built by the Genoese in the 17th century. Located five minutes walk from Eski Foça town center, the castle underwent restoration in the mid 90s and the former boathouse is used nowadays as an open-air theater.

The Eski Foça Harbor is the perfect place to enjoy an evening meal. Situated in the center of Eski Foça, the seaside quarter offers stunning views out to sea. Rows of picturesque fish restaurants line the working fishing harbor. Enjoy a rakı or two and take in the scene at sunset - it's not to be missed.

How to get there

There are regular buses from the upstairs section of the İzmir otogar to both the Foças. Far less frequent buses connect the two towns. To get to Bergama from Eski Foça, return to the main İzmir highway and catch an onward connection from Menemen.

Where to stay

- Foçantique Hotel, Eski Foça. Tel: 0232-812 4313
- Hotel Club Phokaia, Eski Foça. Tel: 0232-812 8080
- Hotel Villa Dedem, Eski Foça. Tel: 0232-812 2838
- Otel Naz, Yeni Foça. Tel: 0232-814 6619