Foca is situated on the West coast of Turkey just 40 miles from the large city of Izmir. It has around 36 thousand people but in the summer time it goes up to 70 thousand with local and foreign holiday makers who prefer this area for its natural beauties, crystal clear water, small coves and the climate. Foca is also famous for its Mediterranean seals from which the city took its name, and now these seals are now under preservation. Foca is set around two bays known locally as ‘Big Sea’ and ‘Little Sea’. The famous Siren Rocks mentioned in Homer’s Odyssey can be seen across the bay of Foca. There are two small fortresses dating from Byzantine, Genoese and Ottoman times, but besides the ruins the town itself has an alluring mix of old Ottoman-Greek houses, a good selection of shops and a great weekly market .The harbour area has an authentic charm with many superb open-air eating places lining the water and in the evening, there are lots of bars to choose from.
Insider tip
The walk into Foca town is quite a distance so hire a bike and cycle in. In the evenings, taxis are plentiful and not at all expensive. No need to book a restaurant as there is a great choice. The weekly market is well worth a visit. Car hire is probably not worth it as the excurisons are good value and the traffic can get busy around Izmir itself.
Events and festivals
There are regular festivals at Ephesus, where in previous years highlights have included the Tokyo ballet, Vienna Chamber Orchestra, Puccini and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s show Phantasia.
Popular things to do and see and unmissable experiences
The port town of Eski Foca is only 2 kilometres away from Phokaia Beachclub. Here you can book boat trips to the nearby islands, Also, further afield are the world famous sites of Ephesus and Pamukkale, while the bright lights of Izmir with its historical importance, superb architecture and interesting culture is just a 1 hour 15 minute drive away.
Climate
Eastern Mediterranean with summer temperatures from 21-33 degrees on average
Other information
- Best time of year to travel: Flights operate from May to October
- Currency: Turkish Lira - but Euros are widely accepted
- Flight time from UK: 3 hours 50 mins
- Visa and passport information: A visa is not required, passports should be valid for 6 months after return
