Limonlu Konak

Magnificent building, delightful host, vibrant city! The mansion is not just a gorgeous guesthouse, but part of a long-term project seeking the regeneration of neighborhoods in the historical centre of Izmir. Taner, the mansion’s owner and a former pilot, has been working over the past years to preserve the local heritage by purchasing and renovating ruined buildings, and filling them with unique items reflecting the aesthetics of the times when these mansions were originally built. The konak is a work of art, from the original architecture to how it’s been renovated. High ceilings, hardwood floors, velvet draperies, and filled with precious items individually found by Taner: beautiful wood closets and cabinets, gorgeous paintings, handwoven rugs, and myriad tiny objects, each with a story. Accompanying these old items are the modern facilities: fast wi-fi, AC, front door accessible by code and surveillance camera on the street for the security of guests, multiple-function shower heads, stovetop, fridge, many kitchen items useful for storing/prepping snacks. I was surprised to find hundreds of lemons in the tree behind the house; it was my first time seeing a lemon tree! The neighborhood is a fascinating mix of modern and old, narrow cobblestone alleys and busy roads, young and old people. The house is a one-minute walk from Fevzi Paşa boulevard, with hundreds of restaurants, bakeries, cafes (including delicious vegetarian/vegan options), supermarkets. It’s 7 min away on foot from the Kemeraltı bazaar. The area is also well connected to public transport: about a 3 min walk from the Basmane and Çankaya metro/bus stations and a 15 min walk from the Konak ferry terminal, where you can catch a boat to various places, including the Karşıyaka bazaar on the other side of Izmir. I recently left Izmir, heading to another city on the coast and had other plans for the rest of my stay in Turkey, but because of how much I loved this mansion and the city, I’m returning to Izmir for another week at Limonlu Konak.