Karaburun Guide

Karaburun, a district of İzmir located on the peninsula that shares its name, has become an increasingly popular tourist destination in recent years. As the smallest district of İzmir, Karaburun is known for its stunning sea and unspoiled nature.

Located approximately 100 kilometers from İzmir city center, reaching Karaburun involves a winding and challenging road, but the breathtaking scenery upon arrival makes it all worthwhile. It's a quiet, peaceful place where you can find solace. The sea and nature are untouched and pristine, with minimal large-scale development compared to other holiday resorts. Unlike the lively day and nightlife of many tourist spots, Karaburun offers a serene and calming atmosphere, perfect for self-reflection. Facing the open sea, its waters are always clean and clear, making it ideal for both scuba and free diving. Many diving enthusiasts have already discovered this hidden gem.

The history of Karaburun dates back to the Chalcolithic Age. The oldest known civilization in the area is from the Ionian Period, with five cities established on the peninsula connected to Erythrai. It is believed that the current center of Karaburun was once known as Stylarios. Over the centuries, the region fell under the rule of significant civilizations, including the Persians, Macedonians, Romans, Byzantines, Seljuks, and Ottomans, leaving their marks on the area.

The region is also rich in mythology. Many myths originate here, such as Zeus burying the giant Mimas under Mount Bozdağ and Narcissus turning into a daffodil due to his self-love. The "Windy Mimas" described in Homer's Odyssey refers to this very place.

The exact time when Karaburun was first chosen as a settlement is unknown, but given the peninsula's history of human habitation since the Chalcolithic Age, it is believed that settlement began around the same time. Artifacts from the Bronze Age found at Çakmaktepe, just 3-4 kilometers south of Karaburun's center, suggest that it has been a place of human habitation for a long time.

The area's oldest known name is Mimas, originating from ancient mythological tales. During the Ionian period, the area known as Karaburun today was called Stelar or Stylarius. Old maps also refer to the region as Capo Calaberno. After the region came under Turkish rule, it was called Ahurlu or Ahırlı, and it finally received its current name, Karaburun, during the Ottoman period.

Piri Reis, a famous Ottoman sailor from the 16th century, detailed the peninsula’s coastline in his book Kitab-ı Bahriye. The famous traveler Evliya Çelebi, who visited Karaburun in the second half of the 17th century, described it as a part of the "İzmir Molla's arpalık" (land allocated for revenue). He noted a mosque, a bathhouse, seven shops, and an area surrounded by olive groves and vineyards.

The name Karaburun may have evolved from "Caleberno." However, considering that "kara" means north and "ak" means south in Turkish, the names Karaburun and Akburun (found in the Eşendere region) make sense.

Today, Karaburun mostly hosts local tourists and those who own summer houses in the region due to its winding roads and relatively undiscovered status. However, diving enthusiasts can be seen here throughout the year, and the area's reputation continues to grow, attracting more visitors each year.

Accommodation options in Karaburun are limited, but they cater to guests' needs. The region mostly features small, family-run boutique hotels that provide a warm, friendly, and personalized experience. You may find yourself chatting over a frothy morning coffee with the hotel owner, creating friendships in no time.

For accommodation suggestions, you can check our Karaburun Hotels page.