Camping around İzmir: Urla, Karaburun, Seferihisar and Özdere
Pine forest, vineyard roads and windy coves, all within an hour of İzmir. A region-by-region guide to campervan and tent camping from Urla to Karaburun, Seferihisar and Özdere.
Teknovan Editorial Team ·
İzmir is one of the few big cities where you can be pitching a tent an hour after leaving town. Urla's vineyard roads, Karaburun's windy coves, the quiet little towns of Seferihisar and the pine forests of Özdere all fit into one weekend. If you are flying in, İzmir Adnan Menderes airport (ADB) sits on the south side of the city, so none of this is far. Below we go through camping around İzmir area by area, with practical notes for anyone travelling by campervan or with a tent.
Where can you camp near İzmir?
| Area | Distance from the centre (approx.) | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Urla | 40 km | Wine route, quiet coves, a weekend away |
| Karaburun | 100 km | Wind, empty coves, glamping |
| Seferihisar | 45 km | Sığacık, families, long beaches |
| Özdere and Gümüldür | 55 km | Forest camps where the pines meet the sea |
| Yamanlar (Karagöl) | 25 km | A day of forest air, the nature park closest to the city |
| Balçova | In the city | Seeing İzmir itself by campervan |
Urla: vineyards, olive groves and quiet coves
Urla is the first stop for anyone escaping İzmir. Wineries along the vineyard road, olive groves and small coves around the harbour turn camping here into a way of life. Coffee in town during the day, a campfire under the trees in the evening (where and when fires are allowed): that is the Urla rhythm.
For campervans, the big plus is infrastructure. There are caravan parks with electric and water hook-ups, and shaded pitches for tents. Teknoköy, set in 12 dönüm (about 1.2 hectares) of pine forest in Urla, is joining in too, with pitches for caravans, tiny houses and bungalows.
Karaburun: wind, solitude and glamping
The Karaburun peninsula is the wildest corner left around İzmir. After Mordoğan the road winds north and every bend shows you another cove. It gets windy often, so hammer your pegs in properly and set your awning according to the wind direction.
In recent years the peninsula has become known for glamping. Campsites in and around Boyabağ offer tents on wooden platforms and bungalows, for nature with a bit more comfort. Shops and fuel stations thin out the further you get from the centre, so do your shopping in Mordoğan or Karaburun town.
Seferihisar: Sığacık and long beaches
Seferihisar is known as Türkiye's first Cittaslow ("slow city") member. Sığacık, the village inside the castle walls, its Sunday producers' market and long beaches such as Akkum and Ürkmez make it a good base for families. The sea is shallow and calm. For camping with children it is one of the easiest areas around İzmir.
Özdere and Gümüldür: camping in the pine forest
Özdere and Gümüldür, in the Menderes district, are known for coastline where the pine forest runs right down to the sea. Sites run by the General Directorate of Forestry, such as Kalemlik Orman Kampı (Kalemlik Forest Camp), get very busy in summer. If you are going at the weekend, set off early. Fire rules in forest areas are strict and open fires are not allowed during the high fire-risk period.
Yamanlar and Balçova: the closest options to the city
Karagöl Nature Park sits on Yamanlar Mountain, behind the Karşıyaka district. Its mountaintop lake and the pine forest around it make it the nearest escape for a day's picnic or a short camp. The caravan parks in Balçova are a practical base if you want to see İzmir by campervan: they have electricity, water and grey water disposal, and public transport is close by.
Campsites and caravan parks in the area
The list below is a selection of campsites listed on teknovan.com.tr. Ratings come from Google reviews and are as of 1 November 2026. Check the current situation before you go.
| Campsite | Location | Type | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| NovaUrla Karavan Park ve Çadır Kamp | Urla | Caravan park | 4.9 |
| Yanako Karavan Çiftliği | Urla | Caravan park | 4.6 |
| Morperest Glamping | Karaburun | Glamping | 4.8 |
| Yarımada Camping | Karaburun | Campsite | 4.8 |
| Sweet Karavan Kamping | Karaburun | Caravan park | 5.0 |
| Capo Glamping | Karaburun | Glamping | 4.7 |
| Ürkmez Kamping | Seferihisar | Campsite | 4.0 |
| Kalemlik Orman Kampı | Özdere | Forest camp | 3.5 |
| Karagöl Tabiat Parkı | Yamanlar | Nature park | - |
| İzmir Ayaz Karavan Park | Balçova | Caravan park | 4.5 |
When to go
- May-June: The sea is starting to warm up and the crowds have not arrived. The best balance for camping.
- July-August: Hot and busy. Turning up without a booking is a gamble. Fire precautions in forest areas get stricter.
- September-October: The sea is still warm, the evenings are cool. Grape harvest time, and Urla at its best.
- Winter: A quiet season for campervan travellers. Go for caravan parks with electric hook-ups.
Notes for campervan travellers
- The cove roads in Karaburun and Urla are narrow and twisty. If you are towing a long caravan, check the route on a map first.
- Not every campsite has fresh water and waste water points. Ask before you book.
- Pitches with electricity fill up fast in summer. Book your dates early.
- Pitches near the shore get strong wind. Roll the awning in at night.
FAQ
What is the closest campsite to İzmir? In the city, the caravan parks in Balçova. Out in nature, Karagöl Nature Park on Yamanlar Mountain.
Can you camp for free around İzmir? Camping should only be done in permitted areas. Camping and lighting fires without permission on the coast and in forests is forbidden. Nature parks and forest camps are cheap and legal alternatives.
Can I rent a campervan and go camping around İzmir? Yes. On teknovan.com.tr you can rent caravans already set up at campsites around İzmir, or vans you can take on the road.
You can see every campsite around İzmir, with photos and facilities, on the teknovan.com.tr campsites page, pick your dates and send a booking request.
Image credits
Photos illustrate the region; they are not photos of the campsites themselves.
- Urla: Yağmur Aydın, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Karaburun: Bir_Ege_Hikayesi, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons.jpg)
- Seferihisar: Yağmur Aydın, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Karagöl, Yamanlar: Enverkaranfil, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Urla: Yağmur Aydın, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
