NAZARKÖY

Practical update (August 2026): Traditional glass evil-eye beads are still made in Nazarköy, but workshop activity and demonstration hours vary. Contact a workshop directly if seeing the furnace at work is essential to your visit.

Nazarköy is a small village in Kemalpaşa, İzmir, known for handmade glass evil-eye beads. Formerly called Kurudere, it was officially renamed Nazarköy in 2007 because the craft had become so closely associated with the village.

WHY VISIT NAZARKÖY?

The main reason to come is to see a living craft tradition. Glass is melted in wood-fired furnaces and shaped by hand with iron tools. The slight bubbles, variations and marks left by the tools distinguish handmade pieces from mass-produced plastic or acrylic souvenirs.

WHAT TO DO

Walk through the village, browse the small shops and—when a workshop is operating—watch the bead-making process from a safe distance. Ask before taking close-up photographs of craftspeople. The surrounding countryside also makes Nazarköy a pleasant short escape from central İzmir.

WHAT TO BUY

Traditional round and oval beads are the classic choice, but local makers also produce jewellery and decorative glass objects. Ask whether a piece was made in the village and, where possible, buy directly from a workshop to support the remaining craftspeople.

HOW TO GET TO NAZARKÖY

Nazarköy is in Kemalpaşa district, roughly 30 kilometres east of central İzmir. Driving is the simplest option. Public-transport routes and frequencies can change, so check İzmir's current journey planner before leaving and be prepared for a connection in Kemalpaşa.

RESPONSIBLE VISIT

This is a residential village, not an open-air museum. Keep narrow streets clear, avoid blocking workshop entrances and take your rubbish with you. A short, respectful visit and a genuine local purchase do more to support the craft than bargaining aggressively for the lowest price.

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