Turkey Guide
The North Aegean
Practicalities
On the accommodation front, Manisa leaves much to be desired and most of what exists fills with students between mid-September and June. However, the well-signposted Marmaris Otel, Anafartalar Mah 3, Sok 10 ( 
0236/239 5835, 
239 4686; Price: €14-24), is surprisingly good, with presentable modern rooms with TV, but no breakfast. The Arma on Doıu Caddesi ( 0236/231 1980, 232 4501; Price: €25-31) in the heart of town is reasonable value, but the rooms are in need of a revamp. The Otel Niobe ( 0236/231 3745, 238 9785; Price: €14-24), opposite the Belediye building on Sınema Park Caddesi, is cheaper, but rooms catch the full sun in summer. Finally, the Atlas at Dumulpınar Cad 22 ( 0236/231 1197; Price: €14-24) caters for students and impecunious backpackers alike, with bare, minimally furnished en-suite rooms.
Manisa isn't going to win any prizes in the gourmet stakes either, with little other than the usual range of kebab and pide salons and lokantas. However, Tarihi Borsa Kahvesi, Borsa Cad 29, comes highly recommended for quality steamtray food and mezes. The area around the tourist office features a number of Western-style burger and pizza joints, where pizza and salad should set you back no more than 4YTL. If you're lucky you might find a restaurant offering the traditional autumn dish of stewed quince in pekmez (grape molasses), the latter courtesy of the province's vineyards.