Izmir

İzmir is Türkiye’s third-largest city and its Aegean capital. It was ancient Smyrna, it sits on a wide bay, and it works as the base for Ephesus, Pergamon and the Çeşme Peninsula. Most visitors treat it as a transit stop. It repays a night or two: a long waterfront, a historic bazaar, a Roman agora in the middle of the city and some of the best breakfast and seafood on the coast.

İzmir at a glance

What to see

The Kordon and Alsancak

The Kordon is the seafront promenade, and it is where İzmir spends its evenings. Locals sit on the grass and watch the sun set over the bay, and the cafés of the Alsancak strip fill up after work. Behind it, the Levantine houses with marble stairs and the old İzmir mansions show how cosmopolitan the port once was. Walk it from Alsancak towards Konak around sunset, then eat in the streets behind.

Asansör

The Asansör is an elevator tower built in 1907 to spare residents a climb of 155 steps between Mithatpaşa Avenue and Şehit Nihatbey Street. There is a café on the upper floor with a view over the bay. It is a short stop and a good one for photographs.

Konak Square and the clock tower

Konak is the city’s meeting point. The clock tower in the square is İzmir’s best-known symbol, and the surrounding streets lead straight into the bazaar.

Kemeraltı Bazaar

Kemeraltı is the historic market, with a history of about 500 years. It is a working bazaar rather than a tourist one: handmade goods, spices, small workshops and old inns, among them the Kızlarağası Han, a good place for tea. Go in the morning, before the crowds and the heat, and plan to get lost. Our bazaars and markets guide has bargaining and shopping advice.

The Agora of Smyrna

Next to the bazaar, the Agora was the public and social center of ancient Smyrna, with colonnaded structures and a courtyard. It is small and easy to combine with Kemeraltı in one morning.

Day trips from İzmir

• Ephesus. One of the best-preserved ancient cities in the Mediterranean, UNESCO-listed since 2015, near the town of Selçuk. The İZBAN suburban line runs from the airport area to Selçuk. See our Ephesus guide for tickets and hours.
• Pergamon (Bergama). A UNESCO site with the Asklepion, the ancient healing center, north of the city.
• Çeşme and Alaçatı. The Çeşme Peninsula has Blue Flag beaches. Alaçatı is known for windsurfing, stone houses and windmills, and for eating out.
• Urla. A wine-growing area with restaurants opened by young chefs.
• Foça. A fishing town on the site of ancient Phocaea.

Eating in İzmir

The classic İzmir breakfast is an egg with boyoz, a flaky pastry that is hard to find outside the city. The seafront and Alsancak restaurants serve fresh fish and Aegean dishes built on olive oil, greens and herbs. İzmir köfte, a baked meatball dish, is a local staple. The city has also entered the Michelin Guide. Read our food guide for what to order across the country.

A weekend in İzmir (suggested plan)

• Day 1. Morning in Kemeraltı and the Agora, lunch in the bazaar, afternoon at the Asansör and Konak, and sunset on the Kordon.
• Day 2. A day trip to Ephesus (go early, finish with lunch in Selçuk), back in İzmir for dinner in Alsancak.
• Day 3 (optional). Çeşme and Alaçatı, or Pergamon.

When to go

İzmir has a Mediterranean climate: hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. May and September to October are the most comfortable months for walking and day trips. July and August are hot and dry, which suits the beach, but Ephesus is better early in the morning. December and January are the wettest months.

Source: Turkish State Meteorological Service (MGM), İzmir station, 1938 to 2025.

Getting there and around

Adnan Menderes Airport (ADB) is the gateway, with domestic and international flights and a rail link. İzmir is also connected by train and long-distance bus, and car ferries cross the bay. Inside the city, the metro, trams and ferries cover most of what you need. For routes and cards, see our getting around guide.

Where to stay

Alsancak is the lively choice, with restaurants, cafés and the Kordon. Konak puts you next to the bazaar. Karşıyaka, across the bay, is a calmer residential area reached by ferry. See our where to stay guide for accommodation types.

Plan the wider trip

İzmir fits into an Aegean coast route with Ephesus, Pamukkale and Bodrum. See Pamukkale for the inland detour, and our itineraries guide for how this fits a two-week trip.

Frequently asked questions

How many days do I need in İzmir?

Two nights covers the waterfront, the bazaar and the Agora. Add a day each for Ephesus and for Çeşme or Pergamon.

Is İzmir a good base for Ephesus?

Yes. The airport and the city are well connected to Selçuk, the nearest town to Ephesus. Many visitors stay in İzmir and go early, and others sleep in Selçuk to start earlier.

What should I eat in İzmir?

Try egg with boyoz for breakfast, then fish and meze on the waterfront. İzmir köfte is the local meatball dish.

When is the best time to visit?

May and September to October are the most comfortable. July and August are hot and dry, and December and January are the wettest.

Is İzmir safe for tourists?

The city is a major tourist and student center. As anywhere in a big city, watch for pickpockets in crowded areas and use registered taxis. Read our safety guide.

How do I get from the airport to the city?

A rail link and taxis serve the airport. Check the current timetable and fares before you travel.

Sources: Go Türkiye, UNESCO, MGM. Updated October 2026.