About Izmir
Türkiye's third-largest city, Izmir curves around a broad bay and is the biggest and liveliest city on the Aegean coast. Traces of ancient Smyrna survive in the Roman-era Agora. The Clock Tower on Konak Square is the city's emblem, and behind it Kemeraltı bazaar has been the heart of trade for centuries, with its old inns, mosques and narrow lanes. In Alsancak, the seafront Kordon fills with strollers at sunset. Hopping on a ferry to Karşıyaka is the nicest way to see the bay from the water, and local snacks like boyoz, gevrek and kumru are part of the city's character.
A typical visit starts with a city tour: the Clock Tower, Kemeraltı, Kızlarağası Han, the Agora and the bay views from Kadifekale. After that, Izmir becomes a base for the wider region. The most popular day trips head to Ephesus and Şirince, to the Pergamon Acropolis at Bergama and to Çeşme and Alaçatı; with a longer day you can even reach Pamukkale. End the evening with a walk along the Kordon or a ferry ride across the bay. TurTalebi lists city and day tours from local Izmir firms, so you can compare them and book securely by card.
Izmir Tours
Tours run by local firms in the area. Pick a date, see the price and book securely by card.
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All ToursTop Things to See
Konak Clock Tower
Built in the Ottoman era and now Izmir's best-known landmark, the tower stands on Konak Square. The small tiled Yalı Mosque and the waterfront beside it are favorite photo spots.
Kemeraltı Bazaar
Starting right behind the Clock Tower, this historic bazaar is a maze of old inns, mosques and lanes full of shops. Stop for a Turkish coffee in the courtyard of Kızlarağası Han.
Kordon and Alsancak
Running along the sea through Alsancak, the Kordon is the city's meeting place for walks, bike rides and sunsets. The historic houses and cafés in the backstreets come alive in the evening.
Agora of Smyrna
The Roman-era marketplace of ancient Smyrna impresses with its columns and well-preserved vaulted basement galleries. It is an easy walk from Kemeraltı.
Ferry to Karşıyaka
Ferries from the Konak, Pasaport and Alsancak piers cross the bay and give you some of the best views of the city from the water. In Karşıyaka, explore the market streets and seaside promenade.
Asansör and Kadifekale
The Asansör, a historic elevator in Karataş, links a hillside neighborhood with the coast and offers sweeping bay views from the top. Kadifekale's old walls crown a hill above the city with a wide panorama.
Plan Your Trip
When to Go
The most pleasant times to explore Izmir are April to June and September to November, when the weather is mild. July and August are hot, though the afternoon sea breeze locals call the imbat cools the Kordon. In summer, visit shadeless sites like Ephesus and Pergamon early in the morning. Winters are mild and rainy, and still a good time for city walks, museums and the bazaar.
Getting There
Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport is about 18 km south of the center and linked to the city by a commuter rail line. Long-distance buses arrive at the main bus terminal in Bornova. Within the city, the metro, trams, buses and bay ferries make getting around easy. Ephesus and Çeşme are each about an hour away and Bergama about an hour and a half, so day tours usually leave early in the morning.
Practical Tips
- Take the ferry to cross the bay; it beats the traffic and gives you a fresh view of the city from the water.
- Explore Kemeraltı in the morning before the midday crowds, and keep your bag in front of you in the narrow lanes.
- Try Izmir's own breakfast staples, boyoz and gevrek, and grab a kumru sandwich for lunch.