Things to see and do on a trip to Izmir

Izmir is one of the most visited provinces in Turkey because of the famous ruins of Ephesus and Pergamon. But that’s not all, the capital of the region of the same name also has a lot to offer, such as the ruins of a 3rd century castle, the clock tower (symbol of the city), or the famous Kemeralti bazaar full of spice shops, restaurants, bars and cafes. Want to know everything there is to see in Izmir?

At Passporter we have prepared this post with all the information you need before you set off on your trip to Izmir. If you want to know the best neighbourhoods to stay in or the best restaurants to eat in, you’ve come to the right place! Prepare your itinerary around the city and plan the excursions we recommend, as the main sights are outside the city. Are you ready to embark on your journey?

What are the best places to see in Izmir?

1. Kadifekale, the ruins to see in Izmir

The castle of Izmir, also known as Kadifekale, is a set of ruins dating back to the 3rd century and located atop a hill in the centre of the city. The archaeological site is the best preserved of the city as it still preserves some porticoes and certain buildings and parts of the city such as a mosque, the square, the city wall and a Roman cistern can be recognised.

The entrance is completely free, so there’s no excuse to go up and appreciate the best views of the whole city, especially at sunset, when the sky is full of colours. It’s also a good time because it’s not so hot anymore.

2. Kemeralti, the bazaar to see in Izmir

Since 1650, this bazaar has been one of the city’s main attractions. The collection of shops, bars, restaurants and cafés is always bustling, and the streets are lined with charcoal burners, blacksmiths and numerous stalls selling hundreds of spices of all colours. The bazaar is located behind Konak Square and even if you don’t intend to buy anything, it’s worth wandering through the stalls and discovering the mosques hidden in the depths of this large shopping complex.

3. Izmir promenade

All along the city’s coastline, a promenade has been built where it is very pleasant to stroll along with the sound of the sea waves in the background. Along your walk you will see people fishing, strolling and playing sports, however, the liveliest area is the Alsancak district, which although a little neglected nowadays, still retains a certain old charm. There are also plenty of bars in this area where you can sit and enjoy the view and relax.

4. Clock Tower, a must-see in Izmir

In the middle of Konak Square and next to the Kemeralti Bazaar is one of the main symbols of the city and probably the most interesting tourist attraction. The tower is 25 metres high and has four floors decorated with numerous marble ornaments. It was built in 1901 by a French architect commissioned by the Ottoman Empire, who spared no expense and made the tower a jewel of the city and a meeting point. It is surrounded by four fountains that are illuminated at night, so we also recommend a visit at sunset.

5. Atatürk Museum

This museum was built to commemorate the first president of the republic of Turkey to establish democracy. As such, he is a much-loved figure whom the city has chosen to honour with a museum that tells of his life and lovingly holds a number of personal artefacts. The museum building is one of the oldest houses to be seen in Izmir, built in the 19th century with a certain stately air.

The entrance to the museum is free and the tour lasts about 1h30. Be aware that there are quite a few stairs to climb and that most of the directions are in Turkish. Still, it’s a very interesting visit and we recommend a stroll through the neighbourhood.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

What to see around Izmir?

1. Ephesus and Pergamon Ruins

The ruins of the ancient city of Ephesus are the most important monument in the entire province of Izmir and the most visited in the whole country. Despite being in ruins, you can still distinguish buildings such as the library, theatre, agoras and fountains among others. In 2015 it was awarded the title of World Heritage Site as it is considered one of the most important archaeological sites in Europe. In this post we tell you more about this monument: Things to see and do on a trip to Ephesus

The entrance to the site costs 120 Tl and you have to change at Selçuk, where you can catch a bus to the ruins. Trains and buses run frequently (every 20 minutes) from both Izmir and Selçuk. The ruins of Pergamon are another point of interest not to be missed. The entrance fee is 55 Tl and the train drops you off at Aliaga, where you have to take a bus.

2. Foça

70km north of Izmir is one of the most beautiful villages on the Aegean coast. The most characteristic feature of the place is probably the shape it draws on the coast, a horseshoe divided by a peninsula where a castle was built. In Foça you will have to see the castle, its walls and the harbour. Although there is no beach as such, you can swim there, as they have fitted out part of the promenade with a wooden walkway and stairs down to the sea. Bear in mind that it is a very touristy city, so if you go in summer there are bound to be a lot of tourists. From the city of Izmir you can get there by bus for 10 Tl.

What to see in 1 day in Izmir?

If we’re talking about the city of Izmir, it’s no problem to visit it in just one day. The main sights to see in Izmir can be covered in just one morning. All of them are free to visit and with a walk (a bit of a long one) you can visit the castle, the bazaar and the promenade.

However, you’ll need a few more days to see the whole of the city and the surrounding sights, because although everything is well connected, there’s still plenty to see. The must-sees are the Ruins of Ephesus and Pergamon, but there are also interesting villages such as Foça. On your own it will take you longer to see everything if you rely on public transport. Luckily, the accommodations themselves can organise guided tours that include transport and will take you around the main sights of the region.

Where and what to eat in Izmir?

Eating in Izmir is a real pleasure because of the variety of smells and flavours that the spices give to the dishes. We recommend eating in the restaurants in the bazaars as they serve typical national dishes at very good prices. The downside is that they close before 20:00h. As it is a big city, there are also many restaurants serving international cuisine for the more delicate stomachs. The most famous dishes in the city are Köfte (meatballs), Kumru (stuffed sesame bread cake) and Boyoz for dessert. Here’s a list of some of the places to try them:

• Altinkapi Iskender Et Lokantasi: is a restaurant with traditional Turkish food and very friendly service. They have very good prices and also offer vegan dishes.
• Deniz Restaurant: This is a restaurant specialising in fish and seafood cooked in the traditional Turkish style. Prices range from €20 to €50. It’s not one of the cheapest places to eat, but the quality of the ingredients is worth it.
• Servet’in Yeri: is a Turkish Halal restaurant. The dishes are delicious, but the service is also incredible and leaves everyone with a good taste in their mouths. The price per person is no more than €20.

Where to stay in Izmir?

Izmir is a large city with many accommodation options, however, it is recommended to look near the centre and the waterfront to be closer to the main sights and to be able to get around on foot. If you prefer cheaper accommodation options, you can always move away from the centre, but it is not worth it as accommodation in Turkey is not particularly expensive. Here are a few options for accommodation in the city

• Lotus Garden Hostel Izmir : is a cosy hostel in the heart of the city offering bunk beds in shared rooms, family rooms and private rooms with en-suite facilities. Breakfast costs €2 and all rooms are air-conditioned. The price per night ranges from €15 to €30.
• Lotus Garden Hostel Izmir: this is probably the most luxurious hotel in the city and the views of the coastline are spectacular. They offer all kinds of amenities such as spa, gym and bar in a well-decorated and very modern environment. The price per night is between 150€ and 200€.
• Piano Hotel: a simple little hotel in the centre of town, ideal for families. They also have a restaurant and breakfast is included in the price, which is very moderate. About 30€ a night.

How to get to Izmir?

Izmir, or Izmir as you will see it written in some guidebooks, has its own airport, Izmir-Adnan Menderes airport which mainly receives local flights. So if you’re flying from the mainland you’ll most likely have to make a stopover in Istanbul or one of the few European cities that fly direct, such as London or Paris.

Another option is to go by bus from a nearby city. From Istanbul the journey takes 8h and the ticket costs between 60 and 80tl. The train is more comfortable and cheaper (50tl) but the journey can take up to 14 hours. There are two centrally located stations in Izmir, but the one we’re most interested in is Basmane, as the other station has trains running mainly to Ankara.

What should I consider before travelling to Izmir?

• The official currency of Turkey is the Turkish Lira.
• The best time to travel to Turkey is in spring or autumn, when the weather is milder. In summer it is very hot.
• Credit cards are not as commonly accepted in small towns as they are in cities.
• It’s best to avoid exchanging money at the airport, as prices are high.
• The tap water is not safe to drink.
• From Spain, it is not necessary to have a visa if you are travelling for less than 90 days. But you must have a valid passport and be able to justify with your hotel reservations that the trip is for tourism.
• Be covered for possible medical emergencies: travel insured.
• The country is generally very safe. But just in case be careful with your belongings and take care on the Syrian border.

How to prepare what to see on your trip to Izmir?

Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.

• Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers.
• Create your own itinerary and add suggestions from the app to it.
• Add the stops you’re most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat. You can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
• Organise your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map. You can take inspiration from the routes presented in the post.
• Check out the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
• Make any modifications you need and you’re all set for your trip.
• Share your experience. Upload photos of places you visited on your trip to the app. Recommend to other travellers what things to do in Izmir.

If you have doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create a travel itinerary in Passporter

Frequently asked questions about a trip to Izmir