Izmir Travel Guide

 
by paganita
 
  •   Izmir
    by paganita
  •   Izmir
    by rocolita
  • izmir by night
      izmir by night
    by traveloturc
  •   Izmir
    by benazer
  • Enjoying the boat trip from Karsiyaka to Konak
      Enjoying the boat trip from Karsiyaka to...
    by muratkorman
 

Pro

itk33 profile photo

 Right size of a big city, greatest people, location and weather 


Con

FAIRYCHIMNEY profile photo

 I WISH THERE WAS NO MOTORWAY IN THIS CITY 


In a nutshell

vonmilla profile photo

 The climate of Los Angeles, the landforms of San Francisco, the traffic of New York, and the food of the whole Aegean region 

 

Explore Izmir

Things to Do  

Beach

Beach, Izmir

 solopes Says:  I must confess that my experience in Izmir was confined to a day spent in a good hotel, about 6 Km from town, and by the beach. I got the idea that the beach was better (less windy) than the one in Cesme, where we spent a week, that's why it was hard to understand why do... 

Karsiyaka

Karsiyaka, Izmir

 muratkorman Says:  Karsiyaka is one of the popular regions in Izmir. There is a pedestrian street full of shops and restaurants. You can take a walk on the seaside. You can also take the boat to Konak or Pasaport boat stations. 

Kemeralti Market

Kemeralti Market, Izmir

 muratkorman Says:  Kemeralti is the famous market area behind Konak Square. You can find many shops specialized in different trades. It's especially crowded during the weekends. Tourists also prefer this area. You can bargain with the prices of most items. There are shops to get some souvenirs... 

Konak Square

Konak Square, Izmir

 Arkeolog Says:  Konak Meydani (Konak square) is the centre of Izmir city. Due to the presence of such official institutions as the municipal and governorship buildings coupled with a concentration of shopping facilities in this square, it setrves as a meeting and intersecting point for... 

St. Polycarp Church

St. Polycarp Church, Izmir

 Arkeolog Says:  St. Polycarp Church This church is located at the intersection of Gaziosmanpaþa Blvd. And Necatibey Blvd. On the way from Cumhuriyet Square to Basmane. The building was built in 1625 in honour of St. Polycarp, who was killed in A.D. 155 in Kadifekale at the age of 86... 

Agora

Agora, Izmir

 Willettsworld Says:  The Agora was the largest of its kind in the world and was established in 333 BC by Alexander the Great on the slopes of Mt. Pagos but was ruined in an earthquake in AD 178 and rebuilt soon after by Marcus Aurelius. The Agora was originally partially excavated in 1932-41,... 

Kizlaragasi Han

Kizlaragasi Han, Izmir

 Willettsworld Says:  This impressive building in the Kemeralti Bazaar was built as a caravanserai in 1744. It's the only covered part of the bazaar and, because of this, is touristy with a tea garden in the courtyard and antique shops on the second floor. Nice all the same for a wander around. 

Kemeralti Bazaar

Kemeralti Bazaar, Izmir

 Willettsworld Says:  This is the main bazaar in Izmir and is a must visit just to wander around it's maze of mini streets. It doesn't have the same feel or is as exotic as the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul as it's not covered and the shops and stalls aren't as touristy. However, there is a building... 

Hotels  

Hilton Izmir

 9 Reviews and 173 Opinions  Unfortunately I was not impressed with the Hilton hotels in Turkey. Of all the 5 star hotels we... 

Swissotel Grand Efes Izmir

 1 Review and 261 Opinions  I arrived around midnight and was greated by a very nice lady speaking excellent English, who gave... 

Restaurants  

Isabey Winyards & Winehouse: Nice food and wine

Isabey Winyards & Winehouse: Nice food and wine, Izmir

 Kontes Says:  This restaurant belongs to Sevilen Wines Company. A beatutiful garden with horses and some other animals, green and peaceful. Just outside of Izmir, very close to the international airport. Delicious food and wines, for tasting Turkish wines where also ou can buy them from... 

OhannesBurger: Best Burger Ever!

OhannesBurger: Best Burger Ever!, Izmir

 dennise_ali Says:  This is one of the best burgers I have ever had. They have gigantic homemade burgers with recipes around the world. They don't have much options, I think there is only 4-5 burgers, but who needs choice when every single one of the burgers are heavenly. The bread is also... 

Nightlife  

Ooze Venue: Great Music, Lovely people

Ooze Venue: Great Music, Lovely people, Izmir

 dennise_ali Says:  Ooze Venue, located in Bornova has one of the best nightlife experiences in Izmir. Every Wednesday Friday and Saturday, two great bands perform: Kirli and Cirkef. Cirkef is especially good, their lead has an excaptionally good voice, and you just cannot stand still.... 

Transportation  

Airport transfer

Airport transfer, Izmir

 muratkorman Says:  The most convenient way to travel from the airport to the city center or vice versa is by the metro. This travel will cost you 2 credits from kentkart (approximately 4 TL). If you would take a taxi, that would cost you around 70 TL. Depending on the metro stop you will... 

Izmir Kentkart

Izmir Kentkart, Izmir

 muratkorman Says:  For transportation in Izmir, you need to get Kentkart which you can use in boats, metro and buses. Tokens are not used anymore in Izmir and if you would like to use public transportation, you need to get kentkart from various outlets available in the city. You can follow the... 

Train to Istanbul

Train to Istanbul, Izmir

 alectrevor Says:  There is now a fast train from Izmir to Ankara. The train i took was the 09.15 am to Istanbul by train and ferry. Buses go from the otagar outside city centre.See my Istanbul page for info and pictures on Train Izmir to Istanbul As of 2011 i notice that trains from Izmir now... 

Warnings and Dangers  

shopping street hustlers

shopping street hustlers, Izmir

 coreykorhan Says:  MOSTLY @ KEMERALTI and KONAK area, wich is shopping market area where you can almost find anything and CHEEP!! this area is located right behind the famoous clock tower and mostly choosen by locals for all there shopping needs.Here also you will find a lots of really good... 

Tourist Traps  

KEMERALTI

KEMERALTI, Izmir

 coreykorhan Says:  MOSTLY @ KEMERALTI and KONAK area, wich is shopping market area where you can almost find anything and CHEEP!! this area is located right behind the famoous clock tower and mostly choosen by locals for all there shopping needs.Here also you will find a lots of really good... 

Off The Beaten Path  

Tire: Apollo Faced Marsyas and...?

Tire: Apollo Faced Marsyas and...?, Izmir

 Pinat Says:  Tire, a pretty town 80 km. from Izmir center is the place where Apollo, the god of music and poetry faced the shepherd Marsyas. He asked Marsyas for a music competition. If you feel like learning the results, then you should visit my Tire pages:)Of course Tire is not only... 

Kula - The First Geothermal Park of Turkey

Kula - The First Geothermal Park of Turkey, Izmir

 Pinat Says:  Kula is a small town in the province of Manisa and 150 km. from Izmir city center. In that sense, it is truly off the beaten path for Izmir (It requires 300 km of driving assuming you don't want to sleep over). If you have time, believe me it is worth the effort.I wanted to... 

Sports & Outdoors  

Ege Barakuda

Ege Barakuda, Izmir

 Tdiver Says:  Great place to dive with either in the bay or up the coast near Cesme.Equipment and standards very high obviously as it's a 5 star IDC centre.Last year became a National Geographic dive centre as well,so big on the enviroment.If you haven't got something the shop is packed... 

Go for skiing if your timing is correct!

Go for skiing if your timing is correct!, Izmir

 Pinat Says:  It's a bit strange to write a skiing tip for Izmir as the city is related with sun rather than snow, or with summer rather than winter. However, if you are in Izmir between December and March and if you are really desperate to go skiing, there is a place, actually a mountain... 

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Map of Izmir