Must Do's
• Taste Boyoz, a type of pastry, for breakfast
• Take a ferry ride across the Gulf of Izmir and enjoy cruising on the Aegean Sea
• Explore the nearby towns of Seferihisar (Cittaslow), Urla, Alaçatı, Çeşme, and Foça
• Take a walk in Kültürpark, the city’s central park
• Enjoy the view from the historic elevator in Karataş
• Indulge in local delicacies, handcrafts and souvenirs in Historical Kemeraltı Market
İzmir Clock Tower
İzmir Clock Tower, the symbol of the city, was built in 1901 as the celebration of the 25th anniversary of Ottoman Sultan Abdulhamid’s accesion to the throne. It is 25 meters high, has four levels and an octagonal plan. The Clock Tower has column capitals, horseshoe arches unique to North Africa, and the facades of the building are filled with no gaps. It has an architectural inspiration from the buildings of North Africa and Andalusia.
Historical Elevator
It is an elevator tower that houses two elevators between Mithatpaşa Street and the Nihat Bey Street which is at a higher altitude. It was built in 1907 to facilitate transportation, between the districts due to the 50-meter difference between the streets. The elevator tower has 3 floors. During World War I, the lower floor of the elevator was used as a casino, the middle floor as a photo hall and the upper floor as a cinema. Standing tall for 105 years, the elevator continues to function today as a cafe, bar and restaurant, attracting tourists with its unique view and offering a unique view of İzmir.
Kıbrıs Şehitleri Avenue
Kıbrıs Şehitleri Avenue, translated as Cyprus Martyrs Street, is considered one of the busiest hubs of downtown İzmir with its colorful shops, cafes and bookstores.
It is a pedestrian street located in the Alsancak district. In addition to the shops of world-famous brands, there are bars and cafes on the side streets, where many products, from ethnic patterned handmade bags to leather shoes, designer hats to souvenirs, clothing and accessories are available. On some of the side streets, you can find bookstores and booksellers. After some shopping, you can sit in one of the cafes and read your book while sipping your Turkish coffee.
Kordon
With a beauty that inspired many songs, Kordon is a must-see place in İzmir. It’s one of the city’s symbols, where locals and visitors meet the Aegean Sea, watch the sunset or lie down on the grass and relax during summer and spring. Once famous for its Levantine houses with marble stairs, and its mansions peculiar to İzmir, Kordon still has some architectural attractions where you can find traces of the past. In Kordon, there are numerous luxury restaurants, bars, cafes, and pubs that cater to different needs.
İzmir Archaeology Museum
İzmir Archaeology Museum, which was opened in 1927 in Aya Vukla (Gozlu) Church to exhibit the works uncovered by archaeological excavations in the city, today welcomes its visitors in its modern building in Bahribaba Park in Konak.
İzmir Archaeology Museum, which is one of the first museums in Türkiye, hosts findings from the 8,500-year-long history of İzmir and it is one of the first museums to visit in the city.
The museum, which covers an area of 5.000 m2, hosts artefacts and finds from the excavations in various parts of the city including Bayraklı (Smyrna), Ephesus, and Bergama.
One of the fascinating artefacts in the İzmir Archeology Museum is the marble “Androklos Statue” dated to Roman times, belonging to the founder of Ephesus, Androklos
İnciraltı and İnciraltı Naval Museum
İnciraltı has long been one of the favourite places for weekend excursions of İzmir residents. The area, with fish restaurants on the beach, flower gardens and large tangerine orchards, has been revived as a large recreation area with the new regulations.
İzmir Bird Sanctuary
Bird Sanctuary, also known as Kuş Cenneti (Bird Paradise) spreads over an area of 8000 hectares within the Çamaltı Salt pans in Çiğli. The Sanctuary is home to over 270 bird species, with endangered crested pelicans, pygmy cormorants and black storks, it is one of the most important wetlands of our country. Çamaltı Salt pans and Bird Paradise are a rare blessing for nature lovers and photographers. Salt pans, which are at Gediz Delta, meet an essential part of Türkiye’s salt needs, with an annual capacity of 600 thousand tonnes. It is the largest sea saltworks in Türkiye. Bird Sanctuary, where 50 thousand birds visit annually, is on the migration route of the birds and is also an archaeological site. The Bird Sanctuary has a visitor centre, bird-watching towers, binoculars and touring bikes.
Ephesus
The foundation of the ancient city of Ephesus within the borders of the Selçuk District goes back to 6000 BCE. The biggest temple dedicated to Artemis, the Artemision, of the 6th century BCE was built at the skirts of Ayasuluk hill in front of the earliest harbour of the city. It is based on the ancient mother goddess tradition of Anatolia. The temple is considered to be one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world.
Ephesus and its environs are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in four components: Çukuriçi Höyük (Mound), Ayasuluk Hill (Selçuk Castle, St. John’s Basilica, İsa Bey Bath, İsa Bey Mosque, Artemision), Ephesus Ancient City, and the House of Virgin Mary. Ancient Ephesus has been inhabited continuously for about 9000 years, from the prehistoric period to the Hellenistic, Roman, Eastern Roman, Turkish Principalities and Ottoman periods. It has been a very important port city and cultural and commercial center its history.
The House of Virgin Mary
Virgin Mary House is located on the Bulbul Mountain, 9 km from Selcuk. It is known that John brought Virgin Mary to Ephesus 4 or 6 years after the death of Jesus. In 1891, based on the dream of the German nun A. Katherina Emerich, the Lazarist priests discovered that the house where the Virgin Mary spent her last days was at the end of this research.
This event is a new invention in Christianity and sheds light on the world of religion. This structure was planned over and then restored. The house is considered sacred by Muslims, the Pope VI. After the visit of Paul in 1967, the rituals are held every year on August 15, attracting a lot of attention.
Çeşme Peninsula
Surrounded by sandy beaches and turquoise waters, Çeşme peninsula attracts beach lovers, surfers and yachting enthusiasts every summer. The route between Çeşme and Kuşadası is the area where yacht tourism is very busy. The small bays which extend side by side in the south of the sub-district of Alaçatı and Seferihisar-Teos Marina are paradise for yacht and surf lovers.
Seferihisar – Sığacık
One of Türkiye’s first “cittaslow” cities, Seferihisar is a perfect blend of nature and city life. Within walking distance to the well-preserved ancient city of Teos and a still alive mediaeval port-castle Sığacık, Seferihisar offers diverse activities in a historical setting.
Foça
The district of Foça is situated on the site of the ancient city of Phocaea and is said to have been founded by the very same people who founded the French city of Marseilles, Attalia in Corsica, and Ampurias in Catalonia. Around 600 BCE the inhabitants of Foça decorated their buildings, temples and ships with wooden statues of cockerels, and according to a legend, one such statue is still hidden somewhere in the town.
Alaçatı
This picturesque village is about an hour’s drive from İzmir. In recent years, Alaçatı has become one of Türkiye’s most popular summer destinations thanks to its pristine beaches and authentic Aegean charm. With its signature stone houses and cobblestone streets, Alaçatı is a great day-trip destination where you can spend a few blissful hours sightseeing, shopping and trying the local flavors. The village hosts many culinary events, most notably the Alaçatı Herb Festival in April which promotes the region’s very extensive herb culture.
Alaçatı is also a major center for windsurfing and kitesurfing due to its windy conditions. Windmills dot the hills above Alaçatı, a delightful and typical Aegean town, with some converted into cafes. Many lovely bays along the coast are accessible only by boats, ensuring peaceful and relaxing anchorage in this popular sailing region.
Pergamum
The ancient city of Pergamum, an hour from İzmir, was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2014. It’s a settlement that was rebuilt constantly and persisted in the stage of history due to its strategic location, though it was exposed to many occupations and destructions in the past. Having been conquered by Alexander the Great after Persian rule, Pergamum’s golden era was during the 2nd century BCE when it became the capital of the Kingdom of Pergamum. Pergamum was a centre of health, culture and arts for many years, with Anatolia’s largest library and spectacular sculptures hewn by accomplished artists.
