Cheap flights to Izmir

Quick summary

The Aegean metropolis

An Izmir city break, with antiquity on the doorstep

Izmir, ancient Smyrna, is Turkey's third most populous city after Istanbul and Ankara, with more than 4 million people in its province, and a major port on the Aegean. Yet an Izmir city break feels relaxed: a long seafront, a sprawling bazaar and more than 3,000 years of recorded urban history. It is also the natural base for Ephesus, Pergamon and the windsurfing town of Alaçatı.

The Kordon

A seafront promenade since the 1850s

From the waterfront to Alsancak

The Kordon dates back to the 1850s and runs for about 1.5 km along the water, lined with palm trees, to fashionable Alsancak. You can take a horse-drawn fayton ride along it. In town, the Asansör, a historic lift from 1907, has a restaurant at the top with views over the bay, and it is free to use.

Konak and Kemeraltı

The Clock Tower and a vast historic bazaar

The Clock Tower, built in 1901 on Konak Square, stands next to a small octagonal mosque of 1755 decorated with Kütahya tiles. Behind it begins Kemeraltı, the bazaar that goes back to the 17th century and spreads over several kilometres of alleys, with its mosques and caravanserais such as the Kızlarağası Han of 1745.

Neighbourhoods to know

Alsancak, a district of cafés and bars set in old Greek houses, comes alive in the evening. For a beach you need to head about 20 km west, towards Güzelbahçe and further on to Çeşme: the city-centre waterfront is not meant for swimming.

Museums and sites

Museums, the ancient agora and Kadifekale hill

Opening hours and closing days vary between museums and by season, so check them before you go (to be checked). The Balçova cable car gives another view over the bay, a few kilometres from the centre.

History

Smyrna, a port of many communities

Settlement traces in the area go back thousands of years, and Smyrna was a major Greek settlement by the 8th century BCE. By the early 17th century foreign consulates had moved here, and the population became mixed: Muslims, Greeks, Armenians, Jews and Europeans lived side by side. Smyrna is also one of the Seven Churches of the Book of Revelation.

1922 and the modern city

Greek forces occupied the city in 1919, and Turkish forces retook it on 9 September 1922. A fire that began a few days later spread through the Greek, Armenian and European quarters, displacing a very large number of people. The death toll remains highly uncertain and varies widely between sources. Izmir was rebuilt in the following years, and the International Fair has been held here every year since 1936.

Day trips

Ephesus, Pergamon and Alaçatı from Izmir

Ephesus

Founded in the 10th century BCE, Ephesus had more than 200,000 inhabitants in Roman times. The Library of Celsus, from the early 2nd century CE, once held about 12,000 scrolls, and the Great Theatre held more than 20,000 spectators. Nearby stood the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The ruins lie about 4 km from Selçuk, which the İZBAN line serves, and St John's Basilica and the House of the Virgin Mary round off the visit; the Terrace Houses need a separate ticket.

Pergamon

Capital of the Attalid dynasty from 281 to 133 BCE, Pergamon has one of the steepest theatres of the ancient world, about 10,000 seats in 78 rows, and once held a library of 200,000 scrolls. The Asklepieion lies 3 km away, a cable car climbs to the acropolis, and the famous Gigantomachy frieze of the Pergamon Altar is now in Berlin.

Alaçatı

The windsurf bay, about 3 km from the town centre, combines shallow flat water, a sandy bottom and the often-strong summer Meltem wind. It hosts legs of the PWA Windsurfing World Cup every August. A Havaş bus links the airport with Çeşme and Alaçatı.

Food and drink

Kumru, boyoz and grilled fish

Izmir is a city of street food and fish. Kumru is a warm sandwich in a sesame-seed bun filled with Turkish sausage, melted cheese and tomatoes, best eaten early in the day, still warm from the bakery. Boyoz, a flaky, oily pastry, is a breakfast treat with tea or a gevrek.

At the table

Grilled fish, especially sea bass, is best tried along the waterfront and in the restaurants of Alsancak. Tulum peyniri, a cheese from the region, and çöp şiş, small skewers of meat, round out the table. Prices vary a lot from one vendor to another.

Getting there and around

Adnan Menderes Airport, the İZBAN train and the metro

In town, the network combines the metro, İZBAN, three tram lines and ferries across the bay. The İzmirim Kart works on all modes.

When to go

When to visit Izmir?

Length of stay

How many days, what budget and what formalities

Recommended length

A weekend covers the city and one excursion; allow three to four days to add Ephesus, Pergamon and the Çeşme peninsula.

Cost level

Low to medium: street food, city transport and ferries stay affordable, while seafront hotels and organised excursions are the main expenses.

Entry rules and common sense

Depending on your nationality, an e-visa or an exemption applies: check the official site evisa.gov.tr and your own government's advice (to be checked). Izmir is a big tourist and university city, and the usual precautions (keep an eye on belongings in the bazaar and on public transport) are enough. In mosques, cover shoulders and knees and take your shoes off at the door.

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In pictures

Izmir in pictures

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