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Selcuk Castle, Izmir © rash_g

Overview
Izmir is Turkey's third largest city, a busy port, commercial centre and gateway to the Aegean Coast, but despite its size (population around three million) and importance it still retains enough holiday ambience to draw visitors to linger. Izmir is lively and cosmopolitan, and it is also scenic with palm-lined promenades lining the bay, backed by graceful avenues and attractive horizontal terraces rising up the slopes of the surrounding mountains. Visitors come to see the sights, haggle in the colourful bazaar, and dine on delicious meals at the many waterfront restaurants. Formerly known as Smyrna, Izmir is ancient, dating from around 3,000 BC, but today is thoroughly modern, having been almost obliterated by a fire in 1922 and rebuilt. There is still some worthy sightseeing to be done in the city, however, like the 19th-century clock tower, the 18th-century Konak Cami mosque, and an archaeology museum. A must-see is the city's landmark public elevator, linking Mithatpasa Street with the summit of the hill at Halil Rifat Pasa, from where there is a stunning view across the city and the bay. The best way to enjoy Izmir is to join the promenaders in the balmy evening air strolling on the esplanade, or jogging along in a horse-drawn carriage, between Konak Meydan and Alsancak.

Shopping
Like any modern city and holiday destination, Izmir has its share of shopping centres, and here the best stores are to be found lining the Kordon Promenades in Alsancak, Karsiyaka and Cumhuriyet Avenue. Visitors, however, do better to head for the atmospheric old district with its narrow streets and hidden doorways. There are bustling markets in Konak Square and Kemeraltý. There is a larger mall called Forum in nearby Bornova. Shopping here is a fascinating experience, and you can buy anything from antiques and dried figs (for which Izmir is famous), to fine jewellery, hand-made shoes and a variety of clothing.

• Great purchases in Izmir; clothing, some antiques like old copper pots and tea servers. The city has outlet stores for famous retailers like Boss. Cotton fabrics are made here, so linens, quality towels, embroidered table cloths can be found for great prices. Textiles can be bought for very reasonable prices, as factories here export to Europe for well known clothing brands. There is a clothing bazaar near the Hatay shopping area every Tuesday. It is near a military hospital on a side street, well known to the locals. However, it is mainly for local tastes, you might find better clothing in the Hatay shops themselves. Bigger sizes can sometimes be hard to find though. : D...See More Tips  |  Add Tip

 

Restaurants
The holiday destination of Izmir is renowned for its many seafood restaurants, but whatever your taste it is catered for in this city, which is well supplied with extremely affordable good eateries, particularly along the Kordon Boyu Promenade. The local speciality is the delectable fish, Cipura, so popular that it is farmed and served up in dozens of city restaurants. It is best enjoyed grilled, with a salad of fresh greens and herbs sprinkled with olive oil. Reputedly Izmir's top seafood restaurant is the Deniz, while for traditional Turkish, spiced up with belly dancing, head to the Sini Sofrasi restaurant, or Topçu'nun Yeri, a down-to-earth sidewalk cafe.

• Try the local fish, Cipura. Delish! : Jeremy...See More Tips  |  Add Tip

 

Nightlife
Holidaymakers will find that the nightlife in Izmir can be as hectic or as sedate as you wish. Most of the after dark action for visitors is centred on the Kordon Boyu, Passport Pier and Karsiyaka, where nightclubs and bars stay open until the early hours. 1448 Sokak in Alsancak has a number of clubs, and is a popular area for gay nightlife. More cultural entertainment is on offer too, like performances of the Aegean Philharmonic Orchestra. The city is particularly lively during the annual International Arts Festival, which takes place between June and July, and the carnival-like International Fare at the end of August.

• In the Goztepe district, Eye Hill in Turkish, there are great tea and coffee tables set outside, across the road from the seaside bay. Near the seaside road that goes from Konak onwards to Cesme, Goztepe is a kilometer or two near the start of the toll road that leads to Cesme. It can be reached by ferry at the Goztepe terminal, just walk down the seaside promenade to the pedestrian bridge and over to the other side. Hundreds of meters of tables and happy chatter greet you as residents escape their warm apartments in summer for a cup of orange or black tea. A festive atmosphere and European feel prevails. : D...See More Tips  |  Add Tip

 

Activities
Izmir boasts some interesting archaeological sites and museums, including the Izmir Museum of Archaeology, but when history and culture begins to pall visitors can relax in the city's parks. Kulturpark, site of the annual International Fair, provides a good day out all year round with its amusement park, zoo, restaurant and tranquil gardens; Fuar has many restaurants, bars, and kebab stalls. Kadifekale castle is a popular attractions, as well as the Teleferik cable car. You can also walk along the waterfront promenade or wander the small streets of Alsancak. There are numerous opportunities for excursions out of the city. Just a short dolmus (mini-bus) ride away to the west is the beautiful Cesme Peninsula with its stretches of sandy beach, where visitors can enjoy watersports or take a boat trip along the coast. Various local operators offer day trips into the surrounding countryside, taking in a variety of interesting destinations from thermal baths and fishing villages to the famous Roman ruins of Ephesus.

• Great thing to do is stay or visit the Bolcova Thermal hotel (the locals may know it by its former name, The Princess) when the weather gets cooler. Great thermal, covered swimming pool to sooth the aching bones, with an outdoor cooler pool that is a little chilly in winter. The Bolcova Thermal is a great alternative to the central hotels like the Hilton or Swiss. It is in the outlying part of the town, Bolcova, which is near a long strip of shopping malls. Plenty of places to eat in the malls, and the recreation/seaside area nearby (a short taxi ride) is great for strolling, hiking or jogging. The hotel itself is at the base of a hill, with nice surrounding trees in the area. Much better than downtown in winter when the city area is sometimes covered with smoke from coal-burning furnaces from the area residents. : D...See More Tips  |  Add Tip

 

Negatives
Visitors should be aware that temperatures can be extreme in the height of summer.

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