Alsancak
NightlifeBars and the seafront.
Izmir city guide
Things To Do In Izmir
Turkey's relaxed third city on the Aegean, with a palm-lined seafront, a sprawling old bazaar and the best nightlife on the coast. Selçuk and Ephesus are an hour away, and Çeşme and Alaçatı even closer.
6
Hostels in the city
7.6
Average, from 2,806 reviews
1901
The Konak clock tower
1907
The Asansör
1 h
To Selçuk and Ephesus
The Aegean city
Izmir, ancient Smyrna, is Turkey's third-largest city and one of its most liberal and outward-looking. It spreads around a deep bay, with the Kordon, a long seafront promenade, at its heart.
Most of the old city burned in 1922, so Izmir is not a museum-piece city like Istanbul. Its appeal is its easy-going life: evenings on the Kordon, the Kemeraltı bazaar, and the bars of Alsancak.
It is also the gateway to the Aegean. Ephesus is reached through Selçuk, an hour away, the windsurfing and stone houses of Çeşme and Alaçatı are an hour west, and Pergamon is to the north. Two days in the city is right.
Where to stay
Stay in Alsancak for bars and the seafront, or Konak for the bazaar.
Konak
First-timersThe clock tower and bazaar.
Orange labels are neighbourhoods, dots are the 6 top-rated hostels. Map © MapTiler © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do in Izmir
Walk the Kordon at sunset, when all of Izmir seems to be out on the promenade. The clock tower on Konak Square, built in 1901, is the symbol of the city.
Kemeraltı, one of the largest bazaars in Turkey, runs back from Konak through old hans and mosques. The ancient Agora of Smyrna is at its edge.
Ride the Asansör, a lift built in 1907, up to a cliff-top street with views over the bay. Climb Kadifekale, the hilltop fortress, for sunset.
For Ephesus, take the İzBAN train south to Selçuk. Çeşme and Alaçatı are an hour west by bus, and Pergamon, a UNESCO site, is two hours north.
Free things
Free things to do in Izmir
The Kordon, Konak Square and Kemeraltı are free to wander.
The Asansör costs almost nothing, and the view from Kadifekale is free.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking in Izmir
Izmir's breakfast is boyoz, a flaky pastry, with a boiled egg. Kumru, a sandwich of cheese and sausage, is the street snack. Seafood and meze are the evening meal.
Kemeraltı is the place for cheap food. A lokanta meal is €4 to €7.
Nightlife
Going out in Izmir
Alsancak, north of the centre, has the best nightlife on the Aegean coast, with dozens of bars in the back streets, busy every night. Izmir is one of the most relaxed cities in Turkey about going out.
A beer is €4 to €6.
Getting around
Getting around Izmir
The centre is walkable, and the metro, trams and ferries across the bay are cheap. The İzBAN suburban train reaches the airport and continues to Selçuk in about an hour and a quarter.
Buses reach Çeşme in about an hour and Pergamon (Bergama) in about two.
Costs
What Izmir costs
Izmir is cheaper than Istanbul. Dorms start around €12. A careful day is €35 to €50.
The currency is the Turkish lira, and prices change quickly with inflation; these are euro equivalents. Cards work widely, bank ATMs are best, and always pay in lira rather than accepting a conversion.
Safety
Staying safe in Izmir
Izmir is safe.
Izmir sits in an earthquake zone; know the emergency exits where you stay.
Emergency number is 112.
Day trips from Izmir
The Aegean coast and its ancient cities.
Selçuk and Ephesus
The great Roman city.
Çeşme and Alaçatı
Beaches, windsurfing and stone houses.
Pergamon
A hilltop acropolis, a UNESCO site.
What's on
What is on while you are there
The International Izmir Fair has run since the 1920s.
Staff pick
9–11 October
İzmir Coffee Festival
İzmir Coffee Festival is a lively celebration of coffee culture in İzmir, Turkey, bringing together specialty roasters, coffee enthusiasts, and industry experts from around…
10 October
Sila
Sıla brings her powerful vocals and the emotional depth of her 2026 album "Kafa Yüksek Kalp Kırık" to an open-air stage on Victory Day.…
1 October
Conspiracy in the Dark
A murder mystery dinner party meets interactive theatre in this comedy where you become part of the investigation. When investment expert Evren collapses with…
1–4 October
Milyonfest
Milyonfest İzmir is a four-day music festival taking place October 1–4, 2026, at the historic Havagazı Fabrikası in İzmir. The festival brings live music…
1 October
Sefa Doğanay
Sefa Doğanay brings his new stand-up show "Kokpit" to İzmir as part of his Türkiye tour. Known for his imitations and the funny stories…
2 October
Derya Uluğ
Derya Uluğ is a Turkish pop singer from İzmir, Turkey, and she won the "Best Newcomer Soloist" award at the 43rd Golden Butterfly Awards…
4 October
Sertab Erener
Sertab Erener, one of Turkish music's most celebrated voices, brings her commanding stage presence to İzmir's open-air theater. Known for her powerful vocals and…
6 October
Nil Karaibrahimgil
Nil Karaibrahimgil's beloved songs take on new depth when reimagined with full symphonic arrangements, blending the energy of pop with the grandeur of classical…
Hostels
Where to stay in Izmir
The top-rated places to stay in Izmir right now, live from Hostelworld.
Hotel Baylan
See dates and book
Shantihome Hostel Izmir
Dorms from €21 a night
See dates and book
Lotus Garden Hostel Izmir
Dorms from €19 a night
See dates and book
Laguna House
See dates and book
Titan House Hostel
Dorms from €6 a night
See dates and book
İN HOUSE RAGİP PAŞA KONAĞI
Dorms from €13 a night
See dates and book
When to go
April to June and September to October. Summers are hot.
Jan
Mild
Feb
Quiet
Mar
Spring
Apr
Good
May
Excellent
Jun
Izmir Festival
Jul
Hot
Aug
Hot
Sep
Izmir Fair
Oct
Good
Nov
Rainy
Dec
Quiet
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs.
What your trip will cost
Pick how you travel. Per person per night, in euros.
Prices are euro equivalents and move quickly with lira inflation.
—
- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Izmir travel questions
The ones we get asked most.
Is Izmir the base for Ephesus?
It works, but Selçuk is right next to Ephesus and an hour away by İzBAN train.
Is Izmir worth visiting?
Yes, for the seafront, the bazaar and the Aegean's best nightlife.
How far is Çeşme?
About an hour by bus.
How do I get from the airport?
By İzBAN train or bus.
Is Izmir liberal?
It is one of the most relaxed cities in Turkey.
How many days do you need?
Two, plus day trips.
When is the best time to visit?
April to June and September to October.
Say yes to hostels, meet the world
Compare Izmir hostels — live prices, real reviews and free cancellation on most bookings. Then meet the people already there in the app.
Get the App.