Alsancak
NightlifeBars and the seafront.
Izmir city guide
Izmir Travel Guide
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
8.1
Average, from 2,822 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 data from 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.
14 Sep – 15 Jan
Exhibition: Romantica & A Lifetime's Journey
A multi-layered exhibition exploring the life, works, and cultural legacy of poet Nazım Hikmet arrives in Izmir this September. Opening alongside the 95th Izmir…
17 Oct – 16 Nov
A Tenor Wanted
İzmir Devlet Opera ve Balesi brings the beloved Broadway musical comedy "Lend Me a Tenor" (known as "Bir Tenor Aranıyor" in Turkish) to its…
Hostels
Where to stay in Izmir
The top-rated places to stay in Izmir right now, live from Hostelworld.
Hotel Baylan
Rooms from €9 a night
See dates and book
Shantihome Hostel Izmir
Dorms from €21 a night
See dates and book
Titan House Hostel
Dorms from €6 a night
See dates and book
Lotus Garden Hostel Izmir
Dorms from €19 a night
See dates and book
Laguna House
Rooms from €3 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.
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- 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.
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