Izmir, Turkey: Where to stay, Things to see, Public transport

Izmir, Turkey is the 3rd biggest city in the country with over 3 million people living there. It is located on the Aegan sea, about 1 hour flight from Istanbul. Izmir (city) does not have a beach*, but there are so many things to see and to do, that you can easily spend a week there, exploring the city and nearby historical sights.

*Note that there are beautiful beaches in Izmir Province.

I hope my Travel Guide to Izmir, Turkey will help you make the most of your time in the city. Best places to stay for sightseeing, where to eat, how to use public transport and what to see in Izmir – we will cover all those essential questions.

For places to eat in Izmir (and there are plenty!) check out this article
Where to eat in Izmir, Turkey

What to see and to do | Travel Guide to Izmir, Turkey

In this article I will show you all the best attractions and explain where to stay in Izmir, so you can walk to most things and take advantage of the very efficient public transport system. I will show you how much you can expect to spend on hotels, transportation.

Izmir, Turkey: the city with 8500 years of history

Izmir was known as Smyrna in ancient times, it was founded by Greeks, taken over by Romans and became part of Ottoman Empire in 15th century. If you are a fan of ancient cites, Izmir should definitely be on your travel map.

Izmir, Turkey: how to get from airport to city

Outside the airport in Izmir you will find official yellow taxi and Havabus, that will take you to the City Centre.

For us the most convenient option was to use the metro. Right at the station you buy Izmirim card. Deposit is 15 TL, and 20TL you load on it. That will be enough for 3 rides (6.5TL each). Note that Prices in Turkey are changing fast due to high inflation rates, so the prices mentioned here might have already changed.

At the end I will give you more practical advice how to use public transport and taxi in Izmir.

Izmir, Turkey: Where to stay? Neighbourhoods

Where to stay in Izmir depends on whether you want to be close to all the attractions or prefer a more residential neighborhood.

But before you start packing your bags, you’re probably wondering where to stay in Izmir. With so many different neighborhoods and accommodations to choose from, it can be a bit overwhelming. However, don’t fret! I’ve got you covered. Here’s a rundown of the best places to stay in Izmir:

Konak District

Konak is the main district to stay for tourists in Izmir, and for good reason. Located in the heart of the city, Konak includes the neighborhoods of Alsancak, Culture, Passport, and Kemeralti. Here are some reasons why Konak is a great:

• Close to the main attractions: Konak is home to some of Izmir’s most famous landmarks, including the Konak Square and the clock tower. It’s also where you’ll find the Kemeralti bazaar, a bustling market that’s perfect for shopping and exploring.
• Plenty of accommodation options: Whether you’re looking for a luxury hotel or a budget-friendly hostel, Konak has it all. You’ll find a range of accommodations here, so you’re sure to find something that fits your needs and budget.
• Vibrant nightlife: If you’re looking to party, Konak is the place to be. This neighborhood is home to many bars and clubs that cater to a young and lively crowd.

Karsiyaka Neighbourhood

If you’re looking for a more local-style place to stay in Izmir, then Karsiyaka might be just what you’re looking for. This neighborhood is located on the other side of the Izmir Bay and can be reached by ferry in just 15 minutes. Here are some reasons why Karsiyaka is great :

• Authentic experience: Karsiyaka is less touristy than Konak, which means you’ll get a more authentic experience of daily life in Izmir. Here, you’ll find local restaurants, cafes, and shops that cater to the local community.
• Affordable accommodations: If you’re on a budget, Karsiyaka is a great place to stay. You’ll find plenty of affordable apartments and guesthouses here that won’t break the bank.
• Beautiful scenery: Karsiyaka is known for its stunning views of the Izmir Bay and the surrounding mountains. If you’re looking for a peaceful and picturesque place to stay, Karsiyaka is definitely worth considering.

What to see in Izmir, Turkey

Izmir is a big city with many places to see. Don’t miss Kadifekale Castle, a majestic fortress that offers stunning views of the city and the sea. Next, visit the ancient Roman Agora, a sprawling open-air market that dates back to the second century AD. And make sure to walk by iconic Clock Tower, a symbol of the city and a beloved meeting spot for locals and tourists alike.

Ephesus, UNESCO World Heritage Site | Travel Guide to Izmir, Turkey

A trip to Izmir, Turkey would be incomplete without visiting this amazing historical site! Even more, most tourists who come to Izmir want to see this UNESCO World Heritage Site first.

Ephesus is an ancient Greek city located near the modern-day Selçuk, Turkey.

One of the most interesting places to explore in Ephesus is the House of the Virgin Mary, where it is believed that the mother of Jesus spent her last years. It’s an inspiring place that will make you feel the peacefulness that surrounds the area.

The Ancient City of Ephesus is also a must-visit. There you can see the remains of a once-thriving Roman city, such as the famous Library of Celsus and the impressive Great Theatre.

If you’re a fan of ancient architecture, you will be amazed by the Temple of Artemis. This stunning temple was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and its ruins are still impressive to this day.

And after all that walking, you can relax and enjoy the picturesque village of Sirince and try its famous fruit wines.

Ephesus is about 80 kilometers (50 miles) and 1 hour drive from Izmir. You can get there by car, train, or book a private tour.

Kıbrıs Sehitleri Street (Alsancak) | Travel Guide to Izmir, Turkey

Kıbrıs Şehitleri Street is one of the most popular streets of Izmir, both for tourists and locals. The street is closed to traffic and there are restaurants, cafes, and shopping places on it. Most of the restaurants are street food and coffee shops. On side streets you will find bars, some of them serve food too.

But the main attraction of side streets in Alsancak are balconies of the old houses. Be prepared to always look up and take lots of pictures.

Gundogdu Square. Tree of Republic sculpture. Walk along the sea promenade (Alsancak, Konak) | Travel Guide to Izmir, Turkey

Tree of the republic sculpture, was built to commemorate 80th anniversary of the Republic of Turkey in 2000.

Great spot to start a walk along the seaside. Take some bread to feed the seagulls! Here you can also have a ride on “Nostalgi” old tram.

Stay to see the red sea sunset.

For dinner – go to one of the side streets in Alsancak. Very trendy, buzzing area. There are loud bars for younger people (La Puerta, Traveller’s cafe) and more quiet cute restaurants too.

Ferry ride. Boat ride across the bay | Travel Guide to Izmir, Turkey

There are several piers along the coast in Konak and Alsancak. They go every 15/25 minutes. It’s part of the public transport system, so it’s quite inexpensive.

Seagulls follow the boat every time, take some bread.

Try to do a second ride in the evening too, Izmir after sunset is unbelievably beautiful from the sea.

If you can, go on the weekday outside of rush hours. Otherwise it might get quite crowded on the boat.

Cumhuriyet Square | Travel Guide to Izmir, Turkey

One of the main Squares of Izmir, The monument at the center of the square features an statue of Atatürk, first Turkish president, who is loved and respected by every Turkish citizen to this day.

If you want to stay in an upscale hotel, around Cumhuriyet Square you will find Swissotel, Marriott and Hillton.

Clock Tower. Konak Square | Travel Guide to Izmir, Turkey

Clock Tower is the main landmark of the city, located in the centre of Konak Square.

Konak Square is very crowded on the weekend, it’s a popular meeting point too.

Clock tower was designed by French architect and completed in 1901.

Kemeralti Bazaar (Konak) | Travel Guide to Izmir, Turkey

Kemeralti Bazaar in Izmir is a huge citycentre market. You can buy not only souvenirs, but all kinds of things. Restaurants with Turkish food, fruit and veg, household items etc.

In the centre of Kemeralti Bazaar is a Kızlarağası Hanı. Historical Inn (built in 1744). Today the lower floor is used for shopping and the upper floor is used for accommodation.

Smyrna Agora Ancient City (Konak) | Travel Guide to Izmir, Turkey

The Agora of Smyrna (Agora of İzmir) – ancient Roman agora located in Smyrna. In ancient Greece Agora was a public open space used for assemblies and markets.

Agora of Smyrna was built by the Greeks in the 4th century BC, but ruined by an earthquake in 178 AD. Under Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius it was reconstructed. Excavations started in 1933. Tickets to Smyrna Agora in Izmir are sold at the entrance.

Asansör (Elevator) | Travel Guide to Izmir, Turkey

Asansör (Turkish for “elevator”) is a historical elevator in Karataş neighbourhood in Konak.

It was built in 1907 by a wealthy Jewish banker and trader, to carry people and goods through the steep cliff between the two parts of the quarter.  It was recently restored and since then, became one of the landmarks of İzmir.

Using the elevator is free of charge and at the top there is a nice restaurant with one of the best views over Izmir, you wouldn’t want to miss it.

Kultur Park | Travel Guide to Izmir, Turkey

Kültürpark is an urban park in İzmir, Turkey, in the district of Konak. Perfect place for walks and relaxing in the nature.

Kültürpark was founded in 1936, it has been hosting the İzmir International Fair.

Facilities in the park: exhibition halls, Open Air Theater, Art Center, a marriage office, Sport Hall, an amusement park, a parachute tower, a museum, a 1,850-metre long running track, a swimming pool, tennis courts, and a football pitch. There are 7,709 trees across the park.

Velvet Castle (Kadife Kale) | Travel Guide to Izmir, Turkey

There is a possibility of taking a taxi, and they will take you by a good road all the way up to see Velvet Castle. But we did not know that and decided to walk through the route that Google suggested to us. That gave us a chance to see very interesting old local buildings.

After you walk all the way up the hill, you will be rewarded by the amazing views.

Velvet Castle itself was built in the 3rd century BC by one of the generals of Alexander the Great. the remains visible now are only the Western walls and the five towers in the Southern part. There is a small cafe inside the castle walls. Something I don’t see in Castles in Europe is that entrance is free of charge, and a lot of local people come there with children to just relax and have a nice weekend.

From the view point inside the walls of Velvet Castle (Kadife Kale) we can see another beautiful Ataturk statue, it’s his face carved into a rock.

I recommend wearing some sensible shoes when you go there, because especially if you want to climb up on the castle walls, the steps themselves can be not very even here and there.

But from the top it is yet another amazing view over Izmir.

Karsiyaka district | Travel Guide to Izmir, Turkey

Karsiyaka is to the north from the traditional centre of İzmir, which is Konak Square, at the opposite coast.

Karsiyaka district is great for shopping, culture and and tourism.

Kemal Pasha street in Karsiyaka is the main street for shopping and street food.

Don’t miss walking by the old historical buildings in the area: Löhner Köşkü, Penetti Köşkü.

Take a look at the Olof Palme Human Rights Monument near the seaside. It is a very beautiful and meaningful monument. Olof Palme was one of the Prime Ministers of Sweden, who was a victim of terrorist attacks in 1986. This monument is also known as the Statue of Liberty or the Statue of Human Rights.

Shopping | Travel Guide to Izmir, Turkey

Areas to do shopping in Izmir, Turkey:

• Kıbrıs Sehitleri street in Alsancak
• Istinye Park shopping mall – premium mall
• Hilltown shopping mall – big mall with restaurants inside

Inside Hilltown AVM you will find an open space area with cafes, restaurants, trees and a small artificial lake. Inside it’s a very big, modern shopping mall and I was surprised to see that you are even allowed to go there with your pets, even to the food court area.

Public Transport and Taxi | Travel Guide to Izmir, Turkey

Now let’s talk about how you will be able to go to all of these places in Izmir, Turkey. The city in fact has a very efficient public transport system.

Right at the airport there is a metro station and you will be able to buy an IZMIRIM travel card there. It will work The price is 15 Turkish Lira as a deposit, plus extra 20 for 3 rides. so you buy it here, and then you’re all ready to go.

Note that Prices in Turkey are changing fast due to high inflation rates, so the prices mentioned here might have already changed.

Metro and IZBAN

One of the best ways to travel around Izmir, Turkey is metro and IZBAN (tram). The trains themselves are comfortable, modern and clean.

At your destination station there will be machines, where you can refill your card. There is an interface in English. You put your card to the machine, press a couple of buttons, put in the money, and you’re good to go. We found it to be very easy.

Tram in Izmir is called IZBAN. The trams themselves are also comfortable and clean. This is a great way to see the city, if you are tired of walking or just want to cover more ground.

Bus

Another way to travel in Izmir, Turkey is buses, of course. To navigate and check for the schedule you can use a Moovit app.

Steps

All around Izmir, Turkey you will see steps parked. You can use them with a special app. Normally the instructions you will find on the step itself.

Ferry

My favorite way of traveling in Izmir is a ferry. There are multiple piers in Konak and on the other side. the ferries go every 15-25 minutes, so you don’t have to wait for too long. And even if you don’t need to travel from one coast to another, I do recommend taking a boat at least once because this is an adventure on itself.

Taxi

And let’s talk about the taxis in Izmir, Turkey. The official taxis are yellow, and you can see their license plate number on the side. At every big attraction, at every big hotel you will be able to find a taxi stand. You just go to the first one in line and tell them your destination. They all should go by the meter. You can either pay by card or buy cash. Not every taxi though you can pay by card. But personally taxi is not my favorite way to travel in Izmir, Turkey. Because traffic there is quite bad, like in every big city, so this is a no surprise.

Should you travel to in Izmir, Turkey?

Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, Izmir is a must-see destination in Turkey, and this guide will ensure you make the most of your time there. Even though Istanbul is most iconic city in Turkey, Izmir is the one considered the most modern.

In Izmir you will get a chance to see a less touristy Turkey and get to visit a UNESCO site (Ephesus). So if your travel itinerary can fit an extra 2-3 days for Izmir – go for it!

To avoid common scams, overpriced services, and tourist traps, get my detailed Istanbul Asian Side Guide here (it will save you 10x its cost on transportation and eating out alone):
 https://olgapronkina.com/istanbul (secret bonus inside!)

With tips on where to stay in Izmir, transportation, and best places to see, this guide provides a wealth of information to make your trip enjoyable and hassle-free.

So pack your bags and get ready for a journey through the vibrant city of Izmir, Turkey!

Read More: Traveling in Turkey: Your Ultimate Guide to Must-See Destinations and Insider Tips

• 

  TRAVEL GUIDES | TURKEY

  Bodrum, Turkey. Beaches, weather, restaurants, things to do

  Bodrum is one of the cities on Turkish riviera, a popular holiday city. What’s the weather like in Bodrum, how are the beaches and what can you do there?

• 

  TRAVEL GUIDES | TURKEY

  How Much Lira for a Week in Turkey 2025: Budget-Friendly Tips

  If you’re traveling on a budget it’s essential to have an idea of how much Lira is needed for a week in Turkey.

• 

  TRAVEL GUIDES | TURKEY

  Roadtrip in Turkey in the Winter: Budget and Travel Itinerary

  Winter is a low season for travelling to Turkey (Turkiye). But the weather is still warm. Turkey in January surprised us, and we got to see Antalya, Marmaris and Akayaka, went to local restaurants and got rewarded with an amazing apartment for a very good price.

• 

  TRAVEL GUIDES | TURKEY

  Ikamet: Turkey residence permit for 1 year. How I got it in Antalya

  To stay in Turkey for a year, you need to get a Turkish residency permit – Ikamet. It is relatively easy to do. I got a tourist residency permit. Which means I am not allowed to work or start a business in Turkey.

• 

  TRAVEL GUIDES | TURKEY

  Antalya and Alanya in September, October and November: Best time to visit Turkey?

  Planning a trip to Alanya and Antalya, Turkey in autumn? You’re in for a treat! With its stunning landscapes, rich history, and vibrant culture, Turkey offers an unforgettable experience. And the best part? Visiting in September, October and November means you can enjoy all of this without the summer heat and crowds. Let’s dive into everything you need to know for your autumn adventure in Turkey, including weather, crowds, prices, and, of course, swimming!

• 

  TRAVEL GUIDES | TURKEY

  Shopping in Istanbul, Turkey. Best Malls European vs Asian side

  Shopping in Istanbul is not only souvenirs, turkish delight and spices from a bazaar. You can buy clothes and accessories much cheaper in Istanbul. Shopping Malls, small local shops, outlets, markets – there is something for everyone who wants to to shopping in Istanbul.