Things to Do in Izmir
Prices, opening hours, best times to visit and the stuff nobody tells you, everything you need for a first trip to Izmir, Turkey, plus one pigeon's opinions on all of it.
Right, Izmir. Ancient Smyrna, if you want to impress a historian, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world under one name or another, and a genuinely beautiful stretch of Aegean coastline that most visitors treat purely as a gateway to Ephesus rather than a destination worth its own time. This is the proper, no-nonsense guide to things to do in Izmir: what things actually cost, when to go, what to skip, and which bits are worth the day trip. Five main stops below, plus a quiz elsewhere on this site to see if you were paying attention.
Ancient Smyrna
Izmir was known in antiquity by the Greek name Smyrna, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, under one name or another, a genuinely staggering claim, with archaeological evidence of settlement stretching back thousands of years, layered through Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman periods.
The Agora of Smyrna, an ancient marketplace ruin right in the modern city centre, gives a tangible sense of this deep history, worth a visit even though it's smaller and less dramatic than the ruins further out at Ephesus, this is genuinely the older layer directly beneath the modern city.
Hours Daily, roughly 8.30am–5.30pm
Address Namazgah, Izmir
Ephesus Day Trip
Near Izmir lie the ruins of Ephesus, home to a huge Roman theatre and the Library of Celsus, one of the best-preserved ancient cities anywhere in the Mediterranean, genuinely one of the essential ancient sites in the whole region, marble streets, an enormous amphitheatre that once held 25,000 people, and the Library of Celsus's dramatically reconstructed facade, worth building a whole day around.
It's about an hour and a half from Izmir, most visitors do it as a day trip, worth going early to beat both the heat and the largest tour groups, this genuinely gets busy given its significance and popularity.
Hours Daily, roughly 8am–6.30pm, shorter in winter
Getting there About 1.5 hours from Izmir by car or organised tour
Izmir's Aegean Waterfront
Izmir is Turkey's third-largest city, a major port on the Aegean Sea, a genuinely beautiful stretch of coastline, and Kordon, the long waterfront promenade along Izmir Bay, is one of the best free things to do here, walking or cycling along the water with views back at the city's distinctive clock tower and the surrounding hills.
It's a good spot for an evening walk, particularly around sunset, restaurants and cafes line much of the route if you want to make an evening of it rather than just passing through.
Best time Evening, for the sunset over the bay
Address Kordon, Izmir
Konak Square & the Clock Tower
Izmir's central square, home to the Konak Clock Tower, a genuinely elegant Ottoman-era structure built in 1901, a distinctive landmark and a good anchor point for exploring the surrounding city centre and waterfront together.
The nearby Konak Pier, a former dock building redesigned by Gustave Eiffel's firm and now converted to shops and cafes, is worth a look too, another piece of the layered European and Ottoman architectural influences visible throughout the city.
Address Konak Square, Izmir
Kemeralti Bazaar
Izmir's historic market district, a genuinely sprawling, atmospheric bazaar, spices, textiles, and antiques sold along narrow streets that have functioned as a marketplace since Ottoman times, worth a slow, unhurried wander for anyone who enjoys markets more than curated shopping streets.
It's considerably less crowded and more local than Istanbul's more famous bazaars, a genuinely good place to see everyday Izmir commerce rather than a purely tourist-oriented market.
Hours Daily, busiest mornings
Address Kemeralti, central Izmir
Best time to visit Izmir
April through June and September through October give the most comfortable weather for the amount of walking and the Ephesus day trip this list involves, mild without summer's peak heat.
Summer remains popular given the Aegean coastal setting, worth choosing your priority, beach and waterfront time in summer versus more comfortable sightseeing weather in the shoulder seasons.
Getting around Izmir
Izmir's tram and metro network covers the city centre well, and the Kordon waterfront is genuinely walkable. For Ephesus, an organised day tour or rental car is the practical way to go, public transport doesn't cover the route conveniently.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Izmir worth visiting?
- Yes, particularly as a base for Ephesus, one of the great ancient sites of the Mediterranean, and the city's own Aegean waterfront and ancient Smyrna ruins offer genuine depth beyond just being a gateway.
- How many days do you need in Izmir?
- Two days covers the city itself comfortably; add a day for the essential Ephesus day trip.
- Is Izmir expensive?
- No, genuinely affordable, museum and site entry, food, and local transport all remain cheap by international standards.
- What is Izmir famous for?
- Being ancient Smyrna, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, serving as the main gateway to the ruins of Ephesus, and its position as a major Aegean Sea port.
That's everything I've got.
A note before you plan around this: prices, opening hours, booking requirements and admission details in this guide were correct at the time of writing, but venues change these often and sometimes without notice. Always check directly with the attraction or its official website before you travel or build a schedule around a specific time or price.
Before travelling to any destination featured on this site, please also check your government's latest travel advice, as safety situations, entry requirements and travel warnings can change.
