10 Places You Would Like to Visit in İzmir
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İzmir is the third largest city in Turkey. Due to its location (İzmir is on the coast of the Aegean Sea), the city offers travellers a variety of beautiful landscapes and spectacular views. Not to mention the numerous architectural and leisure attractions that every visitor to the city should see.
Here are 10 places you should definitely visit during your stay in İzmir:
There are numerous places of interest in İzmir, so we have compiled a list of the most beautiful places in İzmir to help you decide where to start.
Before planning your trip to İzmir, we also recommend you to visit this page with important information for your trip to İzmir.
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1. İzmir Clock Tower
We would like to start our list of the greatest İzmir sights with İzmir Clock Tower. If you have looked at photos of İzmir sights before, you have surely seen some of the exquisite Clock Tower.
The tower has become a symbol of İzmir and is definitely worth a visit when you are in the city. The tower is located in İzmir’s main square, Konak. It was built in 1901 as a gift from the German King Wilhelm II to commemorate the 25-year reign of Sultan Abdul-Hamid II. The 121-year-old marble tower reaches a height of 25 metres.
2. Kemeraltı Bazaar
Kemeraltı is a popular tourist destination in İzmir. It was laid out in the 17th century and is not only the main retail area, but also a place where you can see historical architectural relics such as the Khizar Mosque and the Caravanserai. Many tourists believe that Kemeraltı is a miniature version of Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar.
Clothes, souvenirs, leather goods, watches and other items for every taste are available here. Despite the popularity of the market, prices here are relatively cheap. If you are wondering where to go in İzmir, make your way to the Kemeraltı Bazaar!
3. Historical Elevator
One of İzmir’s biggest attractions is an antique elevator that connects the lower and upper regions of the city. At a height of 58 metres, there is a beautiful terrace with spectacular views of the Aegean Sea and the coastal parts of the city.
There is also a good restaurant serving traditional national cuisine. The prices are quite reasonable. Historical Elevator is the ideal place to take stunning photos of İzmir. At the same time, everyone is free to use the Historical Elevator.
4. Alsancak
Alsancak is the liveliest district of İzmir, where you can immerse yourself in the beautiful atmosphere of the city. It combines a business district, historical sites and entertainment venues. The atmosphere in the evening is fantastic.
There are several cafés and restaurants with breathtaking views of the sea.
5. İzmir Natural Life Park
İzmir Natural Life Park is one of the best places to visit in İzmir. It is not like any other zoo, it is unique. The outdoor cages are very large and the animals walk around in them with a certain authority, ignoring the curious tourists. This allows visitors to the park to learn more about how and where the animals live. Here you can experience the unbeatable pleasure of seeing animals in their natural habitat.
The zoo is a large place with many beautiful trees and plants that provide shade from the hot İzmir sun. Children can also play in many playgrounds and pet rabbits, donkeys, horses and goats in the petting zoo.
If an animal poses in front of your camera, try to get a good photo.
6. Key Museum
If you like cars, you should visit the Key Museum. It was founded by three Turkish collectors and since 2001 they have added 130 unique pieces to the collection.
There is also a collection of 40 different motorbikes. If you like collecting things, you should put the KEY Museum at the top of your list of things to do in İzmir.
7. Atatürk Museum
The Atatürk Museum in İzmir is next on our itinerary. After construction was completed on the beautiful white building in 1880, it was a symbol of success and greatness. It was used as a hotel, renovated and given to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk after his first trip to İzmir.
The museum’s library houses the authentic Atatürk collection.
Admission to the museum is free.
8. Arkas Art Center
Anyone interested in art should definitely visit the ARKAS Art Centre during their stay in İzmir. The art centre has nine exhibition halls and a studio spread over two floors. Here, visitors can see permanent and changing exhibitions of 19th and 20th century artworks.
It takes about 10 minutes to reach the Arkas Art Centre from the Atatuerk Museum.
Due to the installation of a new exhibition, the art centre has to be closed temporarily. For up-to-date information, visit the centre’s website.
Admission is free of charge.
9. Genoese Fortress
The Genoese Fortress stands in the geographical centre of Cesme, the main tourist district of İzmir. The construction of the fortress began in the 14th century under the rule of Sultan Bayazet II. It was built as a defence against the Rhodes Knights who threatened the city.
After being stormed by the Venetians in the 17th century, the fortress was destroyed but later rebuilt.
Today it houses the Western Pennsylvania Archaeological Museum.
10. Ephesus Ancient City
Ephesus is the most famous area of İzmir. The trip would not be complete without a stop at the ancient city of Ephesus. So if you are wondering what there is to see in İzmir, be sure to include this charming historical city in your itinerary.
The ruins of the ancient settlement hold the secrets of the past. This incredible city was built in the 10th century BC. There are numerous sights in Ephesus, a handful of which are particularly noteworthy. The Temple of Artemis (one of the Seven Wonders of the World), the Celsus Library, the Odeon and the Temple of Domitian are the buildings in question.