Izmir
Turkey
- Safety rating
- 7.5/10
- Best time to visit
- Spring and autumn are ideal for sightseeing, while summer is hot but perfect for nearby beaches.
- Population
- 3.0M
Overview
Izmir is Turkey's breezy, liberal Aegean port, wrapped around a sparkling bay with a palm-lined waterfront and a relaxed, modern outlook. It serves as a gateway to ancient Ephesus and the seaside resorts and ruins of the Aegean coast.
Top attractions
Stroll the Kordon waterfront, explore the Kemeraltı Bazaar and Agora, ride to the Kadifekale castle, and day-trip to Ephesus and Şirince.
Getting around
Izmir has a metro, suburban İZBAN trains, ferries across the bay, and trams; an İzmirimkart pass covers all transit.