Izmir

İzmir is a rapidly growing city on the Central Aegean coast of Turkey.

Clock tower in Konak Square, iconic symbol of the city

Understand

İzmir is the third largest city in Turkey with a population of around 3.7 million, the second biggest port after Istanbul, and a very good transport hub. Once the ancient city of Smyrna, it is now a modern, developed, and busy commercial center, set around a huge bay and surrounded by mountains. The broad boulevards, glass-fronted buildings and modern shopping centers are dotted with traditional red-tiled roofs, the 18th century market, and old mosques and churches, although the city has an atmosphere more of Mediterranean Europe than traditional Turkey.

History

The history of İzmir stretches back to around 3000 BC when the Trojans founded the city in Tepekule in the northern suburb of Bayrakli, where is now the "Eski Smyrna" museum. This was the Smyrna that is the supposed birthplace of Homer; a common and consistent tradition connects Homer with the valley of Smyrna and the banks of the river Meles. The Aeolians, the first Greek settlers, were eventually superseded by the (also Greek) Ionians, and then the Lydians destroyed the city around 600 BC before a brief recovery following Alexander the Great’s arrival in 334 BC.

After his death, Alexander’s generals followed his wishes and re-established Smyrna on the shadow of Mount Pagos (Kadifekale), and the city then prospered under the Romans. It was destroyed by an earthquake in 178 AD but later reconstructed and became a major commercial port. After the Byzantines, the city had a turbulent time under the Arabs, Seljuks, Crusaders and Mongols, until Mehmet I incorporated it into the Ottoman Empire in 1415. Under Suleyman the Magnificent, Smyrna became a thriving and sophisticated city and a huge trading center, despite its frequent earthquakes. It was cosmopolitan, with mainly Greek Orthodox and also Jews and Muslims, and many languages were spoken among locals and visiting traders.

Following World War I and the defeat of the Ottoman Empire, on the basis of a major Greek-speaking population in the area, the Allies gave Greece a mandate over İzmir. Greece thereby took control of the Aegean area, and marched on Ankara. Led by Kemal Atatürk the Turkish army counter-attacked, in what became the War of Turkish Independence, and regained their territory, but a huge fire broke out which destroyed 70% of İzmir. Atatürk formally took İzmir on 9 September 1922 and this is celebrated as the date of the city's independence. As part of the peace deal, Greeks in İzmir were compulsorily re-settled in Greece, while Turks in Greece (especially around Thessaloniki, Atatürk's own birthplace) were compulsorily re-settled in Turkey. This ended the multicultural nature of the city.

Climate

Dry and sunny summers in İzmir are so infernally hot and sticky that, unless there is an air-con in your room, you will most likely have trouble falling asleep at least on your first night, no matter whether the windows are wide open or not. However, a mild breeze coming in ashore from the sea (locally called meltem) may refreshen the evenings, at least in locations close to the waterfront. Temperature can drop down to freezing point (0°C/32°F) in mostly windy and rainy winters, however snowfall is some sort of curiousness in these latitudes, which happens once or at most twice a decade, if at all.

Get in

By train

Izmir has a resonable number of trains from cities across western Turkey, however the city is not along Turkey's new high-speed train network meaning that trains are rather slow. The two major overnight services are:

• Izmir Mavi, overnight train from Ankara via Eskişehir. In Eskişehir there are convenient connections to YHT high-sped trains from Istanbul.
• Konya Mavi, overnight train from Konya. There are plenty of bus services in Konya from Adana and Antalya.

Other popular services includes the 6 Eylul Express from Bandirma (6½ h), with connections to ferries from Istanbul as well as regional trains from Selcuk (2 h, for Ephesus and Kuşadası) and Denizli (4 h, for Pamukkale).

Tickets for long-distance services can be bought at stations or via the web page of national operator TCDD. For regional and suburban trains, buying tickets is done at stations.

İzmir has two railway stations:

• 🌍 Basmane (☎ [phone]): Terminus for both regional and intercity trains. Basmane metro station is adjacent.
• 🌍 Alsancak (☎ [phone]): Terminus for suburban IZBAN railway which runs to the airport and city centre, and connects with the metro.

By boat

There are no ferry services to Izmir. The ferry to Istanbul and the ferry to Venice are both suspended. Formerly these docked at Alsancak Ferry Terminal, 2 km north of the city center. Passengers are expected to use gate "B" to access Alsancak port.

• Alsancak Yeni Liman (terminal), ☎ [phone], fax: [phone]. 

By plane

• 🌍 Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport (ADB  ^IATA) (is 16 km south of the city center), ☎ [phone]. Southern major airport. It has frequent flights to Istanbul, Ankara, and Antalya, and daily to several other Turkish cities. There are also regular flights from many European cities. Operators include Turkish Airlines, Pegasus, Anadolujet, Onur and Sun Express (which has a hub here) so this competition keeps fares low.  
• Marine Plane Terminal (Deniz Uçağı Terminali). 7-22. Minor airfield for marine planes in İzmir Bay. 

From the airport, you have three public transport options into the city:

• The suburban train red line (İzban, ) runs from the airport every 10 minutes or so to Alsancak Station north of city centre. Change at Hilal for the metro downtown. Note: Hilal station is hard to navigate and an undeveloped neighborhood is present at the south-eastern part of the station.
• Airport shuttles (HAVAŞ) meet incoming flights and go to and from the city center for 14 TL (be sure to get off the bus in the centre of town, as the bus continues north to Mavişehir).
• Public buses run by ESHOT, transportation department of city council, are cheaper than Havaş, at 5.20 TL/passenger if you have a İzmirimkart.

Adnan Menderes Airport Car Hire Address : 1375 Sokak No : 6/e Alsancak Konak / İzmir Telephone : [phone] Call Center 0850 380 01 80

By bus

The bus station, or otogar(Turkish for bus garage), is 6 km north east of city centre, with frequent dolmuş running there. The bus station is huge and has an internet cafe, plenty of facilities for food and drink, and pay toilets. There are multiple bus operators and ticket offices; when a bus is about to depart, the agents will shout a last call for that destination.

There are free shuttle bus service that will bring passengers from the bus terminal to Basmane Square, the city center. To get to the free shuttle station, after get off the bus, go to the left most side of the bus terminal building without entering it. There should be stair going down, you'll see all the bus companies' free shuttle buses and the terminal service free shuttle. There also is a city bus route that goes to Konak through former Kemalpaşa road. Another option - take a dolmus to Bornova metro (or Evka 3), and then go by metro.

Buses to Istanbul run frequently and take 6½ hours, with regular rest stops. The fare of 70-90 TL will usually include water, hot drinks, and snacks. For example, Ulusoy bus from Istanbul will set you back around 85 TL (August 2016). Check http://www.otobusbileti.gen.tr/izmir-otobus-bileti for schedules and prices.

Get around

On foot

You can explore İzmir inner city by walking. Walking Routes to center of the city are very easy to walk and enjoyable.

By train

The system of urban rail in İzmir consists of two lines:

• a line connecting city centre/Konak Square with the northeastern town of Bornova and western town of Balçova(for now, the line ends at Fahrettin Altay square, that is the boundary of Balçova)
• a line connecting Tepeköy (to the south) and Aliağa (to the north). It also provides connection to Foça and other places north from İzmir.

By bus

There is an extensive system of public buses covering the entire province.

• ESHOT (Elektrik Su Havagazı Otobüs Troleybüs), İnönü Mahallesi İsmail Sivri Bulvarı No:105 Buca (SHORT DESCRIPTION OF HOW TO GET TO LISTING), ☎ [phone] (PBX), e-mail: [e-mail]. 8-17(weekdays) offices, 6-24 most buses, 24/24 some bus lines. ESHOT is one of two city bus operators in İzmir, other being İZULAŞ.  

By boat

Public ferries are easy, fast inside the coast and provide a nice view of İzmir. Preferable to every other transportation in nice weather.

By taxi

There are many taxis with reasonable price. No night rate. Turkish taxis are not allowed to go outside province they are registered at. Meaning an İzmir-registered taxi(registration starting in 35) cannot go beyond İzmir provincial boundaries.

See

Due to the Great Fire of 1920s, there is a relative lack of historical sights in İzmir, especially when considered how old the city really is (more than 5000 years old).

• 🌍 Konak Square. Main square of the city center, famous for the clock tower, one of the unique symbols of İzmir. The clock tower was built in 1901. There are also Konak Yali Mosque and Kemeraltı Bazaar around the square.  
• 🌍 Asansör (Elevator). This landmark was constructed by a Jewish businessman in 1907. The purpose was to help residents to go to their districts on the top of the hill. The elevator used to work by a water-driven mechanism. Later, it was restored by İzmir Municipality and now it works by electricity. There is a restaurant on the top of the elevator, with a bird-eye view of İzmir.  
• 🌍 İzmir Archaeological Museum, Halil Rifat Paşa Cad. No: 4 Bahribaba Parkı, ☎ + 90 232 446 28 52. Hosts a large collection of finds from Smyrna and other Ionian cities, mostly from the Roman age. There's also a numismatic department with ancient coins and jewelry. (updated Mar 2017)
• 🌍 İzmir Agora Open Air Museum. Ruins of the Hellenistic and Roman Smyrna's marketplace. 
• 🌍 Atatürk Monument, Cumhuriyet Meydanı (Republic Square). Equestrian statue of the Turkish leader, erected on 27 July 1932. Free. (updated Mar 2017)
• 🌍 Alsancak (Punta, Reşadiye). A neighbourhood of small streets with lots of bars in old Greek houses, where you can have tea or a beer and try several waterpipe flavors.  
• 🌍 Kadifekale. An old castle named after the hill on which it stands. Be careful as this castle resides in an undeveloped neighbourhood.  
• Teleferik (cable car) — Since 1977, it has carried people to 423 m up above the sea level. There are restaurants, cafes and gift shops on the top of the hill.
• 🌍 Ancient Smyrna museum (Eski Smyrna - Hacı Mutzo Arkeolojik Alanı/Tepekule -Bayraklı Ören Yeri), 1912 Street Bayraklı (just behind central Bayraklı İstasyonu), ☎ [phone]. The ruins of the very first Smyrna. (updated May 2017)

Do

• Walk along the Kordon, the waterfront promenade, now lined by rows of tall apartment buildings and palm trees on one side and the Aegean on the other, with a large patch of lawn and a cobbled street in between, where you can have a 19th-century fayton (horse-drawn carriages) ride.
• Kemeraltı — A must see. A big bazaar, where you can buy clothes, presents etc. There are also a lot of lounges where you can sit.
• Kızlarağası Hanı-House of Girls' Master— An old inn (kervansaray) in Kemeraltı where you can shop for carpets and jewelry.
• Blend in with locals and take the boat from Konak to Karşıyaka.
• See also the old fortress and the Agora. This site is usually quiet and you can roam about the ruins of the old Greek market.
• Beaches — Having a coastline on Aegean sea, İzmir owns lots of beaches which are not too far from the city center. There is public transportation available to most of them. The places include Foça, Dikili, Urla, Seferihisar, and Çeşme.

Buy

You can go to Konak Pier, a small mall along the Kordon with a cinema and with local and other known brands. Another mall is called Forum, in Bornova. Forum is a very big mall with all brands and a supermarket in a Mediterranean style one floored houses in open air. Kemeraltı (in the city center) offers great deal of souvenirs in a nice traditional atmosphere.

Eat

• Melons, because İzmir has a warm climate so melons are always local and fresh.
• İzmir has a famous restaurant that serves the region's specialties, especially shish kebabs.
• Fish, grilled sea bass and mezes. Usually the fish is fresh and plenty in all seasons. Veli Usta offers great deal of fish in Alsancak.
• Kumru, a warm sandwich, made with a special bread with sesame seeds, Turkish sausage, grilled cheese and tomatoes, also a vegetarian version is available without the sausage and with the addition of green pepper. This is something not to be missed while in İzmir, because it's almost impossible to find it anywhere else in the country. It's sold at numerous stalls in the streets. Best to be eaten earlier in the day to have it warm as they find their way out of bakeries in the morning. Two of them is more than enough to appease you hunger and 2TL is the standard price per each throughout the city.
• Tulum Peyniri, a kind of cheese specially made in İzmir region.
• Copsis Kebab at Topcu in Cankaya
• Belkahve: İzmir from the eye of Atatürk in 1922
• Boyoz, another local pastry but much oilier than kumru, to eat with a cup of tea in the breakfast.
• Balcova Shopping Complex may be the most modern shopping and entertainment where in European Style. Besides, prices are reasoanable.
• 🌍 Gümüş Tabak. A cafe-restaurant in Kızlarağası Hanı, Kemeraltı, which offers you the traditional Turkish delicacies, from Köfte to Kokoreç with very affordable prices. You should also try the traditional Turkish coffee that is prepared in a special way, boiled in the cup, fincan. 
• Kıbrıs Şehitleri Caddesi Street in Alsancak, is a nice pedestrian street with a lot of cheap restaurant. For example, Tavuk Doner for 4 TL, Iskender Kebab for 15 TL.

Drink

Join the nightlife on Kıbrıs Şehitleri Caddesi in Alsancak, and go find the Gazi Kadinlar Street. Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays are when the street is liveliest.

• All pubs and cafes in Kordon (Alsancak's waterfront) are attractive in nice weather.
• 1448 Sokak at Alsancak is full of bars and pubs from one end to another. They also have seats out on the sidewalk, and the uniform price for a bottle of beer (a pint/0.50 litre) is 6 TL all along the street.

Sleep

In İzmir there are many hotels 5 minutes walk from the railway station to suit all tastes and wallets. Hilton is very close to city center in Alsancak, and Swissotel is also in Alsancak. Also there is Crowne Plaza, which is about 30 min from the center.

• Güzel İzmir Oteli, 9 Eylül Meydanı, 1368. Sokak No.8, Basmane, ☎ [phone]. Rooms with shower/toilet, satellite TV, air-con, wi-fi. €35 double room. 
• Hotel Bodrum, 1362 Sokak No12 Cankaya (5 minutes walk from the railway station towards the sea front.). Rooms have wireless internet hot/cold shower, Turkish TV and air-con. 40 TL per night for single/double room including breakfast. 

Splurge

• 🌍 Key Hotel, Akdeniz Mahallesi, Mimar Kemalettin Cd. No:1, ☎ [phone]. (updated Apr 2017)

Cope

Consulates

• Greece, Atatürk Caddesi 366/1A, Alsancak, ☎ [phone], [phone], [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. M-F 09:00-16:00, except official holidays. 

Stay safe

İzmir Police Department has a "tourism police" section where travellers can report passport loss and theft or any other criminal activity, they may have become victims of. The staff is multilingual and will speak English, German, French, and Arabic.

• Tourism Police (Turizm Polisi), Turizm Şube Müdürlüğü, Tepecik, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone]. 

Go next

• Çeşme a small village for all summer activities, half an hour drive to İzmir to west.
• Selçuk, a few hours by bus or train to the south of the city, is a town with much historical sights, as well as serving as a hub to visit nearby Roman city of Ephesus and Virgin Mary’s House, where the Vatican declared an official Catholic pilgrimage site. It is also a few kilometers away from Kuşadası, and the pleasant inland village of Şirince, renowned for its wines.
• Tire, takes only an hour to arrive from the city center, a typical Aegean town, you can visit Turkey's biggest open town market on Tuesdays and have a good lunch in Kaplan with typical Aegean foods and famous meatballs of Tire.
• Manisa, just to east over Sabuncubeli Pass, is hub for visiting nearby Sardes, the capital of ancient Lycians, and Mount Sipylus, which offers beautiful forest scenery as well as sites with mythological references.

Routes through Izmir

Çanakkale ← Bergama ←

N  S

→ Selçuk → Denizli