Izmir holidays

Straddling the crystal blue waters of the Aegean, this Turkish port town often gets treated like little more than a launching pad for jaunts to the nearby ruins of Ephesus. But holidays to Izmir reveal a cosmopolitan city in full bloom. From fashion boutiques and trendy meze bars to traditional bazaars and a reconstructed waterfront perfect for pedalling, see why Izmir is a seaside getaway unto itself.

Izmir holiday highlights

Step back in time

Trace history back to ancient times during your holiday to Izmir. Visit the Agora of Smyrna (also known as the Agora of Izmir) to marvel at 2,500-year-old arches and plazas. Or take the 50-minute bus trip to Ephesus to see an ancient Greek archaeological site and a museum with thousands of historical artefacts.

Haggle like a pro

There’s no better crash course on Turkish culture than shopping and bargaining in one of Izmir’s bazaars. Browse for carpets, spices and pottery at the 17th-century Kemeralti Bazaar. Help make it a cheap holiday to Izmir by picking up great deals at the Selcuk Market (open on Saturdays) or the popular Karsiyaka Bazaar.

Go wine tasting

Just 30 minutes west of Izmir, Urla is a charming region steeped in thousands of years of winemaking history. Surrounded by rolling hills and sleepy villages, its boutique and family-run wineries bring traditional flavours and techniques back to life. Explore the vineyards by car or bike and taste wines from local Bornova Misket grapes, often paired with meze-style dishes.

Izmir: Know before you go

Language

Turkish

Currency

Turkish lira (₺)

Time zone

UTC+3 (TRT)

High season

June – August

Low season

January – February

Find the best time to go to Izmir

Weather in Izmir

March – May: Spring offers warm, sunny weather, with temperatures reaching the mid-20s°C in May. It’s a great time to go sightseeing with fewer crowds.

June – August: Izmir enjoys up to 14 hours of sunlight a day in the summer. Balmy air and water temperatures make this the perfect time to hit the beaches of Cesme and Urla.

September – November: Early autumn is a sweet spot with warm but not hot weather, lighter crowds and cooler nights. Rainfall picks up in October, so pack an umbrella.

December – February: Izmir’s winters are mild. Explore historic sites like Ephesus with hardly any tourists, then warm up over hearty Turkish soups and stews.

Events in Izmir

Izmir European Jazz Festival (March): Bringing together musicians from all over the continent, this popular annual event features a month of jazz concerts, workshops and talks.

International Ephesus Opera and Ballet Festival (June to July): For an unforgettable experience, catch a ballet or opera performance in Ephesus’ ancient open-air theatre. There’s no better way to round out a day exploring the Roman ruins.

Izmir International Fair (August to September): This popular event at Kültürpark blends live music, cultural shows, film screenings and food stalls.

Izmir International Short Film Festival (November): The country’s largest short film festival rolls out a long lineup of screenings, from documentaries and animation to experimental releases.

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The best neighbourhoods in Izmir

Konak

Konak is the best neighbourhood to stay in Izmir for convenience. Stroll through Konak Square and take a picture next to the Izmir Clock Tower. Ride the century-old ‘Izmir Asansor’ (Izmir Elevator) to the upper city. Or hire a bicycle and pedal along the Kordon seaside promenade, stopping to dine at a meze restaurant for Turkish-style tapas.

Good for: Convenience, historic landmarks, dining

Alsancak

Alsancak is where to stay in Izmir for a taste of local life. Sip Turkish coffee and browse bookstores along pedestrian-friendly ‘Sevgi Yolu’ (Love Street). Mingle with locals in Cumhuriyet Square. Head to another walkable street, ‘Kibris Sehitleri Caddesi’, to shop in boutiques. For a snack, duck into a neighbourhood bakery to order a bagel-like ‘boyoz’.

Good for: Local life, shopping, walkability

Cesme

This is a great neighbourhood to base yourself if you’re interested in water sports. Take windsurfing lessons on Altinkum Beach, or snorkel in Delikli Bay. Learn about Izmir’s history and enjoy seaside views at the 16th-century Cesme Castle. In the evening, have dinner while watching the sunset beyond the island of Chios.

Good for: Beachfront, history, nightlife

Things to do in Izmir

Family friendly things to do

Visiting Izmir Wildlife Park is a popular thing to do with family in Izmir. See elephants and zebras in cage-free habitats, then take the kids to check out the interactive exhibits at the Karsiyaka Science Museum. Stop at the Natural History Museum of Ege University, or ride the slides at Aqua Toy City (open seasonally).

Shopping

Go shopping in Izmir at the Forum Bornova. This open-air mall has boutiques with local brands and international stores. Head to the Izmir Optimum Mall to browse luxury brands, watch a movie or skate at an indoor ice rink. Locals also love to window-shop on Kibris Sehitleri Caddesi, a high street in the Alsancak District.

Take in the culture

Add the unique museums of Izmir to your itinerary. See masks from around the world at the Izmir Mask Museum. Learn about regional culture at the ‘Izmir Etnografya Muzesi’ (Izmir Ethnography Museum), and browse classical works of art at the Selcuk Yasar Painting Museum. Explore the history of rail travel in Turkiye at the ‘Izmir Demiryollari Muzesi’ (Izmir Railways Museum).

Beaches

Swim and sunbathe on the beaches near Izmir during the summer. Drive to Cesme (one hour from Izmir) to visit Ilica and Pirlanta beaches. The sandy coastline of Foca is the same distance from the city. Hit the beach in Urla (40 minutes away), then stay to explore its restaurants and arts and crafts shops.

Places to eat

Stretching from Konak to Alsancak, the Izmir ‘Kordon’ (promenade) is the place to go to find restaurants in Izmir. Here you can dine on Turkish seafood dishes with a view of the Gulf of Izmir. Head to Kemeralti bazaar or Konak Square to try street foods like ‘kumru’ (sausage, cheese and tomato sandwiches), sogus (sheep cheek, tongue and brain in flatbread) and ‘sambali’ (semolina cake).

Nightlife

Find the best nightlife in Izmir on Gazi Kadinlar Sokagi. This entertainment street has restaurants, meze bars and live music venues hosting rock and folk acts. Or head to Izmir’s historical centre, Alsancak, for eateries and cafes. See Turkiye’s biggest music acts at the Izmir Arena, and catch a DJ or rock band at Container Hall.

Plan your holiday to Izmir

Budget

You don’t have to work hard to have a cheap holiday in Izmir. Visit during the off-season and explore free attractions to maximise your savings. For a rough idea of daily costs, an inexpensive restaurant meal is around 300 Turkish lira (₺). You can usually find a local beer for about ₺120 and a coffee for just over ₺100.

Day trips from Izmir

For a tranquil day trip, head an hour north to Karagol Nature Park to hike through pine forests and cool off in a crater lake. Pamukkale’s stunning hot springs are well worth the 2.5-hour drive. Or you could book a bus tour. For a day on the coast, explore the Karaburun Peninsula’s traditional Aegean villages and hidden beaches.

Getting around Izmir

Izmir’s reliable public transport system includes trams, buses and a metro that connects you to key districts and major attractions. For affordable fare options, pick up an Izmirim Card at major metro stations. The city’s convenient ferry service provides access to nearby islands and the waterfront. If you’re planning to hire a car, know that traffic can be dense in the city centre.

FAQs about Izmir holidays

January brings the coolest weather for an Izmir holiday. Go during this time and you'll experience lows of 2ºC (36ºF).
Many conversations will be in Turkish. Picking up some local greetings and phrases can be a great way to spark conversations and connect with others during your city break in Izmir.
The Turkish lira (TRY) is the official currency. From small purchases to tipping, carrying a little cash during your trip to Izmir will be useful.
Izmir is a safe tourist destination. You need to be aware of petty crimes like bag-snatching, but the problem isn’t widespread. Avoid dark streets at night.
The combination of popular Turkish travel attractions like bazaars, historic sites and lively nightlife make Izmir an excellent holiday destination. Also because of the reasonable prices, it’s easy to plan a cheap holiday to Izmir.
With temperatures reaching a high of 36ºC (97ºF), August is the hottest month in Izmir.
That depends on where you're travelling from and the kinds of activities you'd like to fill your trip to Izmir with. Three to five days gives you enough time to check out the leading sights if you live nearby. If you're travelling from farther afield, you'll want to make the most of every day. Stick around for at least a week to take in the highlights and then venture beyond the city.
Your city break in Izmir can vary in price based on anything from your travel dates to where you stay. To score the best deals on Izmir flights and hotels, stay flexible with your plans and keep an eye open for discounts and sales.
With around 13 cm of rainfall, January is the wettest month. If you're taking your Izmir holiday then, you might want to have a few indoor activities lined up. Eat at a top-rated restaurant, unwind in a cosy cafe, or indulge in some retail therapy.
Go to Izmir in summer (June to August) to enjoy beaches and outdoor activities in temperatures between 28°C and 35°C. April, May, September and October have the best weather for hiking and sightseeing. You can find holiday deals to Izmir for the rainy winters.