Blog | Visit İzmir

Holiday in Izmir in Post-COVID-19 Era

With the center of the Covid-19 pandemic shifting from Europe to North America and then to South America, Europe's leading tourism destinations are opening their doors to the visitors. Turkey, one of the countries which have managed the pandemic very well, has lifted the international and national travel bans and has started to...

How Did The Pandemic Affect Tourism?

The COVID-19 pandemic that has affected the whole world also has hurt tourism in Turkey. However, Turkey, and especially Izmir, have been amongst the countries and cities that have managed the pandemic very well, thanks to the precautions taken at the right time and in the light of the recommendations of the scientists, and its people...

The Orange Circle Era Starts in Izmir

To present healthy and reliable tourism in the city after the COVID-19 pandemic, The Orange Circle certification program has started for the restaurants, cafés, bars, and hotels in Turkey's paradise-like holiday destination, Izmir. Within the scope of the program, the Izmir Tourism Hygiene Board was established with the...

Motorcycle Routes of Izmir

For those who love to live life on two wheels, many motorcycle routes are waiting to be discovered in İzmir. 1. Ancient Cities Route This route, which starts from Çeşme Port, brings together the important ancient cities of İzmir. From the low traffic backroads of Çeşme, you can reach Urla Port and take a break at the...

Democracy and İzmir

Having met with democracy in the Ancient Age, İzmir is still one of the most democratic cities in Turkey. Emerging in the 9th century BC and composed of Macedonia, Thrace, Phrygia, Mysia, Lydia, Caria and Ionia, the Helen Civilization was a civilization that covered both sides of the Aegean Sea. With this civilization, not only...

The Historical Mansions of İzmir

Let's get to know the historical mansions of İzmir, which are the legacy of the Levantines. Aliotti Mansion The Aliotti family came from Florence to İzmir some 200 years ago and lived in Bornova, Buca, and Karşıyaka. It is known that the Aliotti Mansion, located opposite the Karşıyaka Wedding House at the exit of Reşadiye, was...

Atatürk and İzmir

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the modern Republic of Turkey loved İzmir very much and vice versa. Here is “İzmir in the life of Atatürk." According to the information compiled by Dr. Eren Akçiçek in his work titled "İzmir in the Life of Atatürk", Mustafa Kemal came t...

Cittaslow Philosophy and Izmir

The Seferihisar district of İzmir is the first Turkish member of the Cittaslow network The Slow City (Cittaslow) movement, which emerged upon the chaos brought by consumption-oriented modern life, creating unhappiness and restlessness instead of happiness and peace in our lives, is a philosophy that advocates that life should be lived...

10 Interesting Facts about İzmir

Here are 10 facts about the beautiful İzmir which not many people are aware of. 1. The oldest clock tower in İzmir is not the one you think The Clock Tower in Konak is the most important symbol of Izmir, but it is not the oldest one in the city. The oldest of the four clock towers you can find in the city is the Alsancak Railway...

Cats of Izmir

The hospitable, tolerant and modern people of İzmir live in peace and harmony with all the creatures of the city. Especially with the cats! Compared with many Western countries, Turkey is an extraordinary place where stray animals roam freely and live side by side with people. In every corner of the country, apart from the...

Famous Philosophers who lived in İzmir

Did you know that some of the most important philosophers of the Ancient Age lived in İzmir? Homer Homer, one of the most famous names who lived in Izmir, is the author of important epics, the first great works of Western literature such as Iliad and Odyssey. According to the English scientist George Thomson’s book,...

10 Best Selfie Spots in İzmir

The background of some photos means everything. Here are the 10 best selfie spots in İzmir that will make everyone envy you. 1. The Clock Tower The first structure that comes to mind when it comes to İzmir is undoubtedly the Clock Tower, which is located in Konak Square, the heart of İzmir. Therefore, if you had a chance to take only...

Extreme Sports Destinations in İzmir

If you are an extreme sports enthusiast, there are many options for you in İzmir. Surfing When it comes to surfing, İzmir is one of the best destinations in the World. Çeşme is the capital of surfing in Turkey. Çeşme Bays, especially Alaçatı, Ilıca, and Pırlanta, look like as if they were created for surfing. They...

A Summer Vacation in Alaçatı

If you have never been to Alaçatı, one of the most popular vacation spots in Turkey, it means you have never had a true holiday experience. People say "its fame exceeds the borders of Turkey" for many places. However, not many of them live up to this reputation. However, when it comes to Alaçatı, we can easily...

Enjoy İzmir After a Business Trip

If you came to İzmir for business, you can enjoy this magnificent city by extending your trip even for one day. Even if your time in İzmir is limited, there are countless joyful activities in the city. Since some of these activities are in the city center and some in the surrounding districts, you may have to decide on only one option....

İzmir for Couples

İzmir is an ideal destination also for couples. Here are 5 activities you can do to refresh your love with your significant other in this Aegean paradise. Enjoy the wine in a stone mansion in Şirince Şirince (which means “cute” in Turkish) village of Selçuk district lives up to its name thanks to its nature,...

10 Reasons to Visit İzmir in the Spring

Although many people prefer summer to visit İzmir, this city is very beautiful in the spring as well. Here are 10 reasons to visit İzmir in the spring. Nature wakes up and calls you Spring is the season when nature awakens in İzmir. If you are a nature lover, you can come to İzmir in the spring to go hiking in nature and camping. You...

A Day in Gümüldür

We have 5 suggestions for those who want to have a great day in Gümüldür, the trending town of Menderes district. Enjoy the Sea The land of Satsuma with the great smell, Gümüldür combines the green with the blue. With a 7 kilometer coastline, blue flagged beaches, and hotels that cater for all budgets, it...

Where to do Tent Camping in İzmir

If you want to spend a peaceful time in nature, there are many paradise spots in Izmir where you can set up your tent. Here are 10 great routes where you can do tent camping in Izmir. Çanak Bay Camping Area This camping area in Foça is free. You can use the local businesses to meet your basic needs in this camping area,...

Best Places to Enjoy the Sea in İzmir

Thanks to its total coastal length of 629 kilometers, İzmir has countless beaches, 49 of which are blue-flagged. Here are the top 5 destinations in İzmir where you can enjoy the sun, sand, and sea. Çeşme The first address that comes to mind when talking about enjoying the sea in İzmir is Çeşme, of course. There are...

Things to Do in İzmir for Free

You don't need a huge budget to enjoy İzmir. Here are some of the activities you can do for free in the city. See the landmarks of İzmir A majority of the landmarks of İzmir can be visited for free, including the Clock Tower, The Historical Elevator, Kordon, Kemeraltı Bazaar, Kızlarağası Inn, Kadifekale, and Konak Pier. Follow free...

Products Growing in Izmir

With its fertile soil and suitable climate, İzmir is also an agricultural and animal husbandry city. Here are the most famous products grown in the fertile nature of Izmir. 48% of İzmir's food production consists of vegetables, 47% of animal products and 5% aquaculture. Some of these products (such as olives, grapes, tobacco, and...

10 Things to Do in İzmir on a Rainy Day

İzmir is heavenly beautiful in the rain. Here are 10 activities you can do in İzmir on a rainy day. Visit the Kızlarağası Inn Kızlarğası Inn, located in Halim Ağa Bazaar in Kemeraltı, is one of the most popular inns in the city with its Ottoman-style architecture. With its 300 years of history and traces of Ottoman architecture, this...

Nightlife in İzmir

İzmir is a different kind of beautiful after the sunset. Here are the most popular places where you can have fun until late in this beautiful city. Like many big cities, fun in İzmir doesn’t go to sleep. If you want to continue to have fun after spending your day on the beaches of Izmir or where you can enjoy the nature of...

Top 10 Parks and Gardens in İzmir

We have listed the parks and gardens where you can spend a quiet and peaceful day in nature. Karagöl Natural Karagöl Natural Park is a place for an escape from the city. It is on Yamanlar Mountain in Karşıyaka district. There is a rural bar, toilets, buffet, picnic units, camp facilities in the park, which is 26...

The Castles of İzmir

Ayasuluk Castle - Selçuk Ayasuluk Castle is in Selçuk, which is regarded as one of the largest open-air museums in the world. It is located on the Ayasuluk Hill, which was the first place of settlement of Ephesus, one of the most famous cities of antiquity. The castle is also famous for its view overlooking Selcuk. It is...

Islands of Izmir

Many islands that look like paradise are waiting for their guests in İzmir, the Pearl of the Aegean. Having many extraordinarily beautiful bays and beaches, İzmir also has many islands that those who say “I cannot live without the sea” will fall in love with. Here are the most famous islands of...

A Weekend in Izmir

You can have a great time in Izmir on a weekend without having to take a day off from your work. Here is how to make most of a weekend visit to Izmir! Izmir is the perfect destination for weekend getaways. There are many reasons for this. First, thanks to Adnan Menderes Airport, which is located very close to the city center, you...

Ferries of İzmir: See İzmir from the Sea

Visiting the world-famous beaches is not the only way to enjoy the sea in Izmir. The ferries of İzmir also offer you a peaceful time, even with the shortest journey. One of the countless beauties that make İzmir an ideal route for those who say “I cannot live without the sea” are the ferries. You can travel between many...

Places You Can Do Caravan Camping in İzmir

For those who'd like to bring their home with them on holiday, we have listed the places that you can enjoy with your caravan in İzmir. One of the best ways to enjoy the heavenly nature of İzmir is to go camping. Some of these campsites that are located in many corners of the city also accept caravans. Hipocamp Located in the town...

İzmir's Local Flavors

Izmir, which is a member of the World Gourmet Cities Network (DELICE), deserves its title of “the capital of Aegean cuisine” to the fullest. Here are the 10 most famous flavors of İzmir. Kumru Sandwich Kumru, whose history dates back to 150 years ago and was registered as İzmir Kumrusu by the Ministry of Culture and...

İzmir In Winter Is Something Else!

Everyone knows the summer of İzmir well, but what about İzmir in the winter? All four seasons are great here, so we wanted to tell you a little bit about the winter of İzmir. Maybe after reading this article, you will prepare your suitcases and hit the road. Maybe İzmir is not covered with snow in the winter, but it doesn’t sleep...

Best 10 places to take photographs in İzmir

From sunset to the fishing towns, from nature to the historic streets, İzmir has many beauties to photograph. Here are the top 10 locations to do so. Kordon Kordon is the place to watch the most spectacular sunset in İzmir. If the weather is warm and sunny, you can spend a pleasant day in Kordon and take the best photographs of the...

Turkish Baths in İzmir

İzmir has many baths from the Ottoman period that have managed to survive until this day. Some of these baths can only be visited as historical buildings, while over 20 of them are still in operation. Just like the thermal springs, these baths are also popular among the visitors. The baths that are still in operation include Ali Bey...

Best Jogging and Running Trails in İzmir

İzmir is rainy for only 80 days a year, which means it is like a paradise for those who like to run. It is possible to find long running trails in almost every corner of the city. If you prefer to run in the fresh air rather than getting stuck in a gym, you can take a look at our list of the best jogging and running trails i...

GoGreen Project

The GoGreen project is a 24-month environmentalist initiative co-funded by the European Commission, under the Directorate Education and Culture. The project is developed and implemented by an international consortium, which the İzmir Chamber of Commerce is a part of. The main objective of the project is to raise the environmental...

5 Hills with the Best view of İzmir

The joy of watching the Gulf from the hills is something! We have listed the places where you can enjoy the sunset and take awesome photographs. 1. The Historical Elevator The Historic Elevator is one of the symbols of the city. The unique 100-year-old building built by Nesim Levi Bayraklıoğlu in order to facilitate transportation...

20 Reasons to Visit İzmir

Just a Step Away from You! Besides its remarkable features, its geographical location is one of the most important reasons for choosing İzmir. It can easily be reached with a few hours of flight from many places. It’s also very close to the most popular tourist destinations in Turkey. It doesn't matter which country in the...

The Best 10 Places to Watch the Sunset in İzmir

Here are the best 10 places where you can watch the iconic sunset in İzmir. 1. Kordonboyu Just sit on a bench by the sea. The time will slow down and you’ll feel refreshed while watching the amazing sunset. 2- The Historical Elevator No wonder the famous singer Dario Moreno was in love with İzmir. The terrace at the end of...

10 Reasons to Visit İzmir in Autumn

Autumn in İzmir is beautiful in a different way with dozens of streets waiting to be discovered, food to be tasted, festivals and feasts, and villages getting prepared for winter. 1. An autumn like the summer The average temperature in İzmir in autumn is around 23 degrees Celsius. In the first half of the season, this average...

10 Iconic Places in İzmir

İzmir has countless iconic destinations. Here are 10 of them: 1. İzmir Clock Tower The first place that comes to mind when you mention İzmir is The Clock Tower, located in Konak Square, the heart of the city. The 25-meters high and 4-story tower was built in 1901 as a tribute to the 25th anniversary of the succession of the throne of...

One Afternoon at Kordon

“Let’s meet at Kordon” When you’re at Kordon, one of the meeting points of the locals in İzmir, you can visit the Kıbrıs Şehitleri (Cyprus Martyrs’) Street, the most popular street in the city, to see the cafés, restaurants, bookstores, and shops. Then you can go to Kordonboyu, the view and the...

Autumn in İzmir

İzmir is one of the most beautiful coastal cities in the world, which means the autumn in the city celebrates the end of the languor of the summer. The city awakens with music and art, its streets are covered with the smell of coffee, and nature embraces its new colors while the migratory birds say goodbye. The autumn in İzmir...