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Guide to Izmir, Turkey
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Click to go to Flight Prices for Izmir
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IzmirCurrently the third-largest city in Turkey, Izmir sits on the eastern coast of the country. Touching the Aegean, Izmir is one of the busiest ports in the region and is also a hotbed for commercial activity. Most travelers tend to overlook Izmir for other Turkish destinations such as Bergama, Ephesus, and Pamukkale, and only utilize its international airport and hotels if necessary. What many don't know, is that Izmir holds a few surprises of its own, and you'd be missing out on a great array of sights and activities if you were to follow convention. The shores of the city are pristine to say the least, with more coves and dunes than one can discover in a single visit. The waters are very calm, making for ideal bathing conditions, and you'll have a hard time pulling yourself away from the frenzy of the port when the opportunity to become a deckhand for the afternoon just seems too exciting to decline. Modernism has not left Izmir behind, but you won't miss the wi-fi and lattes when you depart from the metropolis-like landscape for more rooted communities that border the city. Businessmen and women love Izmir for its capabilities in technology and frequently hold conferences and meetings within the downtown area. Izmir surely does cater to a wide range of travelers, and if you fall into any of those categories you can be certain that you'll have a splendid time here in the city. Visit the "Pearl of the Aegean". Book your flight today!
When to go:
Whether it's spring, summer, autumn, or winter, Izmir is a wonderful destination. If you're coming to stroll the coastline you're more likely to secure a good spot - beach chair and all - either in spring or autumn. Izmir tends to get crowded during summer, more so by locals and visiting merchants and fisherman than tourists, and by midday it seems a bit too chaotic for the average bloke's taste. In winter the city calms considerably (ironically, the waters seem more disturbed than ever), but in the evenings, apart from the hubbub of downtown, the city is more serene than we'd prefer, but if you're one for a quiet time while making your way along high-rise buildings, then by all means arrange for a flight between December and February.
Getting there and around:
Most international travel to Izmir is done by air, and Adnan Menderes Airport will most-likely be the home of the terminal at which you arrive. Not many international carriers provide service to Izmir, but those that do so offer it frequently. Izmir is, of course, connected to Turkey's capital more often than anyplace else, so if you're left without a direct flight to Izmir, simply arrange for the next available flight to Ankara and an adjoining trip will hours away (at most). The ideal way of getting around Izmir is certainly by foot, but if you're weary from an extended outing or simply wish for a bit of pampering on your vacation, taxis are plentiful. The wait for a bus is far longer than finding a vacant taxi, but if you're patient, the virtue will serve you well with money saved.
Attractions:
We can't possibly mention all aspects of Izmir that are worth a look, but to gain some bearing about the place, there's no better site to start than Konak Square. The unofficial center of the city, here you will have easy access to Konak Street (some say it is the busiest thoroughfare in the city, but you'll quickly begin to ignore the frenzy once you come upon the clock tower and other sites within this urban canyon.
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