Places to visit in Izmir

Izmir is visited by thousands of local and foreign tourists every year with its 8500 years of historical monuments, museums, natural beauty, ease of transportation, festivals, beaches, different activity options and hot spring tourism. The first places that come to mind when we talk about places to visit in Izmir are Izmir Clock Tower, Historical Kemeralti Bazaar, Kizlaragasi Inn, Elevator, Agora, Havra Street, Government House, Republic Square, Kadifekale, Izmir Ataturk Museum, Izmir Archeology Museum and Izmir Ethnography Museum.  

Izmir Clock Tower

The clock tower, which has become the symbol of Izmir, is located in Konak Square. The clock tower was built in 1901 by the order of the Governor of Izmir, Kamil Pasha, in memory of the Ottoman Sultan Abdulhamid II. The body of the clock tower is made of white marble and the other parts are made of cut stone. The tower has a height of 25 meters and is constructed as octagonal and four-storey. The clock on the tower was presented by the German Emperor Wilhelm II. The watch stopped only once at 2:04 am in the earthquake of 5.2 magnitudes in 1974, and was restored within 2 years to its original appearance. 
In response to the occupation of Izmir by the Greek army, the first bullet monument is also located here.

Historical Kemeraltı Bazaar

Kemeraltı bazaar, which is spread over a large area, is considered as one of the oldest market places in the world. In the bazaar, where there were more blacksmith shops in the first years of its establishment, there are shops where dozens of different products are sold today. The products sold at very reasonable prices include souvenir shops, handicraft shops, jewellery shops, textile shops and hundreds of other shops.
In the bazaar, there are also places of worship belonging to different religions, as well as inns, baths, old Izmir houses and nearly 2 thousand historical registered buildings.   

Kizlaragasi Inn

Kizlaragasi inn, whose construction was completed in 1744, is located in Kemeraltı Bazaar. There are many mosques built in different centuries in the inn where there are areas to stop and rest after long walks and to meet the need for eating and drinking. 

Historical Elevator

Historical Elevator in the Karataş district of İzmir was built to shorten the distance between the two districts and connect them. When it was first built, the steam-powered elevator was built in the following years and turned into electrically-powered. The historic elevator was finally restored in 1992 by the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality and put into service for the residents of Izmir. It is highly recommended that those who want to see the magnificent view of İzmir and to take pictures of İzmir especially at sunset should definitely stop by here. The restaurants and cafes around the historic elevator provide food and drink to visitors. For those who want to go to the historical elevator, you can take the public bus from Konak to Balçova, Narlıdere and Fahrettin Altay and get off at the elevator stop and reach the elevator after a short walk. The historic elevator is 2 km from Konak Square and a 25-minute walk away.  

The elevator is free of charge and is open from 08:00 until 00:00. Free parking is provided for visitors to the historic elevator. 

Passport pier and Cumhuriyet Square

Passport Ferry Port, which is one of the landmarks of Izmir, is highly recommended for taking a break and a rest while sightseeing, to enjoy hot and cold drinks or to eat something with the view of Izmir Bay. You can also go by ferry to Karşıyaka, Bostanlı, Göztepe, Bayraklı and Alsancak. Those who want to walk in the evening and take photos of the sunset are also frequent here. Cumhuriyet Square, which is located in the immediate vicinity of the passport pier, is a square where official ceremonies are held in Izmir. 

Izmir Kordon

The coastline extending from Cumhuriyet Square to Izmir Port is called İzmir Kordon. Bike paths along the Kordon, parks, cafes to relax, restaurants serve visitors both in summer and in winter. It is strongly recommended that those wishing to have an evening walk with the view of Izmir Bay should come here. Gündoğdu Square and Atatürk Museum are also located on the Kordon. 

Kıbrıs Şehitleri Street

İzmir Alsancak Kıbrıs Şehitleri Street, which is located at the back of Kordon, is one of the most frequently visited points of İzmir. It serves visitors everything from entertainment venues, restaurants, breakfast halls, shops selling different products to hotels and many more Those who visit the Kıbrıs Şehitleri Street are strongly recommended to rent bicycles.
Those who want to go to the street can use the tram or go by the municipal buses 90- 121 and 581.   

Kadifekale

The castle, which was built on a hill of 186 meters in height, was founded in the 4th century BC by the order of General Alexander Lysimachos Around Kadifekale, you can see the Roman city walls as well as the remains of a cistern and masjid from the Byzantine period. In ancient times, Kadifekale was 6 km long and 25 meters high with walls and 23 towers and 3 large gates. The castle, which was damaged in time, was repaired and added during the Ottoman period. 

Agora Archeological Site

Agora, which was founded in 4th century BC, is located in Namazgah district of Izmir, very close to Kemeraltı Bazaar. It is recommended that those who come to İzmir should definitely see the Agora ruins. In the north of the Agora, which has a rectangular plan and a three-storey building, is the basilica that served as a palace of justice. The agora was unearthed in 1927 as a result of the excavations. The works uncovered during the excavations are exhibited in the Izmir Archeology Museum and the Izmir History and Art Museum.

When you go down to the lower floor of the agora, you can see a continuous water fountain flowing for 2400 years. The area where the fountain is located opens to the streets surrounded by arches and there are various inscriptions around the fountain. The Agora, which is located very close to Konak Square, is easy to reach by foot or by minibuses.
Visiting Hours:
From April 15th to October 2nd between 08:00 and 19:00.
3 October 14 April 08:30 to 17:30 between the hours of the museum can be visited free of charge.

Izmir Archaeological Museum

The museum, which was opened at a different point in 1927, moved to its current location in 1984 as a result of the need for a larger area with the introduction of the artefacts found during archaeological excavations. The museum is built in 3 floors and the historical artefacts found in the excavations in and around İzmir are displayed in chronological order.
Among the important artefacts exhibited in various periods are ceramic finds from 3000 BC, different types of gold, silver and bronze, gold coins, Demeter statue, sculpture heads, marble Korean statue, bronze athlete statue, sarcophagi, relief statues, terracotta sarcophagi and many more. The museum is located in the Bahribaba park in Konak.
Visiting Hours:
From April 1st to October 1st between 08:00 and 19:00.
From October 2nd to March 31st between 08:30 and 17:30. Museum cardholders can visit the museum free of charge. 

Izmir Ethnography Museum

The museum, which is located in a historical building, exhibits works depicting the lives, customs and traditions of the Turks living in and around İzmir in the 19th century. In addition, handicraft samples, tools used in fabric printing, carpets and kilims are exhibited in the museum.

Teos Ancient City

The ancient city of Teos, founded by King Athamas of Boiotia in 1000 BC, is located in Seferihisar district, 60 km away from Izmir. Akrapol, Temple of Dionysus, Ancient harbour, Archaic temple, Ancient theatre, Agora, Bouleuterion, Cistern and Ancient roads can be seen in the ancient city which is 5 km away from the city centre. You can easily go to Seferihisar by bus 730 by going to Üçkuyular district bus station by transferring from İzmir to Teo’s ancient city.

Acropolis

 The acropolis, which is located in the middle of the ancient city, was formed by carving a 5-meter long rock and placing big stones. There are a rectangular temple and altar in the acropolis.   

Temple of Dionysus

One of the largest temples in Anatolia, the temple was dedicated to the god of wine Dionysus. The temple was built by the architect Hermogenes and only the foundation of the temple remain.

Bouleuterion

Bouleuterion, which is known as the place where the assembly was gathered in ancient times, has come today as one of the best-preserved buildings in the ancient city. Some of the remains of the inscribed statue are also found inside the structure which is still under the ground.

Theatre

The theatre, which has a capacity of approximately 500 people, was built on the slope of a small hill to the south of Acropol. The stage building is slightly more stable than the stairs. In the theatre, there is a statue base that gives important information to archaeologists about the founder of the city. Museum cardholders can visit the ancient city free of charge. Visiting hours: From April 15th to October 2nd, between 08:00 and 19:00. From October 3rd to April 14th between 08:00 and 17:30.

Izmir History and Art Museum

The museum, which was opened in 2004, consists of three sections: the stone works section, the ceramic works section and the precious works section.  
The statues, inscriptions, altars, stone artefacts, statues and reliefs thought to belong to Homer are exhibited in the stone works section.

* Ceramics works section exhibits some artefacts and ceramic pieces found in ancient cities and archaeological excavations.
* In the Precious Works section, oil lamps, glassworks, Bronze works and many other works belonging to various periods are exhibited. 
The museum is located in the Kültürpark Fairground for those who want to go by metro can easily visit the museum.   
Visiting Hours:
From April 15th to October 2nd between 08:00 and 19:00.
From October 3rd to April 14th between 08:00 and 17:30. Museum cardholders can visit the museum free of charge.

Izmir Women’s Museum

Most of the artefacts exhibited in the museum in Konak are related to the women who left their mark on Turkish history. 3-storey museum exhibits pictures, newspaper clippings, paintings, female-themed sculptures, wedding dresses, women’s motif mosaic works. The museum is located in Izmir Anafartalar street and can be visited free of charge. 

Izmir Mask Museum

The museum where masks collected from various parts of the world are exhibited is located on the Kıbrıs Şehitleri Street. There are many masks from aboriginals to masks used by tribes in Africa, as well as many celebrity masks.
Opened in 2011, the museum is located on the Kıbrıs Şehitleri Street and is free of charge between 09:00 and 17:00 except Sunday and Monday.  

Izmir Ataturk House and Museum

The museum opened in 1978 and exhibits belongings related to Atatürk. In addition to the wax sculpture made while evaluating the plan of Atatürk’s War of Independence with the commanders, the items used by Atatürk, the bathroom of Atatürk, the bedroom, the study room, the dining room and many other objects are exhibited in the museum.
Located close to Gündoğdu Square, the museum can be visited free of charge between 08:30 and 17:30 every day of the week except Mondays.  

Izmir Wildlife Park (Kulturpark)

Turkey’s first zoo was built on 18 acres of land in the park of Culture in 1937. Last but not least, in 2008 the size of the Park was increased to 425 acres, making it the largest natural habitat in Europe by İzmir Metropolitan Municipality.  

The park, which is located in the lake, which is close to 8500 square meters in size, is built on a very large area. In the park, about 150 different species, 1500 animals, 3000 trees and 250 different plant species live. The park also hosts endangered animals and plants and contributes to their proliferation. Izmir’s bird sanctuary where birds are sheltered is only 2 km away. Turkey’s most comprehensive trade fair is also held in the park every year in mid-September.