Smyrna is a special city, with a long history and unique interest. If you have already made a trip to Istanbul and want to visit one more city in Turkey, then Izmir is the right choice. A two-day stay in Izmir is enough to get a good taste of Turkey’s third largest city, nestled in the Gulf of Izmir.

How can you go to Izmir?

You can easily get there by taking a boat from Chios – the journey takes only 35 minutes – to Cesme and from there a bus that takes about an hour to Izmir. Alternatively, choose an air connection with Aegean.

As is true for Istanbul, so for Izmir, you can enter the city even with just your ID.

What will you manage to do in 2 days?

  1. To explore the important sights of the city
  2. Browse the local bazaars
  3. Enjoy a bath in a traditional or modern hammam
  4. Taste the local food

Where to stay in Izmir:

The best area to stay in Izmir if your trip is short is Konak, located in the western part of the city. It is essentially the center of Izmir, it is close to several attractions and attracts the most tourists. There is a good selection of hotels and restaurants in the area and Kemeraltı Bazaar is also located there.

The most important sights to see in Izmir:

  1. Izmir Clock Tower: Located in Konak Square, it dates back to 1901. It was a gift from Emperor Wilhelm II of Germany for the 25th anniversary of Sultan Abdul Hamid II’s accession to the throne.
  2. Yalı Mosque: A small but extremely important mosque located in Konak Square. It was built in 1755 and stands out for its elaborate tiled roof. The perfect spot for a souvenir photo in Izmir.
  3. Izmir Elevator (Tarihî Asansör): You go up in the city’s historic elevator, which was built in 1907 and is 58 meters high. It was built to serve the residents by connecting the Karataş neighborhood to the steep side of the hill. If you are interested, there is also a restaurant at the top.
  4. Kemeralti Bazaar: It is one of the most popular spots in Izmir. It is a historical area and houses the city bazaar. It hosts 6 mosques including the Hisar Mosque.
  5. Hisar Mosque: One of the largest mosques in Smyrna. Built in the 1590s, it features important works of Islamic art.
  6. Ancient Market of Smyrna: It is an ancient Roman market, built in the 4th century BC. by the Greeks and was destroyed in 178 AD. from the devastating earthquake.
  7. Archaeological and Ethnographic Museum of Smyrna: The museum was founded in 1924 on the site of the old church of Agios Vukolos. It hosts exhibits from the Bronze Age, the Greek and Roman periods and from ancient sites such as Ephesus, Bairakli, Pergamos.
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What is worth doing in Izmir:

  • Look for and enjoy a bath in one of the traditional or modern hammams of the city. It is one of the best experiences in Turkey in general and I recommend the traditional one, to get the real experience.
  • Walk along the Kordon Alsancak promenade, located by the sea. It is the perfect spot to watch the sunset. You will find many shops around for coffee and food.
  • Shop at Kemeraltı bazaar, you will find products at extremely low prices. If you want something more modern, there are the Forum Bornova, Selway Outlet AVM and Izmir Optimum AVM stores.
  • Taste the local flavors, chicken minced in a bun, kebap, kumru, Menemen (with eggs, tomato, peppers, spices), İzmir köfte (Smirnian suzukas), kopanisti, kiunefe, baklava and seafood. Gazi Kadınlar Sokağı is one of the most charming places to eat in Izmir. It is buzzing with restaurants and bars.
  • Stay in a luxury hotel, as the prices are much lower than the corresponding hotels in Greece.
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Extra attractions:

If you have more free time there are a few more sights that you can admire in Izmir.

  • Arkas Art Center: It is an art museum that opened in 2011 and houses the Arkas exhibition by Lucien Arkas, hosting more than 900 works.
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Kadifekale: Its name means “velvet castle” and it is located at the top of Mount Pagos. It dates from the 3rd century BC. and overlooks the Gulf of Izmir and most of the city.

Balcova thermal springs: They are located in the west of the city and attract a lot of people. The baths have been known since ancient times and have healing properties for rheumatism, sciatica, eczema, etc.

Useful Tips for the trip to Izmir:

  • Use Revolut for payments in restaurants and department stores. But you will need cash for the bargains. Withdraw money from any ATM with your Revolut card or exchange currency somewhere safe.
  • If you intend to shop at the bazaars, try to acclimatize and ask for lower prices. That’s what the sellers there are used to.
  • If you travel with an identity card, entering Izmir (or Cesme if you go via Chios) you will go through a check and you will be given a stamped paper that will show the date of entry into the country. It is very important to keep it, as it will be required when leaving the country.