Türkiye

AI may have contributed to this destination’s text and activity data. Confirm opening days, transport, prices and entry conditions with the relevant operator or authority; automatic live-data updates do not verify these descriptions.

Izmir

An easy-going Aegean city and the gateway to Ephesus

Visa & entry checker Plan a trip to Izmir Plan a trip around Türkiye

Best time to visit: Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct
Currency: TRY
Time zone: UTC+3
Country: Türkiye

Photo: Michael ksk, CC BY-SA 3.0

Türkiye's third city is relaxed and liberal, with a long seafront, a huge old bazaar and the ruins of Ephesus an hour away.

Largest cities

Istanbul
Ankara
Izmir
Bursa
Antalya

Quick facts

Figures are rounded recent official estimates.

Country: Türkiye
Capital: Ankara
Province population: 4.5M
Population of Türkiye: 85.7M
Country area: 783,562 km²
Official language: Turkish
Currency: Turkish Lira (TRY) · 1 USD ≈ 49.22 TRY
Time zone: UTC+3
Calling code: +90
Drives on the: Right
Elevation: 25 m
Plugs: C / F · 230V
Emergency numbers: 112
Best time to visit: Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct

Temperatures through the year

Average daily high and low for each month in °C. Months marked with a drop are often rainy.

Temperatures through the year

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High	13°	14°	17°	21°	26°	31°	34°	33°	29°	24°	19°	14°
Low	6°	6°	8°	11°	15°	20°	23°	23°	19°	15°	11°	7°

Best time to visitOther months

Approximate daily cost

Per adult per day: food, local transport and half a double room, without activities or flights.

ConservativeSimple stays, free and low-cost sights first.$45
HighComfortable hotels, a balanced mix of sights and trips.$102
LuxuryLuxury hotels, more paid experiences and day trips.$250

Plan a trip to Izmir

Top things to do

≈ $45
Day trip: Ephesus
The great Roman city with the Library of Celsus and the theatre, about an hour south by train to Selçuk. Add the Terrace Houses ticket for mosaics.
- Full day
- Selçuk and Ephesus
- Good for kids
Free
Kemeraltı bazaar and the Clock Tower
A maze of market lanes, old inns and coffee houses behind Konak Square's famous clock tower.
- Half day
- Konak and Kemeraltı
Free
Kordon promenade
The seafront walk where the city comes out at sunset, lined with cafés and fish restaurants.
- Half day
- Alsancak and Kordon
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening
Free
Historic Elevator (Asansör)
An 1907 lift up the cliff in the old Jewish quarter, with a terrace over the bay.
- Half day
- Konak and Kemeraltı
- Good in the evening
≈ $5
Agora of Smyrna and Kadifekale
The Roman market square in the city centre, then the hilltop castle for the view.
- Half day
- Konak and Kemeraltı
≈ $10
Day trip: Çeşme and Alaçatı
Stone houses and windmills in Alaçatı, clear water at Ilıca beach; about an hour by coach.
- Full day
- Çeşme peninsula
- Good for kids

Before you go

Entry and visas

Rules depend on your passport: many nationalities enter visa-free, others need an e-Visa. Apply only on the official portal, evisa.gov.tr. Your passport should be valid for at least 150 days from arrival.

Official website

From the airport

Adnan Menderes Airport is connected to the centre by the İZBAN suburban train and Havaş buses, both about 30 to 40 minutes.

Getting around

Metro, trams, İZBAN trains and ferries across the bay use the İzmirim card. The İZBAN line also runs south to Selçuk for Ephesus.

Local tips

Start Ephesus at opening time in summer; the stone reflects the heat.
The ferry across the bay to Karşıyaka is a cheap, scenic ride.
Try boyoz pastry and kumru sandwiches, both local specialities.
Many Ephesus tours include a carpet or leather shop stop; you can decline.

Areas worth knowing

Çeşme peninsula
Konak and Kemeraltı
Selçuk and Ephesus
Alsancak and Kordon

Official travel advice

The UK Foreign Office last updated its advice for this country on September 21, 2026. The advice includes warnings against travel to some areas. Read it before booking.

Read the advice on GOV.UK