Izmir is the largest city on the Aegean coast of Turkey and the second largest port in the country after Istanbul. Ancient Smirna – Izmir bore such a name in the ancient period – was founded by the Greeks in the 3rd millennium BC. e. In such a long time, the city managed to stay under the possession of the Romans, the Byzantines and Ottomans. Now it is a multimillion metropolis with skyscrapers, fashionable bars, fish restaurants, shopping centers and a beautiful embankment. The atmosphere of the Greek islands here is amazingly combined with the Turkish color. We talk about the main attractions of the city, as well as share tips for a beach holiday.
Entrance rules
Russians can be in the country without a visa for up to two months for six months, only a passport will be needed to enter. The local currency is the Turkish Lira (Try), the course is approximately 3.6 rubles*.
How to get
15 km from the center of Izmir is the Adanan Menderes International Airport, where there are direct flights from Moscow at. The cost of tickets starts from 31,000 rubles* in both directions. Fly 5.5 hours.
It is convenient to get from a taxi or public transport from the airport to the city center. A taxi costs from 100 try (about 360 rubles*). Ticket on city buses No. 200, 202 and 204 – from 7 Try (about 25 rubles*). The trip will take from 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the load of the road.
Where to stop
Izmir Palas Hotel (Assessment 8.6) – the hotel is located on the city embankment Cordon. The numbers are decorated in the classic style, breakfast takes place in the format of the Swedish table, and the restaurant offer Aegean cuisine and seafood. The night in a standard room with breakfast and a view of the city costs from 10,800 rubles*.
HAY HOTEL ALSANCAK (Assessment 9.2)-a hotel with a common loft space, a cozy cinema and numbers in a modern style is located a 5-minute walk from the coast. The standard room with breakfast costs from 12,600 rubles* per night.
Izmir Marriott Hotel (Assessment 9.1)-a hotel with panoramic views of a sea harbor, a seasonal open pool, lounge zones and a stylish bar on the roof. A fitness center with a heated pool and a jacuzzi is open for guests. The night in a standard room without food costs from 13,000 rubles*.
What to see
Central Square Konak
The main pedestrian and tourist artery of the city. It is always crowded here, because here are the central bus station, the metro station and the ferry pier. The square is rich in architectural monuments. Right in the center, the business card of Izmir rises-a 25-meter clock tower (or in Turkish Saat Kulesi) of marble. It was built at the beginning of the 20th century and fascinates with its skilled openwork trim. The top of the building decorates the clock donated by the German king Wilhelm II. The tower looks especially beautiful in the dark, when they turn on the backlight.
On the edge of the square stands a miniature octagonal mosque (Yali Camii). The shrine was built in the XVIII century and, as it should be any mosque, she has an elegant minaret, a massive dome and stained glass frame of windows.
Izmirsky elevator (Tarihi Asansor)
One of the main attractions in the city. The elevator was built in 1907 to make life easier for the local population – before its appearance, people had to go along hundreds of steep stairs from the sea coast to a residential quarter located on top of the hill.
At the end of the last century, the tower was restored, and now tourists come here not only to ride in an unusual elevator. At the top you can have dinner in a restaurant, from which a panorama opens in a night city and a picturesque view of the bay. The observation deck is also equipped on the balcony of the tower, there is also a cafe. Leaving the elevator, you will find yourself in an old Jewish quarter with narrow streets. The walls of houses here are often painted in bright shades of red and blue.
Kemeraleti Carsi market
Izmir come to the main market to feel the atmosphere of the old city. After all, this is not only a place where trading is in full swing from morning to evening, but also a whole collection of architectural monuments. The bazaar appeared in the 17th century, and so far many Kemerald shops are located in the ancient parts of the Caravan Sarah building. Locals are often called the market with a reduced copy of the bazaar in Istanbul.
In the trade rows, you can find almost everything from souvenirs and clothes to delicious delicacies, expensive antiques and handmade leather products. They also offer to try real Turkish coffee, which is grinded and cooked right before your eyes.
Cordon embankment
Promenade with a length of more than 3 km is located along the Izmir Gulf and the main Street of Ataturk Kadesi. This is a well-groomed pedestrian area with places for relaxation, bicycle paths, art objects and fish restaurants. Walking along it, you can see houses in the Greek style, synagogue, many berths and the early Christian church of St. Polycarp. Instead of the usual asphalt, a black and white coating is made on the embankment, repeating the image of sea waves.
Antique ruins of Agora Smirna
The ruins of the ancient market square are located at the foot of Mount Pagos in the Namazga quarter. This is an archaeological monument and an open -air museum, all buildings on the territory were erected in the era of the Roman Empire, when the ancient city of Smirna existed on the site of the modern Izmir.
In the 20th century alone, large -scale restoration work was held here, and now they come here to admire columns with capitals, arches, gates and ancient tombs. Scientists came to the conclusion that initially the central trading area began to be used as an Ottoman cemetery over time.
Cable road Telefeter
The Izmirsky cable car for almost 50 years, but after the global reconstruction, which ended in 2015, it was completely updated. Now it is a modern funicular with 20 spacious glass cabins. On it you can climb a hill about 420 m high in just 3 minutes, the cost of the trip is 25 try (about 90 rubles*). From the height of a bird flight, you can see the surrounding nature, dense crowns of trees and a panorama on the city.
At the top of the hill you are waiting for an observation deck, a well -maintained green park and several restaurants. If desired, for 3 try (about 10 rubles*). You can see the bay in binoculars and the embankment. Or go to the picnic, because there are barbecue areas and arbors. The main thing is to take warm clothes with you, because it is windy upstairs.
Izmirsky Park of Wildlife
This is one of the largest zoos in Turkey, where most of the animals live in natural conditions. Here you will not meet unrestrained aviary and cramped cells, because for more than 1,500 inhabitants in the park have made separate thematic zones. For example, in the African savannah with an area of 17,000 square meters. m. live zebras, ostriches, giraffes and hippos, which are separated from visitors with a high hedge.
Dangerous predators (for example, lions and tigers) are fenced with a glass barrier. The park is interestingly thought out by landscape design, it is nice to walk along the paths surrounded by plants and flowers, pure ponds and fountains. Here you can also look in a cafe, relax in arbors or zones for picnics, and go to playgrounds with children. The cost of the input ticket is 20 try (about 70 rubles*).
Park of culture of Izmir
This is one of the favorite places of citizens for walking in the fresh air. The park is located in the most lively area of Izmir, Alssanjak. There are many landscaped paths, an abundance of greenery, flowers and palm trees, benches and fountains, and exhibitions, concerts and film screenings are held every weekend.
In the park, look at the Museum of History and Art, take a walk to the open -air theater or admire the artificial lake, in the middle of which the island is made. A large territory is occupied by attractions and street cafes.
Mosque Hisar
The largest mosque of Izmir, built in the XVI century in the era of the Ottoman Empire, is actually located right on the Kemerault market. Next to other historical buildings, it affects its size – a huge central dome and more than 10 small, 8 massive columns, a minaret with a balcony and a spacious courtyard with a Rococo style fountain.
You can look at gypsum jewelry located on the facades of the mosque for a long time. Mihrabs, arches, dome, windows and column capitals are decorated with images with star motifs, grapes, flowers and leaves. And before the entrance to the mosque, you will see an inscription of gold gold, which in translation means: “Anyone who enters there will be safe.”
Museum of Car Key
The private museum more than 20 years ago was founded by three Turkish collectors who traveled around the world and assembled vintage cars and other interesting exhibits. The collection has about 130 cars, among which you can see fairly rare retro cars, for example, 1886 release.
Lovers of motorcycles will appeal here, because it is interesting to see what they were in the 19th and XX century. A separate section of the museum is occupied by an exhibition of miniature cars, here about 2,500 different copies of brands of cars from around the world are collected. The cost of the input ticket is 200 try (about 700 rubles*).
Ataturk Museum
A chic mansion in the style of neoclassicism was built at the end of the 19th century. Now there is a museum in it, named after the first president of Turkey and one of the most influential politicians in the history of the state – Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. Surrounded by restored interiors and antique furniture, you can get to know the history of the country closer.
For 10 years the president stopped in this building, which was his residence during a visit to Izmir. The city actually gave him this house, closing the hotel that existed here. Among the exhibits, you can see books, clothes and other personal belongings of a policy. The entrance to the museum is free.
Beach vacation
Izmir is a huge port city, so it’s better to go to the surrounding villages for a good beach vacation.
For example, 65 km north of the city, you can relax on the beach with a “blue flag” in a small village of Focue (Foça). After bathing, tourists walk in the beautiful Bay of Old Foça Host. On the shore are fish restaurants, ancient architectural monuments, and expensive yachts are moored on the pier.
One of the most developed and popular resorts-Czech (çeşme), similar to a small Greek town with low-rise buildings in white blue colors. It is located 90 km from Izmir, and here you can find the beaches for every taste: sandy, pebble or wild, where diving and surfing lovers prefer to relax.
*Prices are relevant at the time of publication.
