Izmir, historically named as Smyrna is the city located in western Turkey. It is Turkey’s third largest city and having one of its largest ports, Izmir lies at the head of the sheltered Gulf of Izmir on the coast of the Aegean Sea. Izmir is one of the oldest cities of the Mediterranean world regarding its culture and history and has been of almost continuous historical importance during the last 5 millenniums. 

The modern structure of the city, with its aesthetically designed buildings were established after the WW1, having different districts all around the gulf.

Karşıyaka district is the separate town across the gulf from central Izmir and now constitutes the northwestern extent of Izmir with popular bakeries, shopping centers and the access to it through sea transport makes it even better to see Izmir while enjoying the seagulls wanting lots of “gevrek” from you!

At the south of Konak lies Kadifekale (Mount Pagus), on which the old citadel of Izmir was built that has an elevation of 186 metres and commands a general view of a large part of the city of Izmir, as well as of the Gulf of Izmir.

Konak district is the commercial centre of Izmir with historical and modern shopping avenues such as Kıbrıs Şehitleri Caddesi in Alsancak, located on a site of the recently enlarged harbour with themed pubs, night clubs, shopping stores, restaurants and street foods, while Kemeraltı carries on the historical background of Izmir with its bazaar, traditional coffee and shopping stores.

Being at the heart of the sheltered Gulf, Izmir has countless popular beaches known for being one of the cleanest beaches in Turkey. Some of which are Çeşme, Alaçatı, Didyma, Kuşadası with very large tourist attraction each year.

If you have enough time, the partly excavated remains such as Agora Open Air Museum in Konak, Ephesus in Selçuk with the famous St. Mary’s Church and Pergamum in Pergamon (Bergama) are some the famous ancient sites located around Izmir some of which you should add to your bucket list. 

Besides Ephesus in Selçuk, Şirince is also one of the places that you must visit before you leave Izmir. With its historical houses, local wine yards and local wines, you get to taste different flavored wines, and shopping traditional accessories, clothes, gifts become even better while walking around the mountainside located village. 

With regards to traditional food, “Bomba” is the famous desert that is a praline/chocolate stuffed cookie having a crispy dough layer on the outside and fluid chocolate filling inside. “Boyoz” is the iconic pastry of Izmir as a simple, small, rounded pastry made from thin layers of dough accompanied by traditional Turkish breakfast.

With all the beautiful landscapes, sites and places, Izmir will still remain a mystery with all the unexplored places as you will not get enough of it!