İzmir

Go to İzmir for a working Aegean port with a seafront promenade, an old covered bazaar and a short drive to the ruins of Ephesus.

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İzmir is a large port city on the Aegean coast of western Türkiye and the country's third-largest city. The center runs along the Kordon, a seafront promenade where people walk in the evening and sit at tea and coffee spots facing the water. Behind it, the Kemeraltı bazaar has covered and open streets selling spices, textiles and household goods. Above the city, the hilltop fortress of Kadifekale overlooks the gulf, and the Agora of Smyrna, a Roman-era marketplace, lies near the center.

The food is worth the trip too. Try boyoz, a flaky pastry, and seafood meze at restaurants along the waterfront and in Alsancak. İzmir suits travelers who want a working city with history and good food, and it is a practical base for the beaches around Çeşme and Foça. Ephesus is about an hour's drive away, so it works as a day trip. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons; summer is hot, and it is the beach season. Plan two or three days in the city, and one more if you add Ephesus.

İzmir in five

Get an İzmirimkart before you rideBuy the transit card at metro stations or kiosks and load it before you board. Use it on the metro and city buses, and tap on every ride.Getting around
Book Ephesus as a full morningEphesus is about an hour away by road, and by late morning the midday heat and tour groups fill the site. Go at opening and carry water.Tours and tickets
Carry some lira for bazaar stallsCards work in most shops and restaurants, but some small stalls in the Kemeraltı bazaar and dolmuş drivers often prefer cash. Keep small notes for fares and tips.Money and costs
Set up an eSIM before you landInstall the eSIM before you fly, so data is active when you land and you can open the transit and map apps straight away.Phones and eSIM
Pack a scarf for the mosquesMosques ask visitors to cover shoulders and knees and to remove shoes at the entrance. A light scarf in your day bag covers both mosques and the sun.

Things to do in İzmir

See all attractions in İzmir

Park · İzmirKültürpark İzmirSpring and summer are good times to look for artistic events at the Atatürk Open Air Theater.

Mosque · İzmirHisar MosqueVisit during Maghrib prayer time for a sense of the mosque in use.

Landmark · İzmirRed Hall BasilicaCheck whether the site is open before making it a dedicated stop; it has been closed for restoration.

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to İzmirPut the places you like in İzmir on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Currency: Turkish lira (TRY)
Entry: Visa-free or e-visa, depending on your passport Read more
Emergency: 112 for all emergency services, 155 police, 110 fire
Tipping: Round up, or about 10% in restaurants if no service charge is added
Time: UTC+3, no daylight saving

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh12°Low6°Cool, rainy
FebruaryPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh14°Low6°Cool, rainy
MarchPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh17°Low8°Mild, showers
AprilClear6 rainy daysHigh21°Low12°Mild, green
MayClear6 rainy daysHigh26°Low16°Warm, pleasant
JuneClear3 rainy daysHigh32°Low20°Hot, festivals
JulyClear1 rainy dayHigh35°Low23°Hot, dry
AugustClear1 rainy dayHigh35°Low23°Very hot
SeptemberClear2 rainy daysHigh31°Low19°Warm, clear
OctoberClear4 rainy daysHigh24°Low15°Mild, clear
NovemberClear8 rainy daysHigh19°Low11°Cooler, rainy
DecemberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh14°Low8°Cool, rainy

Average daily high and low in İzmir, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in İzmir

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 13°
Humidity: 88%
Wind: 6 km/h
Chance of rain: 80%

İzmir

11:48 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT+3

Today19°16°80%Monday: Rain. High 19°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 80%.
Tue19°16°53%Tuesday: Rain. High 19°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 53%.
Wed19°14°33%Wednesday: Rain. High 19°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 33%.
Thu17°10°0%Thursday: Partly cloudy. High 17°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 0%.
Fri15°8°0%Friday: Clear. High 15°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 0%.
Sat15°7°0%Saturday: Clear. High 15°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 0%.
Sun16°8°2%Sunday: Clear. High 16°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 2%.

Updated 08:31 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 49.94 TRY

Amount

Converted to

TRY · Turkish Lira

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Ephesusabout 1 to 1.5 hours by carThe ancient city with the Library of Celsus. Go at opening to beat the heat and tour groups.
Çeşmeabout 1 to 1.5 hours by carBeaches and seafood on the peninsula. Alaçatı's stone streets and windsurfing are close by.
Bergamaabout 1.5 to 2 hours by carA hilltop acropolis and the Asclepion healing sanctuary. Plan a full day for the drive and the site.

Before you go to İzmir

eSIM for İzmirMaps and transit apps on landingRead the guide

Insurance for day tripsMedical cover for day tripsRead the guide

Money and cardsLira cash for small stallsRead the guide

Where to stayCompare Konak, Alsancak, KarşıyakaRead the guide

Rules for İzmir, checked

Many nationalities need a visa or e-visa for Türkiye, and others enter visa-free. Check your passport on evisa.gov.tr before you book.Source
Ancient objects and coins are protected by law, and taking them out of the country needs official permission. Keep receipts from licensed dealers.
Carry a scarf for mosques, cover shoulders and knees, and take off your shoes at the entrance.
Smoking is banned in indoor public places, including most restaurants and cafés. Ask before you light up on a terrace.

Plan around İzmir

All of Türkiye

Regions, entry rules, transport and money for a Türkiye trip

Read the guide Visas and entry

Who needs a visa or e-visa and how to apply

Read the guide Getting around

Metro, city buses, ferries and day trips compared

Read the guide Money and costs

Cash, cards and typical prices for a city stay

Read the guide Where to stay

Konak, Alsancak and Karşıyaka compared by base

Read the guide

İzmir FAQ

Is İzmir worth visiting?

Yes, for the Kordon waterfront, the Kemeraltı bazaar and the Agora, plus easy day trips to Ephesus and Çeşme. It works well as a base on the Aegean coast. Plan two to three days.

How many days do you need in İzmir?

Two or three days covers the city. Add a day for Ephesus, which needs a full morning plus the drive there and back.

How do you get from the airport to the city?

Adnan Menderes Airport is outside the city center, so allow extra time for the trip in. Taxis and airport shuttles are the usual options. Check current routes before you travel.

Should I stay in İzmir or Alaçatı?

Stay in İzmir for the city, the food and the ferries. Stay in Alaçatı for quiet beaches and windy days. Alaçatı is about one to one and a half hours by car.

When is the best time to visit İzmir?

April to June and September to October are the most comfortable, with warm days and fewer crowds. July and August are very hot, and winter is cool and rainy.