The third largest city in Turkey, Izmir, is renowned for its museums, dining, and frenetic nightlife. It’s also a great place to base yourself to explore the wider Izmir Province area, home to some of Turkey’s finest sights. From the incredible historical sights of Pergamon and Ephesus to the natural beauty of Pamukkale and Cesme’s beaches, there’s no shortage of excellent day trips on offer. So, while the city may lack the aesthetic appeal of other coastal cities such as Antalya and Marmaris, its location and surrounding attractions make up for it. Throughout this guide, we’ll look at the best of these day trips along with the best attractions that Izmir City has to offer.
The ancient city of Ephesus dates back to the 10th century BC. Widely considered one of the best-preserved ancient cities in the Mediterranean, this incredible site features many spectacular buildings. The city owed its wealth and fame to the Silk Road trade, and as with many other prominent wealthy cities of the era, it became the target of other empires. Periods of Persian, Hellenistic, and Roman rule followed before the city was finally abandoned in the 15th century AD. The continued build-up of silt had made the harbor impenetrable, cutting off the city’s lifeblood.
In present-day Ephesus, there’s plenty of the ancient past to be seen. Highlights of the site include the Great Theatre, the Sacred Way, and the impressive Celsus Library. The Gymnasium of Vedius, Harbour Street, and the Double Church are notable sights. Unfortunately, the Temple of Artemis of Ephesus, one of the 7 Ancient Wonders of the World, was destroyed by Herostratus, and there are no remains to be seen.
When visiting Ephesus, you must allow 3 to 4 hours to see the whole site. Visiting early in the morning or later in the afternoon is recommended to avoid the worst of the crowds and the midday heat. Ephesus lies some 55 kilometers from Izmir and takes around an hour to reach. Most visitors and public transport go through the local town of Selcuk, which is just 3 kilometers away from the site.
We now turn from the man-made wonder at Ephesus to the natural wonder of Pamukkale. The exquisite white travertine shelves and pools of Pamukkale, with their sky-blue waters, are one of Turkey’s premier attractions. This surreal landscape has been created by the calcium deposits from the mineral-rich thermal springs in the area, which have evolved over time into one of the most unique landscapes on earth. The Romans recognized the site’s appeal and constructed the spa city of Hierapolis alongside the pools, and the city’s ruins now form part of the site.
While it is no longer possible to swim in the travertine pools, you can explore the area on foot. You can also swim in the neighboring public swimming pools or the Antique Pool, named after the submerged Roman columns that reside in it. The Antique Pool is located in Hierapolis, home to many well-preserved historical buildings. Some of the best sites include a Roman Theatre, a Byzantine Church, and the remains of the Temple of Apollo. There’s also an archaeological museum on site, which houses many statues and artifacts.
The pools of Pamukkale and the neighboring town of the same name lie 220 kilometers away from Izmir or a 3-hour drive. The closest major town is Denizli, which has regular connections to Izmir and Antalya. It’s possible to stay in Pamukkale or Denizli, and we’d strongly recommend this option. Arriving early or late in the day ensures you avoid the coach tours and crowds, allowing you to savor this wonderful sight without massive crowds.
The ancient city of Pergamum has existed for thousands of years but only rose to prominence in the 3rd century BC. The city became a cultural and medical center during this time for the ruling Greek Empire before succumbing to the Roman Empire in the 2nd century BC.
The city is located on a steep 335-metre-high hill, which serves as the Acropolis. Several spectacular ruins sit atop the acropolis while a particularly steep theatre is set into the hillside. The site is now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, reflecting its unique characteristics and charm.
There’s no shortage of historical sights to see in Izmir, and there’s always a danger if you see too many ancient sites that you don’t appreciate the intricacies. However, we think Pergamum is well worth your time, even if you’ve visited Ephesus.
The town and surrounding areas of Cesme are home to the finest beaches in the Izmir area. Located around 87 kilometers west of Izmir, the area can be reached in just over an hour, making it a perfect day trip destination. Our choice of beach in the area is Ilica Beach, which is on the north side of Cesme. This long stretch of fine sand is accompanied by a turquoise blue sea, which is notably warmer than other Turkish resorts. The sea is also shallow for a considerable period, making it ideal for children and families. The beach’s proximity to Cesme also ensures there are plenty of amenities close by, from restaurants to shops and hotels. The beach is popular with tourists and locals alike and can become busy during Turkish holidays, but the beach’s size means you should always be able to find a quiet spot.
The often-overlooked coastal town of Urla is a little gem on the Turkish coastline. The area has a rich history with several ancient archaeological sights and a long and proud history of wine production. It still produces some of the finest wines in Turkey, and it’s perhaps the lure of the wineries that has continually attracted the numerous artists that call the town home. While the artists and their galleries and craft shops give the town its color and vibrancy, the vineyards are the main attraction. Both the Urla Winery and MMG Winery offer tastings, are set in fabulous grounds, and are well worth visiting. There are also many beaches near Urla, providing an alternative to Urla’s famous grapes.
Within the center of Izmir lies the Izmir Agora. Located close to the Kemeralti Market, it forms a key part of Izmir’s historic center. The Greeks initially constructed the agora in the 4th century BC before being largely destroyed by an earthquake in AD 178. The agora’s numerous buildings, arches, and colonnades were rebuilt by the occupying Romans and remain suitably well-preserved to this day. This allows you to understand the look and feel of the agora all those years ago. The site is open daily, with hours varying by season.
The splendid Izmir Wildlife Park is located just west of the city and offers a great day out for families and animal lovers. Set in 40 hectares of grounds, the park is spacious and well-designed, with a key focus on animal welfare. Some resident animals include giraffes, elephants, lions, hippos, and leopards. In total, there are over 2,500 animals and 250 different species of plants, providing plenty of variety and things to see. You’ll also find several different play areas for kids and plenty of other amenities within the park. Open daily from 9 am to 5 pm and costing just 8 TRY (~$0.50) for adults, this is an excellent and cheap day out.
The Kemeralti Market (or Bazaar) in Izmir lies in the city’s heart. Dating back to the 17th century, it’s a popular destination for locals and visitors alike. There’s a wide range of shops, cafes, and restaurants within the bazaar, which is part covered and part outside. Generally speaking, most shops offer local crafts, jewelry, leather goods, clothes, and various herbs and spices. If you’ve not been to the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, this market is an absolute must to glimpse authentic Turkish life.
The KEY Museum in Izmir is home to an electric mixture of restored vintage vehicles. It’s located 50 kilometers south of Izmir city by road, and it’s worth the trip. Boasting three halls full of vintage cars, motorcycles, and toy replicas, the collection has been painstakingly assembled. You would expect a collection of this volume and quality to be located in a historic motor city such as Detroit, so the size and scale frequently surprise visitors. It’s undoubtedly the best car museum in Turkey and one of the best in Europe. It’s even an interesting visit for non-car enthusiasts.
Konak Square in the Konak district lies at the center of this bustling city. Located close to the Kordonbeyu seafront and next to the Kemeralti Market, it’s a busy location day or night. The centerpiece of the square is the small but beautiful clock tower. Dating back to 1901, it’s probably Izmir’s most iconic landmark. It’s a great place to relax, watch people, and see the sunset. There are several other interesting monuments and buildings in the area, plus the Izmir Museum of Arts & Sculpture.
Izmir is Turkey’s third-largest city and is located along the country’s west coast. Situated in a province of the same name, it forms part of Western Anatolia. The city also forms part of Turkey’s Aegean Sea coastline. Located 350 kilometers south of Istanbul, it can be reached within 1 hour and 10 minutes by plane or 5 hours by road.
Izmir’s coastal location on the Aegean Sea ensures that the city and province enjoy a sunny and warm year-round climate. During the summer months of June, July, and August, temperatures notably rise, with daily highs regularly exceeding 35°C. This is the ideal time for a beach vacation, although it is also peak season, meaning higher prices and less availability. The shoulder months of May and September see slightly cooler weather and are an ideal time to visit if you’re pursuing history and culture rather than just the beaches. Spring and Autumn are pleasant months, while winters are generally very mild, although wetter than the rest of the year.
You can drive to Morocco from the neighboring countries of Spain and Mauritania, but not Algeria, despite a nearly 2000 km long border between the two countries. Travel between Morocco and any of its neighbors comes with its fair share of challenges. At first glance, you could be mistaken for
If you love solitude, amazing landscapes, and vast open spaces, you’re going to love Western Australia. This amazing land, and the northwest in particular, is often referred to as the ‘Last Frontier’. It’s a land of endless remote possibilities and nowhere showcases this better than the amazing array of national
The Albanian port city of Vlore is one of Albania’s spectacular coastal highlights. Situated at the northern end of the Albanian Riviera and overlooking the beautiful Bay of Vlore, the city is blessed with a wealth of attractions. The home of Albanian independence and the gateway to the Riviera, the
You can drive to remote Tuktoyaktuk on the Arctic Ocean using the Inuvik-Tuktoyaktuk Highway, also known as the “Mackenzie Highway” or “Tuk Highway.” The road provides access to Tuktoyaktuk from Inuvik in the Northwest Territories. Inuvik is accessible from mainland Canada by using the Dempster Highway, which runs all the
It’s possible to drive to beautiful Gasparilla Island from the nearby Florida mainland using a bridge known as the Boca Grande Causeway. The causeway connects the unincorporated community of Placida on the mainland to the northern tip of Gasparilla Island, allowing vehicles to access the island. There’s a $6 round
You can drive to Guyana but only from one of the three South American countries with a common land border. The border crossing with neighboring Brazil in the southwest of Guyana is currently the only open crossing. However, it is located in a very remote region. There are currently no
