7 reasons to holiday in the Izmir area, Turkey

Robin McKelvie

Robin McKelvie

How about a holiday to a buzzing, history and shopping rich city? Or what about a break to an idyllic beach where you can choose to bash around doing water sports or just chill on the sands? Maybe even a trip that allows an adventure to one of the ancient world wonders?

Top reasons to holiday in Izmir, Turkey
Top reasons to holiday in Izmir, Turkey © Image Source Salsa - Alamy Stock Photo

Ok then, how about an oasis that combines all of the above in one alluring sun-drenched cocktail? That's exactly what you'll find in Turkey's western city of Izmir and the surrounding area. Izmir itself is a seriously underrated coastal city that enjoys a spectacular location on a 50 km wide bay set on the Aegean Sea, backed by a ripple of rugged mountains.

Turkey's third-largest city, which is reputed to be the birthplace of Homer, is alive with Greek, Roman and Ottoman ghosts. This rich historical legacy teases out from beneath a lively, modern face that is most impressively on show along the languorous Kordon waterfront promenade.

Dusk on Izmir's waterfront, Turkey
Dusk on Izmir's waterfront, Turkey © Emirkoo - Fotolia.com

Breeze out of Izmir and there are brilliant beaches to enjoy, as well as engaging tourist resorts like Kusadasi. Head inland and there are glorious historical sites to explore such as world-class Ephesus. If that's not enough the whole area is great for shopping and renowned for its superb food and drink.

Getting to Izmir: check out the latest deals on breaks to Izmir with TUI*, which departs from airports across the UK.

1. Delve into historic Izmir

One of the city of Izmir's most glorious attractions is its epic history. The effort of digging down below glitzy modern Izmir is rewarded by a world of ancient ghosts who have tantalisingly left their indelible imprints.

The city's Agora pre-dates the Ottoman cemetery, which can still be seen on its fringes, offering an intriguing window into the Roman city of Smyrna. You can check out the baths, shop-lined streets and mosaic-floored parliament, which once buzzed with life.

Pop up to Kadifekale Castle for views to accompany the history and learn more about the city at the Archaeological Museum and the Ethnographic Museum.

2. Retail therapy

If you love shopping you're booking a trip to the right destination! The city's stylish, bargain hunting citizens love a bit of retail therapy and there's impressive diversity on offer.

There are the big name shops and air conditioned malls, but accompanying them in what is one of Turkey's most cosmopolitan and liberal cities is the likes of the Kemeralti Bazaar,.

Here you can lose yourself amidst all the exotic sights, sounds and smells that demonstrate so intoxicatingly that you are now on the continent of Asia rather than Europe. You'll enjoy a similar vibe at the markets in Kusadasi and Selcuk, where everything and anything is on sale.

Quiet beach near Kusadasi, Izmir, Turkey
Quiet beach near Kusadasi, Izmir, Turkey © Yavuzsariyildiz - Fotolia.com

3. Brilliant beaches

Love nothing more than chilling on the beach in the sun? Well again you have come to the right place as this corner of Turkey boasts some of the country's finest beaches. Indeed there are stretches of sand easily accessible from the city centre of Izmir itself.

Head out to the resorts like Kusadasi (home to no fewer than eight beaches), and there are even better beaches to savour whether you are looking or a quiet escape, a family friendly oasis with shallow waters or something livelier for some adrenaline pumping watersports.

4. Kusadasi

This Aegean Sea resort town of Kusadasi* is a charmer, with the evocative fortress on Pigeon Island the star of its dramatic waterfront. Stroll along the littoral, relax on a beach or go shopping in the atmospheric bazaar. Fans of water parks will be in their element as the stellar Aqua Fantasy water park is one of Europe's largest.

Handily it's actually part of the lovely luxury hotel complex, Aqua Fantasy Aquapark Hotel & Spa*. You're spoilt for choice as the acclaimed Adaland water park tempts outside the town too.

The 25,000 seat amphitheatre at Ephesus near Izmir, Turkey
The 25,000 seat amphitheatre at Ephesus near Izmir, Turkey © Omer Genc - Fotolia.com

5. Ephesus

This remarkable legacy is quite simply one of the most dramatic historic sites anywhere in the world. That is in part because it's not actually just a 'site' as such, more a brilliantly preserved Greco-Roman city. Painstakingly excavated over the years, you can now enjoy a beguiling window into the lives of our ancestors centuries ago.

I love that you can just wander through old theatres and bathhouses, taking in temples and fountains as you go. You can even check out the ancient loos! Well worth a whole day - you'll want to come back to a place that will live on in you long after you fly home.

6. Food & drink

Turkey is renowned for its superb food and drink, and the Izmir area is no exception. Forget just kebabs (though the range of kebab style options here is amazing) as there's far more on offer. This bountiful coastline dishes up a fresh catch of seafood, best enjoyed in the waterfront restaurants, and the vegetarian fare is delicious too.

To drink try a heart starting Turkish coffee (best enjoyed surrounded by the old world charms of a bazaar), an ice old local Efes beer or the delicious Ayran. The latter is an acquired taste, a concoction made with yoghurt, water and salt. It's nothing if not refreshing!

7. Boat trips

Around four million people call Izmir home and the locals say that you have not really visited the city unless you have hopped on a ferry across to Karsiyaka on the other side of the gulf from Konak Pier.

Ferry ride across the bay in Izmir, Turkey
Ferry ride across the bay in Izmir, Turkey ©HG32 - Wikimedia CC BY-SA 3.0

This boat ride lets you appreciate sweeping views of the city as it bursts up from the sea towards a rugged fold of mountains, as well as to discover a less touristy part of Izmir.

There are boat trips too from the beach resorts, many include lunch and opportunities to swim in the crystal clear waters that the Izmir area is so famous for.

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Tempted to sample the delights of Izmir? Check out the latest deals on breaks to Turkey with TUI.

TUI sale: up to £300 off holidays in 2025/2026

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Robin McKelvie

Robin McKelvie

Robin McKelvie is a Scottish travel writer, author and broadcaster. He has visited over 100 countries and regularly writes about Scotland and the Canary Islands. As well as frequently contributing to Weather2Travel.com, Robin writes for publications including The Telegraph, The Independent, The Guardian, The Times and Wanderlust, and has authored more than 30 guidebooks.

Article updated on Tuesday 9th June 2020 in: City Culture Middle East Summer TUI

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