Izmir, Turkey

15 Best Things to Do in Izmir

Start with these 15 and you have seen the Izmir that travelers rate highest.

We rank by how many travelers reviewed each place, across the 15 we track here. Updated monthly.

St. John's Cathedral (İzmir)
Religious site
St. John's Cathedral, built in the 19th century, stands as the main Roman Catholic church in İzmir and the seat of the Archdiocese of İzmir.
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Kemeraltı
Market
Kemeraltı is İzmir's historic market district, a sprawling maze of covered and open-air streets filled with shops, cafes, mosques, and historic buildings.
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İzmir Clock Tower
Landmark
The İzmir Clock Tower stands in the heart of Konak Square, a graceful 25-meter structure built in 1901 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Sultan Abdülhamid II's reign.
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Asansör
Landmark
Asansör is a striking stone elevator tower built in 1907 by a Jewish philanthropist to connect the coastal neighborhood of Karataş with the hilltop district of Halil Rıfat Paşa.
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Konak Square
Landmark
Konak Square is the vibrant heart of İzmir, a bustling public space dominated by the elegant Ottoman-era Clock Tower, the city's most recognizable symbol.
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Bostanlı Open-air Archaeological Museum
Museum
The Bostanlı Open-air Archaeological Museum offers a unique blend of history and nature, showcasing ancient artifacts and ruins scattered throughout a park along İzmir's coastline.
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Agora of Smyrna
Historic site
The Agora of Smyrna is a sprawling archaeological site in central İzmir, dating back to the Roman period (2nd century AD).
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Kadifekale
Historic site
Kadifekale, meaning 'the velvet castle' in Turkish, is a hilltop fortress in İzmir that offers sweeping views of the city and the Gulf of İzmir.
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İzmir Archaeological Museum
Museum
The İzmir Archaeological Museum houses a vast collection of artifacts unearthed from the ancient city of Smyrna and surrounding regions.
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İnciraltı Sea Museum
Museum
İnciraltı Sea Museum is a maritime museum located on the İzmir waterfront, offering visitors the chance to explore historic naval vessels, including submarines and warships.
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Hisar Mosque
Religious site
Hisar Mosque is the largest and most impressive Ottoman mosque in İzmir, built in 1592 by the governor Aydınoğlu Yakup Bey.
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İzmir Atatürk Museum
Museum
The İzmir Atatürk Museum occupies a two-story stone mansion built in the late 19th century, used by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk during his stays in the city.
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Cumhuriyet Square (İzmir)
Landmark
Cumhuriyet Square is the symbolic heart of modern İzmir, a spacious public square where locals gather for concerts, rallies, and national holidays.
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İzmir Ethnography Museum
Museum
Housed in a beautifully restored 19th-century mansion in Konak, the İzmir Ethnography Museum offers an intimate glimpse into the region's cultural heritage.
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Kültürpark
Park & nature
Kültürpark is İzmir's premier urban green space, covering 42 hectares in the city center. Created in the 1930s, it features tree-lined avenues, flower gardens, and a serene lake where visitors can row boats.
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