15 Best Things to Do in Izmir

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   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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2. 2
   

   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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5. 5
   

   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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6. 6

   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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7. 7
   

   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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10. 10
    

    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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Beyond the big names, the categories below cover everything else we track here.