İzmir, Turkey’s third-largest city, is relaxed, liberal and right on the sea. Most visitors pass through on the way to Çeşme or Ephesus, but the city deserves a night or two: an evening walk along the Kordon promenade at sunset, the old Kemeraltı bazaar and the café streets of Alsancak are reason enough. Here is where to stay.
Alsancak: cafés, bars and the Kordon
Alsancak is the liveliest neighbourhood, with pedestrian streets full of cafés, meyhanes and bars, Levantine-era houses and the seafront Kordon a few steps away. It is the best base for most visitors. Hotels range from large business hotels on the seafront to small boutique places in the side streets. Expect noise in the evenings near the bar streets.
- Ada Apart Otel – Alsancak, Konak
- Avin Hotel – Kahramanlar, Konak
- Blanca Hotel – Kahramanlar Merkez, Konak
- Ege Palas – Alsancak, Konak
- En Hotel Izmir – Konak
- Hay Alsancak – Alsancak, Konak
- Hotel Apart Alsancak – Alsancak, Konak
- Ibis Izmir Alsancak – Alsancak, Konak
- Izmir Marriott Hotel – Akdeniz, Konak
- Kordon Hotel Cankaya – Çankaya, Konak
- MB City Hotel – Alsancak, Konak
- Mira Otel Alsancak – Alsancak, Konak
- Movenpick Hotels & Resorts – Alsancak, Konak
- Riva Hotel Alsancak – Alsancak, Konak
- Shantihome Hostel izmir – Alsancak, Konak
- Viva la Vita Butik Otel – Alsancak, Konak
Konak and Kemeraltı: history and the bazaar
Konak Square, with its famous clock tower, is the historic centre. Behind it, Kemeraltı is one of the largest historic bazaars in Turkey, with han courtyards, coffee houses and the old Jewish quarter’s synagogues. Hotels around Konak and İsmet Kaptan are convenient for the metro and ferries.
- DoubleTree by Hilton Izmir – Alsancak – İsmet Kaptan, Konak
- Emen’s Hotel – İsmet Kaptan, Konak
- Hotel Baylan – Akıncı, Konak
- Kordon Hotel Pasaport – Akdeniz, Konak
- Lotus Garden Hostel – no:, Konak
- Marla Otel – Akdeniz, Konak
- Myway Deluxe Hotel – Akdeniz, Konak
- Oglakcioglu Park Boutique Hotel – İsmet Kaptan, Konak
- Olimpiyat Hotel – Akıncı, Konak
- Ontur Hotel Izmir – İsmet Kaptan, Konak
- Piano Hotel – İsmet Kaptan, Konak
- Renaissance Izmir Hotel – Akdeniz, Konak
- Swissotel Buyuk Efes Izmir – Alsancak, Konak
- Zeniva Hotel – Kültür, Konak
Bayraklı, Bornova and the business districts
Across the bay, Bayraklı is İzmir’s new business district with high-rise hotels and views back over the city. It suits business travellers and is linked by ferry and metro.
- Balcova Termal Otel – İzmir, Balçova
- DoubleTree by Hilton Izmir Airport – Fatih, Gaziemir
- Hyatt Regency İzmir İstinyePark – Bahçelerarası, Balçova
- Ibis Styles Izmir Bornova Hotel – Kazımdirik, Bornova
- Luis Hotel – Dokuz Eylül, Gaziemir
- Mia City Hotel – Dokuz Eylül, Gaziemir
- Orty Airport Hotel – Dokuz Eylül, Gaziemir
- Svalinn Hotel – Gazi, Gaziemir
- Tav Airport Hotel Izmir – Dokuz Eylül, Gaziemir
- Wyndham Grand İzmir Özdilek – İnciraltı, Balçova
Getting around
- Ferries cross the bay between Konak, Pasaport, Alsancak, Karşıyaka and Bostanlı; cheap and scenic.
- Metro and İZBAN suburban trains connect the centre with the airport and the suburbs.
- Pay with an İzmirim Kart or a contactless bank card on public transport.
- The airport (ADB) is about 20–30 minutes from the centre by İZBAN train or taxi.
Day trips from İzmir
- Ephesus and Şirince (about 1 hour): the great Roman city and a hillside wine village.
- Çeşme and Alaçatı (about 1 hour): beaches and boutique streets. See Alaçatı and Çeşme.
- Urla (40 minutes): vineyards and food. See Urla.
- Foça (about 1 hour): a quiet fishing town with seals offshore.
- Bergama (about 1.5 hours): the ancient city of Pergamon.
Frequently asked questions
How many days should I spend in İzmir?
One or two days for the city itself, more if you use it as a base for day trips.
Is İzmir walkable?
The centre from Konak to Alsancak is flat and easy to walk, especially along the seafront.
When is the best time to visit?
April–June and September–October. July and August are very hot.
