Izmir Holidays

Izmir, the third largest city in Turkey, sits pretty on the edge of the Aegean Sea, overlooking the narrow Gulf of Izmir towards a duo of Greek islands and surrounded on a trio of sides by ascending hills and mountains. Wander along the Kordon Promonade, a modern-day meeting spot where ships once set off for European ports laden with goods from the East, or around Konak Square, home to an iconic clocktower and the pier, which was built by the same team that brought us the Eifel Tower. You can get lost in the labyrinthine Kemeralti Bazaar, one of the oldest of its kind in Turkey, where the air is thick with the aroma of spices and traditional Turkish coffee that’s served over hot coals in copper pots.

Ancient relics come in the form of the 4th-Century BCE Roman Agora of Smyrna and the hilltop Kadifekale, a castle built during the reign of Alexander the Great. Izmir is also the perfect place to base yourself for a visit to the ancient city of Ephesus which lies just an hour or so to the south. If museums are your thing, the city has an intriguing and packed-out archaeological and ethnography museum; while foodies will feel most at home in the boho neighbourhood of Alsancak, a go to spot for street food finds.

Our featured Izmir resorts are located in Çeşme, a resort town at the end of a peninsula to the southwest of the city, and the unspoilt coastal town of Özdere, to the south. Our Personal Travel Experts can help you choose which resort best suits you and plan your perfect Izmir holiday.