Learn more about flights to Izmir 🛫
Crazy Llama will help you quickly and easily choose and buy tickets to Izmir.
Izmir is the third largest city in Turkey with a population of about 4 million people, the second largest port after Istanbul and a highly developed transport hub. The most interesting thing is that half of Izmir residents are less than 30 years old. This makes the city full of life and active entertainment. Tens of thousands of students live here. Young scientists, artists, businessmen are constantly studying in the city. This is a fast-growing city in which any tourist will feel young and full of energy.
Izmir airport has two terminals: a fairly modern international and even a newer and cooler terminal for domestic flights. The second tourists, of course, will not see. But a large international terminal is also good. It is super clean and comfortable. Sure, local cafes and shops are too expensive, even by the standards of prices at airports. So it is better to stock up on your own snack so as not to overpay for ordinary sandwiches inside the terminal.
Izmir Airport has Wi-Fi, but it is available only for phones with local SIM cards and only for two hours. But there is still no need to linger here for a long time. Passenger traffic at the airport is quite low in comparison with the same Istanbul, so you will be surprised by the local silence, peace and speed of service.
There is a railway line from the airport to the center. The local Izban train is somewhat similar to the German S-Bahn. The station is opposite the new terminal for domestic flights. Here you can catch a train to the Alsanjak or Aliaga areas. Go to the metro from there and continue on to any central station that suits you best. The total travel time is about 30-40 minutes. Trains from the airport leave every 10 minutes. The total cost will be about $ 1.5.
There are also two Havas bus routes from the airport. Both will take you to one of the suburbs of Alsanjak or Mavishehir. And then you will need to transfer by metro or another bus to the center of Izmir. A one-way Havas ticket costs $ 2.
If you do not want to understand the local transport system and transfer from one train or bus to another, it is better to immediately take a taxi at the airport. The trip will cost you about 11 dollars, which is not such a big price for a much more comfortable trip.
The least rainfall and the most comfortable temperature in Izmir await travelers in the summer. But you need to be prepared for the fact that most of the year here is quite windy.
Once there was the ancient city of Smyrna. But mentally, there is no trace of it today. Izmir is a modern, developed and vibrant city located around a huge bay and surrounded by mountains on all sides. Wide boulevards, glass buildings and modern shopping centers are intertwined here with traditional red tiled roofs, an old market, ancient mosques and churches. And in general, the spirit of the Mediterranean countries here is much stronger than in the rest of traditional Turkey.
Any trip to Izmir should begin with this ancient monument right in the center of the city. The Agora in Izmir was built during the Roman era and is surrounded by homogeneous residential neighborhoods, bustling market streets and tall commercial buildings. Tourists are constantly crowding here, and absolutely not in vain. The ruins of the Roman Greek market will surely bring you back to the days when Izmir was an important stop on the Silk Road.
There are still some elements from the ancient Roman city of Ephesus. And now it is one of the most popular attractions in Izmir. In ancient times, ships from all over the world sailed to the local port to stock up on exotic spices and fruits, visit talented Turkish sewing masters or simply enjoy the city’s multiculturalism. Has something changed in a few thousand years? Actually no. There are still 12 thousand scrolls in the library of Celsus, which have become one of the most important monuments of carefully protected knowledge.
At the top of the hill is another ancient Greek city of Pergamum, which in the 2nd century BC was the center of local authority. The Acropolis is perfectly preserved, and its height and size are shocking with the depth of engineering. In addition, there is the Pergamon Altar which is a colossal structure with floating columns. And you can see the coolest ancient Greek theater in the world, which overlooks the city of Bergam.
We need more Greco-Roman attractions in Izmir! And here is another one. In the city of Pamukkale, the ancient resort of Hierapolis is perfectly preserved. There are striking snow-white terraces created naturally by hot springs that flow down the hill. Local pools have been used for thousands of years. So after a walk along the narrow paths of Pamukkale, you can swim in the hot mineral pools, as the ancient Romans once did.
Ferries depart from the promenade at Konak Marina to the quiet suburb of Karshiyak. Mostly it is used by locals, but for a tourist this may be one of the main trips in Izmir. A trip across the bay takes about 20 minutes, and you will have a beautiful view of the whole city.
Going to the market to get to know the local life better is always a great idea. Especially when it comes to Turkish markets, where vibrant life boils. Kizlaragasi Han Bazaar is the best market in Izmir, a place for shopping for traditional carpets and decorations. And even if you are not going to buy anything, just take a walk on it to feel the real taste of Turkey and actually taste the local delicacies.
If people in Turkey already eat, there simply cannot be a quick snack here. Usually it starts with small: crispy bread and light snacks, which are put on the common table. The main thing at this moment is not to get enough, because there is still a huge amount of goodies ahead.
So, the workout is over. What's next? On the table there will be dishes from baked eggplant, fried fish, greens, vegetables with grated cheese, stewed potatoes and lamb, salads of fresh sweet pepper and radish, cream-processed cheese ... And this is not the whole list.
If you are not sure that all these goodies can be eaten in one sitting, you will also get a bottle of strong alcohol called crayfish which is anise-based vodka, often jammed with a huge amount of Turkish sweets. And you can end it all with a cup of excellent Turkish coffee, brewed in the traditional way on hot sand.