İzmir is the sound of the sea and the wind. Thanks to its Mediterranean climate, İzmir is mostly sunny all year round. Summers are hot and winters are mild. The 629-kilometre-long coastline of İzmir offers restaurants and cafes that serve fresh seafood and Aegean specialities, as well as entertainment facilities, magnificent sea views and 49 beautiful Blue Flag beaches. Highlights include seaside walks in Kordon starting from the İzmir Clock Tower in Konak Square, one of the meeting points of the city, and ferry rides from Alsancak to Karşıyaka. Inland, the stories of countless civilizations are vividly told through ancient ruins and monuments.
WHERE TO STAY
İzmir boasts a plethora of top-tier hotels, offering a diverse range of accommodations to suit every travelers’ needs. From luxurious establishments to cozy boutique options, there's something for everyone. Additionally, the city is renowned for its vibrant culinary scene, featuring numerous high-quality restaurants serving delicious local and international cuisine.
WHAT & WHERE TO EAT
Boyoz (small, rounded pastry made from thin layers of dough), gevrek (crispy Turkish bagels), kumru (chickpea yeast fermented bread sandwich with mixed ingredients), lokma dessert (fried doughs soaked in syrup), şevketibostan (blessed thistle), arapsaçı (helxine), İzmir meatballs, Şambali dessert (semolina cake soaked in syrup), most of them are geographical registrated, are the most popular delicacies of İzmir.
In the İzmir province, the Çeşme Peninsula is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the consistently sunny Aegean. Overlooking the Aegean Sea, Alaçatı, that timeless Çeşme destination, offers dining and entertainment venues that retain the local flavour. You can sample centuries-old recipes of the region, their modern interpretations, and farm-to-table dishes accompanied by Turkish wines. İzmir is now on the Michelin Guide, and one of its most charming districts, Urla, is renowned for its vineyards and restaurants opened by innovative young chefs.
WHAT TO DO IN İZMİR
Gather some friends and look out over the Aegean Sea and the people passing by and just enjoy the atmosphere of this great city.
Take a walk along the coast of Karşıyaka. This is the best spot in İzmir to watch the sunset. There's almost always a nice cool breeze, so in the summer it's truly pleasant and the whole district feels like a resort. There are palaces and mansions all around Karşıyaka and an evening here is the most relaxing and enjoyable way to wind the day down in İzmir.
Taste Boyoz. Boyoz is a local pastry that you will find pretty much exclusively in İzmir. While it's possible in, say, İstanbul, but difficult to find - in İzmir it's everywhere and one of the most popular and common breakfast pastries.
Visit İzmir Clock Tower and drink Turkish coffee in Kızlarağası Hanı's Dibek Kahve. This is essentially a ritual at this point. If you visit İzmir, take a picture at the clock tower. And the Kızlarağası Han in the Konak district is a wonderful place to shop in a han built in 1774, with some of the best Turkish coffee you'll ever taste. The coffee beans are ground with a proprietary blend of carob, terebinths, cocoa, zahter, coffee cream and sahlep to create an incomparable taste.
Enjoy the view from the historic elevator; The elevator tower between Mithatpaşa Street and Şehit Nihatbey was built in 1907 to make the walk between the two much easier than the 155 steps otherwise required. The elevator is functional and there is a cafeteria on the upper floor where you can admire the view of the whole fascinating city while having a cup of tea on the balcony.
Getting on a Ferry; The primary ports from which ferries depart are Bostanlı, Üçkuyular, Konak and Karşıyaka. The ferries go between each other all day long and are used for commutes and just to get around different areas of the city. This makes the ferries one of the best ways to admire the Gulf upon which İzmir sits and enjoy the beautiful Aegean Sea.
Going to Nearby Holiday Areas Such as Foça, Urla, Alaçatı and Çeşme; Where do the people of İzmir go on vacation? Close to home, of course! There are great places for watersports with luxury and boutique hotels to have the holiday of your dreams within driving distance of your home.
İZMİR’S CLIMATE
İzmir boasts a Mediterranean climate characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Visitors can expect plenty of warm and sunny days throughout the year. Summer temperatures typically range from 25°C to 35°C (77°F to 95°F), perfect for enjoying the city's beautiful beaches and outdoor activities. Winters are mild, with temperatures averaging between 8°C to 15°C (46°F to 59°F), offering a pleasant escape from colder climates. Rainfall is more prevalent during the winter months, providing a refreshing contrast to the summer dryness. Overall, İzmir's climate creates an inviting atmosphere for year-round exploration and enjoyment.
WHAT TIME IS IT IN İZMİR?
Türkiye is in a single time zone.
Until September 2016, Türkiye was on Eastern European time, two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT/UTC), except during Daylight Saving Time, when it was three hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time.
However, in September 2016, Türkiye announced that the country would not return to Eastern European Time in October. Instead, Türkiye would stay on Daylight Saving Time all year, which means that now all year Turkish time is three hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT/UTC+3).