What to see and do in Izmir, Turkey

Visited October 2022

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Izmir is a large city located on the western coast of Turkey on shores of the Aegean Sea

Izmir is the third most populous city in Turkey, after Istanbul and Ankara. İt has more than 3,000 years of recorded history. In ancient times, the city was known as Smyrna. it was founded by the Greeks, taken over by the Romans and rebuilt by Alexander the Great before becoming part of the Ottoman Empire in the 15th century. Homer is said to have been born in Smyrna in the 7th or 8th century BC. As a result, the city has a unique blend of cultural influences, and there are many historical landmarks and sites to visit.

We visited Izmir on 10/9/2022. While there, we drove through the city and then traveled south through the farmland to the ancient Roman city of Ephesus which is one of the most popular attractions in the area. Ephesus was once one of the largest cities in the world and is home to many well-preserved ruins, including the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Artemis, and the Grand Theater.

In the city itself, there are many other historical sites and landmarks, including the ancient agora, the Kemeralti Bazaar, and the Kadifekale Castle. Izmir is also home to many museums, including the Archaeology Museum, which houses a vast collection of ancient artifacts. In addition to its historical and cultural attractions, Izmir is also known for its vibrant food and drink scene, which includes many traditional Turkish dishes as well as international cuisine. The city is particularly famous for its seafood, which is caught fresh from the Aegean Sea.

Izmir is a popular tourist destination because of its beautiful coastal location and Mediterranean climate.

Looking for things to do? Viator offers numerous tours in and around Izmir. Click here for details.

South of Izmir, are olive groves and pine forests.

As the land flattens, there are many farms that grow numerous crops. Here are cotton fields which are being harvested.

Further South, near Selcuk, are groves of orange trees, cherry trees and pomegranate trees.

Corn is also a major crop in the region.

There are also a few ranches with cattle and horses.

Keçi Kalesi or Goat Castle, is situated on Alamandağ Hill. In ancient times, it wa known as Gallesion.

Ayasuluk Castle is on a hill in the town of Selçuk in the province of Izmir in Turkey not far from Ephesus.