İzmir

İzmir is Türkiye's third most populous city, on the Aegean coast around the Gulf of İzmir. In antiquity it was called Smyrna. The centre is the Konak district, between the waterfront and the Kadifekale hill.

Konak Square holds the 25 m Clock Tower, built in 1901. Behind it, the Kemeraltı bazaar runs inland to the Agora of Smyrna, a Roman marketplace rebuilt after the earthquake of 178 AD. Kadifekale castle stands on the 186 m Pagos hill. On the shore, the Kordon promenade leads through Alsancak. The Asansör lift of 1907 in Karataş overlooks the gulf. The historic port city has been on UNESCO's tentative list since 2020.

Adnan Menderes Airport is 14 km from the centre and is linked by İZBAN commuter trains. Metro, tram and ferries meet at Konak. The square, the bazaar and the Kordon can be covered on foot. Kadifekale is uphill, about 2 km from the shore. Allow a full day.