Book flights to Izmir
Book your ticket to Izmir with Qatar Airways today. As the third largest city in Türkiye, and with a young and energetic population, Izmir is a thriving modern city where the arts, education and tourism form the foundation for a fascinating and inspiring place to visit.
Situated on Türkiye’s Central Aegean coast, the city is close to all the major tourist hotspots, with a wealth of golden, sandy beaches and plenty of historical sites that sit comfortably alongside the city’s modern cafés. For thousands of years, this important Aegean port has been the centre of trade in the region, creating a culture that draws from Greek, Roman and even Trojan influences.
With over 300 sunny days every year, it is no surprise that Izmir has also become a tourist hotspot, as well as a centre for international trade and commerce. Book a flight to Izmir with Qatar Airways and discover a warm and welcoming city with over 5,000 years of history to explore, where visitors feel at home from the moment arrive and that has an energetic buzz that feels more European than Eastern.
Izmir travel highlights
Trendy café culture, a wealth of history and a fusion of cultures await you in Izmir.
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Tourist attractions
Much of what you will find in Izmir today is modern, due to reconstruction efforts after a fire devastated the city in the 1920s. Tucked within the renovated streets are a few gems for you to discover as well.
Konak Square is the beating heart of the city, surrounded by bazaars where you can immerse yourself in the every-day life and energy of the city.
For a chance to experience a slower, more relaxed pace of life, head to Alsancak for a taste of the old city, where a warren of streets and alleyways are lined with old Ottoman-era houses and tea shops.
Standing on a hill above the city is Kadifekale castle, an imposing and striking fort, where you can capture a bird’s-eye view of the city and surrounding countryside and coastline. Take a trip here just before sunset for some stunning photo opportunities.
One of the best historical sites that you can still see today is the stunning agora in what was ancient Smyrna. Shaken to pieces by an earthquake in 178AD but rebuilt by order of the Roman emperor, Marcus Aurelius, it is one of Türkiye’s best preserved basilicas, complete with a colonnade and gate.
A short car ride away is another of Izmir’s major attractions, Asansör, an elevator built in 1907 and previously operated by water power. Today, the electrically-powered lift takes you to the top of the hill where it offersa fabulous panoramic view of the city.
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Leisure activities
Take the boat from Konak to Karşıyaka for a relaxing daytrip away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre. You can also head to a beach for the day, and with so many to choose from, you could visit a different one every day. The beaches that line this stretch of the coastline are exceptional, and most are easily accessible by public transport, including Urla, Foca, and Dikili.
The heart of the city is the Kordon, Izmir’s iconic seafront promenade that stretches from Cumhuriyet Meydanı and Alsancak in the north to Konak Pier and Konak Meydanı in the south. The entire Kordon is lined with parks, cafés, restaurants and cycle paths.
Find out about the city’s 5,000 years of history with a visit to the Archaeology Museum, which has some fascinating artefacts dating all the way back to the late-Hellenistic period.
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Food
Izmir is a member of the World Gourmet Cities Network, so you can expect some of the best food in Türkiye here. From fresh fish, simply grilled and served with salad, to the local Kumru, a warm sandwich made with a special local bread, you have a huge range of tastes and flavours to sample. Try a Çi Börek pastry for breakfast, or hunt down some of the city’s top restaurants to indulge in a fusion of traditional and modern Turkish dishes.
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Shopping
Shopping in Izmir is a wonderfully eclectic experience, combining a mix of modern and traditional. The new malls which are spread throughout the city offer high-end luxury retail outlets, but if you want a more authentic experience, head to the Kemeralti, a huge bazaar where you can buy everything from clothes to hand-made jewellery.
If you are looking for good-quality carpets and jewellery, head to Kızlarağası Hanı, an old inn located in Kemeralti.
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