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Voykit pocket guide · Türkiye (Turkey)
Izmir
İzmir
Use Izmir as the gateway to Ephesus and the Aegean coast: two nights is enough for the bazaar, the waterfront and a day trip.
Izmir is Turkey's third-largest city and its main Aegean port. It has a long waterfront, the Kemeraltı bazaar and an archaeological museum. Ephesus, Selçuk, Çeşme and Alaçatı are within day-trip range.
- Country
- Türkiye (Turkey)
- Local name
- İzmir
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- Avoid
- Jul–Aug (very hot)
- Stay
- 2 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- TRY
- Money
- Currency is the Turkish lira (₺, TRY). About ₺56 to €1 in late September 2026 — check; inflation was still in the double digits, so prices rise several times a year.
- SIM and data
- Turkcell, Vodafone and Türk Telekom sell tourist SIMs at airports (passport needed); they are dearer than in town shops — check.
- Emergency
- Single emergency number 112 · Police (redirects to 112) 155 · Gendarmerie (rural police, redirects to 112) 156 · Coast guard (redirects to 112) 158 · AFAD disaster information 122
- Plugs
- Types C, F · 230 V · 50 Hz · Standard European two-pin; UK and US plugs need an adapter.
- Tipping
- Lokanta / simple café: Leave the coins or round up.; Sit-down restaurant: 5–10% in cash, even if the card machine does not offer a tip; check for a 'servis' charge first.; Taxi: Round up to the next ₺10–50.; Hamam: 10–15% to the attendant (tellak/natır).; Guide / driver day: €10–20 for a guide, €5–10 for a driver per day.; Hotel porter / housekeeping: ₺50–100.
- Water
- Tap water is treated and chlorinated but tastes of it; locals buy bottled or 19-litre dispenser water. Restaurants charge for bottled water.
- Toilets
- Western toilets in hotels, malls and restaurants; squat toilets (alaturka) in older mosques and bus stops. Public toilets (WC) cost ₺10–30 — carry coins or small notes. Most toilets have a bidet spray; paper goes in the bin in older buildings.
Get in
By air
- ADB · Adnan Menderes International
- Suburban rail and shuttle buses run to the centre; check the operator.
Get around
The metro, İZBAN suburban rail, trams and city ferries cover most needs. Day trips to Ephesus go by train to Selçuk or by tour.
See and do
Known for
- Kemeraltı Bazaar
- Kordon waterfront
- Izmir Archaeological Museum
- Gateway to Ephesus and Çeşme
Sleep
- Alsancak
- Waterfront, restaurants and bars; walkable to the ferry and rail station.
- Konak
- Near the bazaar and Konak Square; good for sights.
Language
Turkish uses the Latin alphabet with a few extra letters (ç, ğ, ı, ö, ş, ü), so signs are readable once you know the sounds. English works in hotels, tourist restaurants and among younger city people; elsewhere a translation app helps.
- Pronunciation keys: c = j, ç = ch, ş = sh, ğ lengthens the vowel, ı is a short 'uh'.
- WhatsApp is used by hotels, guides and shops.
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake; 'Merhaba' (hello) or 'Selamün aleyküm' in conservative areas; cheek kisses between friends of the same sex; avoid: Offering a hand to a conservative woman first — wait for hers
- Mosques: Covered clothing, headscarf for women, shoes in hand, quiet voice; avoid: Walking in front of people praying; visiting during Friday midday prayer
- Hospitality: Accept tea or at least a sip; bring sweets or pastries to a home; avoid: Refusing food repeatedly; showing the soles of your feet
- Politics and history: Listen; let hosts raise it; avoid: Opinions on Atatürk, the Kurdish issue, Armenia or Cyprus with people you just met
- Ramadan: Eat discreetly in conservative towns during the day; avoid: Eating, drinking or smoking in front of fasting people in small towns
- Gestures: A slight upward head nod with a tut means 'no'; avoid: The OK hand sign (can be read as rude) and a thumb between fingers
- Dress in town: Shorts are fine in Istanbul and resorts; longer clothes in the interior and east; avoid: Swimwear away from the beach
- Names: First name plus Bey (men) or Hanım (women): 'Ahmet Bey'; avoid: Using the surname alone
Scams and watch-outs
- Summer is hot; plan sightseeing for the morning.
- The bazaar is crowded on weekends; watch bags.
- Check opening days for museums and archaeological sites.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Izmir yet. Suggested stay: 2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Kemeraltı Bazaar
- Kordon waterfront
- Izmir Archaeological Museum
- Gateway to Ephesus and Çeşme
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Türkiye official tourism portal: goturkiye.com/
- Wikivoyage — Izmir: en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Izmir
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/izmir). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.