Izmir: Escape from the Grayness to a Colorful Turkish City with Greek Roots

For many tourists, Turkey is a purely summer destination. However, there are also many beautiful places to visit during the off-season. We will tell you about Izmir, a Turkish city with a Greek past, where you can escape the cold and grayness of autumn or spring.

This summer, the province of Izmir in western Turkey has repeatedly made headlines for unfortunate reasons, first with large-scale forest fires due to the heat and then with a powerful earthquake. Now that the storm has subsided, the region enjoys a comfortable temperature of around 21-23 degrees Celsius, with frequent sunshine, making it an ideal destination for exploring this fascinating region and its capital city.

We will tell you more about the city of Izmir, as well as advise you on the best places to go for a beach vacation.

Why is Izmir the best place to visit during the off-season?

In the middle of summer, the daytime temperature in Izmir often exceeds +40 degrees Celsius, and there is virtually no precipitation. Let’s be honest, exploring the local natural and historical attractions under such conditions is not a pleasant experience. Moreover, even lying on the beach under the scorching sun is not only uncomfortable but also dangerous for your health.

However, with the arrival of autumn, the weather in Izmir begins to become more comfortable. While temperatures can still reach up to +37°C in September, they typically drop to around +21°C to +24°C in October. In November, temperatures drop by a few more degrees, remaining around +19°C to +20°C, with occasional drops to +10°C.

At the same time, the number of rains in Izmir increases significantly in October and November, although they are mostly short-lived, so you can wait them out with a cup of tea and desserts in local cafes.

Meanwhile, after the warm but rather wet winter months, Izmir begins to warm up in mid-March, and on some days, the temperature can even reach +25°C. The temperature remains around this level in April, with occasional highs of +28°C and lows of +14°C. However, it is worth noting that Izmir experiences frequent rainfall during these months.

Some facts about Izmir

Izmir is one of the oldest cities in the Mediterranean, founded around 3000 BC. At that time, the city, which was then called Smyrna and belonged to the ancient Greeks, was one of the most important centers of ancient civilization, reaching its peak in the 6th and 7th centuries BC.

Later, Smyrna began to decline gradually, also becoming a victim of constant raids and conquests. Over the course of a millennium and a half, the city was occupied by the Greeks, Romans, and Byzantines, until it was finally taken over by the Turkish horde in 1317 AD.

However, although the city was ruled by the Turks for seven centuries, the majority of its population was still Greek, with only 20% being Muslim.

The final decision on the ownership of Smyrna was made in the early 20th century during the Second Greco-Turkish War. Initially, the city was under Greek jurisdiction for a short period, but it was eventually lost due to a failed military campaign.

1922 was a dark chapter in the history of Smyrna. In September, Turkish forces captured the city and set it on fire, leading to the infamous “Smyrna Massacre.” The Armenian population was first massacred, followed by the Greek population.

The modern name “Izmir”, which the city received after the events described above, is a literal translation of the Greek name “Smyrna” into Turkish. It was from this time that the city finally changed its appearance, becoming almost entirely Muslim.

Izmir is now the third most populous city in Turkey. It is a busy seaport, an important commercial and tourist center, and the location of NATO’s Mediterranean headquarters.

Since Izmir is located in an area of high seismic activity, small and almost imperceptible tremors are felt there several dozen times a year. The last major earthquake in the region, with significant destruction and casualties, occurred in 2020.

What to see in Izmir

Modern Izmir is a fairly lively city, where a lot of things happen and there is definitely something to see throughout the year. However, given the complex history of the city, most of the buildings were constructed in the 19th and 21st centuries.

Among the main tourist locations in the city is the 270-hectare Kemeralti Bazaar, which began to take shape in the mid-17th century. It is worth noting that this is not an ordinary indoor market, but an entire district consisting of blocks dotted with shops, restaurants, hotels, cultural institutions, and other historical sites.

Another must visit is the Alsanjak district, which is located near the bazaar and is also part of the historical center of Izmir. It stretches from the central Konak square, through the Pashaport and Kordon embankments.

On Konak Square itself, you can see many recognizable landmarks in Izmir, including the city government buildings, the central bus station, the Yali Mosque, the clock tower, and several other famous buildings.

The city also has several notable museums, including the Agora Open-Air Museum, the Archaeological Museum, and Kadifekale Castle.

Izmir also has modern skyscrapers that are more than 200 meters tall, such as the Mistral Office Tower and the Folkart Towers.

For those who want to delve deeper into ancient history, there are day trips from Izmir to the ancient city of Ephesus (a little over 80 kilometers away). You can get there by train (1 hour and 20 minutes) or bus (45 minutes), or take an organized tour.

Looking for the sea in Izmir

Since the city of Izmir is located on the coast of the Aegean Sea, many tourists mistakenly believe that it is suitable for beach vacations. However, it is a major port city, and the local waters are not suitable for swimming.

Yes, Izmir has a beautiful promenade for walking and taking pictures, and you can take a boat cruise from there, but don’t expect sandy beaches.

However, if you really want to lie on the snow-white beaches and plunge into the azure waters (this is still possible in the off-season), we recommend visiting the neighboring resort towns of Alacati and Cesme. The journey from Izmir takes approximately one and a half to two hours, and buses run from both the Izmir airport and the city center.

Places to stay in Izmir

Izmir is a large city, so there are many accommodation options available. On popular travel booking platforms, there are about 150 accommodation options for tourists, ranging from hostel beds starting at €18 per person to five-star hotels starting at €200. The average price for a single room in Izmir hotels is between €30 and €50.

How to get to Izmir

Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport is the fifth busiest airport in Turkey, and it is a hub for major Turkish carriers Pegasus Airlines and SunExpress, which offer routes to the country from many European cities. Other carriers mainly operate seasonal flights to Izmir.

Although the airport is located 18 kilometers from the center of Izmir, it has good connections to the city center. Electric buses 200, 202, 204, and 206 run between the airport and the city center every 20 to 60 minutes, and trains run every 10 to 20 minutes.

Turkey is not just about the sea, sand, and sun. It is also a country with a rich history and culture, which is much more enjoyable to explore during the comfortable temperatures of the off-season than under the scorching sun and the threat of wildfires.