Ephesus
The ancient city with the Library of Celsus, 80 km away.
Turkey’s third city and the gateway to Ephesus and the village of Şirince.
Tip: Tours in Izmir come with a guide and transfer. A car is handy for exploring on your own — for example, Clock Tower.
Choose a tourWant to drive yourself? Cars from local rental companies, from $27 a day. Pick your dates right here.
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The main places guides take you to. Some are also easy to visit on your own.
The ancient city with the Library of Celsus, 80 km away.
A hill village famous for fruit wines.
A waterfront promenade for sunset walks.
The city’s symbol on Konak Square.
Izmir: turkey’s third city and the gateway to Ephesus and the village of Şirince.
Pokataem lists 41 tours by local guides in Izmir — from short walks around the centre to full-day trips.
The most popular picks are Ephesus, Şirince, Kordon. If history and context matter, book a guided tour. If you want freedom to stop wherever you like, rent a car for a day or two from a local company.
Beach season runs from May to October. For Istanbul and ancient sites, April–June and September–November are the most comfortable.
You need a passport valid well beyond your trip (often at least 150 days on entry — check with your airline). Most EU, UK and US passport holders can visit visa-free for up to 90 days; rules depend on your nationality.
A national licence in Latin script is accepted for tourist stays; an International Driving Permit is recommended. Minimum age 21, 1–2 years of driving experience. The deposit is blocked on a card; some cars need none.
Money, SIM cards, road rules and what to pack in Turkey
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It depends on the format: walking tours are cheaper, full-day trips cost more. There are 41 tours by local guides in Izmir.
The highlights: Ephesus, Şirince, Kordon, Clock Tower. Turkey’s third city and the gateway to Ephesus and the village of Şirince.
Not necessarily — most tours include transfers. A car is great for exploring on your own: 130 cars from local companies in Izmir, from $27 a day.
You need a passport valid well beyond your trip (often at least 150 days on entry — check with your airline). Most EU, UK and US passport holders can visit visa-free for up to 90 days; rules depend on your nationality.
A national licence in Latin script is accepted for tourist stays; an International Driving Permit is recommended. Minimum age 21, 1–2 years of driving experience. The deposit is blocked on a card; some cars need none.
Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted. Carry some Turkish lira in cash for markets, taxis and small towns; exchange offices (döviz) usually beat airport rates.
The capital of the Turkish Riviera: an old town, waterfalls, ancient ruins and the gateway to Lycia.
A city on two continents: Byzantine churches, Ottoman palaces, bazaars and the Bosphorus.
A resort with a clifftop fortress, caves and Cleopatra Beach.
A resort at the foot of the Taurus Mountains: the Tahtalı cable car, ancient Phaselis and pine-fringed coves.