Turkey has no shortage of tourist hotspots and local highlights. In fact, if you wanted to see them all, it would take a considerable amount of time. Yet despite that, people tend to stick to the same destinations, such as Istanbul (as amazing as it is) and the south coast’s sun-drenched resorts. But Turkey is so much more than that; in fact, one of its largest cities is making renewed waves in the tourism world.
8 Reasons This Turkish City Was Voted Best in Travel for 2024
I am of course talking about Izmir. A hip, happening, and vibrant city that was recently added to Lonely Planet’s “Best in Travel” list, and you can’t get more reputable than that. Izmir is one of my favorite places, and as Turkey’s third-largest city, it’s got more than enough to keep even the fidgetiest traveler busy for more than a few days.
1. Seaside Location with a City Vibe
Izmir is lapped by the warm waters of the Aegean, and even when you’re in the city center, you don’t have to venture too far to see the expansive blue. While many cities in Turkey (hello, Istanbul) tend to have a frenetic and sometimes stressful vibe, Izmir doesn’t.
Whenever I’m in Izmir, I never feel rushed, and the pace of life is relaxed and slow. You can’t say that about many cities. Yet, despite that, it’s large and as a key university city, has a large population of over 3 million as of 2023.
Packed with history, beaches, food, nightlife, and shopping, it offers everything you could possibly want, and of course, the photo opportunities with the Aegean in the background are pretty epic.
2. A Blend of Old and New
For me, the great thing about Izmir is its blend of modern and ancient. This part of Turkey is packed with old ruins that date back to the earliest Greek rule, yet it sits alongside huge modern buildings, skyscrapers, and the latest fashion. You can easily explore a museum or a set of ruins and then go shopping in a huge mall or visit a cocktail bar in the evening.
If you’re traveling to Izmir with children, the area is also full of activities to keep little ones amused, such as Lunapark and Alsancak‘s long promenade (Kordon) with plenty of green space for kids to run.
3. Lots of History to Explore
As I mentioned, this whole area is basically an open-air museum and the stunning ruins of Ephesus are a must-visit. These are located around an hour away from Izmir city center but they’re more than worth the effort…
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