Izmir Holidays

A bustling port city, the third largest in Turkey, Izmir represents a combination of ancient and modern Turkey and provides an excellent cheap holiday destination for those looking for a lively break somewhere hot. The city itself has a history over 5000 years old, dating back to 3000BC, and has a wealth of sites of interest for history buffs, including the clock tower in Konak Square, Kadifekale Castle, a Roman marketplace, and the Agora of Smyrna (an open-air museum), amongst others. Those looking for an authentic Turkish shopping holiday experience will love the huge bazaar, or Kemeralti, with hundreds of stalls selling everything you could think of; exotic spices and fruits, leather goods, Turkish rugs, designer clothing (often fake, but still good quality!), and much, much more. Those lucky enough to book June or July holidays here will have the opportunity to experience Izmir’s international arts festival.

 

It stands to reason that in one of the largest cities in Turkey, there is going to be a wide range of accommodation. Izmir offers many large hotels, including chain hotels such as the Hilton, Swissotel and Crowne Plaza. There are also many medium sized hotels and plenty of smaller, family-run guesthouses, B&B’s and boutique hotels. Essentially, there is accommodation to suit every budget here. Dining in the city is equally varied, with a huge range of restaurants serving all manner of international cuisine as well as authentic Turkish dishes. Of particular note are Izmir’s melons, which are fresh and ripe as the climate allows them to be grown locally. Mezes are also to be found in abundance, and the seafood here is always fresh and delicious, no matter what time of year. Nightlife in Izmir is vibrant and can be as relaxed or hectic as you like; Alsancak is a busy central area of the city packed with bars and pubs for those after clubbing holidays. The waterfront at Alsancak also has a number of café and bars and is particularly attractive on sunny days.

 

There is a huge amount to see and do in Izmir. Family holidays here will find plenty to keep the kids occupied every day of your holiday. Take a ride on a cable car up the mountainside in the city’s mountainpark for stunning views. A short drive away can be found sandy coves and beaches for those looking to combine a humming city break with a relaxing beach holiday. And the Culture Park in the northeast of the city has a zoo and amusement park for a great day out. The weather here is generally hot and sunny, but overall not as hot as the rest of Turkey, which makes summer holidays here in the peak season ideal (as opposed some of the country’s hotter regions, where the heat might be unbearable for those of a fairer complexion). So for a fantastic Mediterranean holiday, book a break to Izmir with directline-holidays.