Izmir Tours

It is fun, sun and adventure all the way on a private tour of Izmir, the third largest city in Turkey. A city with an incredible history that is ready to greet tourists with every shade of blue waters, sunny skies for 300 days of the year and golden sandy beaches.

More importantly, the 8,500-year history and archaeological sites all add to this cities uniqueness.

Izmir was originally founded by the Greeks before being taken over by the Romans. Next came Alexandra the Great and then finally it became part of the Ottoman Empire in the 15th century.

Some of the archaeological sites relating to these eras include The Roman Agora of Smyrna (Izmir was known as Smyrna in ancient years) which is now an open-air museum and Kadifekale Castle which is on a hilltop in the centre of Izmir city.

This city is very lucky to have the Aegean sea along one side and then to be surrounded by hills and mountains on all the other sides. These mountains offer a fantastic backdrop to Izmir.

Let the activities begin!
2-Day Ephesus, Aphrodisias & Pamukkale Tour from Izmir or Kusadasi
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835 reviews

Our 2-Day Ephesus, Aphrodisias & Pamukkale Tour gives a chance to explore the Roman history and magnificent remains of one of the most powerful empires in history.

From USD
$234.00
Price varies by group size
8851 customer recommendations
2 days Scheduling Private Tour Izmir
Istanbul to Ephesus: A Day of History and Flavor
12345
806 reviews

Experience Turkey's rich history and cuisine with this private tour, combining a visit to ancient Ephesus and traditional Turkish flavors.

From USD
$590.00
Price varies by group size
8267 customer recommendations
12 to 14 Scheduling Private Tour Istanbul
Private LGBT Ephesus Tour from Istanbul
12345
790 reviews

Our Private Gay-friendly LGBT Ephesus Tours from Istanbul are one of a kind in terms of its Gay-Friendliness, the flexibility in the pace of the tour and

From USD
$390.00
Price varies by group size
8497 customer recommendations
12 to 14 hours Scheduling Private Tour Lowest price guarantee
A Private Experience to Sunday Mass in the House of the Virgin Mary from Izmir
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A Private Experience to Sunday Mass in the House of the Virgin Mary from Izmir
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776 reviews

Experience Sunday Mass at the House of the Virgin Mary and explore the area where it is believed the Virgin Mary lived out her final years with our Private Tours from Izmir.

From USD
$450.00
8336 customer recommendations
5 hours Scheduling Private Tour Izmir
All-Inclusive Ephesus Day Tour Starting and Ending in Istanbul
Likely to Sell Out
All-Inclusive Ephesus Day Tour Starting and Ending in Istanbul
12345
752 reviews

Discover the ancient wonders of Ephesus with our all-inclusive day tour from Istanbul. Enjoy flights, private transport, a guide, lunch, and seamless convenience!

From USD
$390.00
Price varies by group size
7881 customer recommendations
13 to 15 Scheduling Private Tour Istanbul
Skip-the-Line Ultra Private All-Inclusive Half-day Ephesus Tour From Kusadasi Port
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Skip-the-Line Ultra Private All-Inclusive Half-day Ephesus Tour From Kusadasi Port
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762 reviews

Starting from the cruise port in Kusadasi travel to Selcuk to see the Ancient world of Ephesus and visit the final resting place of the Holy Mother Mary.

From USD
$320.00
9303 customer recommendations
4 to 5 hours Scheduling Private Tour Lowest price guarantee
Tour the Magnificent Mediterranean in 16 Days
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730 reviews

This 16 days tour of Turkey is a full itinerary with so much to see and do. You will start at Istanbul, explore the Turquoise Coast and finish up at breathtaking Pamukkale.

From EURO
€3,552.00
Price varies by group size
7661 customer recommendations
16 days Scheduling Private Tour Istanbul
The Complete Ephesus & Sirince Tour From Kusadasi
12345
723 reviews

The Complete Ephesus & Sirince Tour From Kusadasi contains the Ephesus, the House of Virgin Mary, the Temple of Artemis, St. John Basilica and the Sirince Village.

From USD
$218.00
Price varies by group size
7367 customer recommendations
6 to 8 hours Scheduling Private Tour Lowest price guarantee
Exclusive Private Ephesus and Virgin Mary Tour From Kusadasi
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729 reviews

Explore the Magnificent Ruins of Ephesus and the House of Virgin Mary on this exclusive private Ephesus and Virgin Mary tour from Kusadasi.

From USD
$194.00
Price varies by group size
7726 customer recommendations
4 to 5 hours Scheduling Private Tour Izmir
PRIVATE WEST TURKEY TOUR 07 DAYS
12345
688 reviews

Istanbul tour Topkapi Palace , Ayasofya , Bosphorus Cruise , Ankara , Cappadocia , Konya , mevlana , Pamukkale , Ephesus , Bergama , Goreme , Urgup

From USD
$1,980.00
7341 customer recommendations
Scheduling Private Tour Istanbul
Private LGBT Ephesus Tour from Kusadasi
12345
713 reviews

Our Private Gay-friendly LGBT Ephesus Tours are one of a kind in terms of its Gay-Friendliness, the flexibility in the pace of the tour and the sites you wish to visit.

From USD
$116.00
Price varies by group size
7573 customer recommendations
6 to 8 hours Scheduling Private Tour Lowest price guarantee
Ancient City of Ephesus and Breathtaking Pamukkale Private Tour
Likely to Sell Out
Ancient City of Ephesus and Breathtaking Pamukkale Private Tour
12345
685 reviews

Guided visits to two popular attractions: Ephesus and Pamukkale. Hassle-free trip with lunch and admission tickets included

From USD
$204.00
Price varies by group size
7274 customer recommendations
11 to 12 hours Scheduling Private Tour Lowest price guarantee
Ephesus Private Tours From Izmir Airport
12345
639 reviews

Experience an in-depth exploration of the ancient city of Ephesus on this 6-hour tour from Izmir Airport, you’ll be greeted and transferred to Ephesus,

From USD
$210.00
Price varies by group size
6850 customer recommendations
6 to 7 hours Scheduling Private Tour Izmir
SKIP THE LINE Half-day Ephesus & Sirince Village Tour From Kusadasi
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572 reviews

In our half day Ephesus & Sirince tour from Kusadasi learn about the culture and history of the Ephesians with a guided walk in Ephesus and a cultural trip through Sirince.

From USD
$140.00
Price varies by group size
6074 customer recommendations
4 to 6 hours Scheduling Private Tour Aydin
Unforgettable Private Ephesus Day Trip from Istanbul: Explore Ancient Wonders
Likely to Sell Out
Unforgettable Private Ephesus Day Trip from Istanbul: Explore Ancient Wonders
12345
551 reviews

Experience a full-day guided tour from Istanbul to Ephesus with round-trip flights, hotel transfers, lunch, and key sites like Ephesus, Virgin Mary's House & Artemis Temple!

From USD
$290.00
Price varies by group size
5616 customer recommendations
15 to 16 hours Scheduling Private Tour Lowest price guarantee
All-Inclusive Tailor-Made Istanbul to Ephesus Tour: 2 Days, 1 Night
Likely to Sell Out
All-Inclusive Tailor-Made Istanbul to Ephesus Tour: 2 Days, 1 Night
12345
460 reviews

Experience a private, all-inclusive tour from Istanbul to Ephesus, featuring historic landmarks, luxury services, expert guides, and cultural treasures.

From USD
$880.00
Price varies by group size
4885 customer recommendations
2 days Scheduling Private Tour Lowest price guarantee
Anzac Day Memorial Tour from Istanbul
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395 reviews

Anzac Day Memorial Tour from Istanbul links to the dawn landing at Gallipoli, stand in the morning breeze and pay respect to the fallen on Anzac Day at the dawn vigil.

From EURO
€430.00
Price varies by group size
4126 customer recommendations
3 days Scheduling Shared Tour Istanbul
House of Virgin Mary and Church in Ephesus Tour From Kusadasi
12345
381 reviews

The House of Virgin Mary and Church, the tour lets you explore the surrounding areas where Mother Mary spent her last days.

From USD
$82.00
Price varies by group size
3888 customer recommendations
3 to 4 hours Scheduling Private Tour Lowest price guarantee
Private Tour from Kusadasi Port to Ephesus and Kirazli Village
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373 reviews

Travel back to the ancient times and explore the Ephesus on a private tour from Kusadasi Port. Then, experience village life at Kirazli, and pick peaches, olives and more.

From USD
$164.00
Price varies by group size
3997 customer recommendations
5 to 6 hours Scheduling Private Tour Aydin
Panoramic Tour Ephesus, Basilica of St. John, Artemis Temple & Museum from Kusadasi
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269 reviews

A panoramic tour of Ephesus, Basilica of St. John, Artemis temple and Museum. drive to Ephesus upper gate, and stunning structures located in Selcuk town

From USD
$118.00
Price varies by group size
2759 customer recommendations
3 to 4 hours Scheduling Private Tour Aydin
The Roman Agora of Smyrna
1 Should you go on a guided tour of The Roman Agora of Smyrna, you will be amazed at the history found here. See its basilica, well-protected buildings, historic murals and a 2,000-year-old water trench. There is evidence found here that Muslims, Jews and Christians all lived here together in peace. During excavations, graffiti was found on the basilica that shows the first ever crossword in the world.
Kadifekale Castle
2 Kadifekale Castle can be seen on a sightseeing tour or if you are more energetic on a guided hiking trail. Situated on the hilltop in the centre of the city, this castle dates back to Roman times. Explore the watchtowers, plain interior, see the remains of a 14th-century Ottoman mosque, public baths relics and much more. There is a bazaar located within the fortress walls and a fantastic view of the city below.
Kemeralti Market
3 Visit Izmir’s heart and soul on a city tour to Kemeralti Market. This is a bazaar that is like a labyrinth with all the little street and lanes that run off it. Dating back to an era during the 17th century, it has mosques, coffeehouses, tea gardens, eateries and many shops selling everything. Explore the grand caravansaries and historic places of worship that include not just Mosques but a synagogue too.
Izmir Museum of History and Art
4 Take a guided tour to the Izmir Museum of History and Art. This museum was only established n 2004 and is located with the Kulturpark. There are three separate buildings with each one specialising in different works of art such as stone, ceramics, precious artefacts and more. All the artefacts that you see on display are items that were found in Izmir city or from the immediate surroundings.
St. Polycarp Church
5 Visit the oldest church in Izmir on a sightseeing tour of St. Polycarp Church. It is said to represent ancient Smyrna’s (Izmir) role as one of the Seven Churches of Revelation. The story of St. Polycarp is that he became Bishop of Smyrna after John the Apostle converted him. At the age of 86, the Romans tried to burn him at stake but, the flames would not touch him, so they had to stab him. The interior decor is impressive.  
Alaçati
6 Why not take a very enjoyable sightseeing tour to Alacati, which is a very quaint town close to Izmir and on the Çesme peninsula. There are some surfers from all over the world that would put it as the third best surfing town. It has lovely old picturesque stone houses that have held on to all of their charm along the backstreets. Enjoy the boutiques, trendy cafes, traditional restaurants and watch the stunning sunset seen.  
Clock Tower
7 On a city tour of Izmir, you will be brought to see the most iconic attraction, the Clock Tower which was built in 1901 as a gift to the then Sultan Abdulhamid 25th year. The marble which is both green and pink was brought from Marseilles upon instruction from the architect M. Raymond Pere. The clocks on the outer faces were gifts from the German Emperor Wilhelm the 2nd. See the Clock Tower at night when it is lit up magnificently.
Fountains and Wells Tour
8 One interesting tour to take in Izmir is the specialised one that brings you to see Fountains and Wells. There are many fountains and wells found in the city that represent the magnificence of the Ottoman Era architecture. It also represents the importance of water and cleanliness to the Turkish Islamic culture. The Donertas Well is one of the most important and people who come to Hatuniye Mosque spin a rock for luck.
Hisar Mosque
9 A trip to Izmir would hardly be complete without a guided tour of a mosque and one of the largest found in the city is the Hisar Mosque. This mosque dates back to 1597 and is situated in the Kemeralti Market. The inside is ornately decorated very ‘izmirli’ with lots of blue and gold motifs all over the domed ceiling. At the bottom of the women ’s gallery, there are roses and grapes carved all along.
Kordon
10 Along the seafront in Izmir is the now iconic Kordon which is more or less the promenade. The grass area all along the Kordon allows you to sit and watch the world go by or take in the amazing Turkish sunsets. There is also the best variety of cafes, restaurants and bars to keep you fed and entertained. It can be a very lively area at night time with many bars and restaurants hosting live entertainment.

Travel Tips for Izmir

Izmir is the third most populous city in Turkey, a modern city full of history and memories. If you find yourself in Turkey, Izmir should definitely be on your list. You can easily spend two days enjoying this vivid city and of course, you can combine your visit there with other destinations, like Cappadocia or Greece!

 

With over 8,000 years of ancient history evident in excavations of archaeological sites and monuments (one that was even rebuilt by Alexander the Great), Izmir not only boasts many fascinating cultural heritage sights, but also a lovely coastal climate, outdoors opportunities, and a unique local gastronomy.

Izmir is a relatively safe city for its size, however, it does have its "dodgy" areas. The city center as well as populated suburbs are generally safe during the day. Use common sense if walking at night, avoid dark and narrow alleyways (found mainly in Alsancak and Konak).

Ancient City of Ephesus is open from April to October 08.00-19.00. Between November and March 08.00-17.00 hours open The ruins are impressive and worth the visit. Exploring the ruins of Ephesus, located just outside of Selçuk in Turkey, did not take long.  You can reach Ephesus by taking a one-hour flight from Istanbul to Izmir, then a 1-1.5 hour train to Selcuk.

Two days may not be enough to visit everything the province of Izmir has to offer, but 48 hours in Izmir city is enough to experience the highlights. From crowded bazaars to historical artifacts, we took a look at some of the best Izmir activities and sights for a full two-day itinerary.