What to See in Izmir - Top Sights and Attractions

The Agora of Smyrna, alternatively known as the Agora of İzmir, is an ancient Roman agora located in Smyrna. Originally built by the Greeks in the 4th century BC, the agora was ruined by an earthquake in 178 AD. Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius ordered its reconstruction. Excavations started in 1933. In 2020, the Agora of Smyrna became a Tentative World Heritage Site as part of "The Historical Port City of Izmir."^[1]

Historical landmark in Konak, Turkey. Konak Square is a busy square at the southern end of Atatürk Avenue in the Konak district of İzmir, Turkey. The square is the busiest part of the city, as Konak is the main place of İzmir. The square is named after the Vali Konağı of İzmir Province, which is located here^[2]

Mosque in İzmir, Turkey. Konak Mosque, also called Yalı Mosque, is a mosque in İzmir, Turkey. It is located on Konak Square in the heart of the city next to the Governor's Mansion and the İzmir Clock Tower. Despite its relatively small size, it is considered one of the landmarks of the city for its distinctive octagonal shape and elaborate tilework.

The Mosque was constructed in 1755 under the patronage of Ayşe Hanım, the wife of Katipzade Mehmet Paşa who governed İzmir at the time. The outer tiles were brought from Kütahya. It has a single dome and minaret and unusually for a mosque, only one entrance. The interior is lit by a chandelier by Ümran Baradan.^[3]

Iconic and elaborate 1901 clock tower. İzmir Clock Tower is a historic clock tower located at the Konak Square in the Konak district of İzmir, Turkey. It is considered as the main landmark of the city.^[4]

Arkas Sanat Merkezi, an art museum located in the city of İzmir in Turkey. Opened in November 2011, the Arkas Collection created by Lucien Arkas, Chairman of the Arkas Holding, are on display.^[5]

The Atatürk Mask is a large concrete bust of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder of modern Turkey, located in Buca district of İzmir. The sculpture was completed in 2009 at a cost of ₺4.2 million.^[6]

Museum in Konak, Turkey. The Izmir Atatürk Museum is a museum in İzmir, Turkey. Founded by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, a Turkish field marshal, revolutionary statesman, and the first President of Turkey, the Izmir Atatürk Museum opened to the public on 11 September 1941, on the 19th anniversary of Atatürk’s arrival in Izmir. On 13 May 1988 it was officially named the Izmir Atatürk Museum, which it is called today.^[7]

Gündoğdu Square is a city square in İzmir, Turkey. Located within between the neighborhoods of Alsancak and Konak, it marks the center-point of the Kordon esplanade. At the center of the square is the Tree of the Republic Statue to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Republic of Turkey. Located within one of the city's two most famous parks, it is a major meeting point for people as well as staging area for political rallies and demonstrations.^[8]

Cumhuriyet Square is one of the main urban squares of İzmir, Turkey, located between the neighbourhoods of Alsancak and Çankaya in the Konak district. It is a coastal square at the port of İzmir, very close to Pasaport Quay along the shoreline of the Aegean Sea. It is one of the most popular urban squares of İzmir for public gatherings, together with Konak Square and Gündoğdu Square.^[9]

The Ahmed Adnan Saygun Arts Center is situated in the Konak district of İzmir, Turkey. It is named after the composer Ahmet Adnan Saygun and was opened to public at December 27, 2008, by Yunus Emre Oratorio's concert. The Center hosts a variety of concerts and festivals. The Ahmed Adnan Saygun Arts Center is accessible via the Ahmed Adnan Saygun Sanat Merkezi stop of the Konak Tram line.^[10]

The Signora Giveret Synagogue is an Orthodox Jewish synagogue in the city of Izmir, Turkey. The synagogue dates back to the 16th century and is still in use today.^[11]

Saint Polycarp Church is a Catholic church in İzmir, Turkey. Its patron saint is Polycarp.^[12]

Cathedral in İzmir, Turkey. St. John's Cathedral in Izmir is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Izmir. The cathedral is dedicated to John the Evangelist, who in the Book of Revelation sent greetings and instructions to the Seven churches of Asia, including Smyrna.^[13]

Saint Voukolos Church is a Greek Orthodox church in İzmir, Turkey. Its patron saint is Voukolos.^[14]

The Anglican Church of St. John the Evangelist, also known simply as St. John's, is located in İzmir, Turkey, in the quarter of Alsancak. It was built about 1625 by the Levant Company.^[15]

Elhamra Cinema was built in 1926 in Izmir, Turkey. It was designed by Architect Tahsin Sermet Bey. It was built for public use as a theatre, currently it is being using as the Izmir State Opera and Ballet.^[16]

Monument in Konak, Turkey. Atatürk Monument is a monument in İzmir, Turkey dedicated to the Turkish War of Independence depicting equestrian Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.^[17]

Mosque in İzmir, Turkey. Hisar Mosque or Hisarönü Mosque is a historical Mosque in İzmir, Turkey. It has been recorded to have been constructed by Aydınoğlu Yakup Bey between 1592 and 1598. The 16th century Mosque is one of the biggest in the city centre and its interior contains one of the most striking examples of Ottoman Islamic artwork in İzmir.^[18]

Lozan Square is a city square and traffic roundabout in İzmir, Turkey. The square is one of three squares on the west side of the city park, Kültürpark; the other two being Montrö Square and 9 September Square. The Lozan Gate, one of five gates to the city park is located at Lozan Square. The square gets its name from the Swiss city of Lausanne, commemorating the signing of the Treaty of Lausanne, which ended the Turkish War of Independence. Lozan Square was opened in 1938 as part of a new city plan for İzmir, designed by French city planner Maurice Louis Gauthier.^[19]

İzmir Parachute Tower is a parachute tower located within Kültürpark in İzmir, Turkey. It was built in 1937 by the Turkish Aeronautical Association. It is one of the two parachute towers in the country.^[20]