Izmir and Çeşme: where to stay, Alaçatı and Ephesus

A large port city on the Aegean coast, Izmir is a practical base to combine a real city, the sea at Çeşme and Alaçatı, and the ancient site of Ephesus. Here is how to choose your neighbourhood and plan your stay.

At a glance

• First city stay: Konak (Kemeraltı bazaar, Clock Tower) or Alsancak (Kordon seafront promenade, restaurants).
• For a quieter base: Karşıyaka, on the north shore of the bay, linked to the centre by ferry.
• For the sea: the Çeşme peninsula, with Alaçatı and Ilıca beach.
• Day trip: Ephesus, near the town of Selçuk, south of Izmir.
• Hotel: Nreservi books your hotel, payable in dinars from Algeria.

Konak: the historic heart, ideal for a first visit

Konak is Izmir's old centre, on the east side of the bay. It is home to Konak Square and its Clock Tower, the large Kemeraltı bazaar and the ancient Agora of Smyrna. Most sights are within walking distance, which makes it the easiest base for a first or short stay. The downside: once the bazaar shops close, some streets go quiet in the evening.

Alsancak: seafront and evenings out

Just north of Konak, Alsancak is the liveliest district. The Kordon promenade runs along the water, and the streets behind it are packed with cafés and restaurants. Choose it if you enjoy evenings out and seaside walks. Bear in mind that narrow streets make driving and parking difficult, and some bar streets get noisy at weekends, so ask for a quiet room.

Karşıyaka: the residential north shore

Across the bay, Karşıyaka is more modern and residential, with parks, a waterfront and a calmer feel. There are few monuments, but city ferries cross the bay to Konak and Alsancak, and the crossing is part of the fun. Just check the time of the last boat at night.

Balçova, Narlıdere and İnciraltı: thermal hotels and quiet stays

West of the centre, along the south shore of the bay, Balçova, Narlıdere and İnciraltı have several thermal hotels and newer properties. They suit a relaxing stay away from the bustle and lie on the road to Çeşme, but you will need a bus or car ride to reach the centre.

Çeşme and Alaçatı: the sea west of Izmir

At the tip of the peninsula that bears its name, west of Izmir, Çeşme is the best-known seaside destination around the city.

• Alaçatı: a village of stone houses and narrow lanes now lined with boutiques, cafés and restaurants, with its old windmills. The steady wind in its bay has made it a well-known windsurfing spot.
• Ilıca: the busiest beach in the area, with a long stretch of sand and shallow water, popular with families with young children.

The peninsula has both stone boutique hotels and large resorts. Summer is high season, so book early for July or August. A day trip from Izmir is possible, but one or two nights let you enjoy the sea without the drive.

Ephesus as a day trip

Ephesus, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, lies south of Izmir, close to the town of Selçuk. Highlights include the Library of Celsus and its restored façade, the Great Theatre, the ancient streets and, nearby, the House of the Virgin Mary. The site has no railway station: take a train or coach from Izmir to Selçuk, then a taxi. In July and August the heat is intense on this exposed site, so go early with water and a hat.

When to go

Summer is very hot in the city and at Ephesus, but it is peak season by the sea in Çeşme and Alaçatı, where hotels fill up fast. To explore Izmir and Ephesus in cooler weather, many travellers prefer spring or early autumn. To combine Izmir with other regions, see our guide to combining Istanbul and Antalya.

Entry requirements

Entry conditions for Türkiye depend on your passport. In principle, Algerian citizens need to meet certain visa conditions: read our Türkiye visa guide for Algerians, then check the current requirements with the consulate or on the official website before you travel. We do not sell any visa service.

Book your hotel in Izmir or Çeşme

Izmir is one of the cities in our hotel catalogue. For a hotel in Izmir, Çeşme or Alaçatı, contact us: our team checks availability and price with the property, then offers you the booking. From Algeria, you pay in dinars without a bank card: BaridiMob, bank transfer or cash at our Telemly office. Living abroad? You can also pay online by bank card, and your voucher is sent to you once payment is made. The process is explained in our guide to booking a hotel without a bank card. Prefer a fully organised trip? See our organised tours in Türkiye.

Reminder: the information above is given for guidance and requirements can change. Always check the latest conditions before you travel.

See our organised tours in Türkiye

Nreservi, online travel agency — 1st floor, 116 boulevard Colonel Krim Belkacem (Telemly), Algiers Centre — +213 540 28 40 40.