Izmir Travel Guide

Known in Turkey as “Beautiful Izmir”, the city lies at the head of a long and narrow gulf furrowed by ships and yachts. The climate is mild because the heat in summer is tempered by the cool sea breezes. Palm lined avenues and promenades follow the shoreline. In the background the city gently ascends the sloping mountains in horizontal terraces. The third largest city in Turkey, Izmir’s port is second only to Istanbul. The birthplace of Homer in about 700BC, it is a transport hub today and several important consulates are here. Despite its history the city is modern, built pretty much from scratch after it was looted, plundered and 70% of the city razed to the ground on September 9, 1922.