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Talent&Teacher Guide · Türkiye

Welcome to İzmir,
the most beautiful city in the world.

Sea, sun, 8,500 years of history and the friendliest streets on the Aegean. Everything below starts from one point: Alsancak, the heart of the city.

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Explore 🏛️

Historic Places You Must See

From ancient Smyrna to Ottoman bazaars — most are free or nearly free to visit.

Sunset over the İzmir Kordon
Konak

Clock Tower & Konak Square 💰Free to visit

The symbol of İzmir, built in 1901. The square around it is the heart of the city and the classic meeting point.

🚋From Alsancak: Tram from Alsancak toward F. Altay → get off at Konak (~10 min), or a lovely 25-min walk along the Kordon.
Kemeraltı Bazaar street
Konak

Kemeraltı Bazaar 💰Free to wander

A labyrinth of historic streets, mosques, synagogues and hidden courtyards. Get lost on purpose — and try the street food.

🚋From Alsancak: Tram to Konak; the bazaar entrance is right behind the Clock Tower.
Kızlarağası Hanı courtyard
Kemeraltı

Kızlarağası Hanı

An 18th-century Ottoman caravanserai, now full of small craft shops and traditional Turkish coffee houses.

🚋From Alsancak: Tram to Konak, then a 5-min walk into Kemeraltı (next to Hisar Mosque).
Agora of Smyrna ruins
Basmane

Agora of Smyrna

The ancient Roman marketplace in the middle of the modern city, with impressive underground galleries. Student tickets are heavily discounted.

🚶From Alsancak: ~25-min walk via Fevzipaşa Blv., or tram to Konak + 12-min walk through Kemeraltı.
Historical Elevator (Asansör) tower
Karataş

Historical Elevator (Asansör)

A 58-metre elevator from 1907 connecting two streets. Free ride up; the terrace has a café and a postcard view.

🚋From Alsancak: Tram toward F. Altay → get off at Karataş, then a 5-min walk on Darío Moreno Street.
Kordon seaside promenade
Alsancak

Kordon Promenade 💰Completely free

İzmir's famous seaside walk. Grass, sea, sunset, street musicians — bring tea and friends.

🚶From Alsancak: You're already there — it starts right where you are.
Ancient excavation ruins in İzmir
Bornova

Yeşilova Höyük 💰Free / very cheap

The oldest known settlement of İzmir — people lived here 8,500 years ago (c. 6500 BC). The visitor centre lets you step into a reconstructed Neolithic village.

🚇From Alsancak: İZBAN to Halkapınar → Metro toward Evka-3 → Bornova, then a short bus or taxi ride to the visitor centre.
Hisar Mosque seen from Kızlarağası Hanı
Kemeraltı

Hisar Mosque

Built in 1598, the largest and most beautiful Ottoman mosque of the city centre, with striking blue-and-gold domes — right next to Kızlarağası Hanı and the famous coffee courtyards.

🚋From Alsancak: Tram to Konak, then a 5-min walk into Kemeraltı toward Hisarönü.
Başdurak Mosque above the Kemeraltı bazaar
Kemeraltı

Başdurak Mosque

A 17th-century mosque rising above the bazaar shops on Anafartalar Street — climb the stairs for one of Kemeraltı’s most photogenic corners.

🚋From Alsancak: Tram to Konak, then follow Anafartalar Caddesi into the bazaar.
Konak Square with Yalı Mosque
Konak

Yalı (Konak) Mosque 💰Free / very cheap

The tiny octagonal mosque from 1755 right on Konak Square, covered in Kütahya tiles — one of the most elegant little buildings in the city, next to the Clock Tower.

🚋From Alsancak: Tram to Konak — it stands right on the square.
Countryside hills around Selçuk, İzmir
Selçuk · Day Trip

Şirince Village

A hillside old Greek village of stone houses, fruit wines and cobbled lanes, 8 km above Selçuk — perfect to combine with your Ephesus trip.

🚆From Alsancak: İZBAN from Alsancak Gar to Selçuk (transfer at Tepeköy), then the Şirince minibus from Selçuk centre (~15 min).
Library of Celsus in Ephesus
Selçuk · Day Trip

Ephesus Ancient City

One of the best-preserved ancient cities in the world, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Bring your student card for the ticket office.

🚈From Alsancak: İZBAN from Alsancak Gar heading south, transfer at Tepeköy to the Selçuk train (~1.5 h total), then minibus or 30-min walk to the site.
Steep ancient theatre of Pergamon
Bergama · Day Trip

Pergamon Acropolis

A UNESCO-listed ancient kingdom with the steepest theatre of the ancient world.

🚈From Alsancak: İZBAN from Alsancak Gar north to Aliağa (end of line), then the Bergama minibus (~45 min); or an intercity bus from İzmir Otogar.

Eat 🥙

For Foodies: Where the Locals Eat

İzmir is a street-food city. Boyoz, kumru, stuffed mussels — cheap, iconic, unforgettable.

Drink 🍺

For Drinkers: The Best İzmir Pubs

Discover the top local spots to enjoy a drink during your stay.

Bornova

Student Scene

🚇From Alsancak: İZBAN to Halkapınar → Metro toward Evka-3 → Bornova (~25 min).

Alsancak & Konak

City Center & History

🚶From Alsancak: All walkable — most are around Kıbrıs Şehitleri Cd. and the Alsancak backstreets.

Karşıyaka

Bostanlı Coast

⛴️From Alsancak: Ferry from Alsancak/Pasaport to Karşıyaka (~20 min) or İZBAN from Alsancak Gar.

Bostanlı

Coastal Promenade

⛴️From Alsancak: Ferry to Bostanlı pier — the pubs line the promenade behind it.

Mavişehir

Coastal Lifestyle

🚆From Alsancak: İZBAN from Alsancak Gar to Mavişehir station (~25 min).

Sip ☕

For Coffee People: The Best İzmir Coffee Spots

Discover the top local spots to enjoy a brew during your stay.

Alsancak & Konak

City Center & Culture

🚶From Alsancak: Alsancak spots are walkable; for Konak, hop on the tram (~10 min).

Karşıyaka

Bostanlı Coastal Brews

⛴️From Alsancak: Ferry to Karşıyaka (~20 min) — coffee tastes better after a boat ride.

Bostanlı

Coastal Cafe Promenade

⛴️From Alsancak: Ferry to Bostanlı; the cafés face the sunset side of the bay.

Mavişehir

Coastal Lifestyle

🚆From Alsancak: İZBAN from Alsancak Gar to Mavişehir (~25 min).

Swim 🏖️

Beaches & Seaside Escapes

The Aegean's best turquoise water is a short bus ride away. Perfect weekend plans.

Ilıca Beach, Çeşme
Çeşme · ~1.5h

Ilıca Beach

İzmir’s most famous beach — shallow turquoise water naturally warmed by underwater thermal springs, with soft white sand. Great for families and windsurf beginners.

🚌From Alsancak: Bus from İzmir Otogar or Üçkuyular to Çeşme (~1.5h), then a short minibus to Ilıca.
Alaçatı stone houses, Çeşme
Çeşme · ~1.5h

Alaçatı

Türkiye’s windsurfing capital: cobblestone lanes, stone houses with blue shutters, boutique cafés and beach clubs. Delikli Bay and Cleopatra Bay are nearby gems.

🚌From Alsancak: Bus to Çeşme, then the Alaçatı minibus; in summer direct Alaçatı buses also run.
Sığacık harbour, Seferihisar
Seferihisar · ~1h

Sığacık & Akarca Beach

A walled seaside town of bay-windowed houses — Türkiye’s first "slow city". Swim at Akarca or Akkum, then browse the famous Sunday organic market.

🚌From Alsancak: Bus or minibus from Üçkuyular / F. Altay to Seferihisar (~1h), then the Sığacık dolmuş.
Çeşme coastline view
Çeşme · ~1.5h

Çeşme Town & Marina

The peninsula’s lively hub: a Genoese castle, a buzzing marina, seafood tavernas and boat trips to hidden coves across the crystal-clear coast.

🚌From Alsancak: Direct bus from İzmir Otogar or Üçkuyular to Çeşme centre (~1.5h).

What the icons mean

  • 💸Pricey — average bill is 600 TL or more per person. Hover the icon anywhere on the page to see it.
  • 💰Budget-friendly — cheap and generous, ideal for a talent&teacher budget.
  • 🎓Student deals — regular discounts or special campaigns for students.
  • 🚋 🚈 🚇 ⛴️ 🚌 🚶How to get there — tram, İZBAN train, metro, ferry, bus or walk, always starting from Alsancak. All of them accept the İzmirim Kart.

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This site was made by Arda Cirit

Manisa · Aegean Region

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We are still exploring the city of princes, Mount Sipylus and the legendary Mesir Paste festival for you. The Manisa guide will be here very soon — stay tuned!

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Practical Information

Coming Soon

Visas, transport cards, SIM cards, healthcare, banking and everything else you need to settle in. This section will be here very soon — stay tuned!

This site was made by Arda Cirit

Historic stone houses of Bitlis

Bitlis · Eastern Anatolia

Coming Soon

We are still exploring the city of five minarets, Lake Van's shores and Nemrut Crater for you. The Bitlis talent&teacher guide will be here very soon — stay tuned!

This site was made by Arda Cirit