İzmir Travel Guide: Family Days Out from Kemeraltı to Kordon
Explore our home city of İzmir as a family: Kemeraltı, Kordon, Kadifekale, the historic lift and Ephesus, with admission information and local food.
İzmir is the city we call home. We put this guide together for families visiting for the first time: the historic bazaar, waterfront and hilltop viewpoints are close to one another, but trying to fit everything into a single day can be tiring.
Kemeraltı and the area around Konak form the walkable historic centre. Kordon and Alsancak offer a gentler pace by the sea. Taking the ferry to Karşıyaka is an outing in itself for children. Ephesus, outside the city centre, is a vast ancient site that deserves a day of its own.
Before you go: key notes
How many days do you need in İzmir?
Two days for the city centre, plus an extra day for Ephesus and Şirince, is ideal.
Is İzmir suitable for children?
The lawns at Kordon, the ferry ride, the pigeons at the Clock Tower and the historic lift are popular with children.
How do you get from İzmir to Ephesus?
Selçuk is around an hour away by train (İZBAN and regional services) or car; Ephesus is very close to Selçuk.
What should you eat in İzmir?
Boyoz, kumru, gevrek, stuffed mussels and şambali are local specialities.
Plan at a family pace: The days below are suggested itineraries. Shorten them to suit the time you spend inside museums and monuments; approximate visit lengths exclude queues and travel. Turkish citizens under 18 enter ministry-run museums and archaeological sites free; Müzekart offers access to these sites for a year.
Suggested itinerary
| Plan | Route | How to simplify it |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1: Historic centre | Clock Tower → Kemeraltı Bazaar → Kızlarağası Han → Agora → Kadifekale | With children, it is easier to take a taxi up to Kadifekale and walk down. |
| Day 2: Waterfront | Asansör → Kordon → Alsancak → ferry to Karşıyaka | Finish at Kordon for sunset. |
| Extra day: Ephesus | Ephesus Archaeological Site → Şirince or Selçuk | Start early in hot weather; there is little shade. |
Tickets and tours: Timed tickets for popular attractions such as Ephesus can sell out in advance. Browse İzmir tickets and tours on GetYourGuide to compare skip-the-line admission and guided tours.
Where to stay in Izmir with kids
Izmir is our home city; these are the areas we recommend to visiting families. With kids, where your hotel is decides how often you’ll say “shall we head back?”; being able to return for a midday break is a big relief.
| Area | Good for | Watch out | Stay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alsancak and the Kordon | Seafront walks, cafés and a central location | Crowded on weekend evenings | See on Booking |
| Konak and Kemeraltı | Walking distance to the Clock Tower, the bazaar and the ferry pier | Bazaar streets are narrow and crowded | See on Booking |
| Karşıyaka | A calm seafront, crossing to the centre by ferry | Ferry or metro to the historic centre | See on Booking |
What we look at when choosing: A lift (does the stroller fit without folding?), being close to the train or metro, a family room for three or an apartment with a kitchen, and air conditioning in summer.
Accommodation: Compare hotels and apartments in Izmir on Booking.com; choosing free cancellation keeps your plans flexible.
Contents
- Before you go: key notes
- Where to stay in Izmir with kids
- Konak and Kemeraltı
- Kordon, Alsancak and Karataş
- Karşıyaka and the ferry
- Outside the city: Ephesus
- Local flavours
- Sources and visitor information
Konak and Kemeraltı
Clock Tower
The tower, the symbol of Konak Square, was built in 1901 to mark the anniversary of the Ottoman sultan’s accession. The spacious square and nearby waterfront are popular meeting places, and children enjoy the pigeons.
Why visit? The first image that comes to mind when you think of İzmir, and the city’s meeting point since 1901. Feeding the pigeons by the tower is fun for children, while sitting by the sea makes a relaxed start for adults.
Visit summary
- Area: Konak and Kemeraltı
- Highlight: İzmir’s landmark
- Suggested visit length: About 15–20 minutes
- Type of visit: Outdoors
- Admission: Free (outdoors)
- Nearby stops: Kemeraltı Bazaar
- Open map: Search for this place on Google Maps
Kemeraltı Bazaar
One of Türkiye’s largest open-air bazaars, with narrow streets, caravanserais, mosques and small shops. Come for the atmosphere as much as the shopping; moving through the crowds with a stroller can be slow at busy times.
Why visit? With centuries-old caravanserais, mosques, synagogues and shopkeepers, this is the beating heart of İzmir. Getting a little lost and discovering something new in each street is part of getting to know the city.
Visit summary
- Area: Konak and Kemeraltı
- Highlight: Centuries-old open-air bazaar
- Suggested visit length: About 2–3 hours
- Type of visit: Bazaar walk
- Admission: Free (outdoors)
- Nearby stops: Clock Tower, Kızlarağası Han
- Open map: Search for this place on Google Maps
Kızlarağası Han
This two-storey Ottoman caravanserai in Kemeraltı has a courtyard that makes a lovely place for a short break. Try coffee brewed in hot sand at one of the courtyard cafés.
Why visit? One of İzmir’s finest Ottoman trading inns, with an arched courtyard where time seems to slow down. Coffee brewed in sand makes an atmospheric break from the busy bazaar.
Visit summary
- Area: Konak and Kemeraltı
- Highlight: Ottoman inn and courtyard
- Suggested visit length: About 20–30 minutes
- Type of visit: Courtyard / indoors
- Admission: Free
- Nearby stops: Kemeraltı Bazaar, Hisar Mosque
- Open map: Search for this place on Google Maps
Hisar Mosque
.jpg){kind=link}
One of Kemeraltı’s largest and oldest mosques. Its interior decoration and courtyard make it a natural stop on a walk through the bazaar.
Why visit? The painted decoration and wooden ceiling of Kemeraltı’s largest mosque bring unexpected elegance to the busy bazaar. The courtyard fountain and surrounding shops form one of its liveliest corners.
Visit summary
- Area: Konak and Kemeraltı
- Highlight: Kemeraltı’s great mosque
- Suggested visit length: About 15 minutes
- Type of visit: Indoors
- Admission: Free
- Nearby stops: Kızlarağası Han, Agora of Smyrna
- Open map: Search for this place on Google Maps
Agora of Smyrna
The marketplace of ancient Smyrna is now an open-air museum in the middle of the city. Its vaulted lower level and columns offer an engaging introduction to the ancient city for children.
Why visit? The marketplace of ancient Smyrna, founded at Alexander the Great’s initiative, feels like a journey through time in the heart of the city. Children may be surprised to see water still running through the ancient channels beneath the vaults.
Visit summary
- Area: Konak and Kemeraltı
- Highlight: Ancient marketplace in the city centre
- Suggested visit length: About 45–60 minutes
- Type of visit: Archaeological site
- Admission: Paid admission · Müzekart accepted
- Nearby stops: Hisar Mosque, Kadifekale
- Open map: Search for this place on Google Maps
Kadifekale
The remains of the fortress on Pagos Hill overlook the whole city and bay. Late afternoon, towards sunset, is a particularly pleasant time to visit.
Why visit? From one of İzmir’s highest viewpoints, the bay stretches below you from Konak to Karşıyaka. Watching the city lights come on at sunset helps explain its affectionate nickname, “beautiful İzmir”.
Visit summary
- Area: Konak and Kemeraltı
- Highlight: Sweeping bay views
- Suggested visit length: About 30–45 minutes
- Type of visit: Outdoors / viewpoint
- Admission: Free (outdoors)
- Nearby stops: Agora of Smyrna
- Open map: Search for this place on Google Maps
Kordon, Alsancak and Karataş
Historic Lift
Built in 1907 to connect two neighbourhoods, this historic lift is still in use. The terrace at the top overlooks the bay; nearby Dario Moreno Street is also worth a short stroll.
Why visit? For over a century, the lift has linked the lower and upper neighbourhoods, serving as both transport and a viewpoint. The short ride up to the sweeping bay views adds a little adventure for children.
Visit summary
- Area: Kordon, Alsancak and Karataş
- Highlight: Historic lift overlooking the bay
- Suggested visit length: About 30 minutes
- Type of visit: Lift / viewing terrace
- Admission: Free
- Nearby stops: Kordon
- Open map: Search for this place on Google Maps
Kordon
The waterfront stretching from Konak to Alsancak has lawns, a cycle path and sunset views. It is one of the easiest places in the city for a walk with children.
Why visit? Lawns beside the sea, cyclists and people gathering for sunset capture İzmir’s way of life. It is a favourite stretch of waterfront for children to run around and adults to enjoy the lights across the bay.
Visit summary
- Area: Kordon, Alsancak and Karataş
- Highlight: Sunset and waterfront
- Suggested visit length: About 1–2 hours
- Type of visit: Waterfront walk
- Admission: Free (outdoors)
- Nearby stops: Historic Lift, Kıbrıs Şehitleri Street
- Open map: Search for this place on Google Maps
Kıbrıs Şehitleri Street
Alsancak’s pedestrian street is lined with cafés, shops and old İzmir houses. Combine it with a walk along Kordon.
Why visit? With old Levantine houses and cafés, this pedestrian street at the heart of Alsancak is a hub of İzmir’s social life. It is a natural place for ice cream or coffee after walking along Kordon.
Visit summary
- Area: Kordon, Alsancak and Karataş
- Highlight: Alsancak’s pedestrian street
- Suggested visit length: About 30–60 minutes
- Type of visit: Street walk
- Admission: Free (outdoors)
- Nearby stops: Kordon, İzmir Archaeological Museum
- Open map: Search for this place on Google Maps
İzmir Archaeological Museum
Beside Bahribaba Park, the museum displays sculptures and finds from the region’s ancient cities. It is a useful stop for some background before visiting Ephesus.
Why visit? Sculptures from Ephesus, Smyrna and other ancient cities of the region share a single roof. Visiting first makes it easier to imagine the statues and buildings that once filled the sites.
Visit summary
- Area: Kordon, Alsancak and Karataş
- Highlight: Ancient sculptures from the region
- Suggested visit length: About 1 hour
- Type of visit: Indoors
- Admission: Paid admission · Müzekart accepted
- Nearby stops: Kıbrıs Şehitleri Street
- Open map: Search for this place on Google Maps
Karşıyaka and the ferry
Ferry to Karşıyaka
Crossing the bay on a ferry from Konak, Pasaport or Alsancak is inexpensive and great fun for children. Sharing simit with the seagulls is a familiar İzmir tradition.
Why visit? Seeing İzmir from the water and crossing the bay alongside seagulls is one of the city’s simplest and most enjoyable outings. The simit and seagulls on the ferry are often what children remember best.
Visit summary
- Area: Karşıyaka and the ferry
- Highlight: See the bay from the water
- Suggested visit length: About 20 minutes (one way)
- Type of visit: Ferry ride
- Admission: Paid admission · Public transport fare with İzmirimKart
- Nearby stops: Karşıyaka Bazaar and waterfront
- Open map: Search for this place on Google Maps
Karşıyaka Bazaar and waterfront
The shopping streets begin just beyond the ferry terminal, alongside a long waterfront promenade. There are playgrounds and a cycle path along the shore.
Why visit? The far side of the bay has a neighbourhood character of its own, with a bustling bazaar and long waterfront. Playgrounds and the cycle path make a welcome reward for children after the ferry crossing.
Visit summary
- Area: Karşıyaka and the ferry
- Highlight: Long waterfront and playgrounds
- Suggested visit length: About 1–2 hours
- Type of visit: Waterfront walk
- Admission: Free (outdoors)
- Nearby stops: Ferry to Karşıyaka
- Open map: Search for this place on Google Maps
Outside the city: Ephesus
Ephesus Archaeological Site
Near Selçuk, Ephesus is one of the world’s best-preserved ancient cities; the Library of Celsus and Great Theatre are its best-known landmarks. The site is extensive and has little shade, so start early in summer. The Terrace Houses require a separate ticket.
Why visit? Walking the marble streets and looking up at the Library of Celsus takes you back two thousand years. Trying out the echo in the 25,000-seat theatre is a favourite with children.
Visit summary
- Area: Outside the city: Ephesus
- Highlight: Library of Celsus and ancient theatre
- Suggested visit length: About 2–3 hours
- Type of visit: Archaeological site
- Admission: Paid admission · Müzekart accepted (Terrace Houses cost extra)
- Nearby stops: Şirince
- Open map: Search for this place on Google Maps
Şirince
This village near Ephesus is known for its stone houses. Its narrow, steep streets are tricky with a stroller, but it makes a pleasant stop for a short walk and a meal.
Why visit? Whitewashed stone houses scattered across the hillsides and wine houses make this one of the Aegean’s best-known villages. Some gözleme and fresh village air are a lovely way to end a day at Ephesus.
Visit summary
- Area: Outside the city: Ephesus
- Highlight: Hillside village with stone houses
- Suggested visit length: About 1–2 hours
- Type of visit: Village walk
- Admission: Free (outdoors)
- Nearby stops: Ephesus Archaeological Site
- Open map: Search for this place on Google Maps
Local flavours
These are some of the flavours associated with İzmir. Once we add places we have personally tried, this section will become a list of venues like those in our other city guides.
| Food | What it is known for | Where to look |
|---|---|---|
| Boyoz | Crisp sesame pastry, eaten for breakfast with a boiled egg | Bakeries in Kemeraltı and Alsancak |
| Kumru | Sandwich with sucuk sausage, kaşar cheese and tomato, also called Çeşme kumrusu | Throughout the city |
| Gevrek | İzmir’s name for simit: thinner and crispier | Street stalls and ferry terminals |
| Şambali | Semolina cake soaked in syrup | Sweet shops in Kemeraltı |
| Midye dolma | Mussels stuffed with spiced rice | Kordon and Alsancak |
Sources and visitor information
Museum and archaeological site opening hours change with the seasons, and some close on Mondays. Admission prices change frequently, so we have left out exact amounts; check the official websites before visiting. Individual location links are Google Maps searches using the place name.