Things to do in Izmir

Find and book activities, attractions and tours

Cumhuriyet square aerial panoramic view in Izmir city in Turkey
This library is one of the most beautiful structures in Ephesus. It was built in 117 A.D. It was a monumental tomb for Gaius Julius Celsus Polemaeanus, the governor of the province of Asia; from his son Galius Julius Aquila. The grave of Celsus was beneath the ground floor, across the entrance and there was a statue of Athena over it. Because Athena was the goddess of the wisdom.

The scrolls of the manuscripts were kept in cupboards in niches on the walls. There were double walls behind the bookcases to prevent the them from the extremes of temperature and humidity. The capacity of the library was more than 12,000 scrolls. It was the third richest library in ancient times after the Alexandra and Pergamum.

The facade of the library has two-stories, with Corinthian style columns on the ground floor and three entrances to the building. There are three windows openings in the upper story. They used an optical trick that the columns at the sides of the facade are shorter than those at the center, giving the illusion of the building being greater in size.

The statues in the niches of the columns today are the copies of the originals. The statues symbolize wisdom (Sophia), knowledge (Episteme), intelligence (Ennoia) and valor (Arete). These are the virtues of Celsus. The library was restored with the aid of the Austrian Archaeological Institute and  the originals of the statues were taken to Ephesus Museum in Vienna in 1910.

There was an auditorium ,which was for lectures or presentations between the library and the Marble Road, was built during the reign of the Emperor Hadrian.
#History Photo Contest
#ancient
#InStone
#Lifeatexpedia
#UNESCO World Heritage sites
#culture
This is the most magnificent structure in Ephesus ancient city. The Great Theatre is located on the slope of Panayir Hill, opposite the Harbor Street, and easily seen when entering from the south entrance to Ephesus. It was first constructed in the Hellenistic Period, in the third century BC during the reign of Lysimachos, but then during the Roman Period, it was enlarged and formed its current style that is seen today.

It is the largest in Anatolia and has the capacity of 25,000 seats. The cavea has sixty six rows of seats, divided by two diazoma (walkway between seats) into three horizontal sections. There are three sections of seats. In the lower section, Marble pieces, used for restoration, and the Emperor's Box were found. The seats with backs ,made of marble, were reserved for important people. The audience entered from the upper cavea.

The stage building is three-storied and 18 meters high. The facade facing the audience was ornamented with relieves, columns with niches, windows and statues. There are five doors opening to the orchestra area, the middle one of which is wider than the rest. This enhanced the appearance of the stage, giving it a bigger, monumental look.

The theatre was used not only for concerts and plays, but also for religious, political and philosophical discussions and for gladiator and animal fights.

Best time to visit this magnificient archeological site is between march and may. Summer months are always with temperatures above 45°C.
#History Photo Contest
#Ancient
#InStone
#Turkey
#Lifeatexpedia
This was the capital of the Pergamon kingdom around 250 BC. Anthony took thousands of scrolls from this city and gave them to Cleopatra. It's a great ruin, in the small city of Bergama in Turkey. You cn get a cable car up to the ruins.
The library in the Ephesus ruins. If you get there early, and go to the other entrance, you can get the whole place to yourself for about 15 or so minutes which is very cool. Otherwise be prepared for thousands of other people swarming the place.

Izmir Attractions

Great shopping, fine food and exciting sights are the sorts of things that make a place truly memorable. Izmir has all of these and loads more. Why wait? It's time to lock in your getaway to this dynamic city.

Learn what makes Izmir tick with some of the most popular tours & day trips. Browse through our top {927 fun activities in Izmir fun activities in Izmir}, and rest easy knowing that we offer free cancellation and no added fees.


  • find price illustration

    Explore activities

    Explore thousands of experiences from activities and attractions to day tours and transfer.
  • calendar shield illustration

    Book with ease

    Skip the line- book tickets online in minutes to top attractions with free cancellation on many activities.
  • trophy illustration

    Treat yourself

    One Key members save % or more on select activities, hotels, cars and vacation rentals.

Most popular activities in Izmir

Tours & day trips

See all 865 activities

Food, drink & nightlife

See all 69 activities

Adventure & outdoor

See all 38 activities

Air, helicopter & balloon tours

See all 30 activities

Spa & wellness

See all 27 activities

What to do in Izmir

Free Things to Do in Izmir

Leave your wallet in the hotel. It's possible to amuse yourself in Izmir without paying a cent.

Ismet Inonu Sanat Merkezi - This is the place to get your culture hit and discover the area's artistic side.

Ege University - If you're impressed by modern architecture and design, add this attraction to your to-do list.

Kemeraltı Bazaar - Soak up some of the fascinating history of the region through this site.

Konak Square - Spend some time in this buzzing place and imagine life as a local resident.

Tepekule Convention and Exhibition Centre - Plan a visit and discover the significance of this place to the local community.

St John’s Church - Enjoy some quiet contemplation and discover a few things about this site's spiritual significance.

Kulturpark - Work on your green thumb and admire the wide range of plants on display.

Things to Do in Izmir with Kids

There's fun for all the family wherever you roam in Izmir. Here are some family friendly experiences to enjoy together that'll make your vacation unforgettable:


 

Looking for sports, concerts, or theater events in Izmir? Search event tickets to see what's happening today, or to plan what to do this weekend!

 


 


Discover the most popular places to visit in Izmir

Discover the most popular landmarks and neighborhoods in Izmir

Windsurfing in Alacati, Cesme, Turkey

Alaçatı

Travelers like the cafes in Alaçatı, and Alaçatı Çarşı is a top attraction you might want to visit.

Alaçatı
Cumhuriyet square aerial panoramic view in Izmir city in Turkey

Alsancak

4.5/5(9 area reviews)

Seaside views, bars, and spas highlight some of the noteworthy features of Alsancak. Make a stop by Kulturpark or Kordonboyu while you're exploring the neighborhood.

Alsancak
K

Izmir City Centre

4.5/5(177 area reviews)

Consider a visit to Kulturpark and take some time to enjoy the seaside views during your time in Izmir City Centre. If you want to see more of the city, jump on the metro at Hilal Station or Cankaya Station.

Izmir City Centre
Izmir

Konak

4.5/5(11 area reviews)

Consider a visit to İzmir Clock Tower and take some time to enjoy the seaside views during your time in Konak. If you want to see more of the city, jump on the metro at Konak Station or Cankaya Station.

Konak
View of İzmir Gulf at morning

Bornova

4/5(7 area reviews)

Bornova is well-liked for its restaurants and gardens. If you're hoping to get in some sightseeing, Forum Bornova Shopping Center and Agora Open Air Museum are top spots, and you can jump on the metro at Bornova Station or Bolge Station to get around.

Bornova
Tram going Izmir Turkey Karsiyaka

Karsiyaka

3.5/5(4 area reviews)

You'll enjoy the museums and shopping in Karsiyaka. You might want to make time for a stop at Hilltown Karsıyaka Mall or MaviBahce.

Karsiyaka

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 


 

Popular day trips from Izmir

Frequently asked questions

What to do in Izmir on a sunny day?
Make the most of the sunshine with one or two of these awesome outdoor activities:


What to do in Izmir on a rainy day?
Take advantage of a dreary, rainy day by signing up for some indoor activities, like a Primeclass International Lounge at Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport (ADB) or a Primeclass Domestic Lounge at Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport (ADB).
What is Izmir famous for?
Make it a priority to visit Konak Square and İzmir Clock Tower if you want to be impressed.
What should I not miss in Izmir?
To get a true taste of this destination's flavor, try to visit all of these unmissable attractions:

  • İzmir Archeological Museum
  • Red Basilica
  • Kadifekale

Are there cheap things to do in Izmir?
What can you do in Izmir for free?
You'll hardly have time to fetch your wallet out of your pocket with so many wonderful free things to do:

  • Konak Square
  • Ilica Beach
  • Alacati Beach
  • Izmir Optimum AVM

Explore a world of travel with Expedia