Museums in Izmir

Izmir (İzmir in Turkish) is the gateway to the richest cluster of ancient cities on the Aegean coast. The city centre has a handful of good museums, but most of what you will want to see lies within the province: Ephesus, Pergamon, Teos and dozens of smaller sites.

Konak and Kemeraltı

In the city, start at Konak, the main square by the waterfront. The Izmir Archaeological Museum and the Izmir Ethnography Museum stand next to each other beside Bahribaba Park. From there, walk through Kemeraltı, the old covered bazaar district, to the Agora of Smyrna on its far side; the vaulted rooms under the Roman basilica are the best part. A stroll north along the seafront promenade (the Kordon) to Alsancak ends at the Arkas Art Center. The metro, tram and the ferries across the bay link up well; if you are staying in Karşıyaka, take the ferry.

Ancient cities across the province

Selçuk, the town next to Ephesus, is an easy day trip south by suburban train (İZBAN) or regional train. After Ephesus itself, the Ephesus Archaeological Museum in town, the remains of the Temple of Artemis and the İsa Bey Mosque fit into the same day. There is little shade on the site: in summer, go in early and bring a hat and water. The Ephesus and Selçuk in a day route suggests an order.

To the north, Bergama is the modern town below Pergamon. The acropolis, the Asclepieion healing sanctuary and the Red Basilica take a full day; a cable car runs up to the acropolis. West of the city, Teos near Sığacık, Klazomenai at Urla and Phocaea at Foça are quieter sites to combine with the coastal towns around them. For these you need a car or local buses.

If you only have a day in the city, the Izmir in a day route covers the centre. For a longer trip, the seven days of Aegean ancient cities route starts in Izmir and heads south. Check opening days on each site's page before you set out.