Stay in the city of Izmir for museums, galleries and culture, and then head to a beach resort in the nearby Çeşme, stopping off at the thermal spas in Balcova for the perfect summer holiday.

Although Imzir was completely rebuilt in 1922 after the Turkish War of Independence, the city still offers a wealth of history and culture. The Archeological Museum has an impressive collection of ancient and roman artefacts recovered from excavations of Izmir’s original settlement (including Bergama, Iasos and Bayrakli) for you to see. Marvel in the art of the city by heading to the Selcuk Yasar Art Museum on Cumhurivet Boulevard. And then learn about the area and its origins in the Natural History Museum.

If visiting the city between the months of June – September be sure to head to the International Art Festival held in June/July. The Art Festival attracts a great attendance from locals and tourists with its wide spectrum of classical, traditional and contemporary works including music, ballet and theatre.

Kultur Park, or Culture Park, is an amusement park in the city which provides important green space and plenty of activities for the family. The amusement park and zoo, beautiful gardens, theatres and libraries, are popular with tourists looking for a relaxing day away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Traditional Turkish dishes commonly found in Izmir are Tarhana soup (made from dried yoghurt and tomatoes), İzmir köfte, keşkek (boiled wheat with meat), Zerde (sweetened rice with saffron) and Mücver (made from zucchini and eggs). Head to a waterfront restaurant at the harbour for great views during your evening meal.

Izmir has much in to offer in the way of natural beaches, secluded bays and costal attractions. Located on the north-westerly shoreline of Turkey and the Aegean Sea, many beaches are just a short distance from the city centre. With warm summers and a fine climate you will find that beaches fill up very quickly during July and August!

Slightly outside of the city is Balcova where you will find Turkey’s largest thermal spas. Many hotels in the area offer mud baths, saunas, massages and more. Çeşme, slightly further away still, is famous for its beaches and fish restaurants. On the western part of the Karaburun Peninsula in the West of Imzir, Çeşme is one of Turkey’s biggest tourist areas. The windy coastlines makes for excellent windsurfing, and its near proximity to the Greek islands makes it an ideal location for day trips to the islands by ferry.