The beautiful city of Izmir offers a myriad of cultural, natural and adrenalin-pumping activities to add that extra zing to your beach holiday.
1. Lose your senses in the Kemeralti Bazaar
Turkey is world-famous for its bazaars and Izmir is no exception. Immerse yourself in the realm of the senses, and engage in good-natured bargaining with boisterous shopkeepers as you snag a bargain and bag some authentic souvenirs.
2. Dive the wreck of an Airbus A300
Wreck diving is exhilarating and off Kusadasi coast, you can join an Airbus A300 wreck dive where one of the highlights is to visit the cockpit and sit in the captain seat, savouring the surreal moment. The plane has formed an artificial reef, although there are also natural reefs to the right of the plane wreck that you can explore.
3. Explore the village of Şirince
This quaint village is said to have been founded by Greek slaves who escaped Ephesus in the 15th-century. Today, its Greek roots have left their mark on this town, visible in the red-roofed houses, narrow cobblestone streets and Şirince’s famous sweet wine.
4. Get swept up windsurfing
Favourable wind conditions with plenty of sunshine make this stretch of Aegean coast a haven for windsurfers, particularly around Çeşme, the resort town west of Izmir. Within Çeşme, Alaçatı is said to be one of the best windsurfing spots in the world and gets particularly busy from May to October.
5. Enjoy a spectacular view
You can hardly miss Asansör, one of the landmarks of Izmir, standing proudly at the end of Dario Moreno Street. Ride the Asansör elevator to the viewing terrace for spectacular views.
6. Taste of Izmir
Being a coastal town, it’s little surprise that Izmir is stuffed to the gills with amazing seafood options. Learn the secrets of local cuisine by taking up a cooking class. Alternatively, join a gastronomy tour or visit a winery nearby.
Discover Izmir for yourself with Jet2.com and Jet2Holidays.