Izmir area holidays

Ladies Beach, or Kadinlar Denizi, is Kusadasi’s main beachfront. This stony beach is good for swimming, with easy access to the water. There are a few watersports you can try, such as jet-skiing and banana boating. The beach is backed by a breezy promenade, which is home to many little cafés and bars. This beach really comes to life in the early evenings, when locals flock here to catch a glimpse of the sunset.

If you’re looking for a stretch of sand that’s a bit quieter than Ladies Beach, head to the public beach at Pygela. This beach offers softer sands, and is ideal for relaxing underneath the Turkish sun. There are fewer amenities here, so it’s perfect if you’re looking to get away from it all. You can reach Pygela Beach in 10 minutes by car from Kusadasi, or take the local bus. You could even walk there in around an hour.

Located just south of Kusadasi is Love Beach, or Sevgi Plaji. This beach is idyllic, with white sands. As the name suggests, it's the perfect place for a romantic day out. It’s popular thanks to its active marina, where you can see the local fishing boats moored up ready to head out in the mornings. There’s also a small park near the beach with BBQ facilities, so why not cook up some lunch while you’re out there?

Kusadasi’s Grand Bazaar is a shopper’s paradise. You can purchase a wide range of items here, including leather goods, jewellery, and small gifts. The arcade is crammed with individual stalls, all of them colourful and lively. There’s an outdoor market right next door to the Grand Bazaar, too. Known as the Orient Bazaar, this is yet another opportunity to grab some unique souvenirs from your Izmir trip.

Izmir’s shopping centres are your best bet for picking up some quality souvenirs. The Agora Shopping mall is home to brands such as Swarovski, Sephora, and Lacoste. Also, be sure to stop by the Bornova district of Izmir, just north of the main city centre. Here, you’ll find Forum Bornova which has a mix of both Turkish and International brands. There’s a cinema here if you want to catch the latest releases.

Alsancak is one of the most expensive and exclusive neighbourhoods in the city of Izmir, and it’s where you’ll find the region’s trendiest designer stores. Often likened to Beverly Hills, Alsancak’s main shopping hotspot is the pedestrianised Kibris Sehitleri Caddesi, but don’t just stick to the high street. Venture off down the narrow side streets, and you’ll find some top restaurants where you can grab a bite to eat.

If you’re looking for a resort in the Izmir region of Turkey that’s lively but not over the top, Ozdere is the place to be. There are some laidback bars and restaurants located along the Ozdere coast, where many Turkish holidaymakers come to unwind at the weekends. Many of these bars are located near to the CukuraltI Public Beach, and offer outdoor seating so you can relax and watch the crashing waves as you enjoy a cocktail or two. If you don’t fancy a sweet and sugary cocktail, order a raki. This is Turkey’s answer to Greek ouzo, and is known for being particularly potent and flavoured strongly with anise.

For a more lively night out in the Izmir region, choose Kusadasi or Izmir town. In Kusadasi, the street known locally as ‘Bar Street’ is the main hub of activity, where you’ll find everything from home-from-home Irish pubs to chic cocktail bars and karaoke clubs. In Izmir, the bars are more spread out around the city, although the area around the pier is well concentrated. Again, it’s a case of ‘anything goes’, with ex-pat pubs nestled amongst the sports bars and swanky city venues. If you order a beer, make it an Efes Pilsen, which is big in Turkey. And for wine, a locally produced Corvus goes down well.

The local cuisine you’ll find in Izmir is a blend of traditional Turkish fare mixed with fresh Aegean influences. It's located on the coast, and calamari and grilled sea bass are common restaurant dishes here. You’ll also find that beef and lamb meatballs are widely available. Across Turkey, these are often served in sandwiches or with salads. In Izmir however, the meatballs are often served in warming soups.

Towns in the Izmir region have a lot in common with old European cities. The famous café culture is one characteristic that they share. You’ll find little cafés dotted along the coastline, with outdoor seating that allows you to watch the world go by. Of course, the thing to order here is Turkish coffee. This strongly flavoured brew is made with finely-ground beans, and mixed with sugar and cardamom.

If you’re travelling with children who are picky eaters, don’t worry. Up in Izmir town itself you’ll have a huge selection of international foods. The city is bursting with pizzerias, fine dining establishments, and pastry shops. You’ll even find well-known fast food places and coffee shops like Burger King and Starbucks. Depending on where you stay, you may have access to a hotel restaurant or buffet, too.

No matter where you are in the Izmir region, you’ll notice that street food is big in this part of the world. It’s almost impossible to walk past one of the local street carts when you're hungry without ordering a bite to eat. Durum, a type of wrap sandwich, is great for lunch, while the syrupy flavour of simit is definitely worth a taste. And with Izmir being located right on the coast, fish sandwiches known as balik-ekmek are popular snacks.