İzmir & Pergamon

Türkiye's third-largest city, with sunsets on the Kordon waterfront and a centuries-old bazaar; Pergamon (a World Heritage site) lies to the north and the Lydian capital of Sardis to the east.

İzmir lies on Türkiye's western Aegean coast and is the country's third-largest city after Istanbul and Ankara. Known in antiquity as Smyrna, it wraps around the long, narrow Gulf of İzmir, and its open, secular character has earned it the nickname "the most European city in Türkiye." The climate is Mediterranean: April–June and September–October are the most comfortable, July–August days often top 35°C but come with sea breezes, and winters are mild and rainy. The main sights fall into three areas: the old town, made up of Konak Square, the Clock Tower, the Kemeraltı Bazaar, the Agora of Smyrna and Kadifekale Castle; Alsancak and the Kordon waterfront, where you'll find cafés, bars and sunset views; and Karşıyaka, reached by ferry across the bay. About 100 km north, Bergama has the World Heritage–listed Pergamon Acropolis, the Asklepion and the Red Basilica (Red Hall); about 90 km east is Sardis, the ancient Lydian capital; and to the northwest, Foça is a seaside town. Ephesus (Selçuk) and Çeşme–Alaçatı are covered as separate destinations. Getting there: Adnan Menderes Airport has flights from Istanbul and elsewhere, and the İZBAN commuter train takes about 30 minutes to the city; the metro, trams and ferries all use the İzmirimkart. We suggest 2 days in the city, plus one day each for Pergamon and Sardis. Try the local breakfast of boyoz and gevrek, as well as seafood and olive-oil dishes. The bazaar is mostly closed on Sundays, and in summer it's best to visit archaeological sites early to avoid the heat.

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