You can watch İzmir, one of the most beautiful cities of Turkey, from the elevation of Kadifekale which is the castle commissioned by Alexander the Great. İzmir and the surrounding area is rich in both historical and natural beauty.

Bergama (Pergamum) is one of the most important historic sites of Turkey housing many remains from the Hellenistic Kingdom of Pergamum, including the Altar of Zeus that was smuggled out of the country during the first amateur excavations. Talks continue between Turkey and Germany for the return of this invaluable piece to Turkey.

The narrow, winding streets, old houses, friendly people, the fishermen’s boats moored to the shore, the clear sea and the bay of Foça are absolutely endearing. Foça was founded in 600 BC by the Phoenicians who were renown as daring sailors. The symbol of the city used to be the cock but the current inhabitants find the cute Mediterranean seal, an endangered species, more to their liking.

The best liked summer resort of İzmir is Çeşme with ideal weather and sea conditions for surfing and the hot springs.

Ephesus is located in the Selçuk district of İzmir. It was founded by the Ionians in the 10th century BC and used to be a strategic port city, although it is located at some distance from the sea today. The temple of Artemis is one of the seven wonders of the world. The Selçuk district itself was developed by the Seljuks in the 14th century.

Other remarkable sites around İzmir are Aphrodisias, one of the most impressive ruins in the world located in Aydın province to the south; Milet, whose history is traced to 2000 BC; Didim, one of the metropolises of antiquity; Lake Bafa, which used to be part of the Aegean Sea two thousand years ago and on whose small islands stand ruins of old monasteries.