Weekend in Izmir

The main pedestrian street through the Alsancak district – full of shops, cafes, street musicians and a lively atmosphere. Good for people-watching and affordable street food like

Tip: Walk from Cumhuriyet Square toward Gündoğdu Square. Try a wet burger (ıslak hamburger) from a street cart near the Alsancak tram stop.

Compact but packed museum with Roman statues, sarcophagi and artefacts from nearby Ephesus and Pergamon. The courtyard has a cafe and shady benches.

Tip: Free for all on Wednesdays (check current policy as it may vary). Allow 1 hour. Combine with the nearby Ethnography Museum across the street.

The heart of Izmir – a wide open square with the iconic Ottoman clock tower (1901), a small mosque, the flower clock and the Izmir Historical Elevator building visible in the distance. Pigeons and sea

Tip: Come at sunset for the best light and the call to prayer from the Yalı Mosque. The nearby Kemeraltı bazaar entrance has excellent cheap gözleme and çay.

Ancient castle ruins on a hill with sweeping views of the Gulf of Izmir and the city below. Built by Alexander the Great's general, it's rough and not restored but worth the climb.

Tip: Go late afternoon for golden light and fewer crowds. Watch your step near loose stones. The cable car (Asansör) is a scenic way to get halfway up.

A large wildlife park in Çiğli with free entry. Animals housed in spacious enclosures: lions, zebras, bears, giraffes, plus a big lake for birds. Popular with local families on weekends.

Tip: Best on weekday mornings when animal keepers feed the big cats (around 10.00). Take the 189 or 199 bus from Konak. The park is huge – bring water and snacks.