Izmir is the third largest city in Turkey, and its port is second only to İstanbul's. Behind the palm-lined promenades and avenues which follow the shoreline, the city, in horizontal terraces, gently ascends the slopes of the surrounding mountains. The climate is mild and in the summer the constant and refreshing sea breezes temper the sun's heat.

SITES OF INTEREST: Dikili, Foça, Çeşme, Seferihisar and Gümüldür shores, Balçova-Çatalkaya cable lift, Asansör (Lift), Yamanlar-Karagöl, Tunay, Uzunkuyu, Belkahand and Çamlık forest recreation areas, Balçova-Agamemnon, Çeşme-Şifne, Bergama-Güzellik, Menemen, Seferihisar, Bayındır, Foça (Phokaia), Larisa, Erythrai, Klazomenai, Teos, Lebedos, Kolophon, Klaros, Notion and Efes (Ephesos) antique city ruins, House of Virgin Mary, Bayraklı, Kadifekale, Artemis Bath, Kızılçullu and Selçuk aquaducts, Agora of İzmir, Çeşme and Selçuk castles, Belevi Tumulus and Grave Monument, Bergama, Ödemiş and Tire Grand Mosques, Faik Pasha, Hisar, Hacı Hüseyin (Başdurak), Kestane Pazarı, Ali Ağa, Hatuniye, Çorak Kapı, Konak, Kurşunlu, Şadırvan, İkiçeşmelik, Salepcioğlu, İsa Bey, Mehmed Bey, Kazganoğlu, Yeni, Pasha and Rüstem Pasha Mosques, Kızlarağası,Mirkelamoğlu and Karaosmanoğlu Inns, Sultan Şah, Mehmed Bey, İbn Melek and Süleyman Şah mausoleums, İzmir Clock Tower, İzmir Atatürk and Menemen Kubilay Monuments, International İzmir Exposition, İzmir Archeology, İzmir Art and Sculpture, İzmir Atatürk, Efes Archeology, Bergama and Tire Museums.