Surrounded by a series of soaring mountains and lush greenery, the appealing city of Izmir is known for its pristine crescent beaches where you can enjoy a variety of water sports or just simply relax on the sands and catch a few rays. Stroll around the city centre and the Konak square, where you will find many good souvenir shops, old buildings, fine cafés and bistros. For some spectacular views of the area, take a ride of the Asansor elevator, or board one of the popular Teleferic cable cars. Located near to holiday rentals Izmir in the heart of the city is the Culture Park (Kultur Park Alani) and the zoological park. A must visit for bird watchers is the Izmir Bird's Paradise within the Cigli area, which is home to thousands of exotic species of resident and migratory birds. One of the major landmarks of Izmir is the magnificent Kadifekale Castle, which commands an aerial view of a large part of the city of Izmir, as well as of the Gulf of Izmir. Other worth visiting attractions include numerous Jewish synagogues, the stunning Agora of Smyrna, a Roman marketplace where Colonnades of tall stone Corinthian columns can still be found standing, The Ataturk Museum, and Museum of Arts and Sculpture, which exhibits a great collection of Turkish paintings, ceramics and sculptures. Go for an enchanting day trip to the nearby city of Bodrum, which offers an attractive combination of beaches and history or the seaside town of Cesme where you can enjoy windsurfing and stunning coastal views.

Izmir offers a wonderful shopping experience to avid shopping enthusiasts. The busiest area is the Kemeralti Streets, which still retain a 19th century charm of pull-down shutters, thresholds of the doors, low ceilings and old briquettes. Dotting both the sides of Anafartalar Caddesi are numerous shops where you can buy colorful fabrics, jewelry, books, gift items, antiquities, souvenirs etc. Fevzipasa Bulvari is the best place to buy leather garments at affordable prices. For an extravagant shopping affair, you can hire a taxi from your Izmir villa , to visit the nearby towns of Alsacak and Cankaya, which has a plenty of modern boutiques and huge shopping centers packed with international designer stores, swanky outlets, book shops and galleries.