The International MICE Summit 2025 (IMS25) concluded today in Riyadh after two days of high-level discussions, strategic announcements, and global collaboration, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s position as one of the world’s fastest-growing hubs for the meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) industry.

Sitting on Turkey’s Aegean coast, İzmir is one of the country’s oldest settlements stretching back almost 9000 years. Although much of the old city was lost to a devastating fire of 1922, the city has rebuilt itself with resilience and optimism. Its tree-lined streets, sparkling bay, café culture, and art galleries create a blend that feels distinctly Mediterranean but unmistakably Turkish.

İzmir’s story begins with the ancient settlement of Smyrna, once located a few kilometres inland, which moved to the coast under Alexander the Great. Under the Romans, the city blossomed into a bustling commercial centre, its agora, stadium, and markets echoing with Mediterranean life.

It passed to the Byzantines, Seljuks, and the Knights of St. John during the middle ages. Then came the Ottomans and for 500 years, Smyrna was one of the empire’s great port cities – a multicultural melting pot of Turks, Greeks, Armenians, Jews, and Levantines.. Merchants from Marseille, Venice, and London docked their ships here; artisans filled its bazaars with textiles and spice.

The 20th century brought turbulence. The city was occupied by Greek forces in 1919, igniting the Turkish War of Independence. On 9 September 1922, Turkish troops entered İzmir, marking a decisive victory. Unfortunately this coincided with the devastating fire that reshaped the city’s landscape.

I’m here for the İzmir Culture Route Festival, one of Turkey’s most vibrant cultural events. It’s an energetic, city-wide celebration of art, history, music, and creativity. Held annually as part of the nationwide Kültür Yolu Festivals, it transforms the city into an open-air cultural corridor, drawing thousands of visitors, artists, performers, and curious locals.

Kordon: The Heartbeat of the City

Start your visit at Kordon, the iconic waterfront promenade stretching along the shimmering curve of the Aegean. This ribbon of grass, walkway, and open spaces is where locals picnic, play music and bike. It’s also where you can catch one of the many ferries that transport you to other parts of the city. As the day fades, the sky ignites with shades of orange and pink, the silhouettes of fishing boats bob in the distance, and the city’s lights begin to sparkle.

Alsancak and Konak

Moving inland from Kordon brings you to Alsancak, a stylish neighbourhood filled with boutique shops, artisan coffee roasters, and bars that spill into the streets. The old Levantine houses – elegant, pastel-coloured structures with European façades are reminders of the district’s multicultural past. Today, they host everything from jazz bars to design studios.

Alsancak Station, built in 1858 by the British, is the oldest in the country, and one of the earliest in the entire Ottoman Empire. Preserved here is the historic white and green carriage, used by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk during his nationwide tours in the early years of the Republic. Inside are his bedroom, dining room and bathroom.

A short tram ride away lies Konak Square, İzmir’s most recognizable landmark. Here stands the Clock Tower, a jewel of Ottoman architecture built in 1901. This is the heart of the city, a meeting place where people gather among flocks of pigeons. A palm-lined path leads to the Kemeraltı Bazaar, one of the oldest and most atmospheric markets in Turkey.

Kemeraltı Bazaar

Kemeraltı is not just a market, it’s a complete experience. Narrow, winding alleys are filled with shopkeepers calling out greetings, their stalls bursting with colourful spices. The bazaar stretches for miles offering everything from handcrafted silver jewellery to antique carpets, leather goods, and fragrant Turkish delight. Hidden courtyards offer calm sanctuary from all the bustle

One of these is the historic Kızlarağası Hanı, a beautifully restored caravanserai where you sip Turkish coffee, while marble fountains burble softly nearby. It’s also one of the best places to taste authentic local dishes like boyoz, a flaky pastry brought by Sephardic Jews centuries ago, and kumru, a toasted sesame-crusted sandwich filled with cheese, tomatoes, and sucuk.

Agora of Smyrna

Located right in the city centre, this archaeological site once served as the Roman marketplace. Its marble colonnades, vaulted basements, and carved graffiti are remarkable well preserved. The contrast between the ancient ruins and the modern city skyline makes the Agora an evocative reminder of İzmir’s long past.

Asansör

Perched on the steep cliffs of the Karataş district, the Asansör or İzmir’s Historic Elevator was built in 1907 by a Jewish philanthropist. You’re whisked up from the narrow atmospheric Dario Moreno Street to the observation terrace high above.  This is one of the best views in İzmir: terracotta rooftops sloping down toward the bay, the curve of Kordon in the distance, and the Aegean shimmering beneath the sun.

Urla

One of İzmir’s greatest strengths is its proximity to delightful seaside towns. Urla, just 40 minutes away, has vineyards, olive groves, and farm-to-table restaurants that make it a favourite for wine enthusiasts. It’s long been associated with artists and artisans and restored houses in the old town operate as studios, galleries and design boutiques. Saturdays bring the Urla City Market, a colourful maze of organic produce, homemade cheeses, olive oils, wines, soaps, and seasonal Aegean herbs.

Ephesus

An hour’s drive south, near Selçuk on the Aegean coast, Ephesus was founded around the 10th century BCE by Ionian Greeks. Over time, it grew into one of the most important cities of the classical world. Under the Romans, Ephesus reached its zenith, becoming the capital of the province of Asia and a bustling port city whose population may have exceeded a quarter of a million people.

However, earthquakes shook its magnificent buildings, rivers shifted and silted up its harbour, and it fell into decline. What remains today, however, is one of the greatest archaeological sites in the Mediterranean, The site is huge and you can easily spend the whole day here.

Don’t miss the Library of Celsus, completed in 117 CE, it once housed over 12,000 scrolls. Four elegant statues representing Wisdom, Knowledge, Intelligence, and Virtue stand as silent guardians. Corinthian columns frame the structure, while intricately carved niches and pediments hint of the magnificence that once was.

Factfile

GO: SunExpress flies direct from London Stansted to Izmir.

The Stansted Express is the fastest way to the airport from central London.

INFO: GoTurkiye has information about the country.

STAY: Swissotel Büyük Efes İzmir offers city centre luxury by the sea.

EAT: Adabeyi Restaurant, Izmir, is right by the sea and serves excellent fish.

Şirince Güllü Konakları is a good place to eat near Ephesus and also has rooms.

These are all listed in the Michelin Guide:

Ayşa Boşnak Börekçisi, in Izmir, serves Bosnian and Ottoman delicacies.

Isabey Winery, near Izmir, has high quality food and wine, in its vineyards..

Hiç Locanta, in Urla, serves farm to table.

Beğendik Abi, in Urla, has traditional Turkish cuisine.

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