Izmir, the third largest city in Turkey and a rapidly growing hub of trade and tourism, lies at the western tip of Turkey right next to the Aegean Sea. Izmir has a rich and colorful history, going back as far as 3000 B.C. The city has seen a host of different empires come and go, while it remained, primarily because of its important location on the Gulf of Izmir. Izmir is a great place to travel, for the intrepid adventurer or the casual tourist, because of its rich mix of ancient history and modern prosperity. Izmir is also full of things to do, including the Agora, an ancient marketplace, the Clock Tower and the Roman Aqueducts, to name a few.

The Agora

Built in roughly the 4th century B.C., the Agora was ancient marketplace that served the city of Smyrna, the ancient Greek city that stood where Izmir is now. It was constructed during the reign of Alexander the Great, and while most of the ancient structure has been destroyed with the passage of time, enough still remains to make this an interesting stop on your visit to Izmir. Some of what remains includes parts of the western colonnade and various capitals and pillars. Most of what now stands is not part of the original Agora, but was constructed during its rebuilding following an earthquake in 178 A.D. You can find the Agora in between Esrefpasa Cd, which runs north/south, and Anafartalar Cd, which runs east/west.

Konak Square/Kemeralti Market

In Konak Square stands Izmir's famous clock tower, built in 1901. Built by architect Raymond Charles Pere, the Clock Tower commemorated the 25th year of the reign of Sultan Abdulhamit I, of the Ottoman Empire. A French architect, Pere was born in Izmir and lived there his whole life except for his schooling, which was in Europe, giving the clock tower a beautiful mix of Turkish and European architecture. On each of the four sides of the tower are fountains.

Also in the Konak Square you will find the Izmir City Hall and the Konak Mosque. Located nearby the square you will find Kemeralti, an old but still very active marketplace or bazaar, and a great place to do some shopping, for souvenirs, gifts or just because. More than 300 years old, you can now find traditional Turkish handicrafts right next to modern stores and business centers, making this one of the best places in the city to shop.