As in most of the street markets around the world, you can find almost anything you need in…read moreKemeralti. It is located in the very center of the city, close to the Izmir Clock Tower, where most tourists will have their picture taken at some point. This market is big enough that if you don't know it that well you may find yourself lost in its somewhat tight and busy corridors, full of vendors competing for your attention. And I do mean competing: they will shout, stalk and follow you if they feel you are a potential customer (it can feel a little creepy for foreigners, but it is just the local culture and deep down they all want to please you). You can get almost anything here, from clothes and costumes to spices and all sorts of food (there are restaurants and a lot of street food too if you are willing to try the local flavor). I remember there was an area of the market that was fully dedicated to party and wedding dresses, other to jewelry (the fake kind) and there are even some places selling electronics. It is worth saying that this is a place where you should watch out for your belongings, as it can get crowded and pickpocketing is pretty common. Nevertheless, if you are in Izmir, you have to check it out, even if only for a few minutes. While here, try looking for a place to have Gözleme, a traditional pastry dish that is one of my favorites (it is a delight to watch them make it right in front of you too).

5 Stars because its Kemeralti...the place for someone to go if they need just about anything. Need…read morehousewares? Kemeralti! Need gold? Kemeralti! Need spices? Kemeralti! You get the idea. just like majority of the street bazaars around the world, they have a LOT of stuff for sale & LOTS of people hawking their wares. I think I mastered the "hayir sagol" (no thank you) here. And its always something to see a vendors reaction when they see a yabanci (foreigner) speaking turce haha. Living in Izmir...means you MUST go here. Visiting Izmir? Its a no brainer. Places where you can barter are few and far between...this place keeps that tradition alive. Check it out!

Back in the day, when I used to live in Izmir as an exchange student, walking around Konak Pier was…read moreone of my favorite things to do. I'd meet my friends there for lunch (usually in Burger King as we did not have a lot of money to spend on the nicer places). It is a very sophisticated and small shopping mall located right in the center of the city, that used to have a great bookstore (not sure it is still there) and a bunch of cool (and expensive) brand stores. It may even have a cinema (I can't remember for sure and even if I did, it has been eight years, so that may have changed too). The thing I loved the most about it is that it is kind of open and the corridors are very large so you don't feel as if you are confined, something that usually happens to me when I go to other more traditional shopping malls. There are a bunch of really nice restaurants too, and you can sit there and appreciate the amazing view of the sea while you wait for your order to come. It is very close to the super popular Kemeralti market, so if you do not have the resources to do your shopping here, just make sure you come by for the view and some food and then you can move on to the street market to buy cheaper stuff!

Nice little mall close to Kemeralti open air market. Nice restaurants right on the water…read more The main stores are pretty expensive (because they have to probably pay a ridiculous rent). Anyway, this was the first place I went to see a movie while in Izmir. I saw 300 back in the day. I went to a movie there last year also. Still just as nice. They have sweet love seat style couch seats for 2 people. It's like watching a move at home! There's an Italian restaurant, a steak restaurant & a sushi place...they are all good.