The centre of Izmir is made up of three well-known areas close to one another: Konak Square, the Kemeraltı Bazaar and the Alsancak seafront where the Kordon runs. It is possible to see all three in a day, but because of crowds, heat and parking problems, the order and the pace matter. With a private car and driver, linking these three stops smoothly is much easier.
A quick look at the three stops
Konak is considered the heart of the city; the Clock Tower stands in Konak Square and is one of Izmir's most photographed landmarks. Kemeraltı is a historic bazaar whose narrow streets combine shops, cafes and small historic buildings. The Kordon is the seafront promenade that stretches along Alsancak and is favoured for walking, a coffee break and sunset. A city tour usually links these three points in order. For a current list of other historic and tourist sites in the area, see the Izmir Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism page.
Suggested route order
- Konak Square and the Clock Tower. Starting in the quieter morning hours makes photography and walking more comfortable.
- Kemeraltı. The bazaar is explored on foot; the vehicle drops you at the suitable point closest to the bazaar entrance and waits at the pick-up point.
- Lunch break. Plan a rest in the bazaar or on the Alsancak side.
- Kordon. In the afternoon, leave time for a walk along the seafront, coffee and sea views.
- Evening drop-off. Transfer to your hotel, the airport or a dinner address.
This order is designed so that the crowds in the bazaar fall in the morning, and the seafront walk in the cooler hours of the day. You can reverse the direction if you prefer.
What do a private car and driver provide?
Finding a parking space around Kemeraltı is often a hassle. In a chauffeured car, dropping off and picking up passengers is the driver's responsibility; as you move from stop to stop, you have no navigation or parking worries. On an hourly or all-day arrangement, bags, shopping and spare clothes can stay in the vehicle. The driver is not a guide; if you want historical information and commentary, you can arrange a licensed guide separately.
Because each of the three areas has a different atmosphere, the programme should not be reduced to one uniform walk. A balanced flow means a short stop in the square at Konak, a longer section in Kemeraltı with shop and coffee breaks, and an unhurried walk with time to sit by the sea on the Kordon. If you plan to shop, being able to leave the bags in the car is an important advantage that makes the walk easier.
In terms of time, the car journeys between the three areas are short; walking, breaks and meals take up most of the time. So decide the total length of the day by how long you want to stay at each stop, rather than by the number of stops. ## Timing suggestions
| Topic | Note |
|---|---|
| Start time | Early morning, before the bazaar fills up |
| Kemeraltı walk | Allow a few hours with shop, coffee and photo breaks |
| Kordon break | Afternoon or the hours close to sunset |
| Weekends | Crowds can increase; leave flexibility between stops |
| Museum and site visits | Check hours and fees on muze.gov.tr |
Preparation list
- Wear comfortable shoes with good grip; cobbled streets are common in Kemeraltı.
- Carry cash and a card in the bazaar, as payment methods may vary at small businesses.
- Take sun protection, water and a light jacket.
- Adjust your walking pace to the season and the day's temperature.
- For current information on public transport within the city, see the ESHOT page.
Choosing a vehicle by number of passengers
The Mercedes-Benz Vito VIP (approximately 1–6 passengers) suits a family or small group. For larger groups, visiting delegations and school or association trips, the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (approximately 10–16 passengers depending on the vehicle) can be preferred. Exact capacity and equipment are confirmed in the quote. The fare is communicated by written quote over WhatsApp before the journey, and the booking is confirmed once the quote is accepted. Waiting and extra-time conditions are written in the quote; as the number of stops grows, it is a good idea to set a realistic duration from the start.
If you want to enrich the programme, you can add a short cafe break in Alsancak or another walking point around Konak to these three stops; however, planning too many stops in a day increases fatigue. If you are introducing Izmir to your guests, a half-day city tour from morning to midday may be enough. Whichever suits, the required duration and list of stops should be written clearly in the quote.
In addition, there is an option for those who want to combine the city tour with an airport meet-and-greet: if your flight lands before noon, it is possible to drop your luggage at the hotel and then set out on the tour. If your accommodation is already known, write the address and check-in time in the quote, so that the starting point of the tour is clear and the driver can plan the approximate arrival time at the first stop in advance. ## For your booking
For the scope of the tour, see the Izmir city tour page, and for the all-day chauffeur option, the Izmir chauffeur service page. If you are coming straight from the airport to the city centre, see the airport–Konak–Alsancak route; to get a quote, you can use the quote page.
