Izmir boasts some interesting archaeological sites and museums, including the Izmir Museum of Archaeology, but when history and culture begins to pall visitors can relax in the city's parks. Kulturpark, site of the annual International Fair, provides a good day out all year round with its amusement park, zoo, restaurant and tranquil gardens; Fuar has many restaurants, bars, and kebab stalls. Kadifekale castle is a popular attractions, as well as the Teleferikcable car. You can also walk along the waterfront promenade or wander the small streets of Alsancak. There are numerous opportunities for excursions out of the city. Just a short dolmus (mini-bus) ride away to the west is the beautiful Cesme Peninsula with its stretches of sandy beach, where visitors can enjoy watersports or take a boat trip along the coast. Various local operators offer day trips into the surrounding countryside, taking in a variety of interesting destinations from thermal baths and fishing villages to the famous Roman ruins of Ephesus.

Turkish is the official language, but English is widely understood in the main tourist areas.

The official currency is the New Turkish Lira (TRY), which was introduced on 1 January 2005, whereby six zeros were dropped from the TL and the sub-unit New Kurush was created. Currency can be exchanged at banks, exchange booths, post offices, airports and ferry ports; banks have the worst rates and highest commissions, but will exchange lesser known foreign currencies. Banks open mainly Monday to Friday, but some are open daily in tourist areas. ATMs are widely available in major cities and tourist areas, but Turkish ATM keypads usually do not have letters of the alphabet on their keys. Most bank branches have ATMs which accept Cirrus and Plus. Major credit cards are widely accepted; the most popular are Visa or MasterCard, but American Express is accepted in many of the more expensive places. Travellers cheques can be exchanged at some banks and currency exchange offices, but are not as welcome as cash or credit cards. US dollars or Euros are preferred. Some pensions and hotels in the most popular destinations accept US dollars as payment.

Visitors should be aware that temperatures can be extreme in the height of summer.

Holidaymakers will find that the nightlife in Izmir can be as hectic or as sedate as you wish. Most of the after dark action for visitors is centred on the Kordon Boyu, Passport Pier and Karsiyaka, where nightclubs and bars stay open until the early hours. 1448 Sokak in Alsancak has a number of clubs, and is a popular area for gay nightlife. More cultural entertainment is on offer too, like performances of the Aegean Philharmonic Orchestra. The city is particularly lively during the annual International Arts Festival, which takes place between June and July, and the carnival-like International Fare at the end of August.

The holiday destination of Izmir is renowned for its many seafood restaurants, but whatever your taste it is catered for in this city, which is well supplied with extremely affordable good eateries, particularly along the Kordon Boyu Promenade. The local speciality is the delectable fish, Cipura, so popular that it is farmed and served up in dozens of city restaurants. It is best enjoyed grilled, with a salad of fresh greens and herbs sprinkled with olive oil. Reputedly Izmir's top seafood restaurant is the Deniz, while for traditional Turkish, spiced up with belly dancing, head to the Sini Sofrasi restaurant, or Topçu'nun Yeri, a down-to-earth sidewalk cafe.

Like any modern city and holiday destination, Izmir has its share of shopping centres, and here the best stores are to be found lining the Kordon Promenades in Alsancak, Karsiyaka and Cumhuriyet Avenue. Visitors, however, do better to head for the atmospheric old district with its narrow streets and hidden doorways. There are bustling markets in Konak Square and Kemeraltý. There is a larger mall called Forum in nearby Bornova. Shopping here is a fascinating experience, and you can buy anything from antiques and dried figs (for which Izmir is famous), to fine jewellery, hand-made shoes and a variety of clothing.