Essential information for Izmir Region
When to go
The weather is at its hottest in the Izmir region during the summer months. Temperatures during July and August reach 33°C on average, but it feels even hotter in the sun – about 40°c. Many tourists prefer to plan their Turkey holidays in the spring, when the temperature hover around 20°Cs. There are plenty of coastal spots to cool off in, though, and a huge selection of swimming pools.
If you do visit during the summer, you can enjoy 12 hours of sunshine a day. Things cool down a little for the night, but it’s still quite balmy at 20°C on average. At the end of the peak season, in September and into October, the weather remains warm and the beaches are quieter.
It doesn’t rain a lot in the Izmir region. You’re unlikely to experience any at all during the summer months, and even if you visit during off-season you won’t see a lot.
Health and safety
As with any holiday, you should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance to cover yourself and family members. As Turkey is outside the EU, an EHIC card is no use, but travel insurance can be found cheap and easy online.
If you think you’ll be participating in some of the more adrenaline-fuelled pursuits that are available in Turkey, you should ensure that your travel insurance covers this kind of activity.
See our holiday extras page for more information, and for the latest health and safety information visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/turkey.
Passports and visas
In addition to a valid passport, British nationals need a visa to travel to Turkey. You can get an e-Visa online before you travel from https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en/.
Getting around
Flights go to Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport where you can get a transfer to the resort, although many tour operators will include transfers as part of your All Inclusive Turkey holiday package. Minibuses also run in resort areas like Kusadasi – perfect if you don’t fancy a long walk in the hot sun.
You probably won’t need to, but you can hire a car at the airport if you like to make your own way around. There are also plenty of taxi services in the region, though you’re likely to find that everything you need to enjoy your Turkey holiday is within walking distance of your resort.
Advice for travellers with children
The resorts in the Izmir region tend to be well equipped with plenty on offer for family travel, from child-friendly menus to entertainment for the whole family. There are plenty of swimming pools and family-friendly activities on the beaches, too, as well as a number of kids’ club options within the hotels.
Electricity
Connector type: Round-prong European-style plugs Voltage info: 220 volts AC, 50Hz
Emergency services
Call 112 for all emergencies. There are multilingual call-takers and the operator will put you through to the relevant service.
British Consulate
There is a British Consulate in Izmir.
Address: 1442 Sokak No 29, Alsancak, 35220 Izmir, Turkey Email: britembcon@fco.gov.uk Telephone: +90 232 463 51 51 Fax: +90 232 465 0858
Hospital
Healthcare in Turkey is generally very good. Many hotels and resorts have on-site surgeries and English-speaking doctors. Pharmacies are also widely available.
There are two major hospitals in Kusadasi – the Kusadasi Private Hospital and the Ali Tepe Medical Center.
In Izmir city there are two major university hospitals – Dokuz Eylul University Hospital in Inciralti, and Ege University Hospital in Bornova.