Izmir is the westernmost major city in Turkey not only in terms of geographic location but also existence of many Western minded people living in the city. While the city has attracted a huge number of new residents from different parts of the country in the last two decades it is still a modern Turkish city though traffic and other problems arising from population increase has taken a toll on city's daily life. Izmir is the third most populous city after Istanbul and Ankara.

There is no major sight or ruins in the city of Izmir but the villages and areas within an hour driving distance are impressive, Ephesus and Selcuk, cruise port of Kusadasi, resort town of Cesme mostly a destination for Turkish tourists enjoy the sun and sea, Foca a small Aegean town with a plenitude of seafood resturants, Alacati, a wind surfers paradise with beautiful beaches facing the Aegean and many villages in Izmir peninsula