Travel & Stay
Welcome!
We’re so excited to celebrate our wedding with you in İzmir, a city that means a lot to us and sets the perfect backdrop for a summer celebration. Since many of you may be visiting Turkey for the first time, we wanted to share a few ideas in case you’re able to make a longer trip out of it.
If your schedule allows, we’d personally recommend spending a little extra time exploring beyond İzmir—perhaps a few days in İstanbul, a relaxed coastal stop in Çeşme, or a visit to Cappadocia. These are places we love and think pair really nicely with the wedding weekend.
Where to stay?
We will share a list of recommended hotels near the wedding venue to make planning easier. More details will be shared closer to the date.
Beyond İzmir
If you’re able to extend your trip, we’d recommend exploring a bit beyond İzmir. Ephesus is an easy day trip and pairs beautifully with the wedding weekend, while adding Istanbul or Cappadocia works well if you have a few extra days. Together, these destinations offer a mix of history, culture, and scenery without rushing your travel.
We’re happy to share suggestions if you’d like help planning your time.
Ephesus
Ephesus is a short trip from İzmir and one of our favorite places in the region. Walking through its streets, you’ll see incredibly well-preserved ruins from Roman times, including grand libraries, theatres, and temples. It’s an easy way to add a bit of history to your trip without committing to long travel.
Places to See: Library of Celsus, Great Theatre, Temple of Artemis (site), Terrace Houses.
Çeşme
Çeşme is a favorite getaway from İzmir and a great option if you’re looking to relax by the coast. It’s especially known for its beaches, clear turquoise water, and breezy Aegean vibe. Many people visit for slow seaside lunches, swimming, and wandering through Alaçatı’s stone streets and boutiques.
Things to Do: Beach time and swimming, explore Alaçatı, waterfront dining, sunset walks along the marina.
Istanbul
Istanbul is a city we’d recommend if you have a few extra days and want to experience a completely different side of Turkey. Spanning Europe and Asia, it’s layered with history and everyday life in a way that feels both grand and lived-in. You can spend a day moving between centuries—mosques, palaces, markets, and ferry rides all blending into one experience.
Places to see: Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, wander the Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar, take a Bosphorus ferry or cruise, explore neighborhoods like Sultanahmet, Karaköy, and Kadıköy, enjoy cafés and long walks along the waterfront.
Cappadocia
Cappadocia is a very different experience from the coastal cities and works well if you have a few extra days. The landscape is shaped by volcanic rock, with cave dwellings, valleys, and small towns built into the terrain. Many people visit for the early-morning hot-air balloons, but it’s also a place to slow down, walk through valleys, and stay in cave hotels carved into the rock.
Things to Do: Hot-air balloon ride at sunrise, explore Göreme Open-Air Museum, walk through the valleys, visit underground cities, stay in a cave hotel, watch sunset from viewpoints.
