Part of Turkey
The İzmir region, on the west coast of Turkey, still doesn’t feature much on bucket lists. Not yet. Those who go cycling here will find Mediterranean views over the Aegean Sea, deserted lanes, ancient cities like Ephesus and Pergamon, and freshly baked bread at every stop. The Tour of Türkiye regularly finishes here, and with the EuroVelo 8 passing through the province and a growing range of gravel routes, İzmir is well on its way to becoming a real cycling destination. Sander rode there in 2025 and came back enthusiastically: it’s rougher and more authentic here than in Girona or Mallorca.
Why cycle around İzmir?
- Still undiscovered. No groups in matching outfits, no queues at the bike café. But real villages and real people.
- Coast and inland. Along the coast you drive over the peninsula of Çeşme and Urla; uphill ahead lie hills, vineyards and reservoirs.
- History on the move. Ephesus, Pergamon and Theos are literally on the route.
- The food. Kumru, lahmacun, köfte, baklava and sweet tea: leave the bars and gummies at home.
- Affordable. Bike rental and accommodation are cheaper than in the well-known Spanish destinations, and the service is more personal.
The EuroVelo 8 along the Aegean coast
The EuroVelo 8, the Mediterranean Route, winds its way through the province of Izmir. You don’t drive on busy four-lane roads, but on side roads and creeks, passing by ancient cities and small coastal villages where you can still see the real Turkey. A beautiful route: start in Çeşme, drive via Alaçatı and along the cliffs of Ildır to the historic Teos, and finish in the old city center of Izmir. In Seferihisar you can smell the sea, in Urla you taste wine with the farmer and on the peninsula of Karaburun you can drive into a fish restaurant. Be prepared for varying road conditions: a sturdy racing bike with wider tires or a gravel bike is not an unnecessary luxury here.
The routes of GoTürkiye
The Turkish tourism agency describes on GoTurkey About thirty cycling routes in the province of İzmir, ranging from short trips of a few kilometers to day trips of almost 90 kilometers. Our favorites:
- From Çeşme to Urla (Ionian coast). From the pier in Çeşme via Alaçatı and the ancient city of Erythrai near Ildırı to Urla, where Klazomenai awaits you.
- Urla – Ürkmez. 62 kilometers along the coast, from Klazomenai via the port of Sığacık and the ancient Teos to Lebedos.
- Ürkmez – Selçuk. 53 kilometers of small but treacherous hills, along the ancient metropolis of Meteora to Ephesus. Connected together, you have a multi-day journey along the entire Ionian coast.
- Seferihisar – Orhanlı – Gödence. 88 kilometers through the Kocaçay Valley, past the hot springs of Orhanlı and the Beyler Dam, up to Gödence at 500 meters.
- Through the Kızıldağlar mountains. Not an easy route: over narrow village roads to the highest point at 961 meters, and via Efemçukuru to Gödence.
- Belevi – Shirince. From olive groves to the wine village of Şirince, and from there via the forests to the House of the Virgin Mary and Ephesus.
- Karaburun. The rugged peninsula north of Çeşme, with the climb over the slopes of the Akdağ, deserted stone villages and in the spring fields full of daffodils.
Gravel in Turkey? Definitely
Anyone who thinks that Turkey is just asphalt and heat should head to the hills around Seferihisar and Gödence. Here you’ll find gravel roads with character: stretches of 12 percent, side roads between the vineyards and occasionally a shepherd with his goats. On the GoCyclingTürkiye platform you’ll find the route Seferihisar–Gödence: 88 kilometers with 1,400 meters of elevation gain, partly gravel and partly mountain trail. You’ll pass by thermal springs, reservoirs and forests, and end up in a mountain village where time stands still. Pure, unpolished and adventurous.
Course: The Tour of Turkey
In early May 2025, the Tour of Türkiye finished in Izmir. The final stage went from Çeşme to Karşıyaka, a district of the city, and was won by sprinter Matteo Malucelli; Wout Poels won the overall classification. You can ride those stages yourself: wide boulevards and stretches of coast with a fresh sea breeze. With almost every year having a finish nearby and also an L’Étape Türkiye, Izmir is well on its way to becoming a fixture on the cycling calendar.
Culture: Ephesus and Pergamon
The ruins of Ephesus (Ephesus) are world-famous. You walk among temples, baths, and Roman roads. Admission is expensive, but you can easily spend a few hours there, and we definitely recommend the museum at the end. Pergamon, in the north of the province, and Teos, on the coast near Seferihisar, are less crowded and just as impressive. Plan a day of rest for your visit, or just drive by.
Food and drink
The kitchen is one of the reasons to go. Try the kumru, a sandwich shaped like a pigeon (hence the name), stuffed with spicy sausage and local cheese: the street food of Izmir. Also lahmacun, köfte, fresh fish by the coast, olives, figs and of course baklava. Everything is local, everything is fresh, and after a long drive it tastes extra good.
Your Cycling base
- Alaçatı. Charming village on the Çeşme peninsula, with windmills, stone houses and the best cycling spot in the region: Sakinev B&B.
- Izmir. The city itself, with the airport just around the corner, vibrant neighborhoods and a long promenade along the bay.
- Seferihisar and Urla. Quiet coastal towns, close to the gravel routes and the vineyards.
Overnight stays and bike rental
In Alaçatı, owner Birker of B&B Sakinev has created a dedicated bike area: you can store your bike there, maintain it or rent one at the connected BikeHouse Alaçatı. A place to truly relax. In the city, we stayed at the Swissôtel Büyük Efes: not a bike hotel, but a luxury hotel with a pool, massage and a bike repair shop right on site. Local rental companies now have good race bikes and gravel bikes.
When are you leaving?
March to June and September to November. In July and August it is hot and dry.
From March to June and from September to November: T-shirt weather, dry roads and little traffic. In spring everything is green, in autumn it smells of ripe figs. July and August are better avoided: it’s hot and dry then. In winter it’s mild at the coast, but there’s more rain.
How do you get there?
- Aircraft: Adnan Menderes Airport (ADB) is located 18 kilometers from the city center. Direct flights depart from Schiphol, often also from Eindhoven during the season, and take about three and a half hours.
- On the spot: rent a bike during your stay or bring your own bike. For the gravel routes in the interior, a transfer or rental car is convenient.
This is how we calculate: We calculate distances and travel times starting from Utrecht. Our flights always depart from Schiphol, Rotterdam The Hague Airport or Eindhoven Airport. Want to know how to travel from your place of residence the best way? Let us know, We are happy to help you. After all, we built this site together.
Are you flying? Read our guide Flying with your bike: Which airline, what the cost is and how to pack your bike.
More Turkey
Izmir is our first guide in Turkey. Read also Cycling in Turkey: the newest cycling destination, about Antalya, the monster climb of Babadağ and Cappadocia.
