If you're landing in Izmir and wondering where to spend your first evening, the answer is usually the same: Kordon. This waterfront stretch running from Cumhuriyet Square to the Alsancak ferry pier is one of the city's oldest gathering spots, and it got its current shape in stages. It isn't a museum or a ticketed site — just a stretch of promenade to walk and sit by the water, but it's where locals actually spend their evenings.
How Kordon Became What It Is Today
Kordon's history goes back to the 1850s, but the green promenade you walk today is the result of a much more recent decision. In 1997, then-mayor Burhan Özfatura had the sea filled in by 150 meters (about 490 feet) to build a six-lane road; in 1999, after the area was declared a protected site, a court halted the landfill work. Ahmet Piriştina, elected mayor that same year, turned the reclaimed land into green space instead, and Kordon opened to the public on 15 June 2000. Gündoğdu Square and the Alsancak ferry pier took their current form during that same overhaul, and a vintage tram began running along the promenade in 2020. In other words, the walkway you're strolling is the legacy of a cancelled highway project.
Getting There from the Airport
A private transfer from Izmir Airport to Alsancak takes roughly 30–45 minutes depending on traffic, longer during rush hour into the city center. Route details are on our Alsancak transfer page.
Practical Things to Know Before You Go
Kordon is a place to walk, not a single sight to check off — the stretch from Cumhuriyet Square to the Alsancak pier is a comfortable 40–45 minute walk. Go in the late afternoon if you want sunset; weekend evenings, especially in summer, get crowded. The width of the walkway varies, so the section near the ferry pier tends to be more comfortable for running or cycling. Most cafés and restaurants along the water take cards, but it's worth carrying cash for smaller kiosks, and dogs need to stay on a leash along the whole stretch.
Who This Suits — and Who It Doesn't
Kordon works well for couples out for an evening walk, business travelers looking to unwind after a day of meetings, and families — there are plenty of shaded benches along the way, though strollers can be tricky to maneuver during crowded hours. It's not the place for a beach day — this is a promenade, not a swimming beach; if you want to get in the water, Çeşme or Urla are a better call.
Pairing It With Other Stops
From Kordon, it's a short walk or taxi ride to the 2,400-year-old Kemeraltı Bazaar — our Kemeraltı guide covers its history and how to explore it. If you're staying in Izmir for a few days and working remotely, our digital nomad guide covers cafés and stays around Alsancak. A short ferry ride from the Alsancak pier also gets you to Karşıyaka, where you can see Kordon from across the bay. Timing your visit around sunset naturally means a smaller crowd too.