What is the International Izmir Festival?
The International Izmir Festival is an annual summer festival organised by IKSEV, the Izmir Foundation for Culture, Arts and Education. The programme is mainly classical and orchestral, with jazz and world music.
When is the International Izmir Festival?
Every summer. The 39th edition ran from 4 June to 8 July 2026, over more than a month.
Where are International Izmir Festival concerts held?
- Ahmed Adnan Saygun Art Center, a modern concert hall in central Izmir
- Izmir Historic Agora, the city's Roman-era agora
- Cesme Castle, on the coast
- Celsus Library at Ephesus, near Selcuk
Concerts at the Celsus Library take place at night, with the site otherwise closed. They sell earliest and cost the most.
How to get to the Ephesus and Cesme concerts
Ahmed Adnan Saygun Art Center
Ahmed Adnan Saygun Art Center is the central Izmir concert-hall option in this guide. City transport provides access without a separate trip to Ephesus or Cesme. Check the route from your accommodation against the performance time.
Ephesus
- Take the regional train from Izmir to Selcuk, next to Ephesus.
- Confirm the last train back before the concert.
For an evening performance at Ephesus, a car or organised transport is the practical option. The regional train reaches Selcuk, but the return timetable needs checking before the concert. Arrange both directions before committing to the evening.
Cesme
Plan the Cesme journey by car or organised transport, particularly for an evening performance. It is a separate coastal venue from the concerts in central Izmir. Include the return trip in the budget as well as the concert ticket.
How much are International Izmir Festival tickets?
Tickets are sold per concert through IKSEV, priced by performance and venue. Some events are free. Historic-site concerts, especially Ephesus, cost the most, and Art Center concerts are the most affordable.
Without a car, budget for transport to the outlying venues as well as the ticket.
