Izmir Clock Tower (Izmir Saat Kulesi)

Designed by the French-born, Izmir-based architect Raymond Charles Péré, the Izmir Clock Tower (once known as the Smyrna Clock Tower and sometimes called the Konak Clock Tower) is to Izmir as the Eiffel Tower is to Paris: a city icon and essential meeting point. Most Izmir city tours will include a stop on Konak Square to see the tower, and perhaps also Yali Mosque (also known as Konak Mosque) and the old governor’s mansion.

• It’s not possible to climb the Izmir Clock Tower.
• It’s easy to visit Konak Square with strollers and many kids will enjoy buying seeds and feeding the pigeons.
• Konak Square is flat, even, and wheelchair-accessible.

Izmir Clock Tower stands in Konak Square (Konak Meydanı), at the very heart of Izmir. It’s a 2-minute walk from the Konak metro station (Line 3), 5 minutes from the ferries at Konak Pier, and 10 minutes from the popular Izmir Archaeology Museum.

Both the square and the tower are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Twilight is a great choice for photographers as the sun sets over the ocean and night lighting gives the tower a rosy glow.

Formerly known as Smyrna, Izmir is Turkey’s (officially the Republic of Türkiye) third-largest city and the unofficial capital of the Turkish Riviera. Highlights include vibrant Kemeralti Market, the Kordonboyu waterfront promenade, hilltop Kadifekale citadel, known for its spectacular views, and the Agora Open Air Museum, one of the best-preserved Greco-Roman marketplaces in the world.

Designed by French architect Raymond Charles Pere and erected in 1901, the Izmir Clock Tower isn't just a timepiece; it's a historical showstopper. Built to mark Sultan Abdülhamid II’s silver jubilee, this elegant structure blends Ottoman and European styles and represents bygone eras and cultural fusion.

Izmir Clock Tower is at the heart of Izmir’s lively Konak Square, steps away from the Aegean Sea. Its prime location at the heart of the city makes it an unmissable sight, a meeting point for explorers, and—of course—the most scenic place to check the time.

Yes, most guided tours of Izmir stop at its charismatic clock tower. Guides provide details on its German roots and the story behind its elegant design, which features intricate marble and stone work. Excursions often include visits to other Izmir historical highlights for a well-rounded Aegean adventure.

Several top Izmir attractions are within easy walking distance of Izmir Clock Tower. After a stop at the clock tower, check out the bustling Kemeralti Bazaar, the petite Konak Mosque, and the Izmir Archeological and Ethnography Museum. Then, unwind like the locals at the Konak seaside.

Izmir Clock Tower stands 82 feet (25 meters) tall, with four floors and an octagonal design. Gifted by German Emperor Wilhelm II, its façade is adorned with intricate North African-themed columns and topped with four 30-inch (75-centimeter) diameter clocks.

As the unofficial emblem of Turkey’s third-largest city, a visit to the Izmir Clock Tower is essential for visitors. Thanks to its central location, you only need a few minutes to enjoy the towering timepiece before moving on to the city’s other historical and cultural highlights.