Kültürpark was founded on 1 January 1936 under the leadership of Behçet Uz as a place for the city to hold its international fair and to build economic ties with other countries, a request that came from Atatürk. Before the great İzmir fire of 1922, much of the Armenian quarter and most of the church of St Stepanos stood within today's park, and the fire destroyed them. The park covers 420,000 square metres and holds more than 8,000 trees. Inside are 14 indoor exhibition halls, four conference halls, the Atatürk Open Air Theatre, the İsmet İnönü Art Centre, a youth theatre, the Painting and Sculpture Museum, the İzmir History and Art Museum, sports halls, tennis courts, a swimming pool, a 1,850 metre jogging track, an amusement park, a zoo and a parachute tower.
What to do
The park is a place to spend time rather than to tick a sight. Walk the tree-lined paths, sit by the fountains, visit the History and Art Museum, watch the locals jog, and stop at a cafe. In the evening families and students fill the lawns, and in the warmer months open-air events add to the atmosphere.
The amusement park and the zoo make it a practical stop for families with young children, and the exhibition halls host fairs and concerts throughout the year. Its annual international fair, usually around the end of summer, is the park's headline event and brings crowds and traffic to the district.
How to get there and what to expect: Kültürpark is close to Alsancak and the Kordon, an easy walk from the Kordon seafront, and it is served by buses and the metro. Walking in as a pedestrian is generally free, as in any public park, while the zoo, amusement park, events and some museum entries have their own tickets, so check before you go. Paths are mostly flat and shaded, which makes the park comfortable even in summer, and there are several entrances around its edge.
Why include it
If you have spent the morning in the bazaar and the afternoon at ruins, the park is where you see how modern İzmir relaxes. It is also the home of the History and Art Museum, so a visit can double as a cultural stop. Late afternoon is calm and pleasant, while weekends are the busiest.
Keep valuables close in crowded event days and take a refillable bottle in summer. Combine the park with an evening walk on the Kordon, a few minutes away, for a day shaped around the way people in İzmir actually spend their time.
What to expect
The experience
A large public park of shaded paths, with museums, theatres, a zoo and an amusement park inside, free to walk through.
Best time
Late afternoon or early evening, when the light softens and locals come out.
How long
One to two hours, or longer with children or a museum visit.
Tips
Check tickets for the zoo, amusement park and events separately and combine the park with the Kordon.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Families and anyone who wants to see how locals use their city park.
- Families
- One of the best family stops in İzmir, with a zoo, an amusement park and room to run.
- Couples
- A relaxed evening walk before dinner in Alsancak.
- Pair with
- The History and Art Museum, the Kordon and Alsancak dinner.
- Time needed
- One to two hours.
Good questions
When was Kültürpark founded?+
It was founded on 1 January 1936 under Behçet Uz as a home for the İzmir international fair.
How big is it?+
It covers 420,000 square metres and has more than 8,000 trees, with exhibition halls, theatres, museums, sports facilities, a zoo and an amusement park.
Is it free?+
Walking in is generally free as a public park, while the zoo, amusement park, events and some museums have their own tickets.
Is it good for children?+
Yes, with a zoo, an amusement park, open space and shaded paths. It is among the best family stops in the city.
How do I get there?+
It is close to Alsancak and the Kordon, an easy walk from the seafront, and served by buses and the metro.
