Find your people in Bursa.
Bursa is green, historic and an hour by ferry from Istanbul: Ottoman tombs under plane trees, İskender at the source, thermal baths in Çekirge and Uludağ for skiing or hiking. Smileys Bursa brings internationals and locals together to explore it side by side.
Free to join · Applications reviewed by hand within 24–48 hours · Pay only for events you attend
Founding stage
3 clubs forming, and the first event is still to be set — the founding members shape everything here.
Join now and you're founding member #2.
Get to know Bursa
Neighborhoods, where to go, things to do, coworking, nightlife and the local tips that take newcomers months to work out.
Your first weeks in Bursa
Ulu Cami, Koza Han and the Hanlar district
Twenty domes, a silk caravanserai with tea in the courtyard, and a covered bazaar that still sells things people need — the Ottoman capital in one walk.
The Green Tomb, the Green Mosque and the Irgandı bridge
Turquoise tiles on a hill above the Gökdere, then a bridge with shops built on it — the prettiest corner of old Bursa.
İskender kebap where it was invented
Bursa's dish, eaten in Bursa: sliced döner on pide, tomato sauce, yogurt, and butter poured on at the table.
Events are coming soon
Be one of the first to help build Smileys Bursa — the first dinners, walks and meetups start with the first members.
Find your people
Every interest covered — join as many as you like.
Social Bursa
The signature Smileys gathering in Bursa — the easiest way to meet people, whether you arrived last week or grew up here.
Coffee & Conversation
Casual coffee meetups for newcomers and locals to connect across Bursa.
New in Bursa
A warm landing for people who just moved to Bursa — tips, friends, and first hangouts.
Meet your hosts
The members who run Bursa’s clubs and lead the city. Hosts who keep the calendar alive become City Leads.
Nate
Explore by neighborhood
The areas Smileys covers in Bursa — see who's around and what's starting.
Visiting Bursa?
Announce your trip and the community knows you’re coming before you land.
Stories from Smileys
From across Smileys — the first stories from here are still to be written.
Beyond the Office: Six Cities Changing How Digital Nomads Live and Work
From Lisbon to Chiang Mai, location-independent professionals are redefining where they call home. But the future of remote work is about more than affordable living and reliable Wi-Fi.
Türkiye, Quo Vadis? Democracy, Corruption, and the Question of Power
From the Halk TV takeover to the investment fund crisis, Türkiye faces growing questions about government pressure, corruption, justice, and accountability.
Why I Created Smileys Community: A Personal Story From New York to Istanbul
Only an expat truly understands what it means to be far from home when life takes an unexpected turn. The loneliness, the distance from family, and the importance of having people you can count on when you need them most.
Life happens offline
Real stories from Smileys members in our other cities.
"Two years ago I attended my first Smileys activity on International Women’s Day. Even though it was my first time meeting most of the people there, I felt like I was among sisters rather than strangers. Smileys isn’t just a group for activities — it’s a place that brings kind people together and creates real friendships and beautiful memories."
Sara K.
Member since 2023
"I'm not naturally a social person. Big parties and networking events drain me. Smileys was different from day one — smaller groups, real conversations, no pressure. It's the first community I've ever actually stayed in."
David K.
Software engineer
"I met my business partner at a Smileys dinner. Six months later we won our first project together. Some of the best professional decisions I've made started as a conversation at one of these events."
Nadia R.
Architect
Ready to find your people?
Join Smileys and start building your social life in Bursa.