Experience Izmir like you know someone here.
Things worth doing, places worth discovering and experiences recommended by people who actually live here.
What are you in the mood for?
Pick a mood, search, or start with a few favorites.
Sunset on the Kordon
Grass, sea, tea and the whole city facing west — Izmir's living room at golden hour.
Take the ferry across the bay
Public transport that doubles as the best cheap boat ride in the city.
Get lost in Kemeraltı
Centuries-old bazaar streets that are still a real working market — end with coffee in a caravanserai courtyard.
Boyoz and çay for breakfast
Izmir's own flaky pastry — eaten standing at the bakery counter with tea and a boiled egg.
Konak Square and the Clock Tower
The postcard of Izmir — the 1901 clock tower, pigeons, a tiny tiled mosque, and the bay right there.
Ride the Asansör in Karataş
A 1907 public elevator up a cliff face, and one of the best views over the gulf.
What kind of Izmir are you looking for?
Same city, very different trips.
Izmir today
Sunset is coming
Golden hour is Izmir's best hour. Be somewhere good for it.
Kadifekale at golden hour
The 'Velvet Castle' above the city — the widest view of the gulf you can get for free.
Sunset on the Bostanlı steps
Wooden terraces facing due west on the Karşıyaka shore — the other side's answer to the Kordon.
An Alsancak night out
Bar lanes, meyhanes and live music in the most walkable night district on the Aegean.
Where to start
A hand-picked few — not enough saves yet to rank Izmir by what members love.
Izmir Collections
Life on the Bay
Sunset on the Kordon
Grass, sea, tea and the whole city facing west — Izmir's living room at golden hour.
Take the ferry across the bay
Public transport that doubles as the best cheap boat ride in the city.
Sunset on the Bostanlı steps
Wooden terraces facing due west on the Karşıyaka shore — the other side's answer to the Kordon.
Eat İzmir
İzmir After Dark
Layers of Smyrna
Konak Square and the Clock Tower
The postcard of Izmir — the 1901 clock tower, pigeons, a tiny tiled mosque, and the bay right there.
Ride the Asansör in Karataş
A 1907 public elevator up a cliff face, and one of the best views over the gulf.
The Agora of ancient Smyrna
Roman arches and underground galleries hiding in plain sight in the middle of the modern city.
Kadifekale at golden hour
The 'Velvet Castle' above the city — the widest view of the gulf you can get for free.
Peninsula Weekends
Urla: vineyards and the Art Street
A wine route, slow lunches and a lane of artists' studios, under an hour from the city.
Alaçatı's stone streets
Windmills, bougainvillea and old Greek stone houses — the prettiest town on the peninsula.
Sunday producer market in Sığacık
A farmers' market inside old castle walls, then fish by the marina.
Izmir by season
The year changes what's worth doing.
Autumn
NowStill warm, much quieter.Summer
The hottest, busiest months.Spring
Mild days, fewer people.Find your people
Clubs for what you love
Sailing, hiking, brunch, live music — communities around every experience.
Explore clubs →Do it together
Experience it at a Smileys event
Sailing, dinners, walks, live music — organized and waiting.
Browse events →Right now
Someone's probably doing it today
Spontaneous coffees, walks and plans — join a hangout.
See hangouts →Understand Izmir
Residence permits, banking, transport, quick links — the Handbook.
Read the Handbook →Find what you need
Cafés, restaurants, services — member-vetted businesses.
Browse the Directory →Visiting first?
Post your dates — locals reach out.
Settling in?
The Handbook — long-form how-tos.
Planning a season?
Experiences — seasonal picks & series.
Neighborhoods
Kordon seafront, bars, long evenings
Clock tower, Kemeraltı bazaar, the city's front door
2 local members
The other side of the bay, families, ferry commute
Sunset steps, waterfront cafés, evening runs
1 local member
Modern blocks, malls, marina
University energy, students, cheap eats
2 local members
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