Where to work in Izmir

Türkiye has recently released their own digital nomad visa, which will allow certain remote workers and digital nomads to stay in the country for up to a year. And with this release, a few content creators were invited to check out what Izmir has to offer as the potential next hotspot for remote workers and digital nomads. Their content peaked my interest, and so I spent a few days there myself.

Located on the Aegean Sea, Izmir is the third biggest city in Türkiye and wherever I’ve been since, people typically refer to it as a place to go for business. But of course there is so much more to it than this, and in this comprehensive guide, we'll dive into everything you need to know about remote work in Izmir, from the best places to stay to the most exciting things to do.

Izmir Life: What to Expect as a Digital Nomad

Spending time in Izmir, I could understand how it could become the a popular place for remote workers:

• As a business hub, Izmir is well-located and well-connected with not only other parts of Türkiye, but other parts of the world as well, with direct routes to many different locations by air, road and ferry.

• Generally speaking, the climate all year round is relatively mild compared to other parts of the country, with many activities to suit different tastes both in the city and the outer region.

• While learning some basic Turkish will of course be beneficial, many people speak English as a second language.

Finding Your Perfect Base: Where to Stay in Izmir

Whether you’re looking for more of the city or coastal vibes, there is a variety of accommodations to suit every digital nomad's needs and preferences. Here are some top neighbourhoods to consider:

1. Alsancak: The beating heart of Izmir's social scene, perfect for those who love to be in the middle of the action. You'll find modern apartments with high-speed internet and plenty of cafes and coworking spaces nearby. I stayed in this area, and everything I was curious to know about was within walking distance.

2. Konak: The historical district of the city, if you want to be right in the action of all the touristy sites of the city, then this could be the area for you.

3. Bostanlı: If you prefer a quieter atmosphere, this seaside neighbourhood in Karşiyaka could be for you - enjoy a relaxed vibe and numerous cafes perfect for getting work done with a view. It’s also a short ferry ride from Konak.

4. Çeşme Peninsula: For beach lovers who don't mind a short commute, the nearby Çeşme Peninsula has stunning coastlines and a resort atmosphere.

Our 'second home': Cartel Coffee in the Alsancak area.

Productive Workspaces: Where to Get Things Done in Izmir

While I didn’t have time to check out cowork spaces in town, I did find plenty of cafes that had decent wifi and were generally happy for you to remote work:

1. Cartel Coffee: we practically lived here, it was that good…! This seems to be a popular spot for remoters, just off one of main shopping streets and with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating to suit different tastes. It almost felt like we were in Bali or Cancún.

2. Ok Co Coffee & Roastery: a much smaller cafe with fantastic coffee, we stopped in for the coffee and they mentioned that they were happy for people to go and remote work. If I had had a bit more time, I would’ve taken them up on the offer.

3. Cafe Fresco: it can be a lot for the senses, but Kemeralti Market is a must see while you are in town. And personally I would personally stop for a remote work session in Cafe Fresco (great coffee!) and then head into the market.

Things to Do in Izmir

Out of hours, there’s plenty to see and do in the city, like:

1. Explore Ephesus: One of the best-preserved ancient cities in the world and just a short trip from Izmir, you can either drive there yourself or book a tour with a transfer out of the city for the day.

2. Relax on Çeşme Beaches: For beautiful beaches and world-class water sports, either take a drive down or book a boat trip over for the day.

3. Stroll along Kordon: The promenade is perfect for evening walks, cycling and enjoying a meal with a stunning view of the Aegean Sea. We ended up at Konak Pier for drinks at Narjill and that was a real treat, but there are SO many different options.

4. Shop at Kemeraltı Bazaar: As I mentioned before, it can be overwhelming with so many different things going on, but this historic market is well worth a visit even just once for spices, textiles, and local crafts.

5. Take Day Trips: There is SO much to see and do both in the city and out, so if you want to hire a car, you have several different destinations to head towards from other towns along the Mediterranean Sea to the white travertine terraces of Pamukkale. We also flew to Kayseri directly from here to spend some time In Göreme and Uchisar, seeing the hot air balloons at sunrise and explore more of the Cappadocia region.

Some of our Izmir adventures, from exploring Kemeralti Market to drinks at Konak Pier.

Overall, I think Izmir has a lot to offer remote workers and digital nomads, and I definitely don’t feel like I had long enough there. When I go back, I’d love to explore more of the surrounding towns, the surf and more of the sites.

What do you think, are you thinking of putting coastal Türkiye on your list?

Han x