Izmir (once known as the ancient city of Smyrna) is the third largest city in Türkiye, but it arguably enjoys an atmosphere more akin to Mediterranean Europe.

There’s still plenty of traditional Türkiye here – red-tiled roofs, ornate mosques and churches and an 18th century market – yet it’s mixed with modern glass-fronted architecture and contemporary shopping malls too. It makes for a fascinating, diverse landscape, topped off by the mountains surrounding the city, and the beautiful bay around which the nightlife scene is set.