Çeşme

At İzmir's western tip, an Aegean coastal town of clear coves, windsurfing and the stone houses of Alaçatı.

Why go

Çeşme is a coastal town at the western tip of İzmir, on the headland where the İzmir Peninsula reaches into the sea. With its clear coves, windy shores and the stone architecture preserved in Alaçatı, it is one of the Aegean’s best-loved holiday spots. History and architecture are as much a part of the town’s appeal as the sea itself.

The town and its surroundings

In the centre rises Çeşme Castle, built in the early 16th century; today it serves as an archaeology museum, displaying finds from the ancient settlements around it. Nearby Alaçatı is known for its bougainvillea-draped stone houses, windmills and narrow lanes. Ilıca and the coves around it stand out for their wide beaches.

What to do there

Alaçatı’s windy bay is one of the centres of windsurfing thanks to its steady wind. Beaches such as Ilıca, Pırlanta and Altınkum are favoured for swimming. Visiting the castle and museum, walking the streets of Alaçatı and tasting the local cuisine are clear parts of the time spent in the town.

How to get there

Çeşme lies about 85 kilometres from central İzmir by motorway and is easily reached by car. The nearest airport is İzmir Adnan Menderes, and there are regular buses from İzmir. The town centre and Alaçatı are on a walkable scale, though a car helps between the coves.

The motorway link from İzmir to Çeşme is fast, and in summer buses run frequently. Alaçatı is about ten kilometres from the town centre; a car saves time between the two and in reaching the coves. In the summer months parking and traffic can be heavy, so the morning hours are the easiest time to move around.

When to visit

Late spring and summer are the best seasons for the sea and the outdoors, and summer is ideal for windsurfing. The summer months can be quite crowded, so it is good to arrange accommodation in advance. In spring and autumn the town is quieter.

Responsible visiting

Keeping the coves and beaches clean, carrying litter back out and not harming the natural areas all matter. While exploring the historic fabric of Alaçatı and the town centre, it is worth being respectful toward the houses and buildings and mindful of local life. In busy periods, the morning hours are both calmer and more enjoyable.

Nearby

Near the village of Ildırı to the north lies the ancient city of Erythrai, which can be added to the same day. Dalyan and the small coves around it are quiet stops close to the town.