The Central and Southern Aegean Coast
We’ve compiled the best of the best in The Central and Southern Aegean Coast - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.
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1. Alaçatı Beach
The sandy beach at Alaçatı, about 6 km (nearly 4 miles) south of town, is ideal for windsurfing, with strong winds and few waves. Unfortunately, there is only a small public beach here, but many of the comfortable private beach clubs and hotels with private beaches allow nonguests for a day rate. The water is cooler at Alaçatı than it is at other beaches, and stunningly blue over the pale, fine sand. In addition to windsurfing, water sports like waterskiing, banana boat rides, and kitesurfing are available here. Amenities: food and drink; toilets; showers; water sports. Best for: windsurfing.
Alaçatı Plajı, Alaçati, Izmir, Turkey -
2. Çeşme Kalesi
Constructed during the reign of Sultan Bayezid II (ruled 1481–1512) to defend the port, this castle is very picturesque, with its stone walls often lined with sun-basking lizards and tortoises. The keep is often deep in wildflowers. The castle houses a small Archaeology Museum, displaying weaponry from the glory days of the Ottoman Empire, cannons from 18th-century sea skirmishes with the Russians, and a modest collection of ancient artifacts. Clamber around the towers for sweeping views of the sea and the city; keep close watch on kids around the less-than-secure railings.
Çesme, Izmir, 35930, TurkeySight Details
Rate Includes: TL25 -
3. Pırlanta Beach
The name means "brilliant" or "diamond" and this beach outside Çiftlikköy certainly has seawater that's as clear as glass, gentle and shallow (you can sit in the water and read a book!). The waters are warmer here than at nearby beaches such as Altınkum, and mercifully free of seaweed or sea urchins. The pale, fine sand is usually clean, the beach peaceful, and there are changing rooms. You can snorkel, but kitesurfing is prohibited. If you want shade, you'll have to rent a beach chair and umbrella from the snack shack. There are many motels and pensions near this area, as well as a campground. Amenities: food and drink; parking; toilets. Best for: sunbathing; swimming; walking.
Pırlanta Plajı, Çesme, Izmir, Turkey -
4. Alaçatı
Known for its windmills, trendy cafés, boutiques, and gourmet restaurants, this pretty village has become wildly popular of late. On summer evenings, the main strip of Alaçatı bustles with hip crowds; to avoid the hubbub come in the afternoon, when the crowd is mostly locals and store owners, although it can get very hot and many restaurants don't open until later in the day. Wander the backstreets to see picturesque Greek houses (many turned into boutique hotels) and the Greek church-turned-mosque (Pazaryeri Camii), where a curtain hides 19th-century Orthodox icons at prayer times. Tiny outdoor cafés selling tea, lemonade, plum juice (erik suyu), and mastic-infused Turkish coffee cluster under the windmills overlooking town, a popular spot for wedding photos.
Alaçati, Izmir, Turkey -
5. Altınkum Beach
The name is Turkish for "golden sand," and this beach has crystal-clear and calm water lapping the silky sand. The area has yet to undergo a huge development boom and there are many private and public beaches to choose from, most with shallow waters. You can rent a beach chair and umbrella at many points along the beach for a very reasonable price compared to trendier beach clubs. Amenities: food and drink; parking; showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: swimming; walking.
Şehit Mehmet Yolu, Çesme, Izmir, Turkey -
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6. Ayayorgi Bay
The most sheltered water and trendiest spot for a dip is at this dazzling turquoise bay named after St. George, Turkey's legendary dragon-slayer. A quick drive from Çeşme center, near Boyalık Bay, Ayayorgi Bay's beach clubs and restaurants are ever-popular with hip İzmirians and Istanbullus. There's no public beach, so plan to hang out at one of the swanky beach clubs (Paparazzi is a snazzy favorite, while Kafe Pi has a more youthful vibe), which metamorphose into beach bars as the sun goes down, often with live music. Amenities: food and drink; parking (fee); showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: partiers; swimming.
Off Ayayorgi Yolu, Çesme, Izmir, Turkey -
7. Ayios Haralambos
Named for St. Charalambos (also known as Haralambos), a local bishop martyred at the age of 113, and whose skull is still venerated in Greece, this large, early-19th-century Greek basilica church is a relict of Çeşme's former Greek Orthodox inhabitants, and was restored by the municipality in 2012. The space is now used as a cultural center that hosts art exhibitions and handicrafts bazaars. If it's open for one of these events, it's worth taking a peek inside as you stroll down the main street of Çeşme's shopping district; look up to see painted saints peering down at you from the ceiling.
Inkilap Cad. 26, Çesme, Izmir, 35930, Turkey -
8. Boyalık Bay
Just west of Ilıca, Boyalık Bay has a 5-km (3-mile) beachfront of warm turquoise waters and pale, smooth sand. Boyalık Bay has many private and public beaches and hotels, as well as a campground. You may have to walk between summer residences to reach the sea. But once you reach the shore, you will find clear, relatively calm waters over smooth, almost milky-colored sand, with umbrellas and beach chairs available to rent. Boyalık Bay is getting better known, but its relaxing waters are not yet as crowded as Ilıca beach. Amenities: food and drink; toilets. Best for: swimming.
Off Altinyunus Cad., Çesme, Izmir, Turkey -
9. Ilıca
Still a summer retreat for İzmir's wealthy, Ilıca fronts one of the peninsula's most popular beaches, with many hotels lined up along the seafront and unusually warm, crystal-clear water and white sand. The public beach here is large, and has lots of waves, but gets crowded on weekends. There's no kitesurfing at Ilıca beach in summer, but it's allowed in winter, though you'll have to bring your own gear. Jet Skis and banana boats are available. Amenities: food and drink; showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: swimming; walking.
Ilıca Plajı, Ilica, Izmir, 35930, Turkey
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