Cesme Guide

CESME

Known for its hot springs and shores, Çeşme has always been a summer resort for İzmirians, but in current years, the gorgeous sands have been luring Istanbullus and an international crowd, too. Despite rapid and often unsightly development, the town retains its provincial charm, and it’s still more off the beaten path than the resorts of the Bodrum Peninsula. The real lures, understandably, are the beaches that span 29 km (18 miles) of coastline.

Çeşme has a large marina, but for sandy beaches and crystal clear waters, head to one of the nearby seaside villages (frequent public transportation available by dolmuş). Ilıca, with its deluxe hotels, is closest and the most accessible, with a long sandy beach. Dalyanköy is on the northern tip of the bay and is quite quiet and peaceful, known more for its fish restaurants than its swimming. The most beautiful beaches, Altınkum, and Pırlanta are in Çiftlikköy. Alaçatı, with its almost constant wind, is a windsurfer's paradise and is known for its restaurants and hotels. Boyalık Bay and Ayayorgi attract a hip crowd. The villages are close enough that you can move around by car or public transportation quite easily.

Public beaches are crowded and don’t have amenities, so if you’re planning more than a quick dip, you’ll do well to spend 20 TL or so to secure a spot with chaise longues, umbrellas, towel service, and often a restaurant and bar. The swimming season starts in April and continues until mid-November—high season is July and August.