Çeşme

Çeşme is a district of İzmir and located on the peninsula that is west to the city. Although it is a small district it becomes very crowded during high season (middle of June - end of August).

Adnan Menderes Airport (ADB)

Çeşme can be reached from the ADB airport, the airport is close to the center of İzmir and it is around 100 kms from Çeşme.

If you are coming with a transfer from İstanbul and you have a checked-in luggage, beware that you should pick up your luggage from the 'international flights' terminal. What usually happens is they leave you at one of the gates of the 'domestic flights' terminal and then you need to walk (the distance is not much) to the 'international flights' terminal. There information that they give you is, when you walk towards the exit there is someone you yells about this (in Turkish and in English)... very efficient :P

You can reach to Çeşme from the airport:

Shuttle buses: Havaş - takes around one and a half hours and costs 27 TL. The schedule:

Rent a car: It is about 1 hour drive from the airport. There is a highway (İzmir-Çeşme Otoyolu ) connecting İzmir to Çeşme (indicated by green signs), the maximum allowed speed is 120 km/h on highways in Turkey. Also they do not fine you up to 10% of the speed limit. Therefore, as long as you don't go faster than 132 km/h on the highway you are good.

One important point about the highways is, you cannot pay by cards or cash (this doesn't make any sense but it is how it is), so ask for a HGS (which is short for 'Hızlı Geçiş Sistemi' 'Fast Passing System') sticker from the agency. I think all rental cars have this sticker, but check with the agency.

A typical toll gate. 'KGS' is not used anymore. Depending on whether you have 'OGS' or 'HGS' you need to use that (most probably the rental cars would have HGS). You need to pass very slowly 20-25 km/h, otherwise the gate may not scan the sticker on the window. There is no toll gate on the İzmir side (the airport side), therefore you will only pass from a toll gate when exiting from Çeşme.

The route:

Local Transport

You have 2 options to move around Çeşme:

Dolmuş: These are mini-buses, they usually do not have a schedule and depart from the first stop when it is full. You need to pay to the driver. They don't have stops and they stop anywhere, just you need to tell the driver when you want to get off. Other passengers that sit behind you may ask you to pass their fee to the driver, this is very normal and you pass it to the passengers sitting in front of you, and the driver gives the rest the same way. The amount may change based on the destination.

The first stop from Çeşme in the direction of Ilıca and Alaçatı is here: https://www.google.it/maps/dir//38.3259673,26.3087809/@38.3264071,26.3080487,19z/data=!4m2!4m1!3e2

Taxi: Just make sure that they turn on the meter. Taxis in Çeşme usually charge more than other places in Turkey since they are mostly idle during winter. They accept cash in TL. There must be taxis around Çeşme castle.

Beaches

The wind usually blows from North or North-west direction, therefore if it is windy northern beaches are usually wavy.

Ilıca Beach: Northern part, public beach.

https://www.google.es/maps/place/Ilica+Public+Beach/@38.3085855,26.374789,15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x71229a040edafc23!8m2!3d38.3085855!4d26.374789

Ayayorgi bay: Northern part, this is also on the northern part, it is protected from the north winds, therefore it is not wavy at all. This is a very beautiful way, however occupied by night clubs which function as beach clubs during the day. They are very crowded at the weekends. The clubs may ask for a entrance fee. You can find food and drinks in these clubs. There is no public transport to that bay and you need to take a taxi to go there.

https://www.google.es/maps/place/Sakarya+Mahallesi,+Ayayorgi+Yolu,+35930+%C3%87e%C5%9Fme%2F%C4%B0zmir,+Turkey/@38.3385064,26.3078165,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x14bb7a3da562ecab:0x99aa1e79f8e7c54f!8m2!3d38.3385064!4d26.3100052

Alaçatı: Southern part, usually the water temperature is cold. If you like windsurfing there are places which rents wind surfs here. There are also beach clubs/night clubs around.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/%C3%87ark+Plaj%C4%B1/@38.2470416,26.3824929,17z/data=!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x14bb786d91f599ff:0x3a174cff22005d88!2zQWxhw6dhdMSxIEJlbGVkaXllc2ksIDM1OTMwIMOHZcWfbWUvxLB6bWlyLCBUdXJrZXk!3b1!8m2!3d38.2728757!4d26.3839765!3m4!1s0x14bb7f234298b43b:0x7cf142c40bb96221!8m2!3d38.2463653!4d26.3835577

Altınkum beach: Southern part, water temperature is cold but not that bad it is not as cold as Alaçatı.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Alt%C4%B1nkum+Halk+Plaj%C4%B1/@38.2670081,26.2321353,14z/data=!4m12!1m6!3m5!1s0x14bb7cec639cd8d1:0x3cba47a1788e5fef!2sAltinkum+Beach!8m2!3d38.2703703!4d26.2594724!3m4!1s0x0:0xca994d71613295ac!8m2!3d38.2681864!4d26.2741041

Activities

Boat Tours: You can find daily boat tours from Çeşme center or Ilıca.
- From center: https://www.google.com/maps/dir//38.3254999,26.301399/@38.3260091,26.299897,17z/data=!4m2!4m1!3e0
- From Ilıca: https://www.google.com/maps/dir//38.3102597,26.359395/@38.3103624,26.3563353,17z/data=!4m2!4m1!3e0

They are around 8 hours of tour with lunch served on board. They go to these places as far as I know:

Windsurfing: If you are into windsurfing Alaçatı is one of the best places in the world because of the strong wind and no waves. https://www.google.it/maps/@38.2464856,26.3769293,16z
Night Clubs: The places which function as beach clubs during day become night clubs at night. There are many in Ayayorgi Bay, Alaçatı.

Seeing Around

Çeşme Center: Çeşme has a castle if you would like to see. The main street is closed to traffic with local shops on each side. You can always bargain in local shops (for leather products etc. not for food or drinks) the first price usually is high. The main street: https://www.google.it/maps/dir/%C3%87E%C5%9EME+KIRTAS%C4%B0YE/38.3241154,26.3029716/@38.3253821,26.3047204,17z/data=!4m9!4m8!1m5!1m1!1s0x0:0xaca742dc12d51a61!2m2!1d26.307834!2d38.32584!1m0!3e0

There is the old marina where boat tours can be found (see that section); good for night time walking. Also there is the new marina where some shops and restaurants/bars can be found. https://www.google.it/maps/dir//38.3204455,26.3027141/@38.3215692,26.2992916,17z/data=!4m2!4m1!3e0

Alaçatı: Alaçatı center's main street is also closed to traffic and you can see the typical stone houses here (some of them built recently when they have noticed that it has marketing value) However, it is usually very crowded at nights and even walking could be a problem. There are also restaurants and bars here. https://www.google.it/maps/dir/38.28652,26.3747236/38.2853019,26.3794918/@38.2861267,26.375546,17z/data=!4m9!4m8!1m5!3m4!1m2!1d26.3745335!2d38.285724!3s0x14bb78e07ac2a7a9:0x3ae6be666d4be83c!1m0!3e2
Şifne: Never been there for the thermal and mud baths so at your own risk but there are thermal and mud baths.
Chios Island: Chios is a very close Greek island which is famous for its 'mastic' (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mastic_(plant_resin)) since it is not possible to grow mastic trees and obtain the same quality of resins anywhere else. They use it as a flavour in drinks and foods (especially desserts). I suggest you to rent a car there to see around the island and stay at least one night there if you can, otherwise you can only see the center.

There are ferries going to Chios everyday from the port. It takes 45 minutes. You can buy the tickets at: http://www.erturk.com.tr/en You do not need to buy in advance I think you can even buy the ticket that morning from their shop. The port is here: https://www.google.it/maps/search/ulusoy+port+cesme/@38.3222976,26.294866,17z/data=!3m1!4b1

Ephesus: The most important historic site: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ephesus It takes around 2 hours by car, so a daily trip is possible. If you rent a car you can reach there very easily, however I am not sure about buses from Çeşme, there are buses from İzmir to Selçuk which you can use to reach there but it could be not so smooth. There must be local agencies in Çeşme that arranges buses to Ephesus but best ıs to rent a car. There is also https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_the_Virgin_Mary close to Ephesus.

If you are are going to spend a night there you can visit Kuşadası (another coastal town) and Şirince https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%9Eirince

Pamukkale: If you would like to see more, you can visit Pamukkale https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pamukkale
İzmir: If you want you can visit İzmir. However, I wouldn't recommend and I don't think there are any interesting things to see there (it is my hometown by the way), it is a big city and it will be very hot in August (right now it is around 36 degrees). If you go there by car you can park at Hilton's parking place (since it is very hard to find a parking spot on streets) https://www.google.com/maps/place/Hilton+Izmir/@38.4379245,27.1366695,14z/data=!4m10!1m2!2m1!1shilton+otel+izmir!3m6!1s0x14b87b9cbb339de1:0xcef6e0bca9ddba0!5m1!1s2018-07-29!8m2!3d38.4256047!4d27.1370337

And you can see the see side, there are restaurants and bars there. https://www.google.com/maps/dir/38.4297697,27.1343529/38.4413705,27.1427117/@38.4405806,27.1431409,16z/data=!4m2!4m1!3e2

The Most Important Information - Fooooood

Breakfast, especially on Sundays are very important in Turkey. If you find a place that serve "Serpme Kahvaltı" (it can be translated as 'spreaded breakfast') (kahvaltı is breakfast) you can try that. But it is morelike a brunch and far away from Italian breakfast :)
Kumru: Kumru is a hot sandwich very specific to Çeşme. The best place to have it is 'Kumrucu Şevki', you can find it at the new marina in Çeşme, in Alaçatı and in Ilıca (where the bout tours are).

Simit (or 'gevrek' if you are from İzmir) : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simit
Boyoz: Boyoz is a pastry specific to İzmir. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boyoz
Dost pide (restaurant name): This is a good restaurant to try kebaps and pides, it is open 24 hours. I think they also serve breakfast in the morning. For kebaps I would suggest 'Yoğurtlu soslu döner' which is doner served with yogurt and tomato sauce. I like 'kıymalı kaşarlı pide' which is pide with minced meat (kıymalı) and cheese (kaşarlı). You can find many varieties. For dessert you should try 'künefe' (which has cheese in it and may contain nuts), it is very sweet and takes some time to prepare, so it is better to order in advance. https://www.google.com/maps/place/Dost+Pide+%26+Pizza/@38.306032,26.3638863,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x14bb78554efa72bd:0xc8f8d7464e33a9f!8m2!3d38.306032!4d26.366075

Pide:

Döner:

Künefe:

Fish at Dalyan: Dalyan is the place where you can find fish restaurants (you can find fish everywhere but that is the place to go if you want good fish). The restaurants there are overpriced and during weekends it is very crowded. https://www.google.it/maps/dir//38.3567278,26.3153347/@38.3567573,26.3146158,18z/data=!4m2!4m1!3e2
Çeşmeli: This is a small shop in Çeşme center that sells some deserts and ice cream. They are famous for their mastic flavoured ice cream (probably can be found also in Chios). Also their 'sakızlı muhallebi', which is pudding with mastic. Mastic has a strong bitter flavour, if you would like to try start with small and see if you like it.
Turkish Coffee: You can find mastic flavoured ones also.

Warnings:

I noticed that some VPNs (if not all) are blocked in Turkey. If you are using a private one like company VPN then you can reach it but the public ones (even not free ones) are blocked. Probably someone is entering the server IPs to block them.
You cannot access wikipedia from Turkey, so check the wikipedia links before :)
You cannot book a hotel in Turkey from booking.com when you are in Turkey unless you find a working VPN.
Do you think zebra crossings are for pedestrians? Of course not in Turkey, if there is a car coming just wait for the car to pass.
If you would like to drive in Turkey, just be careful and argue with anyone (I am serious about this). Be careful in roundabouts also the rule says that the priority is given to the one in the roundabout, nobody is aware of that. So just stop if a car is coming (this is valid for any situation:) ).
Ş is pronounced as 'sh' in English, Ç is pronounced as 'ch'.

Google Sites

Report abuse