Inside the Çeşme Peninsula: Getting the lay of the land in Türkiye

Hugging the Aegean Sea is a peninsula full of possibilities. From time-bending journeys to cultural ventures and delicious pursuits, this corner of the Turkaegean (the Aegean coast of Türkiye) has something for everyone. This is Çeşme by land.

The Çeşme Peninsula: The edge of discovery

One of Türkiye’s most western points, the Çeşme Peninsula is a much-loved coastal resort. Popular among city residents in neighboring İzmir—just 80km away—it also piques the interest of international travelers, being just an hour’s drive from İzmir Adnan Menderes Airport.

Every year—particularly in summer when temperatures reach up to 91°F (33°C)—the lure of the Aegean Sea and northern winds has holidaymakers journeying to its shoreline. Its crystal-clear waters, healing mineral springs, and extreme water sports are enough to fill any travel itinerary, yet so much awaits travelers beyond its ocean border.

Discover the towns proving the peninsula’s inland experiences have just as much to offer as their seaside alternatives.

Ancient ruins are a window to Ildırı's past

Çeşme: A fountain of knowledge

As the namesake of the peninsula, Çeşme’s significance is as geographic as it is historic. Just strolling along the vibrant marina, travelers are reminded of the Empires that once sailed the routes of today’s Blue Voyage cruises. None more so than the Ottoman Empire, whose architectural designs continue to dominate the townscape—even down to the numerous fountains that line the streets and to which ‘Çeşme’ owes its translation.

Overlooking the marina is the impressive Çeşme Castle, which underwent extensive restoration in 1508 under the rule of the Ottoman Sultan Bayezid II. What used to be a defense against Venetian attacks is now the cultural center and the top viewing point of Çeşme. If travelers aren’t being transported through time in the on-site historical museum, they’re observing the line of superyachts bobbing in the waters below.

Just a 30-minute drive away is the historic town of Ildırı—known as Erythrai from as early as the First Bronze Age (3000-1000 BCE). Climb the 88-meter hill that runs parallel to the Aegean Sea and walk among the ruins of the ancient acropolis. Unearthing a 3rd-century (BCE) theater, fortification wall, and the Temple of Athena, they are insights into a time when Silk Road tradesmen, colonists, and oracles roamed the land.

Cyclists can ride through Alaçatı on the EuroVelo 8: Mediterranean Route

Artisan cafes overspill into the cobblestone lanes

Here, cultural exploits extend from the blues of the Aegean Sea to the colors of small boutique hotels, family-run restaurants, and stone houses adorned with bougainvillea (flowers). Begin your journey at the heart of Alaçatı—Kemalpaşa Street—and stumble into one of the many cafes or market stalls serving regional delicacies, like kumru (a sesame-topped sandwich filled with spicy sausage, fresh tomatoes, and tulum cheese) and sakızlı muhallebi (mastic gum milk pudding).

When the sun goes down and the temperature cools, Alaçatı’s laid-back spirit is replaced with a sense of euphoria. The town comes alive with people of all ages wanting to drink and dance into the early hours, which offers travelers the chance to experience Aegean nightlife at its best. Swap the kahve (coffee) for a cocktail on Barlar Street, before making your way to an exclusive beach club in Aya Yorgi Bay—where you can welcome the upcoming sunrise.

Alaçatı: From dawn to dusk

Alaçatı shares ground with Çeşme on the EuroVelo 8 cycling route. Once an overlooked seaside village, it has found a new lease of life through various efforts to restore its charm. Travelers can now while away the summer hours wandering aimlessly through cobbled streets, carried by the same winds that have made Alaçatı one of the most popular
windsurfing centers in the world.

Once a quiet fishing village, Alaçatı is now a vibrant resort

Urla's Vineyard Route is a chance for cyclists to ride back in time

Just like their ancestors who cultivated the land centuries before, modern harvesters are making the most of Urla’s fertile terrain. As they continue to nurture the town’s viniculture, a trip here wouldn’t be complete without touring one of the many wine estates on offer. Travelers can choose from wineries working to recover long-vanished grape varieties and those carrying on old production techniques with international grapes.

For wine aficionados, plan your travel itinerary around August when the Urla Grape Harvest Festival is underway. At the two-day event, wine producers and visitors gather in the historical Malgaca Bazaar for harvest presentations, folk performances, and the time-honored practice of grape treading. The Bazaar also hosts the International Urla Artichoke Festival in April, when it becomes a gastronomical playground for those paying homage to this regional plant.

Urla: Through the grape vine

Midway between İzmir and Çeşme, Urla is a picturesque town that embodies the essence of Turkaegean living. Visitors come here to settle into a slower pace of travel, which is often best achieved by bike. Ride the cycling trails past the region’s renowned olive groves and grape vines and stop over at a meyhane (traditional tavern) for an authentic Turkish meze. Travel far enough north and you will find yourself in the ancient city of Klazomenai—home to a 6th-century BCE olive oil workshop, the oldest known in Anatolia.

Summer vacations are typically synonymous with beachside getaways. But in a destination like the Çeşme Peninsula, where there is so much to see and do inland, holidaymakers are discovering a different approach to travel. While the Aegean Sea remains a constant, it is the ever-changing nature of Türkiye’s towns that is adding new meaning to their wanderlust.