The picturesque town of Alaçatı is located on Turkey’s Aegean coast, on the Cesme Peninsula, and impresses with its incredible charm and character. With its historic stone houses, colorful nightlife and beautiful beaches, Alaçatı is an attractive destination for all types of travelers. Especially because the town is also extremely popular with windsurfers and kitesurfers.
Things to Do in Alaçatı
Explore the old town of Alaçatı
The historic city center of Alaçatı is the heart and highlight of the city. You won’t find any of the classic sights you know from other places in Alaçatı. With its cobbled streets, beautifully renovated stone houses, small boutiques, galleries and cafés, Alaçatı is simply a feel-good place. If you let yourself drift through the alleys here, you will immediately get the feeling that you could be in Greece rather than Turkey. Of course, this is no coincidence, as Alaçatı was actually Greek territory for a time in the past.
The ornate wooden doors, the painted shutters and the blooming bougainvilleas on the facades enchant visitors from the very first minute and are not only a beautiful sight, but also a magnificent photo backdrop. The town center of Alaçatı is worth a visit at any time of day, but the town has a very special charm, especially in the evening hours when the sun bathes the alleyways in a warm light.
Market square and mosque
The Pazaryeri Mosque is located in the center of the old town and should not be missed during a visit. Admission is free, only appropriate clothing is required.
The windmills of Alaçatı
The picturesque windmills are the landmark of Alaçatı and bear witness to the town’s rich history. They are located on the edge of the historic town center on a hill. Originally used to grind grain, the windmills are now silent witnesses to the past.
A walk to the windmills, especially at sunset, is an absolute must. It is not only the perfect place for unique photo opportunities, but also to enjoy the view of the surrounding landscape and Alaçatı.
Ilıca Plajı
Ilica Beach (Turkish: Ilica Plaji) is the most popular and most beautiful beach in Alaçatı. The fine sandy beach and turquoise blue water stretches for several kilometers. As the water is very shallow, the beach is also perfect for swimming with children.
The beach is about a 10-minute drive from the old town center. Alternatively, you can also take the dolmus (small minivans) to the beach. This is a simple and inexpensive alternative. The exact departure point and prices can be found in detail here.
Kite Surfing
Alacati is a true mecca for windsurfers and kitesurfers. Thanks to the constant and reliable winds, which mainly blow between May and October, Alacati is one of the top surf spots in the world. Whether beginner or pro, everyone gets their money’s worth here. The lagoon is shallow and has a sandy bottom, which makes it particularly attractive for beginners. However, advanced surfers and pros also get their money’s worth here.
Day trip to Çeşme
Just a short drive from Alacati is Cesme, the livelier and better-known town in the region. A trip to Cesme is the perfect diversion during a stay in Alacati.
The main attraction of Cesme is the historic castle, which is located directly on the harbor and now houses a museum. Not far away is the lively harbor, from where you can take ferries to the nearby Greek islands. The Cesme Marina is also the perfect place for a stroll, dotted with luxurious yachts and surrounded by stylish restaurants and stores. The closest beach to the city center is Cesme Beach, which has great waters and a golden sands.
Day trip to Urla
Once you have seen the sights in Alaçatı, a detour to Urla, around 35 kilometers away, is recommended. Formerly a quiet fishing town, Urla has become a popular destination for day trips. Here you can stroll through the picturesque alleyways, where authentic stone buildings exude a touch of nostalgia, and drive to the coast in the evening to stop off at one of the local restaurants with a view of the Aegean Sea.
Wine lovers will also get their money’s worth in the region around Urla. There are several wineries around the town that grow local grapes and offer wine tastings.
Going out in Alaçatı
Alacati is not only known for its picturesque landscapes and cultural sights, but also for its lively nightlife. When the sun goes down, the town comes to life. The alleyways are lined with stylish bars and nightclubs where you can dance until the early hours of the morning. Alacati is not just about partying hard, but above all partying with style.In high season, Alacati is a hotspot for celebrities and parties last till sunrise.
The best restaurants & cafés in Alaçatı
Alacati has a variety of first-class restaurants and cozy cafés offering everything from local Turkish dishes to international cuisine. The gastronomic scene in Alacati is huge and there is something to suit everyone’s taste and budget. Here are a few recommendations:
- Sailors Alaçatı: In addition to a delicious breakfast selection, there are also vegan and vegetarian alternatives for lunch and dinner. The cozy courtyard/garden with its shady trees is also a great place to relax. The café is also perfect for digital nomads as there are power sockets and fast WiFi everywhere.
- Bumbas Breakfast Club: The name says it all and there is a delicious breakfast selection.
- Pizzeria da Roberto
- Martı Restoran
- Elfatun
- Gülistanca Manti Gözleme: A small, inconspicuous restaurant that serves incredibly delicious, homemade manti. A clear recommendation for anyone who wants to eat authentic manti.
Where to stay in Alaçatı
In Alacati you will find an impressive selection of accommodation: from luxury hotels to countless boutique hotels and cozy bed & breakfasts. If you are looking for first-class service and a great ambience, the Alaçatı Tas Otel* could be the right choice. It is one of the first manor houses to be converted into a hotel and impresses with its elegant furnishings and enchanting garden.
If you are more price-conscious, I can recommend the two boutique hotels: Galya Hotel* and the Banana Alacati , which are located on the edge of the old town. However, prices rise almost immeasurably in the high season and many hotels are fully booked. It is therefore worth booking early or visiting Alacati out of season.
Nothing listed or not available? Then simply look directly for suitable accommodation in Alacati at booking.com*.
Getting around
Arrival
Getting to Alacati is relatively straightforward and there are many different options available. Those arriving by plane usually land in Izmir, 85 km away. From here, Alacati can be reached either by cab, rental car or public bus .
Bus: Havas bus runs regularly from the airport in Izmir directly to Alacati. The buses leave directly in front of the arrivals terminal and you can’t really miss them. The price is 150 TL (~5.95 €; as of 06/2023)
Getting around
In Alacati itself, you don’t really need transportation as the city is quite small and everything can be reached on foot. Cabs in Alacati are excessively expensive by Turkish standards and I would therefore not recommend them. However, public minivans (Dolmus) also run regularly from Alacati to the beach or to Cesme. These are a simple and inexpensive alternative.
- Departure point Dolmus in Alacati (Google Maps linked)
- Alacati — Cesme: 20 TL
- Alacati — Ilija Plaji: 14 TL
Costs of Traveling Alaçatı
Alacati is relatively expensive compared to other destinations in Turkey and is a popular vacation destination for the well-heeled and celebrities. Restaurants, cafés and accommodation can be a little more expensive, but offer high quality. Nevertheless, with a little research you can also find inexpensive options for food and accommodation. Generally speaking, however, those who want to enjoy a more luxurious vacation will get their money’s worth in Alacati. But even for travelers on a moderate budget, Alacati offers enough options to have a wonderful time, especially in the low season.
- Hotel: 40 — 150€ / night
- Cocktail: approx. 8 €
- Dinner: 10 — 50 €
- Coffee: approx. 2 €
Best time to travel to Alaçatı
Alacati is almost a year-round destination, but at least from April to the end of October, depending on what you want to do. If you want to enjoy the sunny beaches and warm sea, the summer months from the end of May to September are ideal. At this time, you can look forward to temperatures of up to 30 degrees. However, this is also the peak tourist season and it can be particularly crowded in July and August.
Spring to early fall is the best time for surfing enthusiasts, as the wind offers perfect conditions for windsurfing or kitesurfing at this time of year.
If you prefer to explore the cultural sights or go hiking and are less interested in bathing weather, we recommend spring or fall. During these months, the temperatures are pleasantly mild and you can enjoy the beauty of Alacati without the crowds of tourists.
My conclusion about Alaçatı:
Alaçatı really is a very special place that you should definitely visit. The beautiful, picturesque and lively alleyways and the vibrant nightlife really are a special combination. Also because the beaches are not far away. I really liked it, especially in the low season, as it wasn’t too crowded with tourists and the prices were still at a more “normal” level. In the high season, the place becomes relatively “posh” due to its guests and unfortunately you can notice this regularly in the restaurants and clubs.
All in all, I can really only recommend Alaçatı and think you should definitely plan a detour here on a round trip.
