Alaçatı (pronounced aa-LAA-chaa-tuh) is a small town on the Central Aegean coast of Turkey, on the peninsula projecting from Izmir towards Çeşme. In 2022 the population was just over 10,000.
Understand
[edit]This town was a port called Agrilia (Αγριλιά, "wild olive tree") and settled by Greeks until the First World War. Many then fled inter-ethnic violence or were killed, but 14,000 remained to be deported in 1923 under the Treaty of Lausanne. That diaspora went to Athens or the Greek islands or beyond, founding several settlements called New Alatsata or similar - there's even one in Boston USA. Their place was taken by ethnic Turks or Muslims deported from the Balkans.
Alaçatı port languished in the late 20th century as vessels outgrew it, but from the 1990s it attracted boho leisure visitors. It's now firmly on the map as a windsurfing resort.
Get in
[edit]
For long-distance travel by plane, road or train, head first to Izmir, 72 km east of Alaçatı.
Highway D300 runs from Izmir through Urla to Alaçatı and Çeşme. It's now supplemented by O-32 motorway (toll) so driving only takes 45 min.
Havaş bus runs from Izmir Airport (ADB IATA) every couple of hours to Çeşme, and picks up / drops off at Alaçatı.
Çeşme Seyahat buses run from Izmir main bus station every 90 min or so, heading for Çeşme.
Dolmuşes and local buses 760 and 903 ply frequently between Alaçatı, the north beach of Ilıca, and Çeşme. They make several stops in town, Süren is the most central.
1 Alaçatı Terminal is the miserable place where you arrive by buses heading to Çeşme, not so much dropped off as jettisoned. It's at the O-32 junction, 1-2 km south of the main town. No passenger facilities but dolmuşes and taxis wait here.
Get around
[edit]From the north beach at Ilıca through town to the south windsurfing beach is over 10 km, so take a dolmuş.
See
[edit]
- Old town has cobbled streets lined by well-preserved Greek stone buildings.
- 1 Windmills stand in a line of four on a knoll midtown.
Do
[edit]- Ilıca the beach strip to the north is a geothermal area with several spas.
- Windsurfing is in the south bay, where the lee of the peninsula abates the onshore breeze and stills the waves.
- Beaches stretch south along the bay.
- Oasis Aqua Park is northeast corner of town on 6095th Sk 12, open Su 10:00-18:00.
Buy
[edit]- Stores are strung along Atatürk Blv, typically open daily 09:00-21:00.
- The street market is on 3000th Sk on Saturday 08:00-19:00.
Eat
[edit]- Kemalpaşa Cd is the main eating strip.
- Kumru is a style of sandwich popular around Izmir, typically with cheese, tomato and spicy sausage.
Drink
[edit]Alaçatı has enough western tourists to support free-standing pubs, though the distinction from cafes isn't always obvious. Hops Irish Pub is at the corner of Kemalpaşa Cd and 1026th / 1052nd Sks.
Wine is grown around Urla further east on the peninsula.
Sleep
[edit]
- 1 Alaçatı Taş Hotel, Kemalpaşa Cd 132 (corner of 3009th Sk), ☏ +90 531 669 9099. Charming central hotel. B&B double 10,000 TL.
- Imerek Otel, 3048th Sk 11 (100 m northwest of Alaçatı Taş), ☏ +90 542 183 2184. Clean hotel in an old stone house, some rooms cramped.
- 2 Yukari Sokak, 1031st Sk 2 (off Kemalpaşa Cd), ☏ +90 232 716 7151, [email protected]. Pleasant little hotel in a trad stone building. B&B double 5000 TL.
- 3 Alacati Kapari Otel, 8024th Sk 4, ☏ +90 232 716 0674. Pleasant hotel near the marina with 22 rooms, pool, fitness centre, jacuzzi and spa. B&B double 5000 TL.
Connect
[edit]Alaçatı and the highways between Izmir and Çeşme have 4G from all Turkish carriers. As of May 2025, 5G has not rolled out in Turkey.
Go next
[edit]- Çeşme is the port at the tip of the peninsula, with an old castle.
- Chios is the Greek island seen from Çeşme, an hour by ferry.
- Izmir is a bustling modern city with good museums.
- Ephesus to the south is must-see, an extensive and well-preserved Roman city.
| Routes through Alaçatı |
| Bursa ← Izmir ← | N  S
|
→ Çeşme → ENDS |
| ENDS ← Çeşme ← | W  E
|
→ Izmir → Afyonkarahisar |