Introducing Alaçati
Welcome to Alaçati, Turkey, a destination that embodies the essence of Aegean charm. Tucked away on the very western coast of Turkey, Alaçati is a great alternative to the very expensive Bodrum. With its captivating blend of traditional Turkish architecture, narrow cobblestone streets, and vibrant local market, this town offers a delightful escape from the ordinary. Renowned for its windswept beaches, Alaçati also caters to water sports enthusiasts and sunseekers. Both Alaçati and Ceşme are very reminiscent of small Greek towns. We’ll go over some of the highlights so you can use our experiences as a template for your exciting adventure!
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Alaçati Old Town
The top spot to visit in Alaçati is its old town. This place is busy but beautiful; the thin, cobbled roads filled to the brim with people. The streets are lined with boutique shops and restaurants ranging from fast food to fine dining restaurants. There are cute squares with kids running around, live music from street performers and tourists and locals both enjoying the ambiance. One of the attractions here is the windmills, which are really cool to see. There are also tons of restaurants that spill out on the streets, so I recommend picking one and trying some traditional Turkish food!
A Day Trip to Çeşme
When in Alaçati, a visit to the nearby town of Çeşme is a must. There are many buses that will take you from Alaçati to Çeşme, but we chose to walk and it took about an hour. Çeşme Castle takes around an hour to fully explore, so make sure to budget that time in!
The views from the top of the castle were absolutely stunning; the water here is a brilliant shade of blue, and there’s a lot more greenery here than I had expected. The streets of Çeşme were busy (but not too busy), and there are some cool port-side restaurants. Many of the buildings are whitewashed and the streets are filled with beautiful pink flowers – it reminded me quite a bit of the Cyclades in Greece but with much more greenery. If you are walking between Çeşme and Alaçati, I recommend making a pit stop at Boyalik Halk Beach for a few hours. It has some areas with too much trash, but the sand is soft and the water is extremely clear. Perfect for a dip (or several) on a hot Turkish day!
Best Things to do in Alaçati
- Çeşme Day Trip & Visit Çeşme Castle
- Wander Old Town
- Sunbathe on One of the Many Beaches
- Go Windsurfing or Parasailing
- Explore the beautifully unique Deliki Koy
- See the Windmills
- Oasis Waterpark
Where to Stay in Alaçati
Alaçati Accommodations
How to Get to Alaçati
The easiest way to get here is by flying into Izmir and taking a bus from there. The bus is direct and only takes about about an hour. Turkey has a pretty good bus system so if you are already in the country, getting here via bus is probably the easiest route.
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Our Favorite Travel Resources
Accommodations: We use Booking.com for hotels and HostelWorld for hostels. We also use VRBO or TrustedHousesitters for longer stays.
Flights: We recommend using Skyscanner to find the cheapest and best flights.
Ground Transport: We use 12Go and Omio for buses and private transfers, and rentalcars.com and Discover Cars for rental cars.
Activities: GetYourGuide and Viator are the best websites for booking organized tours.
International Medical Insurance: We highly recommend SafetyWing for Digital Nomads and HeyMondo for those not traveling full-time, or who frequently engage in higher-risk adventure activities.
eSIM: We recommend Airalo or Holafly for getting data internationally.
Check out our Travel Resources Page for more of our favorite travel-related products and services!
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FAQs
What is Alaçati known for?
Its beaches, windmills, wind/kitesurfing, and architecture in the old town.
Should I stay in Alaçati or Çeşme?
I would recommend staying in Alaçati, either in the old town or close to it. Çeşme is an easy day trip from there (and you don’t need more than a day to see all the sights). Alaçati’s old town is full of life and fun restaurants and also close to the Alaçati bus stop, so I definitely think that would make the most sense.
Is Alaçati worth visiting?
I would recommend Alaçati to visit once; I’m glad I went but not sure that I’ll return. Çeşme is also very cool as is the old town, but they’re small and there are much better beaches as you make your way further down the Mediterranean coast. If you’re looking for the best beaches in Turkey (in our opinion), check out Fethiye & Ölüdeniz and Kaş.
