Çeşme

Çeşme means "natural spring" or "fountain" in Turkish and, indeed, the town virtually floats on therapeutic geothermal springs. The regional pearl is the Sheraton Çeşme Botanical Thermal Spa, where healing mineral springs froth up from the Aegean on the hotel’s own private beach. Authentic thalassotherapy treatments are on tap. Along with its integrated municipalities, such as Alaçatı and Ilıca, Çeşme is a hedonistic recreational playground where history, culture, cuisine and leisure pursuits interact seamlessly. Located one hour from İzmir on a fast highway and directly opposite the Greek Island of Chios, Çeşme nurtured an ...

Çeşme means "natural spring" or "fountain" in Turkish and, indeed, the town virtually floats on therapeutic geothermal springs. The regional pearl is the Sheraton Çeşme Botanical Thermal Spa, where healing mineral springs froth up from the Aegean on the hotel’s own private beach. Authentic thalassotherapy treatments are on tap. Along with its integrated municipalities, such as Alaçatı and Ilıca, Çeşme is a hedonistic recreational playground where history, culture, cuisine and leisure pursuits interact seamlessly. Located one hour from İzmir on a fast highway and directly opposite the Greek Island of Chios, Çeşme nurtured an intellectually elite clientele even before it became a summer resort. The bohemian image is still paramount and arty pursuits abound. Çeşme Marina attracts international yacht owners and restaurants and facilities have followed suit to make this a vibrant, sophisticated destination. Thanks to awesome winds and favorable currents, Çeşme and Alaçatı reign as the surfing hubs of Turkey. Amateurs and professionals from around the world come to ride the perfect big wave. The Aegean Sea laps about 90 kms (56 miles) of superb coastal beaches. Quaint cobblestones and 19th-century period mansions profile the region’s Greek origins and a multi-ethnic ambiance is part of the town’s appeal. Of note are the many windmills, some ancient that were once used to grind grain, but modern upstarts whose towers and turbines generate a proportion of the local electricity.

About the Expert

Suzanne Swan is the main author of DK's Eyewitness Travel Guide Turkey. She updated and wrote original texts for DK's Eyewitness Travel Guide Istanbul.