Alaçatı itinerary
7 days, hour by hour · İzmir, TürkiyeJune–September
- Days
- 7
- Stops
- 35
- Per day
- ≈ 3,350 TL
- First stop
- 08:45
Short answer
The TripWalkers Alaçatı itinerary runs 7 days and lays out 35 stops, hour by hour, for June–September. The first three days:
- Day 1 The heart of Alaçatı: stone streets, old town and windmill sunset
- Day 2 Windsurfing capital: Pırlanta and the fishing harbour
- Day 3 Çeşme day: islands and bays boat trip, castle
Staying less? Start with the first days — TripWalkers uses the opening days of this plan for shorter trips too. Days 6 and 7 are day trips out of the city. Food, entry fees and local transport come to about 3,350 TL a day (excluding accommodation and flights).
Day 1 · 09:30–22:00
The heart of Alaçatı: stone streets, old town and windmill sunset
Food
Zahide Alaçatı
Set in an old stone house at 2057 Sokak No:9; ask for the herb omelette and the serpme breakfast spread. Go early (around 09:30), as queues build after 11:00.
≈ 900 TL per personLandmark
Kemalpaşa Street
The street that makes Alaçatı what it is: walk between stone houses with coloured shutters and boutique shops. The crowds grow in the afternoon, while mornings are almost empty.
FreeLandmark
Hacımemiş Mahallesi
Quiet streets draped in bougainvillea, away from the noise of Kemalpaşa. Watch the doorstep chats to get a feel for local life. The best light for photos comes before noon.
FreeFood
Kapari Bahçe
Lunch in an olive-shaded garden that preserves the stones of a 1800s mansion; try the sea beans and the herb fritters. The garden is shaded, so it stays comfortable in the hot hours.
≈ 1,000 TL per person- 3 h 30 min · travel, break, free time
Landmark
Alaçatı Windmills
Four stone mills from the 1850s, at their most photogenic against a red sunset sky. Climb the hill 30 minutes before sunset and pick the west-facing slope for the best shots.
Free- 30 min · travel, break, free time
Food
Roka Bahçe
A large bougainvillea garden on Kemalpaşa Street serving Aegean meze; we suggest atom ezme (spicy yoghurt and chilli dip) and the seafood skewer. Booking is essential on summer evenings.
≈ 1,500 TL per person
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
- Sakız ReçeliA generous breakfast table with jazz in the background; options range from boyoz (flaky Izmir pastry) to a crisp serpme spread. Head here if Zahide is full.
- Alaçatı Pazaryeri MosqueBuilt as a church in 1874 and converted into a mosque after the founding of the Republic; a small but meaningful stop that shows Alaçatı's layered history. Be quiet at the entrance and postpone your visit during prayer times.
Day 2 · 10:00–22:00
Windsurfing capital: Pırlanta and the fishing harbour
Nature
Pırlanta Beach
The wide sandy beach and shallow, constantly windy bay that made Alaçatı world famous. The morning wind is lighter, so it is ideal for swimming, then it strengthens for surfers in the afternoon.
Free- 30 min · travel, break, free time
Nature
Sunsurf Alaçatı
A 1.5-hour beginner windsurfing lesson at the local surf centre; equipment is included in the price. Book at least 1 day ahead by phone or Instagram, as lesson times may change with the wind.
≈ 2,200 TL per person- 30 min · travel, break, free time
Food
Fahri'nin Yeri
A long-established spot serving at the fishing harbour since 1993; ask for the catch of the day steamed. Booking is recommended: call +90 232 716 76 91.
≈ 1,400 TL per person- 30 min · travel, break, free time
Landmark
Alaçatı Marina (Dalyan)
A calm harbour full of colourful fishing boats, a 20-minute walk from central Alaçatı. The light is best near sunset, and it is far less crowded than Kemalpaşa.
Free- 1 h 30 min · travel, break, free time
Food
Mazı Restaurant
Specialises in seafood; the crab and prawn casserole stand out. On summer weekends it is hard to get a table without a booking.
≈ 1,500 TL per person
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
- Dutlu KahveFrom outside it looks like a plain tea garden, but inside it has become a friendly café-restaurant. A good choice for a light lunch break if Fahri'nin Yeri is full.
- Ilıca BeachA wide beach with warm, shallow, turquoise water, popular with families. If Pırlanta is unsuitable because of the wind, head here: the sea is much calmer.
Day 3 · 09:00–22:30
Çeşme day: islands and bays boat trip, castle
Nature
Çeşme: Islands and Bays Boat Trip with Barbecue Lunch
A classic day trip leaving from Çeşme, anchoring in nearby bays for swimming stops, with a barbecue lunch included. Book online at least 1 day ahead, and don't forget your swimsuit and towel.
≈ 2,200 TL per personTickets: GetYourGuide- 30 min · travel, break, free time
Nature
Boyalık Beach
Good for a short rest after the boat trip, with warm, shallow water; the public beach section is free. If you want a sunbed, you can rent one by the hour from the facilities on the shore.
Free- 30 min · travel, break, free time
Culture
Çeşme Castle
A 14th-century Genoese castle, visited together with the small museum inside. Museum Card is valid; if not, the entrance fee is low. The view of the harbour from the tower terrace is superb.
≈ 100 TL per person- 30 min · travel, break, free time
Landmark
Çeşme Marina
A modern marina with moored yachts, pleasant for a walk at sunset. It is right next to the castle, so it combines easily with the previous stop.
Free- 30 min · travel, break, free time
Food
Balıkçı Niyazi
A long-established fish restaurant in central Çeşme, often chosen by locals; ask for the day's catch grilled. Prices are more reasonable than at neighbouring tourist venues.
≈ 1,800 TL per person
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
- Zeytinaltı KahvaltıOpen all day, it also offers an evening menu as a light and affordable option. Use it as an alternative if there is no room at Balıkçı Niyazi.
- Aynaroz MonasteryThe remains of an old Greek monastery in central Çeşme; a good alternative for a short history stop if the Castle is crowded or closed. Visiting hours vary, so check beforehand.
Day 4 · 09:30–22:00
Local life: market, home cooking and Alaçatı's layered history
Shopping
Alaçatı Market
Held every Saturday from the old town entrance to the edge of the motorway; buy local greens such as radika (wild chicory) and sea beans, plus homemade jam and olive oil. Go early, as towards noon it gets both crowded and hot.
≈ 200 TL per person- 30 min · travel, break, free time
Food
Yusuf Usta Ev Yemekleri
Alaçatı's real tradesmen's restaurant; choose from the daily stews and olive oil dishes, paid by weight. Prices are far more realistic than at tourist venues, and it can be busy at lunchtime.
≈ 700 TL per person- 30 min · travel, break, free time
Culture
Alaçatı Greek Church (Ayios Konstantinos)
A former Greek church restored and turned into a cultural venue; look at the stonework and the exhibitions inside. Usually quiet with few tourists, a good stop in between for photos.
Free- 30 min · travel, break, free time
Landmark
Taş Okul
Get lost in the narrow streets around this historic school building, one of the old stone structures of the old town. The light is soft at this hour, and it is much calmer for photos than Kemalpaşa.
Free- 2 h 30 min · travel, break, free time
Food
Sota Alaçatı
A trendy address for lovers of crab, lobster and prawns; try the chef's menu. On summer evenings it is hard to find a table without a booking.
≈ 1,600 TL per person
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
- Zeytin TarlaAnother tradesmen's option with a simple, home-cooked taste; switch here if Yusuf Usta is full. Its olive oil dishes are especially good.
- Hacı Memiş Ağa MosqueA historic 19th-century mosque, one of the buildings that gave Hacımemiş Mahallesi its name. If the church is closed, this short cultural stop is a good alternative.
Day 5 · 09:30–22:00
Hidden coves and the quiet side of Dalyanköy
Nature
Paşalimanı Bay
A bay reached by minibus from central Çeşme, free to enter and away from the crowds. If you want a sunbed, you can rent one from the small businesses on the shore; morning is the quietest time.
Free- 30 min · travel, break, free time
Nature
Çark Beach
Another quiet public beach; unlike the big beach clubs it is simple and free. Close to Paşalimanı, it makes a good second stop for a short swim.
Free- 30 min · travel, break, free time
Food
Defne Yaprağı Balık Restaurant
A seafood place in Dalyanköy favoured by locals; ask for the seasonal fish steamed. It sits slightly off the tourist route, so prices are more reasonable.
≈ 1,400 TL per person- 30 min · travel, break, free time
Landmark
Dalyanköy Waterfront
Colourful fishing boats and a calm shoreline make it ideal for photos, with an atmosphere completely different from Alaçatı's crowded centre. The light is much softer near sunset.
Free- 2 h 30 min · travel, break, free time
Food
Ferdi Baba Restaurant
A option with a view at Çeşme Marina; from the meze selection, try the atom and the fava. Booking is recommended on weekend evenings.
≈ 1,600 TL per person
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
- Lazy Sundays AlaçatıOpened in its new location in 2026, with a morning-to-night concept that makes it a flexible lunch option. Consider it an alternative if Defne Yaprağı is full.
- Ildırı BeachA quiet, free and little-known beach; head here if Paşalimanı is crowded. Getting there is easier by private car.
Day 6 · 11:00–22:00Day trip
Karaburun day trip: goat cheese, hidden coves and fishing villages
Culture
Karaburun Municipality Goat Cheese Dairy
After a drive of about 1 to 1.5 hours from Alaçatı, you can see Kopanisti and basket cheese being made on site at this municipal dairy, staffed entirely by women. Call the municipality ahead to let them know you are coming. Bring cash to buy vacuum-packed cheese.
≈ 100 TL per personNature
Mordoğan Waterfront
A shoreline with the feel of a quiet, local holiday town; the fishing boats and the pier make good photos. Tourist crowds are almost non-existent compared with Alaçatı.
FreeFood
Problem'in Yeri
An affordable, local tradesmen's restaurant in Mordoğan known for its Ödemiş köfte (grilled meatballs) and soups. Quite cheap compared with Alaçatı prices, and the food is fresh at lunchtime.
≈ 500 TL per person- 30 min · travel, break, free time
Nature
Ayıbalığı Bay
One of Karaburun's lesser-known quiet coves; with no facilities it is free to enter, but shade is scarce, so bring a hat and water. Being close to the road back, it is ideal as the last stop.
Free- 2 h 30 min · travel, break, free time
Food
Sailors Alaçatı
Suitable for a relaxed dinner after Karaburun, with its large garden in Hacımemiş. Alongside the grills and meze, sitting in the garden in the cool of the evening is a pleasure.
≈ 1,700 TL per person
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
- Mordoğan Balık MarketA practical, cheap lunch option such as a sardine or anchovy sandwich. A quick and authentic alternative if Problem'in Yeri is full.
- Dolungaz BayA free cove with no facilities, pebbly but known for its very clean water. If Ayıbalığı Bay is crowded, switch to this quiet alternative.
Day 7 · 08:45–14:30Day trip
Cross-border day trip: an easy day on Chios
Nature
Çeşme to Chios Ferry Transfer
The first ferry from Çeşme harbour reaches Chios in about 45 minutes; don't forget your passport. If you buy the return ticket online in advance, you won't lose time in the queue at the port.
≈ 1,800 TL per personTickets: GetYourGuideCulture
Chios Castle (Kastro)
Walk the Genoese castle walls and the narrow streets of the old Jewish Quarter inside. Entry is free, and the morning light is ideal for photos.
FreeFood
Chios Port
At a taverna overlooking the harbour, try a meze plate and grilled octopus with a glass of mastika liqueur; euros or cards are accepted. Check the time so you catch the return ferry.
≈ 705 TL per person- 30 min · travel, break, free time
Nature
Return Ferry to Çeşme
If you bought a return ticket there is no extra charge; be at the pier at least 20 minutes before the last departure for passport control. Returning in daylight is a good chance to see the view of Çeşme bay.
Free
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
- Taverna Ouzeri StavrosA long-established taverna in central Chios Town serving authentic Greek cuisine; the moussaka and the basil grilled octopus stand out. If the port is full, this address a few streets inland is a good alternative.
- Chios Mastic MuseumAn interactive museum on the island's famous mastic production; it is slightly outside town compared with the Kastro, but 15 minutes by taxi. If time is short, choose it as a brief cultural stop instead of the Kastro.
Hidden gem: Karaburun Municipality Goat Cheese Dairy
Tourist traffic in Çeşme and Alaçatı focuses on beaches and surfing. At the other end of the peninsula in Karaburun, a municipal dairy run entirely by women makes Kopanisti and basket cheese from goats fed on thyme and sage in the mountains. It barely features in guidebooks; most visitors only buy packaged cheese at shops and never see how it is made.
- How to get in
- Reach central Karaburun from Alaçatı by private car, or from Çeşme by dolmuş (about 1 to 1.5 hours); the dairy is in Cumhuriyet Mahallesi in central Karaburun. To visit as a group or to see production, you need to call the municipality a day ahead. Walking into the sales point to buy cheese without an appointment is always possible.
- Local tip
- Ask for the vacuum pack, which keeps all the way back to Alaçatı; try mixing Kopanisti with olive oil and thyme as a meze on bread, which is how locals really eat it.
- When
- Production runs year-round, but milk yield and tasting quality are highest in spring and summer (April to September).
- Contact
- Karaburun Belediyesi İletişim Hattı: 444 35 56
Good to know: 7 things that make an Alaçatı trip easier
- Alaçatı is very hot and humid in July; take a beach or shade break between 12:00 and 15:00, and sunscreen and a hat are essential.
- Most tradesmen's restaurants and the market want cash; keep some TL in cash on you for small stalls that don't take cards.
- In summer there are frequent minibus (dolmuş) services between Alaçatı and central Çeşme; prefer the dolmuş, as taxis can be expensive even over short distances.
- A service charge (5-10%) is often added automatically to restaurant bills. Rounding up the bill as a tip is customary locally but not compulsory.
- A passport is required for the Chios day trip. Turkish citizens without an EU visa may be able to use a 'day visitor' arrangement on arrival; confirm the current rule with the ferry company.
- In the stone streets and in churches and mosques, wear clothes that cover shoulders and knees; entering old town shops in beachwear is not well received locally.
- It is a windy region (especially the afternoon 'meltem'); even if you aren't surfing, watch your umbrella and belongings on the beach.
Spending: ≈ 23,500 TL per person for 7 days
- Food16,300 TL
- Entry and tours6,400 TL
- Local transport600 TL
- Other200 TL
Excludes accommodation and flights. 2026 price estimate, per person.
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Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in Alaçatı?
This itinerary is built for 7 days. With 3 days, do the first 3 — TripWalkers uses the opening days of the plan for shorter trips too. The day trip is on day 6 and 7; skip it on a short stay.
How much does a day in Alaçatı cost?
In this plan, food, entry fees and local transport come to about 3,350 TL per person per day. Accommodation and flights are not included. Figures are 2026 estimates.
What time should you start the day in Alaçatı?
The first stop is at 08:45. Most days start early so you arrive before the crowds, and evenings end with dinner.
Which places in Alaçatı should you book in advance?
In this plan, it's worth booking ahead for: Çeşme: Islands and Bays Boat Trip with Barbecue Lunch (day 3), Çeşme to Chios Ferry Transfer (day 7).
Which season is this itinerary for?
This page covers June–September. There is a separate plan for October–May: opening hours, the sea and the weather change the route.