Çeşme itinerary
7 days, hour by hour · İzmir, TürkiyeJune–September
- Days
- 7
- Stops
- 30
- Per day
- ≈ 3,250 TL
- First stop
- 09:30
Short answer
The TripWalkers Çeşme itinerary runs 7 days and lays out 30 stops, hour by hour, for June–September. The first three days:
- Day 1 Alaçatı's stone streets and windy history
- Day 2 Çeşme's coves and islands by boat, evening in Dalyan
- Day 3 Çeşme bazaar and public beach under the castle
Staying less? Start with the first days — TripWalkers uses the opening days of this plan for shorter trips too. Day 6 is a day trip out of the city. Food, entry fees and local transport come to about 3,250 TL a day (excluding accommodation and flights).
Day 1 · 09:30–21:00
Alaçatı's stone streets and windy history
Landmark
Kemalpaşa Street and Hacımemiş Neighbourhood Walk
Walk the car-free main street early in the morning, before the crowds, to see the Greek stone houses and art galleries. The Hacımemiş side is quieter and more bohemian, so browse the antique shops.
FreeLandmark
Alaçatı Windmills Park
Be sure to try the mastic coffee at the café next to the 150-year-old windmills, about 100-150 TL per person. For photos, the back of the windmills is less crowded.
≈ 150 TL per personFood
Katre
A garden venue serving an organic village breakfast; ask for the eggs with wild herbs and the homemade jams. It fills up on summer mornings, so arrive around 12:30 for a garden table.
≈ 850 TL per person- 2 h · travel, break, free time
Nature
Alaçatı Beach
A sunbed and umbrella costs about 350-450 TL per person. The wind picks up in the afternoon, so head to the bay end of the beach to watch the surfers.
≈ 400 TL per person- 1 h 30 min · travel, break, free time
Food
Tokmak Hasan'ın Yeri
A friendly local eatery favoured by residents; ask for the meat dish of the day and the döner (sliced roast meat), which is excellent value. No reservation needed, but on weekends arrive before 19:30.
≈ 750 TL per person
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
- Noni's HouseA spread-style breakfast in a laid-back garden; try the homemade böreks (savoury pastries). If Katre is full, come straight here.
- Ayios Konstantinos and Eleni Church (Alaçatı Greek Church)A Greek church built in 1874, with free entry. Be respectful and take photos inside without flash.
Day 2 · 09:30–21:45
Çeşme's coves and islands by boat, evening in Dalyan
Nature
Çeşme: Islands and Coves Boat Tour with Barbecue Lunch
The price includes a barbecue lunch; bring swimwear, a towel and sunscreen. Book a day ahead. The departure point is usually the Çeşme/Dalyan pier; be there 20 minutes before the time on your ticket.
≈ 3,500 TL per personTickets: GetYourGuideNature
Boyalık Beach
Ideal for a short cool-off in the last light of the day after leaving the boat. You can swim in the public section without renting a sunbed, and entry is free.
≈ 300 TL per person- 30 min · travel, break, free time
Food
Cevat'ın Yeri
A decades-old fishermen's classic in Dalyanköy; don't miss the grilled octopus and sea beans. Booking is essential in summer, call 0542 724 7045.
≈ 1,800 TL per personLandmark
Dalyan Pier Night Walk
A quiet evening stroll along the pier where the fishing boats are moored. The best time for photos is when the lights come on, just after sunset.
Free
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
- Defne Yaprağı Balık Restaurant DalyanköyIf Cevat'ın Yeri is full, this place on the same street is a good alternative. Ask for the catch of the day, as prices on the menu may vary.
- Çark BeachThe windsurf beach on Alaçatı Bay. If Boyalık is crowded, head here; the wind can still be strong in the late afternoon.
Day 3 · 10:00–21:00
Çeşme bazaar and public beach under the castle
Culture
Çeşme Castle and Maritime Museum
A Genoese castle built in 1508, with an archaeology museum inside. MüzeKart is valid; go early in the morning, as the stones get very hot in the afternoon.
≈ 150 TL per personLandmark
Çeşme Caravanserai and Bazaar Walk
See the exterior of the 16th-century caravanserai, then browse the small souvenir and olive oil shops in the back streets.
FreeFood
Imren Lokantası (Çeşme)
Çeşme's classic local eatery. From the daily home-style dishes, choose the Izmir köfte (meatballs in tomato sauce) or güveç (clay-pot stew); the set-plate price is reasonable.
≈ 750 TL per person- 1 h 30 min · travel, break, free time
Nature
Çeşme Public Beach
A public beach within walking distance of the centre, with both free and paid sections. It suits you if you'd rather lay out your own towel than rent a sunbed, and entry is nominal.
≈ 100 TL per person- 1 h 30 min · travel, break, free time
Food
Karina Restaurant
One of Çeşme's addresses for the local rakı-and-fish tradition. Order meze (small starters) to share and book a table for the evening in advance.
≈ 1,600 TL per person
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
- Horasan BalıkThey don't give out menus, so always ask the price before ordering. Prawns with orange and seafood noodles are the signature dishes.
- Çeşme Harbour Lighthouse and Seafront WalkIf the Public Beach is crowded, take a walk along the harbour; the boat moorings offer a good angle for sunset photos.
Day 4 · 10:30–21:00
Ildırı: oracles of the red city and a quiet fishing village
Culture
Erythrai Ancient City (Ildır Archaeological Site)
One of the 12 cities of the Ionian League. The path up to the theatre and acropolis is unmarked, so bring water and a hat. In the morning there is almost nobody here.
≈ 100 TL per person- 30 min · travel, break, free time
Nature
Ildırı Bay
In the small cove just below the archaeological site there is no music and no crowd; you may need suitable shoes to enter from the rocks.
≈ 200 TL per person- 1 h · travel, break, free time
Landmark
Ildır Village Stone Streets and Greek Houses Walk
Villagers have turned old Greek houses into boutique restaurants. Walk in the shade of the pepper trees; the afternoon light is good for photos.
Free- 2 h 30 min · travel, break, free time
Food
Ildiri Balik Restaurant
Fresh fish on a pier over the sea, facing the sunset; this is the view Homer called "the place where the sun sets most beautifully". Book early for summer weekends.
≈ 1,800 TL per person
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
- SalonisIf the Ildırı restaurants are full, this place on the way back is a good alternative with seafood and meze.
- Donkey Island Viewpoint (Ildırı Coast)A quiet viewpoint you can choose instead of the village walk; golden hour is ideal for photographing the islet opposite.
Day 5 · 10:00–21:30
Ilıca and Pırlanta: a day of wind and fine sand
Nature
Ilıca Public Beach
Shallow, calm water and a strong family-beach character. It is less crowded early in the morning; entry is almost free, and only sunbeds cost extra.
≈ 100 TL per person- 30 min · travel, break, free time
Food
Imren Lokantası (Ilıca)
A different branch of the same chain as the one in Çeşme. The soup of the day and the grills stand out; it can be busy at midday.
≈ 750 TL per person- 1 h 30 min · travel, break, free time
Nature
Pırlanta Beach & Active Surf Center
A 1.5-hour trial windsurf/kitesurf lesson at the IKO-certified school costs about 1500-2000 TL per person. The sea is shallow for 200 metres, ideal for beginners. The beach itself is completely free.
≈ 1,800 TL per person- 2 h 30 min · travel, break, free time
Food
Miso Seafood
A stylish seafood restaurant inside Biblos Resort, ideal for the dish of the week. Booking is recommended.
≈ 2,500 TL per person
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
- Sakızlar RestoranA venue serving a spread-style village breakfast and lunch in its green garden since 1997. A good alternative if Imren is full.
- Ilıca Beach Walking PathA seafront strip for a quiet walk after your surf lesson; towards sunset the light is lovely for photos.
Day 6 · 10:30–18:00Day trip
Karaburun Peninsula: Mordoğan and Boyabağı Bay
Landmark
Mordoğan Seafront Walk
About 1-1.5 hours by car from Çeşme; plan to leave around 09:00. Take a quiet morning walk in the small harbour where the fishing boats are moored.
Free- 30 min · travel, break, free time
Food
Özen Boyabağı Restaurant
A boutique venue at the entrance to Boyabağı Bay. Ask for the seasonal dishes and meze of the day; it makes a good stop for a meal before heading down to the bay.
≈ 1,200 TL per person- 30 min · travel, break, free time
Nature
Boyabağı Bay
A bay known as Karaburun's "hidden paradise". The road is narrow and winding, so drive carefully. The bay is clear and deep, and worth bringing a snorkel for.
≈ 200 TL per person- 30 min · travel, break, free time
Landmark
Mordoğan Harbour Square Sunset
The last stop before heading back to Çeşme; watch the sunset from the seating areas on the harbour square. The return drive takes about 1-1.5 hours, and you reach Çeşme around 19:30.
Free
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
- Mordoğan Seafront Fish Sandwich StallsIf Özen Boyabağı is closed, the fish sandwich (balık ekmek) stalls by the harbour are a quick, cheap alternative.
- Ayıbalığı Bay (Karaburun)If getting to Boyabağı is difficult, this bay is easier and on the way. It is named after the Mediterranean monk seals occasionally seen in the area, so try to stay quiet.
Day 7 · 10:00–15:00
Farewell day: Ovacık olive groves and a last swim at Altınkum
Nature
Ovacık Olive Groves Walk
A short, quiet morning walk through the olive groves on the Ovacık-Alaçatı road; dress lightly, as shade is scarce.
FreeFood
Seher Teyze's Gözleme and Breakfast Garden
An authentic, charming garden in the heart of Çeşme. Ask for fresh gözleme (stuffed flatbread) and a spread-style breakfast; it is also a favourite with locals.
≈ 700 TL per person- 30 min · travel, break, free time
Nature
Altınkum Beach
Ideal for a last swim, with shallow, safe water that stays cooler than at other beaches. Choose the public beach section over a sunbed, as entry is cheaper.
≈ 300 TL per personFood
Asma Yaprağı
A light dessert or meze stop to say goodbye, at Kerimoğlu locality in Ovacık. Stuffed courgette flowers are among the signature dishes; a small taste is enough instead of a full meal.
≈ 400 TL per person
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
- Yeni Yer (Ovacık-Alaçatı Road)A home-cooking address with a Michelin Green Star that practises sustainable farming. A good alternative if Seher Teyze is full.
- Çeşme-Ovacık Olive Groves ViewpointFor those who want a short viewpoint stop instead of a walk; the olive trees photograph beautifully in the morning light.
Hidden gem: Erythrai Ancient City (Ildır Archaeological Site)
Almost all tourists coming to Çeşme focus on the coast and beaches. This ancient city, one of the 12 founding cities of the Ionian League, stays almost empty, along with its acropolis, which Homer called "the place where the sun sets most beautifully". Mainstream Çeşme guides highlight Alaçatı and the beaches and don't even mention this site.
- How to get in
- From central Çeşme it is about 25 minutes by car towards Ildır on the D-300; follow the brown culture sign at the village entrance. The site guard is usually on duty from 08:30 to 17:00 between April and October, and the car park is in the village square.
- Local tip
- The path up to the acropolis is unmarked; ask villagers for "the road to the theatre". There is no shade, so be sure to bring water and a hat. After your visit, dinner at sunset at one of the village's fish restaurants makes a good finish.
- When
- Open April to October; the best time to visit is late afternoon, close to sunset, for views of the Aegean and the islands from the acropolis.
- Contact
- Çeşme Müze Müdürlüğü +90 232 712 66 08 (güncel ziyaret saati ve bekçi durumu için arayın)
Getting around: get an Izmirim Kart
Izmirim Kart is valid on the ESHOT/IZULAŞ bus lines covering Çeşme, Alaçatı, Ilıca, Dalyan, Urla and Izmir. For the moves within the centre in our plan (Alaçatı, central Çeşme, Ilıca) it is cheaper and more predictable than the dolmuş. For the Karaburun day trip and places like Ildırı, where bus service is weak, you will need to supplement it with a taxi or a rental car, but on the town days a single card is enough.
Good to know: 7 things that make a Çeşme trip easier
- In summer (July-August) card payment is accepted everywhere in Çeşme, but at small fish restaurants such as those in Dalyan and Ildırı you can ask for a cash discount; carry 1000-2000 TL in cash.
- For travel within towns and between them, dolmuş/minibuses often run late at peak hours (17:00-19:00); a taxi or a municipal bus with an Izmirim Kart is more reliable.
- In restaurants, leave a waiter's tip of 5-10% of the bill in cash; at beach clubs, a separate small tip is expected for the sunbed attendant.
- In central Alaçatı and Çeşme the stone streets get very hot in the afternoon (35°C+ in July); 09:00-11:00 in the morning and after 18:00 in the evening are the coolest times to explore.
- When entering places of worship such as mosques and Greek churches, wear clothing that covers shoulders and knees, and don't go in beachwear.
- Don't leave valuables in remote coves such as Ildırı and Boyabağı. After 21:00 the roads in these areas may be unlit, so go by car.
- When swimming in windsurf/kitesurf areas (Pırlanta, Alaçatı Bay), stay away from surfers' routes and follow the lifeguard flags.
Spending: ≈ 22,700 TL per person for 7 days
- Food13,100 TL
- Entry and tours7,300 TL
- Local transport1,800 TL
- Other500 TL
Excludes accommodation and flights. 2026 price estimate, per person.
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Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in Çeşme?
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; skip it on a short stay.
How much does a day in Çeşme cost?
In this plan, food, entry fees and local transport come to about 3,250 TL per person per day. Accommodation and flights are not included. Figures are 2026 estimates.
What time should you start the day in Çeşme?
The first stop is at 09:30. Most days start early so you arrive before the crowds, and evenings end with dinner.
Which places in Çeşme should you book in advance?
In this plan, it's worth booking ahead for: Çeşme: Islands and Coves Boat Tour with Barbecue Lunch (day 2).
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.