Çeşme - Boat Trip to Donkey Island

Çeşme - We met up with Linda and Tony in Çeşme to take a day trip to Donkey Island near Çeşme and explore the town itself.

The town's ancient name translates roughly as "fountain," likely referring to the numerous springs found there. The Çeşme peninsula is located about 80 kilometres from the city of Izmir. Our first stop was the harbour, as we certainly didn't want to miss our excursion boat. A short while later, we left the harbour, passing cliffs and rocks, some of which are undercut—a diver's paradise, as the water looked absolutely inviting. We anchored in a small bay, and it was time to take a dip ourselves.

Soon we continued on to the small jetty of the otherwise uninhabited Donkey Island. The animals had already spotted us and approached us trustingly. Despite several explanations, it's not entirely clear why there are so many donkeys on this island—in other words, what's the story behind it? Naturally, we chat with some of the other visitors and the crew, learning more about Çeşme and the surrounding area. What we see and admire is the deep blue, almost transparent water that washes around the entire peninsula, and the cultivated fields and eucalyptus forests that shape the landscape. Upon our return, we also see the old fortress in the heart of the town centre, which was restored and thus preserved by the Ottomans. The caravanserai right next to it dates back to Suleiman the Marvelous and is now used as a hotel.

The traditional thermal and mud baths around Ilica are very popular with both the Turks and their guests, but the most famous is probably the bath in Sifne Bay. Every wellness enthusiast will find it a truly worthwhile experience, offering excellent value for their money. Excellent accommodations, restaurants, sports and leisure facilities, and a short boat trip to the Greek island of Chios are all available.

Ilica, arguably Çeşme's most popular resort town, boasts golden sandy beaches and the highly attractive facilities of the Altinyunus Marina. Windsurfing and sailing enthusiasts will find Çeşme to be an ideal location. An international windsurfing competition is held annually in Alacati, where windsurfing lessons are also available. Alacati itself is a beautiful little Aegean suburb of Çeşme with many old windmills, some of which have been converted into restaurants.

Dalyanköy is located on the northern edge of Çeşme, near the deep-water entrance to the bay. Dalyanköy is known for its fishing port and the excellent seafood restaurants in the area.

Çiftlikköy offers its visitors endless stretches of diamond-sand beaches (Pirlanta Plaji), incredibly blue water, and wonderful holiday accommodations. Çiftlikköy is located southwest of Çeşme. Golden Beach (Altinkum Plaji), one of the longest stretches of beach, extends to the south. Several campsites are also available here.

Çeşme - Thermal Springs and Greek Flair

Çeşme itself and the surrounding towns are not comparable to the tourist resorts in southern Turkey. Narrow streets, old houses, and dozens of restaurants and cafes exude Greek charm. No wonder: Çeşme is only eight nautical miles from the Greek island of Chios.

The Greeks have always had a significant influence on the region around Izmir. Remnants of the ancient Greek city of Erythrai can still be visited today. Even then, Çeşme was considered a spa town. The region boasts some of the highest oxygen levels in the world.

Today, the seaside resort is also a popular recreational area for wealthy businesspeople from the metropolis of Izmir, just 90 kilometres away. Many of them own holiday homes in Çeşme and spend weekends there. Along with them came some of Turkey's best chefs. These top restaurateurs showcase their culinary skills not only in Çeşme itself, but also in the charming village of Alaçatı and the port of Dalyan.

We hope you enjoy your visit.

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