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ABOUT ÇEŞME
 Cesme
is one of the Aegean’s lesser known resorts,
in spite of the fact that this seaside town
is undoubtedly one of the regions gems.
Boasting some 29km of coastline, shimmering
turquoise waters and beautiful sandy
beaches, it is easy to see why Cesme has
become an established favourite of Turkey’s
rich and famous. What’s more, there has
never been a better time to visit as an
increasing number of tour operators feature
the resort, and BA now has a direct,
year-round flight from London Gatwick to
Izmir. Transfer time to the resort is around
an hour and a half.
Cesme means “fountain” in Turkish and the
resort derives its name from the numerous
Ottoman stone fountains (16 in total)
scattered around the area. Many of these
structures date back to the 18th and 19th
centuries, constructed by prominent locals
who wanted their names to be remembered by
future generations. Cesme’s other
significant landmark is an imposing castle
built in 1508 during the reign of Ottoman
Sultan Beyazid II. The Castle boasts a proud
history, having served as a naval base for
many years, and today is home to a popular
archaeology museum (open daily, except
Monday).
Other
attractions in the area include the thermal
springs of Ilica, just 5km from Çeşme town
centre, famed throughout Turkey for their
healing properties. The waters here are
reputed to alleviate the symptoms of
conditions such as rheumatism, arthritis and
psoriasis and for this very reason, a
significant number of tourists, particularly
from France, visit here every year. Il¦ca
also has a good beach and a sizeable
selection of shops and restaurants.
 The bay of Alaçati south east of Cesme town
centre has become a holiday centre in it’s
own right and is a prime windsurfing
location, thought to be one of the best in
Europe. There are a number of surf schools
and in the summer months, windsurfing
enthusiasts create a colourful spectacle
here. Even those of us who are less active
cannot fail to be captivated by the charm of
Alaçati’s narrow streets and traditional
stone houses.
Like much of the Aegean coast, the area has
a wealth of ancient history. Known as
Erythrai in ancient times (later changed to
Cyssus by the Romans), Cesme was once an
important trading centre, although nowadays
tourism is the main industry here rather
than wine and slaves! |
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