Cesme is located on the peninsula to the west of Izmir. It is one of the most popular resorts in Turkey with its sandy beaches and the warm clear blue Aegean Sea. Cesme is a fairly busy port with ferries coming from the Greek islands and many traditional gulets offering excursions to holidaymakers. Cesme has had a long and turbulent history. The fort in its centre dates from the fourteenth century and was restored in the sixteenth century by the Ottomans. The town has a wide variety of shops, cafes, bars and restaurants offering visitors all they need for a memorable holiday.
Cesme is a thriving tourist centre which attracts many overseas holidaymakers every year as well as being popular with the Turks themselves. The beaches on the peninsula are one of the main attractions, and the interesting historical sites in the region are another. The resort offers a range of leisure pursuits and the nightlife is lively.
A Cesme holiday appeals to most people. Families with small children and sun worshippers will find many long stretches of fine sand and safe shallow water. Active holidaymakers will discover wide ranging sporting opportunities to satisfy their needs. Those interested in the ancient world will find many opportunities for exploring historic sites and shoppers will find their needs are more than satisfied.
The Cesme holiday season lasts from early spring until late autumn when the temperature range is from 20 to mid 30 degrees, summer being the most popular time. The mild winter make it an ideal place for hikers and those wishing to visit the ancient sites away from the heat of the summer.
The Cesme peninsula is a green fertile area where Cesme Town is surrounded by fields of vegetables and fig trees. Cesme is eighty five kilometres west of Izmir and is a popular resort renowned for its beaches, blue seas and thermal spas. There are over twenty beaches on the peninsula with some of the best lying to the south of the town. Water sporting activities are wide and varied from wind and kite surfing to snorkelling and scuba diving. Book an excursion at the harbour to explore the beautiful Aegean coastline or even travel a little further afield to the Greek islands.
Cesme has Genoese fortress dating from the fourteenth century and built to protect the townspeople from marauders and invaders. It fell into disrepair and was renovated by the Ottomans two centuries later.
Cesme is a thriving town with shops, bars, pavement cafes and restaurants in the centre and down by the harbour. It has a lively nightlife with modern discos and pubs with live music where the entertainment continues well into the night.
A Cesme holiday guarantees summer sun, soft sandy beaches, warm clear water, water sports and a warm welcome to all its visitors.
Cesme nightlife is very lively with bars and restaurants providing a range of venues to cater for most tastes. Many of the larger hotels organise their own entertainment, often with live music and dancing. There are also modern bars and discos where party animals can drink and dance until the early hours of the morning.
Cesme provides ample opportunities for retail therapy. Shops, pavement stalls, and bazaars usually sell their goods until late in the evening. Many shops don’t close until almost midnight. There is also a Sunday market. The shop keepers and stall holders have a very proactive approach to selling and you will be offered many ‘bargains’. Be aware that bartering is expected and that the original price is almost always inflated. There are many outlets for leather goods, carpets and gold and silver jewellery. Don’t forget to buy the blue glass beads to protect you from the evil eye!
Cesme has many places to satisfy the appetite ranging from pavement cafes serving traditional fare, to restaurants offering international cuisine. Being a coastal resort, fish features prominently on menus.
Turkish food is very tasty and includes stuffed peppers, aubergines and vine leaves, clay-pot casseroles, kebabs and of course feta cheese, olive and tomato salads. Borek are puff pastry pies filled with meat, cheese or potatoes that make delicious snacks. Rice dishes are also popular. If you wish to sample local cuisine, try a plate of meze, the Turkish equivalent of Greek Tapas, where you are given small portions of a variety of dishes.
Apart from strong black coffee, the national drink of Turkey is ‘raki’, an aniseed and liquorice flavoured alcohol.
Children are always given a warm welcome even in the more exclusive restaurants
