Things
To DoSeptember is the best time to be here and we can't wait for you to experience it! We've put together some of our favorite spots and things to do — whether you're extending your trip or just looking for the best places to eat nearby. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions.
YOUR HOME BASE
ÇESME & ALAÇATI
Your base for the wedding weekend. We've put together a Google Maps guide of our favorite spots — beach clubs, restaurants, coffee shops, and a few hidden gems worth seeking out!
DAY TRIPS & DETOURS
IN THE IZMIR REGION
Izmir City Center
~ 1 hr from Çeşme
Turkey's third largest city — walkable, coastal, and cosmopolitan. Known as Smyrna historically, this city has been continuously inhabited for over 8,500 years, passing through Greek, Roman, and Ottoman hands before becoming the modern city it is today.
The Clock Tower
The Ottoman clocktower at the heart of Konak Square is the city’s symbol. It’s right on the waterfront. The perfect starting point for an evening stroll.
Asansör (The Elevator)
A historic 19th-century elevator connecting the lower city to the hilltop Jewish quarter. The rooftop cafe has stunning panoramic view of the bay.
Kemeraltı Bazaar
One of the world’s oldest markets — a labyrinth of spice merchants, textile shops, jewelers, and street food. Don’t miss getting a traditional Turkish coffee at the historic Kızlarağası Hanı.
Alsancak & Kordon
The city's liveliest stretch — waterfront bars, casual restaurants, and a good energy especially on weekend evenings. There are plenty of spots where you can grab dinner or drinks around Alsancak.
Ephesus
~ 1.5 hrs from Çeşme
One of the best-preserved ancient cities in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Marble streets, the Library of Celsus, the Great Theatre. Just 7 km away, you can also visit the House of the Virgin Mary, a modest stone sanctuary believed to be where she spent her final years.
Urla
~ 45 min from Çeşme
A quiet coastal town known for its vineyards, olive groves, and some of the best restaurants in the region.
The Wine Trail
15+ boutique wineries producing indigenous varieties like Urla Karası alongside Cabernet, Syrah, and Chardonnay. All 10 estates on the official trail can be driven in under an hour. Standouts for visits and tastings: Urla Winery, USCA, Çakır, Urlice, and HUS.
Michelin-Star Restaurants
Four Michelin-starred restaurants in one small town — Vino Locale (one of only two restaurants in Turkey with two Michelin stars), alongside OD Urla, Teruar Urla, and Narımor. Book well in advance, these fill up months ahead.
Sanat Sokağı (Art Street)
A pedestrian lane of restored 100-year-old stone houses now home to ceramics workshops, art galleries, antique shops, jewelers, and courtyard cafes.
Urla İskele
The working fishing harbor. A handful of seafood restaurants sit right on the water — meze, fresh fish, rakı, and fishing boats bobbing alongside.
Sirince
~ 1.5 hrs from Çeşme
A hillside Greek-Ottoman village, famous for its fruit wines made from local fruits, stone houses draped in vines, and panoramic valley views. Worth combining with Ephesus — the two are just 8 km apart.
MAKE A BIGGER TRIP OF IT
BEYOND IZMIR
ICONIC TURKEY
Cappadocia
~1.5 hr flight from Izmir
One of the most surreal landscapes you'll ever see — volcanic rock formations called fairy chimneys, cave hotels carved into hillsides, and the sky full of hot air balloons at sunrise. It genuinely lives up to the hype. Plan for at least 2–3 nights.
Must-dos:
Hot air balloon ride at sunrise — book well in advance, this sells out months ahead
Göreme Open Air Museum — Byzantine cave churches with intact frescoes
Underground cities of Derinkuyu or Kaymaklı — ancient cities carved entirely underground, some going 8 levels deep
Hiking the Rose or Love Valley — the best way to see the landscape up close
ATV or horseback riding through the valleys — a fun way to cover more ground
Istanbul
~1 hr flight from Izmir
The only city in the world spanning two continents: Europe and Asia. Istanbul has been the capital of the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman empires, and you can feel that weight of history everywhere you turn. Plan for at least 2–4 days, ideally more.
Must-sees:
The Historical Peninsula — the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapı Palace, Basilica Cistern, Grand Bazaar, and Spice Bazaar are all within walking distance of each other. Give this area a full day.
Galata Tower — some of the best views of the city.
Ferry from Europe to Asia — Eminönü to Kadıköy. The Bosphorus boat tour is another option, but the ferry takes 20 minutes and costs almost nothing.
Beyond the landmarks: İstiklal Street for street food, restaurants, and shops. Balat for the colorful houses and quieter cafes. Karaköy for coffee or breakfast and Güllüoğlu for the best baklava in the city. Beyoğlu for rooftop bars.
Pamukkale
~2.5hr drive from Izmir
Cascading white calcium terraces filled with thermal pools — one of Turkey's most iconic natural sights. You can actually walk through. At the top, the ancient Roman city of Hierapolis sits overlooking the whole valley. A long day trip or easy overnight.
COASTAL ESCAPES
Bodrum, Marmaris & Fethiye
~3-5 hrs drive south of Izmir
All part of Muğla province. Bodrum is known for its white-washed houses, hilltop castle, and a mix of lively beach clubs and hidden bays. Marmaris is a sailing hub surrounded by pine-clad mountains and secluded coves. Fethiye is home to Ölüdeniz — the famous Blue Lagoon and Nazlı's favorite beach in Turkey — and the Lycian Way, one of the world's great coastal hiking trails.
Kas & Kalkan
~6 hrs drive or ~1 hr flight from Izmir
Two of Turkey's most charming small coastal towns, both in Antalya province — boutique hotels tumbling down cliffs to the sea, crystal-clear water perfect for diving and snorkeling, and a slower, more intimate pace than the bigger resorts.
WHAT TO EAT
A TASTE OF TURKEY
Straight from Nazlı’s notes - a few things worth seeking out while you’re here
SAVORY
Izmir Boyoz
A flaky pastry brought to İzmir by Sephardic Jewish community — found nowhere else in Turkey. Have it for breakfast with a glass of Turkish tea.
Kumru
Çeşme's iconic sandwich — melted cheese, spiced sausage, tomato, and pickles in a sesame bun. You can have it anytime but it’s especially a late-night staple.
Meze & Rakı
Mezes are small plates for sharing — hot and cold Turkish tapas. Order for a full table, drink rakı (Turkey's anise spirit) and plan to be there for hours.
Turkish Breakfast
Cheeses, olives, jams, honey, eggs, fresh bread — more plates than the table can hold. Don't skip simit (sesame-crusted ring bread) or pişi (fried dough).
Mantı
Tiny hand-folded dumplings served with garlicky yogurt, browned butter, and red pepper sauce. Think Turkish ravioli.
Börek
Thin pastry dough layered with cheese, spinach, potato, or meat — baked or fried, in a dozen regional shapes. You can grab one from a bakery window.
Kebabs
You really can't go wrong. Seek out Adana Kebab (spiced minced lamb on a skewer) or İskender Döner (döner over bread with tomato sauce and yogurt).
Pide & Lahmacun
Pide is a boat-shaped flatbread with toppings baked in — essentially Turkish pizza. Lahmacun is thinner, crispier, topped with spiced meat.
Midye Dolma
Mussels stuffed with spiced rice, sold by street vendors from trays. Order as many as you want — you pay per shell. A true Aegean street food experience.
Stuffed Grape Leaves
Grape leaves filled with rice, herbs, sometimes pine nuts, and currants — served cold with lemon. Known in Turkish as yaprak sarması, a staple of any meze spread.
DESSERT
Baklava
Layers of paper-thin pastry, chopped pistachios, and syrup. There are different variations, but the classic pistachio is always a safe choice. Best place to get Baklava is Güllüoğlu in Istanbul — but you’ll find good baklava almost anywhere.
Künefe
Shredded pastry with melted cheese, soaked in syrup, served hot with pistachios. One of Nazlı’s favorite desserts.
Kazandibi
A silky milk pudding with a deliberately scorched caramelized bottom — the name literally means "bottom of the pot."
Mastic Ice Cream
Made from the resin of mastic trees native to the Aegean islands — stretchy, aromatic, unlike any ice cream you've had. Known in Turkish as sakız dondurması, worth trying at least once.
DRINKS
Turkish Tea
Served in small tulip-shaped glasses. People usually drink a few cups after meals.
Turkish Coffee
Finely ground coffee simmered in a copper cezve and served unfiltered in a small cup.
Ayran
Cold salted yogurt drink — sounds odd, tastes essential alongside kebabs or on a hot afternoon.