Çeşme, surrounded on three sides by the Aegean Sea, is the westernmost town in Turkey and about 80 km. from Izmir. The town has great tourism potential with its beaches, pristine sand, clear water and thermal springs. Çeşme has a Mediterranean climate. The summer season lasts from March to October with hot, sunny days. But the famous breeze of the Aegean sea “Imbat” brings pleasant relief and will keep you cool even in the hottest summer days. The short winter season is cool and rainy. The average annual sea temperature is 18?C and it is possible to swim for at seven months of the year.
The name “Çeşme” meaning fountain refers to the many springs found in the area during the 18th and 19th centuries. It is one of Turkey’s most beautiful coastal stretches surrounded by clear blue sea, with a landscape of aniseed, sesame and artichoke fields dotted with fig and gum trees. In the unspoiled bays you can swim in absolute peace. Visitors will find excellent holiday accommodation, restaurants, and sports and entertainment facilities,excellent shopping for the finest quality carpets, leather goods, as well as souvenir items is also possible. At night, a lively, fun atmosphere pervades the town, especially in the restaurants, cafes, bars and discos along the promenade. Yachts can be hired to explore the peninsula’s splendid coastline. Also, ferries make the run from “Çeşme” to Venice on a weekly basis and to Greek Island of Chios daily in the summer time.
Çesme, ancient name Kysus, was founded by Ionians in the 11th century B.C. as a harbour city. In the 7th century B.C., it was completely destroyed during the invasion of the Izmir region by the Lydians. After the Lydian period, Çesme came under the rule of Alexander the Great in the 4th century B.C. following his death, it became the part of the Pergamon Kingdom.
In 190 B.C., the Romans defeated the fleet of King Antiochus III. in the seas around Çesme and the Roman rule continued until the 4th century A.D. After then Byzantium took control of the town. In the 14th century Emir Caka Bey and then by one of the Turkish Seljuk tribal leaders, Aydinoğlu Gazi Umur Bey got the control of Çesme and it became a Turkish maritime base. During the 15th century Ottomans took Çesme from the Seljuks. And in this period Çesme was known as a treatment resort because of its thermal waters and important for maritime trade and site of naval base.
ILICA
District is 5 kilometers east of Çesme. It’s famous for its gulf, beach 2 kilometers long, white thin sand and thermal spa underneaththe Se. The thermal waters fed by many underground volcanic resources spurt from calcareous tufas, nd cracks. The most important one of these is the Topan (Hamidiye) spawith wateras warm s 55 degrees. Çesme Yatch Club was founded in 1985 and in time became the most successfulytch club in Turkey, by hosting many competitions, having the biggest yacht fleet and offering training to hundreds of sailors in the summer and winter.
TheThe climate of Çesme, warm and crystal waters of the sea nd its location inside the breakwater provides this club and its students with mny advantages. Since the Ilica gulf is shaped like a huge pool, the sailors feel safe. Optimist, Laaser 4.7, Rdyal, Standart.
DONKEY ISLAND
In the ancient times it was known as Goni. This island is three miles away from Çesme. There is no human settlement on the island. A great many donkeys, goats and rabbits live here. There are beautiful coves and inlets around this island. Regular boat trips to the island are available. According to a rumor, locals took the old donkeys to this island when they stopped agriculture in the area as a result of improving tourism and the donkeys reproduced in time and became the symbol of the island. The donkeys are protected and cared for. There is a wind-powered well in the island to supply water for the donkeys as well.