Alaçatı
The Story of Alaçatı
Alaçatı was known as Agrilia in ancient times. During the Ottoman period, when it was known as the Cavalry Infantry, the Alacaat tribe gave the village its own name. In the 1830s, Hacı Memiş Ağa, one of the leading figures, invited the Greeks from Chios, who were impoverished by earthquakes, to drain the swamp south of Alaçatı and save the village from malaria, giving them land in return. Therefore, between 1850 and 1890, a new settlement was established inland from the coast, and Greeks continued to arrive. By the end of the 19th century, as the number of Greeks increased, its name became Alatzata. In 1873, the Alaçatı Municipality was established.
Alaçatı became an important trade center with its viticulture and winemaking, experiencing its most prosperous period. When refugees fleeing the Balkan Wars settled in the region, panic arose among the Greeks, and they began to emigrate.
In 1923, an agreement was made with Greece, and exchanges with Turks began. With the arrival of Bosnians and Albanians, as well as exchange migrants from Thessaloniki, Kavala, Kos, and Crete, the population of Alaçatı completely changed, and it became known as Alaçatı.
The people, unfamiliar with viticulture and olive cultivation, faced difficult times when they uprooted the vineyards and tried to engage in tobacco farming and animal husbandry. In the 1990s, Alaçatı was discovered by surfers. Despite the strong winds, the calm sea and the fact that the water didn’t exceed human height attracted novice surfers, and surf tourism began in Alaçatı.
Alongside the surfing area, the discovery of bay-windowed stone houses in the regional architectural style lining the narrow streets made Alaçatı a popular holiday destination. Combining the sea, the village, and the regional bay-windowed stone architecture, Alaçatı became synonymous with its unique restaurants and small hotels. Many attractive areas, such as Kemalpaşa Street and Hacımemiş Street, resemble a bazaar where visitors can easily stroll, have fun, eat, and relax.
Places to Visit in Alaçatı
Alaçatı Village Center | Stone Houses and Streets – The village center is the heart of Alaçatı. Alaçatı’s stone houses and narrow cobblestone streets create a captivating atmosphere. Recently, these houses, bearing the weariness of history, are being restored one by one to their original state. The streets, where stone-walled, wooden bay-windowed, and pitched-roofed houses joyfully stand side-by-side, also house many artists. You can participate in ceramic, glass, and painting workshops in art galleries and studios.
The narrow cobblestone streets, adorned with colorful bay-windowed houses, reflect a nostalgic time period. The houses surrounded by bougainvillea, the meeting of white and blue, is dazzling. The unique sea air of the Aegean envelops all the streets. In the streets of Alaçatı, you will find shops to meet all your needs, and you will encounter the warm and friendly attitude of the shopkeepers. You can wander to your heart’s content in charming boutiques and shops, and buy souvenirs unique to Alaçatı. When you get tired, you can take a break with a delicious Turkish coffee accompanied by Alaçatı cookies.
Hacımemiş Street – Bringing together shops and stores with different concepts, Hacımemiş Street features designers, antique dealers, ceramic and glass workshops, as well as cafes and restaurants. We recommend visiting Hacımemiş, where restorations are carefully preserved to preserve the natural texture, and art and design burst forth from every corner. Famous for its antique shops, fashion stores, new-generation coffee shops, concept restaurants, cocktail bars, and entertainment venues, Hacımemiş is easily accessible from Adacan Hotel, which is just a 1-minute walk away.
Alaçatı Local Market – A market with a wide variety of products is held every Saturday. Offering dozens of varieties of fresh vegetables and fruits, this rich market allows you to encounter many beauties, from the purple flowers of artichokes to the vibrant orange of zucchini blossoms. In the clothing and local weaving market, you can find colorful needlework, handcrafted by women and adorned with regional designs. A little suggestion for you: Go to the market on Saturday and buy the local basket cheese, olives roasted in a hammer, melon, and lemons. Adacan Hotel is a 200-meter walk from the Alaçatı Market.
Ayios Konstantinos Church / Market Mosque – While you’re in Alaçatı, you might want to visit the Ayios Konstantinos Church / Market Mosque in Köyiçi. As the Muslim population in the village increased, the village church was converted into a mosque, but a small chapel was left inside for the Christians of Alaçatı. The Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople held a service here with special permission in recent years. Adacan Hotel is a 3-minute walk from the Ayios Konstantinos Church / Market Mosque.
Windmills – Since people come to Alaçatı more for entertainment, these historic windmills aren’t visited much, but you should know about them anyway. About 150 years ago, the Greeks built four windmills of varying sizes on a windy hill to grind wheat. There used to be 20 windmills in Çeşme, but only 10 have survived the test of time. Perhaps you’ll stop by to take a photo. Don’t leave Alaçatı without trying the lemon and blackberry ice cream made with fresh milk under the historic windmills at the entrance to Alaçatı, as well as the kumru (a type of sandwich) made with Çeşme’s special bread dough. When you go down to Kemal Paşa Street, try the boiled milk millet and cucumber pickles. The windmills are 3 km from our hotel.
Kemalpaşa Street – One of Alaçatı’s most popular streets, Kemalpaşa Street is quite quiet during the day, but very crowded in the evenings. The street features famous establishments, restaurants, boutiques, souvenir shops, handicraft shops, and much more. Our hotel is a 3-minute walk from Kemalpaşa Street.
Port Alaçatı / Alaçatı Harbor – Port Alaçatı is a refined settlement that is a mix of marina and residential complex. The biggest difference from a normal site is that boats are parked in front of the houses instead of cars. There are very beautiful houses and a few restaurants. If you don’t own a boat, you might not come here often, but it can be a nice place for dinner. Our hotel is 4.2 km from Port Alaçatı.
Alaçatı Surf Zone – Alaçatı, one of the world’s leading surfing areas and hosting the World Windsurf Championship every year, welcomes professional windsurfers as well as those who want to learn to surf. After a short course at the surf schools, you can try surfing. It takes 10 minutes to reach from Köyiçi by car.
Ilıca Beach – Located quite close to the center of Çeşme, Ilıca Beach is among the popular beaches. With its clear sea and pristine sand, it is one of the public beaches frequented by many local and foreign tourists. Especially because of the shallow water, it is a favorite destination for families with children. Our hotel is 5.5 km from Ilıca Beach.
Çark Beach – One of Alaçatı’s most famous beaches, Çark Beach is a popular spot for surfing enthusiasts because it’s windy almost all year round. If you’re not interested in surfing and don’t even want to watch, you can go to the beach or public beach next to the bay. These areas are quite shallow, which will please both families with children and those who are worried about swimming. Our hotel is 5.5 km from Çark Beach.
Delikli Bay – Surrounded by white rocks and a deep blue sea, Delikli Bay gets its name from a hole in a large rock that was eroded over time by natural events, connecting two bays. A great choice for those who want to camp, the bay has warmer and calmer waters compared to Alaçatı. Our hotel is 11 km from Delikli Bay.
Aya Yorgi Bay – Although Alaçatı is known for its strong winds, Aya Yorgi Bay is one of the rare bays that is sheltered from the wind. The bay, where you can enjoy the sun in its clear sea, has warmer waters compared to others. Aya Yorgi Bay also offers various venues for nightlife, where you can party until the first light of dawn. Our hotel is located 12 km from Aya Yorgi Bay.
