Alacati is a charming and historical small town on the Aegean coast of Turkey that has become one of the trendiest places to vacation for local tourists over the last 10 years. This is certainly one of the most tasteful towns in all of Turkey, with its narrow cobbled streets and whitewashed houses, their wooden shutters painted various shades of blue and green, and a wealth of upscale shops and restaurants.

Located on the Çeşme peninsula, less than an hour from Izmir airport, unlike many other resort towns in Turkey, Alaçatı is not flooded with foreign tourists. Although it gets very hot here during the summer months, the constant wind, for which the city is known, keeps things cool. Of course, one of the main draws remains the Alaçatı beach, which is located in a small bay about four kilometers from town, and is a great place for both windsurfing experts and novices. There is a sandbar that extends some 700 meters out from the shore, creating a shallow shoreline, so even if you’re not a confident swimmer, you can easily learn to windsurf here. A wide range of equipment is available for rent, with professional instructors on hand.

Nearby Çeşme is known for its beaches as well as its castle, and now has a sparkling new marina. For those who are not interested in windsurfing and just want to enjoy the water, Ilıca beach in Çeşme makes for an ideal day-trip. Unlike most beaches in Turkey, the color of the water here is light aqua, with fine white sand.