Sunset over Alaçatı – Urla, Çeşme, Erythrae and the windmills

West of Izmir the Çeşme peninsula reaches into the Aegean: stone houses, wind, turquoise water. We drive along the Urla wine route, where the Greeks of Clazomenae already pressed olive oil, to the fortress of Çeşme and the ruins of Erythrae, and end the day in Alaçatı – among white shutters, bougainvillea and the old windmills above which the sun sinks into the sea.

Highlights

• Urla: wine route, stone houses and the ancient olive press of Clazomenae
• Çeşme: 16th-century fortress and the Ottoman caravanserai
• Erythrae near Ildır: theatre and Temple of Athena overlooking the islands
• Alaçatı: old town of Greek stone houses, cafés and boutiques
• Sunset at the windmills above Alaçatı
• Pick-up from Kuşadası port, Izmir port or Izmir Airport optional

Full description

The tour starts in Urla, the wine town of the peninsula. At Clazomenae we show the reconstructed olive oil press from the 6th century BC – the oldest of its kind – then continue through vineyards past small wineries. In Çeşme stand the fortress enlarged by Suleiman the Magnificent and the caravanserai right on the harbour, from where the ferries leave for Chios.

Near Ildır the ruins of Erythrae, one of the twelve Ionian cities, lie on a hill above the bay: theatre, acropolis and the view over a sea full of islands. In the late afternoon we reach Alaçatı. The once Greek settlement with its stone houses is today the liveliest place on the peninsula; we stroll through the lanes and finally walk up to the windmills to watch the sun sink into the sea.

What we see

We adapt order and selection to weekday, opening hours, weather and your wishes.

• 1 · Urla and Clazomenae
  Wine route, stone houses and the reconstructed ancient olive oil press.
• 2 · Çeşme
  Fortress with museum, Ottoman caravanserai and harbour promenade.
• 3 · Erythrae (Ildır)
  Theatre, acropolis and views over the bay and the islands.
• 4 · Alaçatı
  Old town with stone houses, cafés and boutiques, time to stroll and eat.
• 5 · Windmills of Alaçatı
  Sunset over village and sea.

Included

• 7 hours private, state-licensed guide in your language (Mehmet Humayunoğlu or an experienced colleague from his team)
• Planning, coordination and time management of the day
• Headsets for groups of 16 or more
• Guided walks in Urla, Çeşme, Erythrae and Alaçatı
• Transfer with vehicle and driver from Kuşadası port, Izmir port or Izmir Airport (ADB), if booked

Not included

• Entrance fees (Çeşme fortress, Clazomenae, Erythrae)
• Wine tasting, food and drinks
• Transfer, optional: €120 + €10 per person
• Personal expenses, tips

Meeting point

With a booked transfer we pick you up at Kuşadası cruise port, Izmir cruise port or Izmir Airport (ADB) and bring you back there. Without transfer we meet in Urla town centre.

You will recognise me by the sign “MeinReiseleiter.de” and the visibly worn guide licence. We confirm meeting point and time with your booking.

Route to the meeting point (Google Maps): 📍 Urla town centre

Important information

German, English, Turkish, French, Italian, Spanish – 25 more languages on request.

• Sunset – In summer the sun sets only around 8:30 pm. If the tour ends after 7 pm, the form adds a 50 % surcharge on the guiding fee; in the winter months sunset is before 7 pm.
• Museum Pass Aegean – Can be added in the booking form; paid in full with the deposit and non-refundable. Children under 8 need no pass.
• Comfortable shoes and a jacket – Cobblestones in Alaçatı, a hill at Erythrae; in the evening it gets windy on the peninsula.
• Distances – About 1 hour from Izmir, about 1¾ hours from Kuşadası; without transfer you need your own vehicle.
• Cruise guests – Please state ship and time in port; with an early departure we plan the day without the sunset.