Up until relatively recently Alaçati, and its beautiful bay with its long, shallow, flat entry, attracted only windsurfers and those interested in Alaçati's history - it was part of Greece until the 1920s, so there are some interesting stories in this town. But since the 90s it's been attracting an arty crowd and the smart set has followed - this is a good place to stop overnight if you're driving between Istanbul and the Turkish Mediterranean. Many of the best places to stay in Alacati are pitched at those clients, though it is still possible to find some more reasonable rooms in town.
As well as being beside a gorgeous stretch of the Aegean - one of the world's best windsurfing destinations, and having a town so perfectly cobbled, whitewashed and bougainvillea laden it looks like a film set, Alaçati is also cool.
There's a reason Alaçati is so loved by the windsurfing community - the conditions are both perfect for beginners, and perfect for practicing manoeuvres and getting up some real speed. So if you've ever fancied having a go, do it here! There are so many boards out on the water no one will notice you if you fall in...
It took a couple of years before Turkey's smarter, more stylish, set began to discover Alaçati's charms, but then the boutique hotels started popping up, restoring some of the town's most beautiful buildings, and making the town look even more appealing. But despite the hip crowds, Alaçati still has a friendly village feel.
Alaçati is a couple of kilometres from the nearest beach - the windsurfing cove is about 2kms south of town - but there are a number of perfect sandy stretches within 20 minutes drive, so there's plenty of sand for all. And the dirt tracks you have to traverse to reach some of the most beautiful, dodging the odd goat, mean that you've got a reasonable chance of having plenty of sand to yourself. And you can't say that about Bodrum.
Alaçati is also a great spot for a gulet trip. These traditional Turkish wooden yachts run day trips to Black Island and Donkey Island, which are just off the coast, and Wind Bay, a great local snorkelling spot.
What not to miss?
- Practice your manoeuvres on a windsurf in some of the best conditions in the world.
- Take a gulet (traditional Turkish yacht) trip to Black Island and Donkey Island.
- Visit the antique shops and art galleries on Haci Memis Street.
- Stop and admire the scenic windmills dating back from the 1850s.
But don't forget that if you wish to visit during the peak summer months, the best places to stay in Alacati will be incredibly busy. So do yourself a favour and book well ahead to avoid disappointment.