The bay in central İzmir is not for swimming, but within an hour's circle of the city lie some of the finest beaches in the Aegean. Thanks to Bornova's motorway connection, almost all of them are within day-trip range — which means you do not have to stay in a coastal town in order to swim.
First choose a direction: north, west, south
İzmir's beaches sit on three separate lines, each with its own character. The north (Foça) is calm and has the feel of a fishing village. The west (Urla–Çeşme) means clear water and wind, and is the most popular line. The south (Seferihisar–Gümüldür) means long sandy beaches and family-run businesses. If you are staying a week, splitting your days across all three gives a far richer holiday than sticking to one area.
North: Foça
With its stone houses and fishing harbour, Foça is ideal for a quiet day by the sea. Its small coves and island boat trips are very popular in summer, and the harbour at Old Foça is reason enough on its own to stay for dinner. Our Foça guide has the full route.
West: Urla and Çeşme
The Zeytineli and Demircili coves of Urla are known for their clear water and are where locals go to escape the crowds. For a livelier day there is the Çeşme peninsula: the shallow sands of Ilıca for families with children, the turquoise coves of Altınkum for swimming, and the windy shore of Alaçatı for surfing. Details are in our Çeşme guide.
South: Seferihisar and Gümüldür
The Sığacık and Akkum coves of Seferihisar, a designated Cittaslow town, combine beautifully with its weekend market: market in the morning, sea in the afternoon. The Gümüldür–Özdere stretch, with long sandy beaches and family-run businesses, is the classic summer route — the sand is wide enough that the crowd spreads out and finding a spot is easy.
The wind question: which cove suits which day?
What really decides beach choice in the Aegean is the wind. In summer the afternoon northerly stirs up the open shores of the western peninsula while, on the very same day, the sheltered coves stay flat. So on a windy day Alaçatı is perfect for surfers and hard work for a family that wants to swim. Checking the wind direction before you leave and picking the cove accordingly is the most practical way to have a good day.
Day-trip tactics
On summer weekends, leaving the beach around 17:00 keeps you ahead of the return traffic; an hour later and the drive lengthens noticeably. Setting off early does the same job — on the road by 09:00 and you skip both the traffic and the parking problem. Bring your own shade, as most coves have no organised beach business.
Why base yourself in the city?
Staying in the city and driving to a different cove each day makes for a far more flexible holiday than renting a summer house: if the weather turns you go to a museum, if a beach is crowded you go to another one. MyMahall Hotel's free car park is the infrastructure behind that flexibility. Take a look at our rooms; to book, call (0232) 461 95 95 or use our contact page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you swim in central İzmir?
The bay in the centre is not suitable for swimming. However, the beaches along the Foça, Urla, Çeşme, Seferihisar and Gümüldür lines are all within an hour's day-trip range.
Which beach suits families with children?
Shallow, wide sands: Ilıca on the Çeşme peninsula and the Gümüldür–Özdere stretch in the south. On windy days choose sheltered coves rather than the open shore.
When should I leave the beach?
On summer weekends, leaving around 17:00 puts you ahead of the return traffic. Setting off early in the morning solves both the traffic and the parking problem.
Rent a summer house or stay in the city?
Staying in the city is more flexible: a different cove each day, and if the weather turns you can switch to a museum or the bazaar. Our free car park makes that easy.