There are three small towns near Izmir Institute of Technology which are very attractive places in summer time. Here is a short intro to these towns:
URLA has been a cultural centre for many ages, with ruins belonging to the Hittite Empire. Urla carries the Aegean soul with its small town squares, fishing boats and village bazaars. Urla Peninsula has 40 km of coastline, virgin bays and 12 small islands. Yagcilar and Zeytineli coasts are known for their wonderful bays and crystal clear waters. Uzunada and Hekim Islands are used only for military purposes. Karantina Island is used by the State Hospital. The works excavated from Klazomenai are currently being exhibited at the Paris Louvre Museum, Atina National Museum and the Izmir Archaeology Museum. Urla is largely known for its olives and olive oil production for 10,000 years.
ALAÇATI is an Aegean town on the western coast of İzmir Province in Turkey, which has been famous for its architecture, vineyards and windmills for over 150 years. It has now made its name in the world of windsurfing and kitesurfing, with its crystal clear water, consistent and steady wind and well acclaimed hospitality. Alacati is one of the most authentic towns in Turkey with stone houses, narrow streets, boutique hotels and restaurants with tables on the streets. Alacati has a great nightlife, where the nightclubs by the seaside are open until morning. The area is also home to the Alacati yacht marina and the famous Port Alacati development.
ÇEŞME town and the administrative centre of the district of the same name in Turkey’s westernmost end, on a promontory on the tip of the peninsula which also carries the same name and which extends inland to form a whole with the wider Karaburun Peninsula. It is a popular holiday resort and the district center, where two thirds of the district population is concentrated. Çeşme is located 85 km west of İzmir, the largest metropolitan center in Turkey’s Aegean Region. There is a six-lane highway connecting the two cities (Otoyol 32). Çeşme district has two neighboring districts, Karaburun to the north and Urla to the east, both of which are also part of İzmir Province. The name “Çeşme” means “fountain” and possibly draws reference from the many Ottoman fountains scattered across the city.
