Çesme is a pleasant and popular beach town located 85 km west of Izmir. It is the port for ferries to Chios, the Greek island, and also for the car-and-passenger ferries to and from Italy. This is one of Turkey's most beautiful stretches, surrounded by clear blue seas, with landscapes of cultivated fields of aniseed, sesame and artichokes dotted with fig and gum trees. In the un-spoilt bays you can swim in absolute peace. The main square has restaurants, cafes, teahouses, and some waterfront restaurants with nice sunset views of the Aegean Sea. Çesme's small fortress, now nicely restored as the local museum, looms over the square and provides a nice big dose of history and architectural character. There are good beaches south of Çesme, and for a smaller, cozier, less crowded version of Çesme, make the short trip to nearby Alaçati. Çesme is also famous for its mastic flavoured ice cream and mouth watering toasted sandwiches. Above all it is Çesme's beaches, the longest on the Aegean coast, and turquoise sea that bring holidaymakers back here again and again.