The sleepy seaside village of Alacati - with its pretty whitewashed stone houses, cobbled streets full of shops and cafes, and cool beach clubs - is having a bit of a moment. 

Beach photos : Hakan Cetinkaya

Photo: GETTY

Predominantly a hangout  for kite- and wind-surfers until recently, now the boutique hotels, clear water, amazing food and delicious wines are drawing a wider crowd.  

On the west coast, and only a 45-minute drive from Izmir airport, it's do-able in a weekend - but take it from us - book longer, you won't want to leave. 

It has a long stretch of sandy beaches - some good for windsurfing and some for calm swimming.

Take a boat out for the day to find secret coves, or swim out to the raft, below, and just flop.

Where to stay 

Kapari Hotel

The  22 rooms here are gorgeous: think white wrought iron beds covered in hand-embroidered linen, traditional Turkish lace hanging in windows, and all scented with lavender sachets. 

There is free (if sometimes erratic) wifi, if you need to stay connected,  and a large pool in the gardens for shady siestas.

Set yourself up for the day with al fresco breakfasts of local cheese and pastries, and strong Turkish coffee, before hitting the  beach, just five minutes walk away.

Kapari Hotel, 8024 Sokak No:4 Alaçatı Marina Mevkii Çeşme , Izmir, +90 232 716 06 74. Doubles from £95,B&B  

Turkish Airlines has return flights to Izmir via Istanbul from London Heathrow and Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, Dublin and Edinburgh, from around £180

Pegasus Airlines is the only airline that flies directly to Izmir (45 minutes by car to Alacati), with scheduled direct flights from London Stansted, and daily return flights from London Gatwick and Stansted via Istanbul, from around £150 

For more information on Alacati, see explorealacati.com  and  gototurkey.co.uk