Ilıca, on the Çeşme Peninsula, is one of the few places in Europe where natural thermal springs warm the sea itself — hot water bubbles up from the shallow sandy bottom of the beach, creating a naturally heated pool in the Aegean. The beach at Ilıca is broad and sandy, and the combination of thermal warmth and sea salt has been attracting bathers since Roman times.
Ilıca is about 90 minutes from İzmir by bus (direct from Üçkuyular terminal). It is popular with İzmiris on weekends and holidays but manageable on weekdays. The town behind the beach has several good fish restaurants and cafes. The thermal springs are most appealing in autumn and winter, when the sea has cooled but the springs remain warm.