Where to Stay in Dikili: Best Areas and Hotels for the Lesvos Ferry

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For most visitors, the best place to stay is Dikili town itself, along the shore between the centre and Antur Beach. The ferry to Lesvos leaves from Dikili port, so a room here means a short taxi ride, or a walk, to the boat. If you want a beach holiday more than a ferry base, Çandarlı, about 20 km south, is the better pick. Its sea is calm and shallow and it has a medieval castle. It is a poor choice the night before an early sailing.

We haven’t stayed at these hotels ourselves; we picked them on location, published details and guest ratings.

Dikili is a small, low-key town in İzmir province, roughly 120 km north of İzmir city. There are no large resorts. Most hotels are small, family-run places with a few dozen rooms at most, and many close or cut back outside the summer season. Book ahead for July and August, when ferry traffic to Lesvos is at its peak.

Short answer

• Best area overall: Dikili town, between the centre and Antur Beach. You get restaurants, the waterfront and the ferry port all within easy reach.
• Night before the Lesvos ferry: a hotel in Dikili town. Perla Otel sits about 1 km from the centre, and Aterna Hotel is about 2 km from the port.
• Best for a beach holiday: Çandarlı. It is calm and family-friendly, with shallow water, but you will need a car or taxi to reach Dikili port.
• Best for families: Çandarlı for the sea, or a Dikili hotel with family rooms such as Perla Otel or ReynaBe Boutique Hotel. For a beachfront stay in Dikili, look at Dikelya Hotel on Antur Beach.
• Budget tip: in June and September, prices and crowds drop a lot. Note that the ferry also runs on fewer days then (see Practical tips).
• Day trip: Bergama (ancient Pergamon) is about 30 km inland. It works as an easy half-day trip from any of these bases.

Areas

Dikili centre and harbour

The centre is compact and built around the harbour. Restaurants line the waterfront, and Ferryhopper notes cafés, shops and pharmacies near the port. If you arrive late by bus from İzmir and sail to Lesvos the next morning, this is the least stressful place to sleep.

The trade-off is the choice of beds. Few hotels sit right at the port, and the town beach is a short distance away rather than outside your door. This area suits travellers without a car and anyone who wants a single overnight stop.

Dikili shore towards Antur Beach

South of the centre, the coast road runs past Antur Beach and a strip of small hotels and holiday flats. You are still close to town: hotels here list the centre at around 1 km and the port at 1–2 km. Several have a pool or their own beach area.

It is quiet in the evenings, and you may want a taxi with luggage on ferry morning. This strip suits couples and families who want a few beach days with an island hop to Lesvos added on.

Çandarlı

Çandarlı is a village on a peninsula south of Dikili, built around a well-preserved castle. The bay is sheltered with shallow water, which is why Turkish families like it. Hotels near the castle put you within a few minutes’ walk of the seafront and village restaurants.

The downside for ferry passengers is distance. Dikili’s waterfront is roughly 20 km away, so plan a taxi or drive for sailing day. Choose Çandarlı for a beach holiday, not for a one-night ferry stop.

Bademli and Kalem Island

Bademli is a small coastal village between Dikili and Çandarlı. Boats from its little harbour cross to Kalem Island, a private island with its own hotel. The area is mostly villas, holiday houses and self-catering rentals rather than hotels.

It works well if you have a car and want space. It is impractical without one.

Bergama (Pergamon)

Bergama is the modern town at the foot of the ancient Pergamon acropolis and the Asklepion. Hotels in Dikili list the Pergamon Museum at around 29 km. Most people visit on a half-day trip from the coast rather than stay there. We have not listed Bergama hotels here because this page focuses on the ferry coast.

Hotels

Hotels in Dikili town

Hotels in Çandarlı

Practical tips

Getting to the Lesvos ferry

Ferries to Mytilene on Lesvos leave from Dikili port, on the town’s waterfront. İDO (İstanbul Deniz Otobüsleri) runs the route, and the crossing takes about 30 minutes. The service is seasonal. In 2025 it sailed daily in July and August and on fewer days in late spring and September, so check the current timetable before you plan. Full details, fares and booking tips are in our Dikili to Lesvos ferry guide.

Arrive at least 45–60 minutes before departure, and bring your passport. From hotels in central Dikili or along the Antur shore, the port is a short taxi ride, or a walk if you are travelling light. From Çandarlı, allow for a 20 km drive or taxi.

Getting to Dikili

Dikili is about 120 km north of İzmir. Ferryhopper estimates 1.5–2 hours by car and considerably longer by public transport. A car makes the most sense if you plan to see Çandarlı, Bademli and Bergama. You can manage without one if you stay in Dikili town and just take the ferry.

When to go

June and September offer warm sea, fewer crowds and easier hotel availability. July and August are busiest, both for Turkish holidaymakers and for ferry traffic, so book early. Many small hotels close or reduce service between November and April.

Staying on Lesvos instead

If you plan more than a day trip, see where to stay in Lesvos. For other crossings between the Turkish coast and the Greek islands, see all routes.

FAQ

Is Dikili a good base for a day trip to Lesvos?

Yes. The crossing to Mytilene takes about 30 minutes, so a day trip is realistic on days when the timetable has a morning departure and an evening return. Stay in Dikili town to keep the port transfer short.

Should I stay in Dikili or Çandarlı?

Stay in Dikili if the ferry is a priority or you have no car. Choose Çandarlı for a beach holiday with calm, shallow water, particularly with young children, and plan a drive to Dikili port on sailing day.

Can I walk from my hotel to the ferry?

From central Dikili, generally yes. From hotels along the Antur Beach side, around 1–2 km away, it is a longer walk, and a taxi is easier with luggage. From Çandarlı or Bademli, you will need a car or taxi.

How far is Pergamon from Dikili?

The Pergamon Museum in Bergama is about 29–33 km from Dikili and Çandarlı, according to hotel listings. That is roughly half an hour or more by car, and it makes a good half-day trip.

Do Dikili hotels stay open in winter?

Some do, but many small hotels close or scale down outside the summer season. Check dates directly before booking for October to April.

Sources

• Perla Otel on Booking.com (white-label page)
• Perla Otel on Destinia
• Aterna Hotel on Booking.com (white-label page)
• Aterna Hotel on Expedia
• Aterna Hotel on Jolly Tur
• ReynaBe Boutique Hotel on Booking.com (white-label page)
• Dikelya Hotel on Expedia
• Dikelya Hotel on Etstur
• Villa Egella on Etstur
• Villa Egella on Trip.com
• Koçanlı Köşkü on Booking.com (white-label page)
• Koçanlı Köşkü on Expedia
• Çandarlı Resort Otel on Booking.com (white-label page)
• Çandarlı Resort Otel on Expedia
• Booking.com: hotels in Dikili
• Setur: Dikili hotels
• Jolly Tur: Dikili hotels and area notes
• Ferryhopper: Dikili port
• Ferryhopper: Dikili–Mytilene route
• Medyascope: Dikili–Midilli ferry launch (May 2025)