In the Ionian era, the locality was the convention place of the Ionian city states and was named Panionion.
The Ionians had formed a federation consisting of 12 Ionian cities and also held games here to mark their gatherings. During the excavations in 1957-58 an antique theater was uncovered which had 12 rows of seats carved out of rock. Many famous battles were fought in this area, including the Battle of Mykale between Greeks and Persians.
During the Ottoman period, the town used to be called Rumçamlısı (Greek Çamlı) and was entirely populated by Greeks. In the last phase of the Greco-Turkish War (1919-1922) (on 7 September 1922 precisely), with the Turkish army approaching, the town population had fled by boats and took refuge in the nearby island of Samos and the town had remained empty for about two years. In 1924, it has been re-populated by Turks from Leftere near Kavala in the frame of the Exchange of populations between Greece and Turkey. The settlement’s name was changed to Güzelçamlı and after having had the status of a village for seventy years, Güzelçamlı was made into a township with own municipality in 1992.
Today, Güzelçamlı is an unspoiled resort town. There are several hotels, small pensions, holiday houses, restaurants, bars and shops. Monday is the traditional market day of the town. A traditional bazaar is set along the main street once a week. The local people have not lost their customs and traditions and are very helpful and friendly with the holiday makers. On the beaches and at the bays of the coastline, besides absolutely clean water, are also possibilities for sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, water skiing, fishing, diving and boat tours. Other possibilities are paragliding,mountaineering, trekking, bird watching, botany tours, horse riding, cycling and partly hunting. The thermal baths and the Turkish baths of Davutlar are away and provide services 12 months a year. In Güzelçamlı, there is usually a gentle breeze from the sea during the day and a breeze from the mountain during the nights. Guzelcamli means “beautiful pine trees” in Turkish and the town is indeed surrounded by numerous pine trees and it is unspoiled resort with natural bays, crystal clean beaches which is approx 30km and friendly local people. The Greek Island Samos can also be seen across the Aegean Sea.