Top 5 Reasons to Visit Ayvalik, Turkey

The relatively small holiday town of Ayvalik is often bypassed in favour of its more well known neighbours, Izmir, Canakkale and Dikili, but the charming town actually has plenty to offer visitors. Located on the Aegean coast with pristine sandy beaches, calm transparent waters, and set in the centre of Turkey’s olive and quince cultivation region, it’s worth a visit just for the scenery. Also the departure point of the Ayvalik to Lesbos Midilli Ferry and home to Greek settlers until the population exchange act in 1923, the town’s architecture retains its Greek heritage, as does the culture and the food and you may even hear Greek being Spoke by elderly residence. Ayvalik offers an experience quite different to your standard Aegean town.

Stroll in Ayvalik Old Town

Start exploring in the quaint cobbled stone Ottoman-Greek old town, where the quiet streets are narrow and many doors and windows are painted bright blue in classic Cretan style. You may get lost in this little maze but at some point you’re sure to find your way back to the Saatli Camii (Hour Mosque) which sits in the central square. With an old clock built into its minaret keeping time for locals and tourists who share a glass of cay and socialise in the main square. Ayvalik old town if full of quirky cafes and local activities and the best thing to do is simply chill out and watch people go about their business. On the weekends there is a bustling flea market selling all kinds of antique jewellery, household goods and second hand clothes, while Thursday is the day for purchasing fresh fruit and veggies at the farmers market. Ask to taste one of the home made cheeses and pick up a bottle of locally produced olive oil.

Photo provided under Creative Commons License:  eleephotography 

Soak Up the Sun

There are two main beaches around Ayvalik, Badavut Beach, 5km from the centre, and Sarimsakli Plaj, 8 km away. Both are wide with soft sand, prepared with sunbeds and umbrellas and due to the size they are rarely crowded. You might find yourself one of the few foreigners on the beach as the area receives more Turkish tourists than international. After sunbathing and swimming you can taste some regional food and drinks at the beach side restaurants and bars. Aegean cuisine is some of the tastiest in the world and you can try a variety of seafood dishes. For a little more isolation you could take a boat and visit Cunda or Timahane Island or jump on a boat cruise and sail about the 22 islands that lie within around the bay.

Go Diving

The Aegean sea around the harbour town of Ayvalik is rich with underwater creatures and interesting sea life and legends say the deep blue waters in this area are home to the lost city of Atlantis. While this may just be a myth there are certainly many other wonders to be found in the region especially around Gunes and Yuvarlak Islands and around the Kerbela Rocks. For keen divers and nature lovers the sea around the Island of Kiz will be the favorite spot with diverse and colourful underwater plants that live 19 metres below the surface.

Visit Museums and Historical Sights

Within the old town are two examples of converted Orthodox Churches. If you take a peek inside Saatli Camii you will see original frescoes decorating the walls. Nearby is the Cinarli Camii, which you might prefer to call pink mosque due to the colour of its decorative facade. It is certainly different to the standard moque, while a part of the red tiled roof has been converted to a dome shape the building still clearly shows its Christian roots. Once you’ve finished learning about the religious history of the town you could stop by the Ayvalik Children’s Toy museum and release you inner child as you browse the displays of dolls, steamboats and motor vehicles.

Photo provided under Creative Commons License: David Spender

See Turkish History and Culture

Ayvalik is set in an ideal location in western Turkey for exploring other cultural and historical sites and for visiting Greece. Ferries run to the island of Lesbos every day throughout the summer season and 3 times a week during the rest of the year. Meanwhile there are good public transport connections to surrounding sights, ferry, buses, transfers and tours can be pre booked with Alaturka Turkey or purchased later at the harbour, station or in a local travel agency. Directly to the north of Ayvalik is the town of Canakkale , which sits on the banks of the Dardanelle Strait offering access to 20th century battlefields and monuments to WW1 soldiers. While just an hour of two south is the Ancient Pergamum Acropolis and ruined Spa City which sit on the steep slopes above the modern city of Bergamo. A day trip to the magnificent site is just another reason to make Ayvalik the base for your holiday in Turkey.