Ayvalık

Ayvalık, which has the opportunity to have a four-season holiday, is one of the holiday regions preferred especially by the local tourists. Throughout history, it came under the rule of Mysia, Hittite, Phrygian, Lydia, Rome, Eastern Rome and the Ottoman Empire in the 14th century. Although it was occupied by the Greeks on May 29, 1919, it was liberated in 1923. Ayvalık, which is surrounded by more than twenty islands, is very close to Alibey (Cunda) island, the biggest island among these islands. Ayvalık and Cunda island are connected by Turkey’s first Bosphorus bridge. Ayvalık is fascinating for its visitors with its magnificent nature, blue flag beaches and sea. The Mediterranean climate in Ayvalık is particularly hot in July and August and these months are the best months to swim in Ayvalık. Although the economy of Ayvalık mostly consists of olive; cotton, mandarin, pine nut, grapes and honey are also grown in Ayvalık. 

Distances to Ayvalık From Balıkesir: 128 km From Balıkesir Koca Seyit Airport: 40 km From Bodrum: 384 km From Çanakkale: 144 km From Çeşme: 263 km From Edremit: 48 km From İstanbul: 423 km From İzmir: 167 km From İzmir Adnan Menderes Airport: 182 km From Kuşadası: 243 km From Marmaris: 567 km

How to go to Ayvalık: *By plane: Balıkesir Koca Seyit Airport is 48 km away from Ayvalık. Especially in summer, there are direct flights from different provinces of Turkey. There are free buses provided by some airplane companies to Ayvalık from the airport. Also, you can reach Ayvalık by taxi or renting a car.  

*By bus: Anywhere in Turkey is quite easy to find, especially in summer bus Ayvalık. Additional bus services are organized in summer to reach Ayvalık, which is one of the most preferred holiday destinations by local tourists.

*By private car: Those who want to come to Ayvalık from Marmaris should use the Marmaris-Muğla-Çine-Aydın-İzmir-Menemen-Aliağa-Dikili-Ayvalık route via E87 highway.                                                                  Those who want to come to Ayvalık from İstanbul should use the İstanbul-Gemlik-Bursa-Susurluk-Balıkesir-Edremit-Ayvalık route via E881 highway.  

*By ferry: Take the ferryboat from İstanbul Yenikapı to Bandırma and you can reach Ayvalık from Bandırma.

Accommodation in Ayvalık: Ayvalık centre, Cunda island and Sarımsaklı regions are among the most preferred areas for accommodation in Ayvalık. Ayvalık, where boutique hotels stand out, offers accommodation options suitable for all kinds of budgets. Accommodation options include apar hotels, apartments for rent, villas for rent and hostels.

Urban transportation in Ayvalık: Urban transportation in Ayvalık is provided by minibuses and buses. Also, you can reach many points by renting bicycles. There are minibuses between the hours of 06:30 and 00:30 for those who want to go to Cunda island which is 8 km away. Also, there are minibuses to Sarımsaklı beach until the late hours of the night.

What to eat in Ayvalık: In Ayvalık, where Aegean and Mediterranean cuisine is seen, especially olive oil dishes come to the forefront. Nettle salad, cibez salad, sea beans, chicory salad, radish salad and garlic radicchio made from herbs grown in the region are seen at Ayvalık tables. Other flavors recommended in Ayvalık include Ayvalık toast, Ada meatball, Okra with fish, Bakalaros with chickpeas, marasa with lamb meat, tangle with lamb meat, keskek (a dish of mutton or chicken and coarsely ground wheat), stuffed ravioli, stuffed squash blossoms, riddled egg-shaped sweet pastries with ashy water, unripe grape juice, salads made from local herbs, seafoods and appetizers. Recommended desserts include Kemalpaşa dessert, curd cheese dessert, iced almond, gummy pudding, and höşmerim (a sweet made of unsalted cheese).