Assos
We kick off the five-day Aegean tour in Assos.
Also known as Behramkale, Assos is an ancient city approximately 15 km south of the Ayvacık district in Çanakkale. Small, charming Assos features a calm, cool sea and legendary historical artifacts.
Traces of the Lydian, Persian, Galatian, Pergamon, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman empires linger in Assos, where the first settlement was believed to date from around 1000 BC. The Assos Ancient City and the Temple of Athena are must-visit sites, while the narrow streets and old stone buildings of Behramkale village have an quaint beauty.
In the evenings, Behramkale village is particularly pleasant. Stroll and shop at street stalls with souvenirs, woven products, and herbs and spices. At sunset, the Ancient City of Assos and the Temple of Athena offer magnificent views. And, for dinner, sample the local fish and other specialties.
For a detailed guide to Assos, click here.
You can swim in the Ancient Harbor and Kadırga Bay, which have clear, clean water. Or, drive to one of the many beaches in the area; Sokak Ağzı Beach and Yeşil Liman Beach are the most well-known.
For accommodation, Assos offers boutique hotels, hostels and camping areas, as well as one of Türkiye’s best glamping areas.
Kaz Mountains
The next stop on this whirlwind Aegean tour: the Kaz Mountains! On the border of Çanakkale and Balıkesir, the Kaz Mountains are easily accessible to Akçay and Altınoluk and to Edremit and Ayvalık – go for a swim and return to the mountains for a peaceful night.
The Kaz Mountains are frequently mentioned in Greek mythology and, in Homer’s epic poem, The Iliad, the Kaz Mountains are referred to as “Ida with thousand springs” in tribute to the area’s bountiful nature and fresh climate. Kazdağı National Park is among the Earth’s important areas in terms of fauna and flora.
The park’s elevation, as well as its oxygen and moisture levels, have allowed a unique ecosystem to develop. There are about 30 endemic plants and more than 800 plant species, including medicinal plants.
It is said that sleeping in the Kaz Mountains is like spending the night in one of the world’s cleanest oxygen tanks.
During the Kaz Mountains segment of this Aegean tour, we suggest visiting Adatepe village and the Adatepe Olive Oil Museum, the Altar of Zeus, the Sarıkız Tomb, Mıhlı Stream, Şahindere Canyon, and the Crying Waterfall.
Hotels, hostels and bungalows are available in the Kaz Mountains, along with nice camping and glamping areas.
Ayvalık
As Ayvalık and Cunda are two of the North Aegean’s most popular holiday destinations, the third day of our Aegean tour brings us to Ayvalık, the tourism center of Balıkesir and one of the most beautiful locales in the Aegean, along with the nearby island of Cunda.
Historical houses and streets, quaint villages, lovely landscapes, lively restaurants, beaches, walking and cycling routes … Ayvalık offers all the elements of the perfect summer getaway. But with only one day in Ayvalık, we need to plan. Swim at one of the beautiful beaches, such as Sarimsakli Beach, close to Ayvalık or Patriça Beach, on Cunda.
For more information on the Ayvalık beaches, click here. If your preferences run to nature walks, click here.
Notable sites in Ayvalık include the Taksiyarhis Memorial Museum, Macaron Mahallesi and the Saatli Mosque. But visitors can discover churches, mosques and other historical sites by simply wandering along the streets of both Ayvalık and Cunda. For sunset views, the Devil’s Table is quite popular.
Dining in Ayvalık and Cunda is a treat: Ayvalık’s olives and olive oils are famous throughout the region and Cunda, especially, is known for its fish restaurants and evening entertainment venues. But don’t stay out too late because Izmir is our next stop.
İzmir
Our whirlwind tour takes us now to İzmir, the pearl of the Aegean and the third most populous city in Türkiye: an Aegean route is incomplete in Izmir.
But, on the way, we’ll make three stops: Dikili, Foça and Bergama. Dikili, for a rest and a swim at one of its magnificent beaches. Foça, to visit old stone buildings, the bazaar and historical sites. And Bergama, for the Ancient City of Pergamon, one of the most important ancient cities in Türkiye.
In Izmir’s bustling city center, Alsancak, Kordon, Basmane, the Historical Elevator, the Cable Car and the Karşıyaka Bazaar are good places to visit. As well, some of the famous Aegean street food is found here: boyoz (a savory Turkish pastry of Sephardic Jewish origin) and egg duo are on our list.
For more sea, head to the beautiful beaches of Çeşme and Alaçatı, among the most popular summer holiday destinations in both İzmir and Türkiye, and renowned as windsurfing areas. The north of Çeşme is also a diving destination. If beaches are your preference, check out Izmir beaches for beginners.
After all that activity, we head to Seferihisar, one of Türkiye’s quietest cities, for the night. Here, boutique hotels are available, as are camping and glamping sites. Overnighting in the calm of Seferihisar will prepare you for the final leg of this Aegean tour. If you prefer to camp someplace else in the area, click here.
Bodrum
The last day of this Aegean tour is dedicated to beautiful Bodrum but, on the way, we make three stops: Kuşadası, Ephesus and Didim. Kuşadası, for swimming and walking. The Ancient City of Ephesus, because it is one of the most magnificent monuments in Türkiye, it is on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List and it is considered one of the most important cities of antiquity. In Didim, relax along one of the magnificent beaches.
At last we reach Bodrum, home to orange and tangerine groves and purple flowers, the subject of folk tales and songs. The charm and beauty of Bodrum attract both seasonal and permanent residents, making it one of Türkiye’s most popular summer holiday centers; naturally, there are amazing beaches.
For secluded locales, see the quietest and calmest bays of Bodrum. If you want more buzz with your beaches and bays, check out Sea-Sand-Sun: Our Bodrum beaches and bays.
Other sites to see in Bodrum include Bodrum Castle, the Halicarnassus Mausoleum, Etrim and Karakaya villages, the Bodrum Underwater Museum, and the Yalıkavak Marina. Göktürkbükü is also considered a holiday hot spot, with restaurants and cafes, while bohemian Gumusluk offers handcrafted souvenirs, narrow streets, and lots of music and art.
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