About Ayvalık
Ayvalik; It is the apple of the Aegean's eye with its lush green forests, blue flag beaches and stone houses. The tourism potential of the district, which increases the number of local and foreign tourists it hosts every year, is also increasing. Due to the increasing number of tourists during the summer season, the population of the town becomes quite crowded. Ayvalık , also known as Kidonia, meaning Quince, in ancient times, has hosted many civilizations throughout history.
Those planning a seaside holiday in Ayvalık prefer the months between May and September, when the highest temperatures of the season are felt. It is flooded with visitors every season to see its historical and natural beauties.
Where is Ayvalık?
Ayvalık is a beautiful district of Balıkesir, located within the borders of the Aegean Region. It borders Burhaniye in the north, Dikili in the south, Bergama in the east, and the Aegean Sea in the west. The district is 158 km away from Izmir, 280 km from Bursa, 423 km from Istanbul and 680 km from Ankara. You can reach Lesbos Island, located directly opposite, with a 2-hour ferry ride.
Its population
According to 2018 data, its population is 71,063 people. It is a district with a high female population rate and the population growth rate is increasing every year.
Geographical Features
In the district where the Mediterranean climate is observed, summers are hot and dry and winters are warm and rainy. Its surface area is 285 km² and it has more than 100 km of coastline. It has Bezirgan Creek in the north, Altınova in the south, Sarımsak Creek in the east, and the seashore in the west. In the town where the Southeastern and Northeastern winds dominate, the Imbat wind blowing from the west and the Meltem winds in summer are felt. Its economy depends on tourism and agriculture, especially olive growing.
Touristic Places to Visit
There are many places to visit in Ayvalık, a small but beautiful holiday town in the Aegean. Preferred by those who want to have a peaceful holiday away from the noise of the city, Ayvalık is flocked by local and foreign tourists with its unique texture as an old Greek settlement. You need to spare at least 2-3 days to visit the historical Greek houses, Devil's Table, Sarımlı Beach, Cunda Island, Taksiyarhis Church, Ayazma Church, Saatli Mosque and many other places.
Devil's Table
Devil's Table, which is shown as a favorite among the places to visit in Ayvalık, is on a rocky hill, 8 km from Ayvalık center and 4 km from Sarımsaklı. As a place with one of the most beautiful views, it is a must-visit place for those who want to enjoy the Ayvalık Islands and Lesbos Islands. Traces believed to be the devil's footprints are protected in an iron cage. In fact, superstitions such as making a wish by throwing a coin into this cage have increased over time.
There is a paid parking lot at the top for those traveling with their private vehicles. The pleasure of eating and drinking in front of a magnificent view at the Devil's Table, which also has cafes and restaurants, must be insatiable.
cunda Island
Among the 22 islands in Ayvalık, only Cunda Island is inhabited. Cunda Island, also known as Alibey Island; It is the apple of tourists' eyes with its unique bays, Greek taverns and fish restaurants. It is possible to reach the island by car or ferry.
The bridge between Cunda Island and Ayvalık is known as Turkey's first Bosphorus bridge. Cunda Island, one of the most popular holiday destinations, is perfect for a peaceful holiday with its untouched nature, sea, sand and calmness.
Ayazma Church
Ayazma Church, located in Kemalpaşa District in the district center, is called Ayazma, which means "Holy Water". The water inside the church is considered sacred. According to legend, a little girl saw the Virgin Mary coming here every night and drinking water. Since this dream was repeated, the water here was considered sacred by the clergy. When water gushed from the ground in the place the girl said, Ayazma Church was built in the same place in 1890. Garlic stone, unique to the region, was also used in church construction.
The church, which was used as an olive oil factory for a long time, was nationalized and turned into a museum in 2001.
Badavut Beach
It is one of the most beautiful beaches where you can swim in Ayvalı. Badavut Beach, especially preferred by summer vacationers, is a peaceful place on the way to Sarımsaklı. Its water is warm and very clean and it is much more preferred than Sarımsaklı Beach. There are businesses on the beach that rent sun loungers and umbrellas. Badavut Beach, which stands out with its crystal clear water and beach, also has hostels for those who want to stay.
Accommodation Opportunities
There are many accommodation opportunities in Ayvalık, which hosts local and foreign tourists every year with its historical and cultural riches, sea and nature. In addition to hostels and boutique hotels, there are also seaside accommodation centers.
Ayvalık center and Cunda Island are among the most preferred places for accommodation. Sarımsaklı is also among the regions that host the most guests. Since the distance between the regions is close, those who do not have a private vehicle can easily travel by public transportation. Hotels, motels, hostels and boutique hotels offer accommodation services in Ayvalık center, which is close to the beach and fish restaurants. Babacan Hotel, located in the center, is one of them. It is preferred for its calmness as well as the view of Ayvalık Castle and Cunda. Beyaz Yalı Boutique Hotel, built by the Greeks as an olive oil and soap factory, is among the most preferred hotels in the center. It is appreciated for its authentic atmosphere, exquisite view and delicious food.
Ziya Bey Mansion and Taş Konak Boutique Hotel are other options. For camping lovers, Çamlık Camping is the choice of those who want to have a holiday surrounded by nature.
Festivals Special Events
Those who go to Ayvalık cannot get enough of the sea, the beach, the historical and natural beauties, as well as the local food, festivals and festivities. Festivals and events held in Ayvalık provide colorful and entertaining moments to tourists, leaving unforgettable memories.
International Ayvalık Film Festival
The International Ayvalık Film Festival, held between 23-26 October, appeals to movie lovers with short and medium-length films. The festival, sponsored by Ayvalık Municipality, is dedicated to those who lost their lives in Somalia.
Ayvalık Flavors Festival
Ayvalık Tastes Festival, where local dishes are introduced and served to guests, is held every year in September. Tourists have an insatiable day with poetry and dance shows, concerts and exhibitions, as well as the promotion of the district's favorite dishes.
Ayvalık International Music Festival
The festival, held every year in July, aims to promote and develop classical music. Artists from our country and abroad provide guests with pleasant and entertaining moments by feasting on music for 4 days.
Teferic Festivals
Teferiç Festival, held every year in May, is held in Küçükköy District, where citizens of Bosnian origin live. The festival, where Bosnian dishes and folk dances are exhibited, is very colorful and entertaining. While the guests are excited with Balkan songs, their palates are delighted with Bosnian dishes. If your holiday falls in May, you should definitely attend the Teferiç Festival.
Ayvalık Harvest Days
Delicious olives and olive oils are introduced at the Ayvalık Harvest Days festival held every November. During the festival, you can visit olive oil workshops, taste and buy local olives and olive oils.
Food culture
With its delicious local tastes, Ayvalık cuisine appeals to the palate with many flavors, especially seafood. Olive oil dishes, fish and appetizers attract attention in Ayvalık cuisine, where Aegean and Mediterranean flavors are blended. Octopus salad, haddock with chickpeas, ginger shrimp, calamari with vinegar, levengin and Greek pilaki dishes and appetizers are highly appreciated by tourists.
Okra with fish, lakerda, sea beans, celery salad, lakerda, octopus with wine sauce and rock grove are among the popular flavors of Ayvalık. Papalina fish, which comes out at certain times of the year, is recommended as a wonderful delicacy. Papalina fish, also known as sprat fish, is consumed fondly as a classic of Cunda.
Ayvalık cuisine is also famous for its herbs. Nettle salad, sea bean, radish salad, chicory salad, garlic radika, bluegill salad are indispensable flavors of Ayvalık tables.
Cheddar kidonya is perfect with the trio of dill, black pepper and grated kashar served in mussel shells. Curd pastry and Cretan style çullama are local dishes that must be tried. Don't leave Ayvalık without tasting zucchini gondola chicken, Cretan paste, stuffed curd, walnut soup, cheddar zucchini, stephnos and many other Ayvalık local dishes.
Tik Mustafa'nın Yeri, Cunda Deniz Restaurant, Lal Girit Mutfağı and Aivali Food & Art are among the recommended restaurants.
Shopping
You can make your loved ones happy by purchasing souvenirs while you are in Ayvalık. Offering many shopping opportunities, Ayvalık is a place where you will find everything you are looking for, from clothing to souvenirs, from traditional handicrafts to natural foods.
Cunda Sahil Bazaar is one of the most famous shopping centers in Ayvalık. You will find souvenirs ranging from jewelry and home decoration products to clothes, magnets and many other souvenir objects in the shops lined up side by side in Cunda Beach Bazaar.
Ayvalık Antique Dealers Bazaar is a must-visit place for antique lovers and collectors. Many antique items are sold, from old record players to vintage dresses, from porcelain sets to kerosene lamps. Don't leave Ayvalık without visiting Ayvalık Antiques Bazaar, where you will find all the antique products you can think of.
Antique items are offered to enthusiasts at the flea market held every Saturday in the Antiques Bazaar. Ayvalık Neighborhood Market, held on Thursdays, offers fresh vegetables and fruits as well as delicacies prepared by local people. You can find unique flavors, especially olives and olive oil, from olive oil soap to basket cheese and curd cheese, in this market. You should definitely try the Ayvalık cookie with olive oil, mastic and curd.
Transportation Alternatives
Transportation to Ayvalık is provided by road, sea and air. The distance between Balıkesir and Ayvalık is 128 km and the district can be reached in 1 hour and 50 minutes by intercity buses.
Tourism companies that organize ferry services between Ayvalık and Lesbos carry passengers to Lesbos, which is adjacent to Ayvalık. Jale Tur is one of these companies. Jale Tur, where you can purchase Ayvalık ferry tickets , offers ferry services to Lesbos every day. Ayvalık Midilli Jalem tour ferry tickets are offered to customers as one-way or round trip. Round trip Jale tour ferry tickets are offered at much more affordable prices than one-way ferry tickets.
Another tourism company that organizes ferry services between Ayvalık and Lesbos is Jalem Tur. Jalem Tur , which operates ferries every day at 09.00 and 18.00, offers a regular ferry service with mutual ferry services. For a trip where visa is required at the door, a visa application must be made at least 36 hours in advance. You can shorten this process even further if you prepare the documents needed for the visa in advance. Ferry services between Ayvalık and Lesbos have a great impact on revitalizing the economies of both regions. Don't wait until the day you go on holiday to buy ferry tickets. It is especially important for those traveling by car to purchase ferry tickets a few days in advance to avoid disrupting their holiday plans.
