Ayvalık is a city in the Aegean part of Balikesir Province, Turkey. It’s located on the southern coast of Gulf of Edremit (part of Aegean Sea), across the eastern coast of Greek island of Lesvos, opposite its capital (Mytilene).

Culture and History

Ayvalik was an important trade centre during Ottoman times, it had an autonomous status and even many European powers setted up consulates. The city then was almost completely inhabited by Greeks, who were exchanged with Turks from Crete when a population swap was mandated between governments of Turkey and Greece in 1923. The fusion of local Greek and Cretan cultures caused the character of today’s Ayvalik: while most of the physical historical heritage is clearly Greek, the everyday culture lived on the streets between those buildings, including the local food, is mainly Cretan.

Ayvalik’s ancient name was Kydonia. Although both Kydonia and Ayvalik means ‘the place of quince’, the city is rather known for (and indeed surrounded by) a seemingly endless forest formed by olive trees. Olive has been important to Ayvalik in all ages, as it has been revered by both former Greek residents and present Cretan ‘immigrants’ (who live in Ayvalik for at least three generations).

Ayvalik is one of two bigger towns in northern Aegean Region which has achieved to conserve its traditional architecture (to a high degree, that is), with the other such town being Foca, which is located about 60 km north of Izmir.

Travel to Ayvalik - Visa Requirements

Flights and airtickets to Ayvalik

By train

By car

The city is located close to (approx. 5 km away) main Canakkale-Izmir highway (road number: D550/E87). Those approaching from Istanbul may consider taking one of car ferries to Bandirma to shorten total driving time.

Buses to Ayvalik

By boat

Ferries connect Ayvalik with the Greek island of Lesvos daily during the high season. A round trip costs € 30/person.

Tours and Getting around Ayvalik

Ayvalik tourist attractions and sightseeing

  • Alibey (Cunda) Island A small road bridge connects the island to Lale Island which in turn is connected by a causeway to the mainland (Ayvalik). There are frequent dolmuses (shared taxis) and half hourly buses throughout the year, in addition, in summer, there are also small ferries carrying passengers From Ayvalik to Alibey Island, on the hour. Many churches and monasteries are located on the island, the most famous being the Taksiyarhis Church. The bell of the church stays at the Bergama Museum.

The island is also famous for its fish; you can see fish restaurants located next to each other by the seaside.

  • Devil's Table
  • Old Ayvalik Houses The old Ayvalik houses, located on Alibey Island and in the town of Ayvalik should carefully be examined for the art of wood and stone.
  • Sarimsakli Beach 8 km. from the center of town, Sarimsakli beach is 7 km. long and widens up to 100 metres. Along the beach, there are a number of restaurants and hotels.
  • Altinova Beach 13 km. from the center of the town, Altinova is famous for its beach as well as picnic areas and its forest.
  • Saatli Mosque In the town centre, built by Greeks as a church, and serving as a mosque after 1928.
  • Taksiyarhis Church Built in 1873, Taksiyarhis Church is the center of attention with its reliefs picturing the life of Jesus Christ, the portraits os the Saints and its interior marble design.
  • Saint Nicola Church Is on Alibey Island.
  • Moonlight Monastery
  • Leka Monastery can be observed on the left side of Dalyan Channel when entering the bay, amongst olive trees. Its architecture closely follows traditional monastery architecture as monks themselves built it stone by stone.

Ayvalik city tours

Learn

Work

Ayvalik souvenirs and shopping

Everything related to olive: Olive oil, brined olives, castile soap…

Ayvalik Restaurants: cheap, moderate and expensive

Budget

Mid-range

Splurge

Ayvalik nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs

Ayvalik cheap and luxurious hotels, youth hostels and lodging

  • Mavi Pansiyon, 41 Evler Sardunya Sokak No: 10, Çamlık, ☎ +90 266 312 4888(info@mavipansiyon.com), [1]. Guesthouse with garden 

Contact

(+90) 266 is Ayvalik’s telephone code.

Stay safe

Cope

Get out


This page was last edited by Wikitravel user Vidimian. Based on work by David, Stacy Hall and Cuneyt and Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel. - Content on this page is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 1.0 license

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