Akhisar Travel Guide & Places to Visit in Akhisar

Akhisar, Turkey's largest olive producer with a history of five thousand years, really surprised me! Extremely delicious food; its bazaar, which has not lost its traditional atmosphere; most of all, it made me very happy to know their warm and clean people. I want everyone to hear that Akhisar is not just a road stop, but a place to visit and spend time, and everyone to meet the sweetest people of Akhisar. Places to visit in Akhisar, what to eat in Akhisar, where to eat, how to get to Akhisar, where to stay in Akhisar A book containing all the information you need for your trip to Akhisar, such as Akhisar travel guide I prepared, have a nice read!

Places to Visit in Akhisar

My go to Akhisar; Pam New Media organization took place on the occasion of the Leziz Akhisar event, which was organized with the invitation of Akhisar Mayor Besim Dutlulu and Akhisar Municipality. Frankly, my expectation was not very high in terms of places to visit on the way to Akhisar. When the organization was more about the food culture of Akhisar, I thought there weren't many places to visit. However, I realized how wrong I was, both during the research I did before I went and during the three-day Leziz Akhisar event. Below you will find the places I have visited and wanted to see in Akhisar.

To see Akhisar flavors and Akhisar culture closely Delicious Akhisar I suggest you take a look at his social media account.

Akhisar Museum

I always say, "If you want to get to know, visit and see a city, first visit its museum". This is also true for Akhisar. Akhisar Museum is a very small museum, I wish Akhisar, which has a deep-rooted history, had a fuller museum.

The museum has departments of Archeology, Ethnography and Arasta. There are finds from the excavations in Thyateria Ancient City and Akhisar, presentations about Akhisar's daily life and culture, and areas related to the commercial life of Akhisar that affect its culture. The most striking parts of the museum are the sarcophagus (1st photo) in its garden and the prophecy stone (2nd photo) right at the entrance. If you make a wish by touching the divination stone, all your doors that cannot be opened will be opened, but you have to touch the upper part, not the hole in the middle. If you touch the wrong place, your wish will not come true.

A single ticket is valid for Akhisar Museum and Thyateria Antique City, 2022 entrance fee is 40 TL, you can enter free with Müzekart.

Thyateria Ancient City

In the city center of Akhisar, there is an archaeological site where magnificent columns rise. Even when I saw the columns from the outside, I was very excited because these columns actually tell me the importance of Akhisar in ancient times. Thyateria Ancient City, the first settlement of Akhisar, this is an ancient Greek city.

These beautiful columns are from the Lydians and the Pergamon Kingdom period. Although the area where the columns are located is called the "Hill Tomb", these columns are arranged around an ancient road. And this road is the road to one of the first seven churches of Christianity founded in Western Anatolia by St. Paul (St. Paul) after the spread of Christianity in Anatolia. With this feature, Akhisar is an important city for Christianity, thus attracting many foreign tourists.

You can see the 7 holy churches of Christianity in Western Anatolia below. When you look at the list, you will understand the strategic importance of Akhisar better.

• Ephesus (Ephesus),
• Smyrna (Izmir),
• Pergamon (Pergamum),
• Thyateria (Akhisar),
• Sard (Sard),
• Philadelphia (Alasehir),
• Laodicea (Denizli).

The Heart of the City, National Sovereignty Square

After taking a tour in Akhisar's history, you can start to discover the new face of the city. The biggest square of the city is Milli Sovereignty Square, where Akhisar Municipality and Atatürk Statue are located. The square is also used as a meeting point for official holidays and special occasions. There is a beautiful olive tree right in front of the town hall, don't forget to take a photo with it while you're gone.

If you want to explore Akhisar by bike, which is very enjoyable, you can rent a bike for free by giving your ID to Akhisar Municipality.

Aegean Olive Museum

Akhisar has produced many products throughout history, from olives to tobacco, from different food products to wine. An old butchery building in Akhisar Bazaar is now used as the Olive Museum. While the tools for the production of different products such as olive production, olive oil and soap are exhibited in the building, this place also serves as a cafe. I had a chance to try their coffee, it's very good, they serve many food options such as hamburger and pasta.

Entry to the Olive Museum is free.

Pasha Mosque and Pasha Bath

One of the things I love about Akhisar is its squares adorned with great plane trees. In one of those squares, there is the Pasha Mosque and the Pasha Bath, next to the Arasta Bazaar. The mosque, which even found its place in Evliya Çelebi's travel book, has two separate prayer places, which are rarely seen. A hammam was built to generate income for the mosque, which was built in the 14th century.

Şeyhisa District with its Colorful Houses

Şeyhisa District, one of the old neighborhoods of Akhisar, started to be colored under the leadership of Akhisar Municipality. The one-story and two-story houses are painted in vibrant colors, beautifully patterned, creating a very photographic neighborhood. Wander around the neighborhood, take pictures of the colorful buildings, buy a bagel from the neighborhood bakery, sit in the cafe and chat with the residents. Şeyhisa Mahallesi will soon be the most popular place in Akhisar, don't say it didn't!

Zeynelzade Children's Library, the World's First Children's Library

The world's first children's library is in Akhisar and nobody knows about it! We are a nation that has gifted the 23 April National Sovereignty and Children's Day to the children of the world, isn't it normal that we have established the world's first children's library?

The library was opened in the courtyard of Hashoca Mosque with 1797 manuscripts in 923. Katip Çelebi's 'Keşfüzzünun' is also in the library. Located in two small buildings, the library still actively serves as a children's library today.

Arasta Bazaar, the Heart of Akhisar

Do you know small Anatolian cities? There is always a bazaar in the city. There are many craftsmen in Akhisar Arasta, from tinsmiths to meatball manufacturers, from rope makers to nalın makers, from basket makers to coppersmiths. Arasta is a place where you must take time to understand Akhisar's daily life and economy.

While walking around Arasta, do not forget to taste Akhisar's own soda brand, Four Season soda.

One of the Two Oldest Mosques in the City, Yeni Mosque

Despite its name, Yeni Mosque, one of the oldest mosques in Akhisar, along with the Pasha Mosque, was built in 1503. The mosque was built by Gülruh Sultan, the wife of Beyazid II. The complex was built in the form of a mosque, bath, madrasa, soup kitchen and covered bazaar complex, but parts of the madrasa, soup kitchen and covered bazaar have not survived to this day.

Uğur Mumcu Culture and Art Center

The old building of Akhisar Municipality, which is not in compliance with the earthquake regulations, has been strengthened and made usable again, and today it serves as Uğur Mumcu Culture and Art Center. The building, which is quite large, has many areas that Akhisar residents can benefit from, such as a conference hall, art workshops, dance hall, tile course room, music and sound recording room, barrier-free workshop and children's workshops.

In the garden of the cultural center, there is Kafe Koop serving under pine trees. The specialty of this cafe is that it is the business of Akhisar Women's Cooperative, everyone who works and produces is a woman. The cooperative also produces products such as noodles, olives, olive oil, from this link You can access and buy products.

Selvili Village View Hill to Watch the Magnificent Olive Sea

Located 17 km from Akhisar city center, Selvili Village is one of the most beautiful spots where you can see the olive sea in Akhisar plain, Turkey's largest olive producer. You can come here not only to watch the olive sea, but also to have breakfast at the Seyir Cafe on weekends.

A woman who is the manager of Seyir Kafe offers a delicious breakfast consisting of her own products, from jam to tomato paste. As of May 2023, the price of mixed breakfast per person is 140 TL. I may have neglected the breakfast a little while looking at the view, but especially the menemen was very good.

Zeytinliova Village and Pond in the Greenery

Zeytinliova Village, located 18 km from Akhisar center, is a migrant village that provides an important part of olive production to Akhisar. The largest historical stone oil mill in and around Akhisar is located in Zeytinliova. There are many boutique olive oil producers in the village.

Another beauty of the village is Zeytinliova Pond, which is located on a slightly hilly area 2 km from the village. There are picnic and walking areas and cafeterias around an artificial pond. On weekends, families from the surrounding area have a pleasant time here. There is an entrance fee to the pond area.

1653-Year-Old Monumental Olive Tree Located on the Border of Kırkağaç

On the way from Akhisar towards Kırkağaç, there is a 1653-year-old monumental olive tree on the border of Kırkağaç. If you are interested in monumental trees, I recommend you to visit this tree.

Sindelli Memorial Garden Filled with Monumental Olive Trees

I do not describe Akhisar as the sea of ​​olives for nothing. There is a memorial garden with more than 22 olive trees ranging from 500 to 1500 years old in the village of Sindelli, which is 70 km away from the center of Akhisar. The garden is open to visitors, you can go and see it whenever you want.

Keskinoglu Classic Car Museum

In Akhisar, there is a classic car museum established by Keskinoğlu group of companies, I did not have the chance to go and see it. I hope I have the opportunity to see it on my next visit.

Along with the classic cars in the museum; You can also see different vehicles such as classic trucks, buses, tractors, engines, fire trucks and bicycles. Vehicles serving the Keskinoğlu group of companies are also exhibited in a part of the museum. Located in Torbalı KEY Museum not to be confused with, it was founded by the Özgörkey Family.

What to Eat in Akhisar?

When Akhisar is mentioned, of course, the first thing that comes to mind is Akhisar Meatballs, but Akhisar has a great cuisine created with the influence of different cultures. Especially Akhisar Katmeri and offal products are the flavors you must try. Almost every place where you can try different flavors in Akhisar is within walking distance and most of them are on the same street, so my advice would be to eat a little bit of everything to taste everything.

I list the places that will cheer your palate in Akhisar below;

• For breakfast Selvili Village View Hill
• For Akhisar Meatballs Meatballs Ahmet, Meatball Demo, Meatballs Imren
• For Akhisar Meatballs with Yoghurt Meatballs Ozlem
• For the hand made tahini halva Nursevcan Halva
• For the Akhisar salty katmer dish Star Katmer ve Ugur Katmer
• For delicious pickles with salty katmer Guven Pickles
• For the pita trotter soup Paçacı Leader
• For Kokorec lovers; Solen Kokorec, Sen Kardesler Kokorec, Oz Sen Brothers Kokorec, Saray Kokorec
• To enjoy the tavern with delicious food in Akhisar Baraka Mey
• For women's labor products Uğur Mumcu Cultural Center Cafe Cafe Koop
• For a place in the forest, with a drink Camlik Restaurant (Ballica Village)
• For yummy ice cream Orchid Ice Cream, Pyramid Ice Cream
• For a modern interpretation of Akhisar flavors Kayalıoğlu Municipality Facility (Currently closed, see if it is opened during your visit)
• If you can find it, lamb kebab made during holidays and hidirezllez Sura,
• For award-winning olive oil flavors Aspro Castro Olive Oils.

Akhisar Travel Guide

After telling about the places to visit in Akhisar, I would like to give you information such as the best time to go to Akhisar, how to get to Akhisar, where to stay, and what we need to return without going to Akhisar.

Best Time to Go to Akhisar

Whenever you go to Akhisar, you can see delicious food and the places I mentioned above. However, I went just in Hıdırellez time (May 6th) and had the opportunity to see the celebrations that people gathered in the picnic areas. There were very enjoyable celebrations in Dallıtepe picnic area of ​​Beyoba Village. I would definitely consider going during Hıdırellez. And of course, if you go during the olive harvest, it will be a different pleasure to witness the harvest.

Where is Akhisar, How to go to Akhisar?

You can reach Akhisar in 1,5 hours by bus from Izmir bus station. It is possible to reach Akhisar by buses between Izmir and Istanbul. The closest airport to arrive by plane is Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport.

Where to Stay in Akhisar?

We stayed at the Fayton Hotel in Akhisar, this is the best option in Akhisar. Both owners and staff were very caring.

Don't go back to Akhisar without doing it!

Although Akhisar has a very important place in olive production in our country, it is not like a commercial city, but like a warm Aegean town. The city center maintains its nostalgic atmosphere. If you go to this beautiful city, I have listed below what I would recommend you to do;

• Without seeing the ancient city of Thyateria, which bears the traces of a 5000-year history,
• Renting the free bicycles of Akhisar Municipality and walking the streets,
• Without seeing the colorful houses of Şeyhisa District,
• Without tasting Akhisar flavors in at least 3-4 places in the bazaar,
• Without eating Akhisar Meatballs,
• Without chatting with Yildiz Katmer's dessert operators and, of course, without eating katmer,
• Without drinking pita head and trotter soup at Paçacı Önder,
• Without getting halva from Nursevcan Halva,
• Sitting in one of the tea gardens under the great plane trees and chatting with the people of Akhisar,
• Without seeing the Egea Olive Museum,
• Seeing the olive sea view from Selvili Village,

Do not return from Akhisar!

You will often hear the name of Akhisar as a gastronomic city soon, I say go and see it before everyone else leaves!

Travel Map in Akhisar

You can reach all places such as places to visit, eating and drinking places and hotels in the above article on the Akhisar Travel Map below.

Thank you!

Pam New Media organization of my Akhisar trip; I mentioned at the beginning that I realized it with the invitation of Akhisar Mayor Besim Dutlulu and Akhisar Municipality. At the end of my writing; To Deniz Sarıhanlıoğlu, Sare Akıcı, Buğra Tokmakoğlu, Sezgin Yusuf Üzen from Pam Yeni Medya, who planned the Leziz Akhisar organization and invited me; Akhisar Mayor Besim Dutlulu, vice presidents Ahmet Tınazlı and Ekrem Kayserili, who helped make this magnificent organization come to life, and all the municipal employees who helped, all the shopkeepers we visited, who took care of us as if they were their guests at home, and all my influencer friends with whom we shared the time at the Leziz Akhisar event, which made this trip unique. endless thanks!