Places to Visit in Ayvalik & Ayvalik Travel Guide

Ayvalık is one of my favorite cities in the North Aegean. Ayvalık is one of the places that make me happy every time I go, with its historical texture, beautiful food, never-ending movement, beautiful sea and magnificent views. Although Cunda and Devil's Table are the first places that come to mind when Ayvalık is mentioned, my favorites are the old streets of Ayvalık and the Macaron District. From the history of Ayvalık Places to visit in Ayvalık list, Eating and drinking in Ayvalık from your suggestions Accommodation in Ayvalık Everything you wonder about Ayvalık, up to the options Ayvalik travel guide This article is waiting for you, have a pleasant reading!

Brief History of Ayvalık

Ayvalık was a city in Antiquity. kind of wild quince It was known by the name Kidonia, which means It is estimated that the first settlers who came to Ayvalık came from Lesbos or Crete. These settlers from the Greek Islands established colonies on the islands in the Gulf of Edremit.

When we talk about the history of Ayvalık, we need to look not only at the Ayvalık district center but also with its 22 islands in front of it. The group of islands located in front of Ayvalık is now called the Ayvalık Islands, and was called "Hekatonnesoi" in Antiquity. Hekatonnesoi Its name comes from Apollo, also known as Hekatos, who was the chief god of the ancient city of Nesos (today's Cunda), the largest of the 22 islands.

Ayvalık and its surroundings BC. Between 330-30 BC Macedonians, BC. It remained under the rule of the Romans between 30 - 395 AD, and the Eastern Roman Empire between 395 - 1453 AD.

When we come to the Ottoman Period; When the Ottoman Empire established a naval base on Alibey Island, the Eastern Roman Empire increased the Greek population by placing Greeks in Ayvalık and its surroundings. The region remained an autonomous region where non-Muslims lived for a while until the Greek uprising in 1821. After the uprising was suppressed, Ayvalık was annexed to the Ottoman Empire in 1840.

When we came to the period of the War of Independence, along with İzmir, Cunda and Ayvalık were occupied by the Greek army on 29 May 1919. The Commander of the 172nd Regiment, District Governor Ali Bey (Afyonkarahisar Deputy Ali Çetinkaya, mentioned by Atatürk in his Speech) did not listen to the decision of the Istanbul government and resisted the occupation and the First Military Liberation struggle started here. This is the reason why Cunda Island is called Ali Bey. After the Great Offensive, in 1922, with the military units entering Ayvalık, the region was completely freed from the occupation of Greece.

The places where the Great Offensive took place Commander-in-Chief Historical National Park Be sure to check out my post.

Having hosted different civilizations throughout history, Ayvalık has been on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List since 2017. I hope it will be on the permanent list soon.

Places in Turkey on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List You may also be interested in my article.

Places to Visit in Beautiful Ayvalık

After learning the history of Ayvalık briefly, let's come to our list of places to visit in Ayvalık. Although Ayvalık is one of the most touristic cities of the North Aegean, its places are not well known apart from Cunda and Devil's Table and Sarmısakli Beach. I will tell you about the known and unknown places worth seeing in Ayvalık.

I love Ayvalık, every time I go, I wander around its side streets, drink tea/coffee in the cafes between the streets and enjoy being idle. I love to travel, especially in the early morning, when it's quiet. However, while writing this article, I realized that my departures have never been focused on producing content. That's why many places don't have photos. Let it be, I will make up for the deficiencies.

You will be able to see the locations of the places in the list of places to visit in Ayvalık on the travel map at the end of the article. Thus, it will be extremely easy to plan a trip to Ayvalık.

Considering that the information such as visiting hours and entrance fee in the article will change according to the period and year, I recommend you to read this article. I do not want to mislead my readers, especially since museums and ruins entrance fees and food and beverage costs increase every year in Turkey.

We will start our list of places to visit in Ayvalık from the center of Ayvalık and continue our list with places to visit in nearby places.

Ayvalık Castle & Cennet Hill & First Bullet Hill

When you take Ayvalık Harbor behind you and look up, you will see a tower on the hill covered with pine trees. This hill is called Heaven Hill or First Bullet Hill. This name was given to the hill in memory of the bullet fired at the enemy by Ali Bey during the War of Independence. There is also a tower inside the grove. You can visit this place to watch the beautiful view of Ayvalık Islands.

Former Tax Office – Yorgola Inn

The building, known as Yorgola Inn, was built by a businessman of Greek origin named Yorgola (Georgola). The building, which was used as a hospital for a period and a tax office for a period, was recently restored and started to be used by Ayvalık Municipality since 2020. The building, located on the main street between Ayvalık Port and its bazaar, was built based on Yorgola's foresight that a railway would pass through Ayvalık, but the road was never built.

Hamidiye Mosque

Hamidiye Mosque is one of the rare structures built as a mosque in Ayvalık. Sultan II. The mosque, which was built by Abdülhamit, was made of red cut stone. You can reach the mosque with a short walk up the hill from Yorgola Han.

Old Portaitissa Church

Portaitissa Church, located in the center of Ayvalık, is the smallest church in Ayvalık in terms of height and area. However, I could not find the church, I would be very happy if you find it and go and share its location in the comments.

Taksiyarhis Church & Memorial Museum

Taksiyarhis Church is the first church of Ayvalık. It was built as a small church in the 15th century, enlarged in the 18th century, and additions were made in the 19th century to give it its present appearance. In the 16th and 17th centuries, Ayvalık grew and developed around this church. The building, which was used as a monopoly warehouse for a while after the War of Independence, was restored and opened to visitors as a museum in 2013.

Let me state that there are Taksiyarhis Churches in Cunda and Lesbos. The name of the church shows us that it was dedicated to the Archangel Michael.

The museum is open to visitors between 09:00-19:00 every day except Mondays. The museum is very close to the center of Ayvalık, you can see its exact location on the map below. Entrance fee is 20 TL, you can visit it for free with Müzekart.

Saatli Mosque – Former Agios Yannis Church

Located in the center of Ayvalık, Saatli Mosque, formerly known as Ayos Yannis Church, is a church built by the Greeks in the 19th century. The bell tower of the church, which was converted into a mosque during the reign of Abdulhamid II, was turned into a clock tower and got its name from here. Although the icons from the church period in the mosque were painted and covered, it is very clear from the details of its architecture that it is an old church.

Çınarlı Mosque – Former Eyos Georgios Church

Çınarlı Mosque, an old Greek Orthodox Church (Eyos Georgios Church) dating from the 19th century, is another of the structures in Ayvalık that was converted from a church to a mosque. Despite the minaret added later, the mosque, which takes its name from a great plane tree at the back of the mosque, is clear from every detail that it is a church in terms of architecture. Çınarlı Mosque is one of the most magnificent buildings of Ayvalık with its pinkish exterior.

Hayrettin Pasha Mosque – Old Kato Panaya Church

Kato Panaya Church, one of the oldest churches in Ayvalık, was built in 1850. The church was converted into a mosque in the Republican Period and opened to worship as Hayrettin Pasha Mosque, which bears the same name as the neighborhood in which it is located. When the building was used as a church, there were church parsons and two education buildings in the garden. Educational buildings are used as primary schools today. While the church was turned into a mosque, the icons on the walls were covered with plaster and paint.

Hagia Triada Church – Former Tobacco Building

The Hagia Triada Church, built in 1845, is among the Greek Orthodox Churches in Ayvalık. The church building, which was used as a mosque and tobacco warehouse after the population exchange, is now abandoned to its fate. If we look at the news in 2020, the restoration decision has been taken and it will be turned into a museum, but there is no work at the moment. I hope restoration work will begin as soon as possible.

Ayvalik Spring

One of the most important religious buildings of Ayvalık is the Panagia Phaneromeni Ayazma, or Ayvalık Ayazma with its current name. Panagia is the Orthodox name given to the Virgin Mary. In other words, the holy spring is dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

Ayazma is the name given to the structures, which are generally located under or next to the Orthodox Churches, independently or independently, with a healing water flowing and believed to heal the diseases and help the wishes come true. It means holy place.

Ayvalık Ayazma was used as an olive oil factory for a while, and after the restoration that started in 2016, it was opened to visitors as a museum.

The building, which has the status of a museum, can be visited between 10:00-17:00 every day except Mondays.

Macaron District

If you ask me “Where is your favorite place in Ayvalık?”, my answer is definitely "Macaron Mahallesi". Macaron Neighborhood is a place where I enjoy spending time wandering all day with its old Greek houses, cobblestone streets, cafes and restaurants where you can find delicious food, design shops, antique shops, traditional tailors and barber shops. The neighborhood, which is quiet in the morning and quite crowded in the evening, is beautiful in every way.

Let me underline that it is not a macaron, but a macaron. Macaron is the Greek name for the marjoram plant. Since it is widely grown in homes, the neighborhood got its name from this plant.

If you go to Macaron District; Make sure to stop by Devil's Coffee, Macaron Custard, Macaron Bakery and Artisan Grocery. I always prefer this region to stay. my favorite hotel Macaron Mansion.

Ayvalik Bazaar

One of the lively and lively spots of Ayvalık is undoubtedly the Ayvalık Bazaar. There are many shops where you can buy local milk and olive products, as well as clothing, food and beverage, whatever you need in the bazaar, where there is no lack of movement at all hours of the day. They also have a dessert shop, alas! Imren and Guler, the most popular confectioners of the bazaar, I am Imrenci!

Ayvalik Beach

Ayvalık is first and foremost a coastal town. Walking along the beach, sitting in the tea gardens on the beach, eating and drinking are the most popular activities here. Along the Ayvalık coast, there are many cafes side by side, and restaurants and shops across the road. Especially in the evening, you can take a stroll and benefit from the famous breeze of Ayvalık.

Cunda – Ali Bey Island

When it comes to a holiday in the North Aegean, Cunda is the first place that comes to mind, not Ayvalık. Cunda deserves this reputation with its streets adorned by Old Greek Houses, Taş Kahvesi, windmills, Selim and Necdet City Library, colorful souvenir shops, taverns that make delicious seafood and appetizers, cafes, magnificent scenery and sparkling sea. Although my favorite is the more modest Ayvalık, Cunda is also one of the places I frequent.

It is very difficult to find a place in restaurants or hotels without a reservation, as the streets can be too crowded to walk in the summer months. For this reason, I prefer to go to Cunda in October, when the season is over.

Another name for Cunda is Ali Bey Island, in memory of Ali Çetinkaya, who fired the first shot at the enemy, which I described in the history section. Cunda is actually an independent island from the mainland, but when it is close to the mainland, it is connected by a bridge. This bridge is called Turkey's first Bosphorus bridge.

> Cunda travel notes

Devil's Table

Located near Küçükköy, 10 km from the center of Ayvalık, the Devil's Table is a viewpoint where you can watch the Ayvalık Islands from a wide perspective. Especially at sunset, local and foreign tourists flock here to watch the magnificent view of the opposite islands. I would like to remind you that you will encounter an incredible crowd at those hours. There is a restaurant business here, you can eat and drink something.

Of course, it is impossible not to look at this view and not write legends. There is a legend that the Devil's Supper is named after;

According to the rumor, a serious famine broke out among the Greeks and Turks living in Ayvalık and its environs in the early period of the Ottoman Empire. While people were trying to cope with hunger, priests and teachers came together and tried to find a solution. In the end, they came to the conclusion that the person who caused the famine was a mountain dweller named Panelope, because that name was one of the names of the devil. He learned about Panelope, who lived far from people, from a shepherd. He immediately started his preparations and prepared a huge table, and there was even bird's milk on the table.

The people who came to punish Panelope, when they saw this table, rushed to the food with the effect of being hungry for a long time. While everyone was lingering at the table, Panelope escaped and saved his life. From that day on, it began to be called the Devil's Table.

It's not over! There's also a footprint where the Devil's Supper was. This footprint is said to belong to the devil. Everyone throws a coin on that footprint and makes a wish.

As for the story of the footprint;

To the north of the Devil's Table are the Ida (Kaz) Mountains. Ida; The place where Zeus watched the Trojan Wars, seduced his wife Hera, and the beauty contest between Hera, Aphrodite and Athena. It is also believed that the door to heaven is here. Zeus gives the task of exorcising the demon to the moon goddess Selene. Expelled from heaven, the devil runs away by putting one foot here and the other on the island of Lesbos. This footprint is believed to be that footprint.

Küçükköy

There is a place that has just entered among the beautiful villages of the North Aegean. Küçükköy, 5 km from Ayvalık, is an old Greek village. While it was a village that was abandoned to its fate until recently, the fate of Küçükköy changes when a group of intellectuals from the big city discover the village. Kucukkoy City Museum, Artura art gallery, Kucukkoy Cultural Center are among the places to see in the village, which is shaped with the smart village concept.

How would you like to go to Lesbos Island while you're at it?

While in Ayvalık, you can visit Lesvos Island, which you can cross in 45 minutes by fast ferry and 1,5 hours by car ferry from Ayvalık Port. If you ask what to do in Lesvos, Mytilene travel guide Check out my post.

Where are your favorite places in Ayvalık, do not forget to write in the comments!

List of Places to Visit in Ayvalık

The list of places to visit in Ayvalık is summarized below.

• Ayvalik Castle
• Heaven Hill
• Former Tax Office
• Hamidiye Mosque
• Taksiyarhis Museum (closed on Monday)
• Old Police Station Building
• Clock Mosque
• Cinarli Mosque
• Hayrettin Pasha Mosque
• Ayvalık Spring (closed on Monday)
• Macaron District
• Ayvalik Bazaar
• Cunda – Alibey Island
• Devil's Table
• Küçükköy
• Gomec – Ataturk Rocks
• Lesvos Island

Map of Places to Visit in Ayvalık

All the information you will need for your Ayvalik trip, such as places to visit in Ayvavlık, eating and drinking spots in Ayvalik, accommodation and transportation options, are on the map below. You can zoom in by clicking on the map.

Delicious Tastes – Food and Drink in Ayvalık

There are beautiful and pleasant cafes, patisseries and restaurants in Ayvalık. If I try to count all of them one by one, we cannot see the end of the article, so I have listed what I will say below;

Devil's Coffee

There are two drinks that come to mind when Ayvalık is mentioned; the first one is verjuice strain, the second one is black mulberry juice. Devil's Coffee is a traditional coffeehouse where you can find verjuice and black mulberry juice, herbal teas such as sage and thyme tea, and coffee with gum. Coffee has such an interesting name because of the owner of the coffee, who was nicknamed "the devil" because he was very naughty as a child.

Imren Patisserie

When you come to Ayvalık, one of the desserts you should definitely taste is Curd Dessert and gummy ice cream next to it. There are two famous dessert shops in Ayvalık Bazaar where you can eat curd dessert. The first of these is İmren Patisserie. My favorite is the patisserie, where you can find a variety of cookies, viscous desserts and ice cream as well as Curd Dessert.

Guler Sweet House

Another option for Curd Dessert in Ayvalık Bazaar is Güler Tatlıhanesi, just two steps from İmren Patisserie. The menu is the same, Desserts, cookies and ice cream.

Toasters Bazaar

Undoubtedly, it is impossible to come to Ayvalık and not eat Ayvalık Toast. It was acceptable to make the original Ayvalık toast with tulum cheese and sausage. I usually prefer to eat at Tostçular Bazaar, with buttermilk on the side. I ate at Aşkın Tost Evi, which was highly recommended on my last visit, and frankly, I didn't like it. It was very dry and weak in terms of material amount to me. If you have a favorite toaster, please write it in the comments.

Macaron Custard, Historical Macaron Bakery, Violets, Macaron Chocolate & Coffee

There are 4 cafes lined up side by side in Macaron Neighborhood; Macaron Custard, Historical Macaron Bakery, Purple Salkım, Macaron Chocolate & Coffee. Places you can stop by to eat almond pudding or mastic custard at Macaron Muhallebicisi, buy cookies from Macaron Bakery, have tea with local uncles in Mor Salkım and take a coffee break at Macaron Chocolate & Coffee. I'm not saying it in vain because I love Macaron Neighborhood.

Tavern Suggestion; Okay Meyhane and Jewelry & Raki Meyhane

When you go to Ayvalık, it is not possible to return without raki-fish. In addition, one has to sit in a tavern to taste the beautiful Greek appetizers and enjoy the seafood. Ok Meyhane and Jewelry&Raki Meyhane Places I can recommend in the center of Ayvalık.

Before I forget, I also like the tea gardens on the beach to spend time in Ayvalık 😍

Where to Stay in Ayvalık?

My preference for accommodation in Ayvalık is located in Macaron Mahallesi. Macaron Mansion My favorite boutique hotel in recent years. Macaron Mansion is a hotel that started to serve after an old Ayvalık house was restored to its original form.

When I came to Ayvalık years ago, I stayed at Sato Pension, it is a more modest place. Close to the center of Ayvalık, an old Ayvalık house was restored and converted into a pension.

You will see many accommodation options in Ayvalık. If you are coming to Ayvalık for a cultural trip like me, staying in one of the old mansions in the center and feeling the spirit of Ayvalık is the best accommodation alternative. Ayvalik hotel prices It may be a little higher in the old mansions in the center, but you will see that it is worth it.

Activities to Do in Ayvalık

Of course, almost all of the things to do in Ayvalık are about the sea. You can take daily or longer boat tours with boats departing from Ayvalık center or Cunda, and enjoy the surrounding beaches and coves and the sparkling Aegean Sea.

Another activity you can do in Ayvalık is diving. There are full-fledged diving boats in Ayvalık. If you do not have diving experience, you can do exploratory diving or take diving training; If you have experience, you can dive in different diving routes.

Ayvalik Beaches

Ayvalık and Cunda are very rich in terms of beaches. You can see these beautiful beaches as a list below.

• Sarimsakli Beach
• Badavut Beach
• Altinkum Beach
• Igdeli Beach
• Cataltepe Beach
• Ortunc Bay
• Duba Beach
• Patrica Bay
• Pasha Bay
• Capri Beach
• Sobe Beach
• Altinova Beach

Don't Return Without Making It to Ayvalık!

If you have been to Ayvalık;

• Of course, without eating Ayvalık Toast,
• Without eating curd dessert,
• Without eating gummy pudding in Macaron District,
• Without exploring the old Ayvalık Streets,
• On the beach without drinking tea against the sea,
• Without watching the sunset in Devil's Softa,
• Without eating gummy ice cream in Cunda,
• Without taking a walk along the beach in the evening,
• If you have time and a Schengen visa, before you go to Lesbos,
• Do not return without making raki-fish!

Where is Ayvalik? How to go to Ayvalık?

Ayvalık is a district of Balikesir province in the north of the Aegean Sea. Edremit, Akçay and Altınoluk are in the north, Dikili in the south and Foça below. Just across Ayvalık is the Greek Island of Lesvos (Lesvos).

• If you are coming from Istanbul to Ayvalık using the Osmangazi bridge, the distance is 409 km.
• If you want to come to Ayvalık from Istanbul by plane, you can fly to Edremit Airport and from there you can reach Ayvalık by shuttle. The flight takes about 1 hour.
• The distance between Ayvalık and Çanakkale is 166 km.
• The distance between Ayvalık and Balikesir is 128 km,
• The distance between Ayvalık and Edremit is 48 km.
• The distance between Ayvalık and Bergama is 64 km.
• The distance between Ayvalık and Dikili is 41 km.
• The distance between Ayvalık and Foça is 136 km.
• The distance between Ayvalık and İzmir is 156 km.

You can reach Ayvalık by bus from all of the above destinations.

You can take the ferry from Ayvalık to Lesbos Island. For details How to go to Mytilene? You can take a look at my post.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ayvalık

Ayvalik Photos

The Ayvalık photos I used in this article are listed below. I would like to state that it cannot be used anywhere without my permission and consent.

Ayvalik Video

As a small souvenir from the Ayvalık trip we made with my wife in 2016, you can watch the video prepared by my wife below.