'''Ayval?k''' is a city in Northern Aegean, Turkey. It_fs 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).

Understand

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_fs 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_fs ancient name was ''Kydonia''. Although both Kydonia and Ayvalik means _ethe place of quince_f, 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 _eimmigrants_f (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.

  • <listing name="Tourism Information Office" alt="Turizm Dan??ma" directions="" address="" phone="+90 266 312 21 22" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price=""></listing>
  • Get in

    By plane

    By train

    The nearest station is Bal?kesir, on the line between ?zmir (Basmane station) and Band?rma on the Sea of Marmara (with fast ferry connections to ?stanbul). There are two trains in each direction every day except Tuesday, when only one of the trains runs.

    Between Bal?kesir and Ayval?k, the bus takes about 1 h 45 min.

    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.

    By bus

    By boat

    Ferries connect Ayvalik with the Greek island of Lesvos daily during the high season. A round trip costs ? 35/person.

    Get around

    See

  • '''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.
  • Do

  • Around the outlying islands in the bay, especially in the area off Gune? Island, Yuvarlak Island and Kerbela Rocks offers some '''diving''' opportunities. The most popular area is the waters off Kiz Island with interesting underwater fauna at a depth of 19 mt.
  • Watch the '''sunset''' at the Devil_fs Table (''?eytan Sofras?'') on the top of the hill (south of the town) overlooking the town, bay, coves, and the islands.
  • Learn

    Work

    Buy

    Everything related to '''olive''': Olive oil, brined olives, castile soap_c

    Eat

    Budget

    Mid-range

    Splurge

    Drink

    Sleep

  • Mavi Pansiyon. 1 Evler Sardunya Sokak No: 10, Caml?k" directions="" phone="+90 266 312 4888" email="info@mavipansiyon.com" fax="" url="http://www.mavipansiyon.com/en/default.aspx" checkin="" checkout="" price="">Guesthouse with garden</sleep>

    Contact

    (+90) '''266''' is Ayvalik_fs telephone code.

    Stay safe

    Cope

    Get out