islands Aegean

Gökçeada (Gökçe Island)

The island is near Çanakkale at the mouth of the Dardanelles (Gallipoli) Straits. As the largest of the Turkish islands, Gökçeada is ringed with pristine bays. There is a ferry from Çanakkale on the Asian side of the straits or from north of Eceabat at Kabatepe on the European side. Gökçeada was formerly Greek and is relatively unspoilt. It is remarkable for its untouched coves and breath-taking views. Old Greek villages worth visiting include: Kaleköy, Zeytinli, Tepeköy, Bademli and Dereköy. In Gökçeada you can nourish your skin in the natural mud baths at Aydıncık Beach, drink Turkish coffee in cafés at the top of Kaleköy and tour around the narrow streets of the island. If you want to witness a spectacular sunset at the end of the day in Gökçeada, you can climb up to the top of Uğurlu Village and experience the colourful scene as the sun goes down. Do not leave Gökçeada without seeing the Salt Lake, Cheese Rocks and Rock Tombs!

Bozcaada (Bozca Island)

Also near Çanakkale at the mouth of the Dardanelles (Gallipoli) Straits, Bozcaada is Türkiye’s third-largest island at 40 km². You can catch a ferry from Geyilkli.  Bozcaada is beautiful the whole year round. As you arrive at the island you are greeted by the Castle overlooking the harbour. The Castle is well worth a visit. You can wander down the narrow streets between beautiful and colourful houses which is very picturesque. You can go to the Çiçek Patisserie to have some Kavala cookies, one of the famous delicacies of the island, and taste ice cream flavoured with the famous local fragrant lavender. Thyme is also found in abundance on the island and the local berries and fruits are used to make colourful jams served at breakfast time. Bozcaada is a wonderful island and makes for a memorable and extraordinary holiday. On a short visit you should visit: the Bozcaada Museum, the Ayazma Monastery, and the Church of Mother Mary all accessible on a short journey through the history of the island. And, if you’re there at sunset, you should go to the Polente Lighthouse for some wonderful views. Wine seems as plentiful as water on this island and a tour reveals many vineyards and wine cellars. There are good sandy beaches at Ayazma, Poyraz and İğdelik. Bozcaada has 12 bays and is surrounded by 17 small islets.

Cunda Island, Ayvalık

Ayvalık is 160 km north of İzmir opposite the Greek Island of Lesbos. It is famous for its diving, beaches, expansive national parks and stunning architecture. We recommend enjoying the sunset with good food and lively conversation at one of the many sea-side meyhanes (taverns) in Ayvalık. The gorgeous views and quaint town will have you coming back year after year.

Visitors are recommended to try "papalina" (a type of sprat) fish whilst on the Cunda Island (connected by road) of Ayvalık and its famous toasted sandwiches. You can also swim on Sarımsaklı Beach, buy olive oil, and join boat tours.

Cunda Island (Cunda Adası), also known as Alibey Island (Alibey Adası), is situated just off the coast near Ayvalık between Çanakkale and İzmir on the north Aegean Coast. There is a road bridge that connects the Island to the mainland. The Island offers an utterly different beauty in each season and offers its visitors a colourful and memorable holiday experience. The old Greek architecture is especially interesting with old houses, houses with bow windows and narrow streets. It is especially renowned for its excellent sea-side restaurants and delicious sea food. Amongst the things to do on Cunda Island are visiting the Lovers’ Hill for its amazing views, visiting the Panagia Church, and going to Sevim and Necdet Kent Library. Cunda Island is famous for its glorious sunsets, its seafood and animated taverns where conversations invariably continue until the early hours of the morning. Şeytan Sofrası (Devil's Table), so called because it is set on a table shaped hill formed from lava, offers a panoramic view over the 22 islands in Ayvalık Bay. A footprint, enclosed by iron bars, is said to be that of the devil himself.

Güvercinada, Kuşadası

One of the most beautiful spots in Kuşadası is Güvercinada or Pigeon Island, which is attached to the mainland by a causeway and is home to a fortress, built in Byzantine Period. Literally meaning ‘Bird Island’, Kuşadası takes its name from this tiny island, once a shelter for pigeons. The fortress, surrounding the island, was later rebuilt by Barbaros Hayrettin Pasha, the famous admiral of the Ottoman Navy. To the locals this fortress is also known as "Pirate Fortress" because it was used to protect the harbour from pirates for many years. As well as historical structures, visitors should also visit the famous and popular shopping centre in the Kaleiçi quarter, where there is also night-long entertainment.

Tavşan Island, Bodrum

Rabbit Island (Tavşan Adası) is one of the most popular spots on the Bodrum Peninsula, stretches out through King Road and Koyunbaba Island with its unique nature and beach. This small fishing town, Gümüşlük, has a rich and colourful culture and boasts some of the best fish restaurants in the region. Gümüşlük is also renowned for the most beautiful sunsets on the whole Peninsula.

Sedir Island 

Sedir Island is famous for its excellent beaches. Legend has it that the sands were brought especially for Cleopatra, the famous Egyptian queen, and she swam here with her lover Mark Anthony. The contrast between modern, bustling Marmaris and this gorgeous uninhabited island on the north side of the peninsula is striking! To get to Sedir Island you’ll need to make the relatively easy trip to the village of Çamlı, and from there you can make the short boat crossing. The island is also referred to as Cleopatra Island, as legend has it that Cleopatra and Mark Antony bathed here 2000 years ago.

Yıldız Island

The Nimara Cave demonstrates that the history of the region began in the 3400s BCE and it is located on Yıldız Island, just south of Marmaris, accessible by a land bridge. The space in the cave reaches heights between three and five metres and has a width of 5 metres. In ancient times, the cave was used as a place of worship. According to the writings of ancient Greek historian Herodotus, human presence in the cave (as well as the old city of Physkos, today called Marmaris), dates back to 3,000 BCE. 

Around Göcek

Göcek is a quiet and sheltered port thanks to its unique geography. Göcek sits in a large beautiful bay that offers a plethora of popular or hidden beaches where you can submerse yourself in the clear turquoise waters of the sea to cool down after the heat of the sun beating down on golden sand

Göcek has everything that sunseekers and sea enthusiasts could ever wish for thanks to its numerous natural bays, islands both large and small and, of course, the world-famous Turquoise Sea. port in the original town. You can take public boat tours or rent your own boat and spend as much time as you want in any bay. Some agencies also offer Sea Kayaking and Stand-Up Paddle Board tours.

• Göcek Island

• Göcek Island, which is the closest to Göcek centre, is a great place to chill out with its clean sea and unspoilt nature. The trees on the island come right down to the shoreline. There are facilities on the island where you can rent sunbeds and parasols, and which offer refreshments including food and drink. The island can be reached by private boat and there is also a sea taxi service.

• Yassica Islands

• Yassıca Islands refers to a few islands of differing sizes in the bay of Fethiye and it’s a great place to spend some time. The islands are ideal for water sports enthusiasts. They are covered with pine and olive trees. One of the islands has a small lagoon. Yassıca Island offers some opportunities for hiking too. In the summer months the locals open small stalls to sell refreshments and knick-knacks to visitors.

• Bedri Rahmi Bay

• The old name of this cove was Taşyaka, but it got an alternative name after the visit of the famous painter Bedri Rahmi in 1974. There is a picture of Bedri Rahmi on a rock on the island. Bedri Rahmi created a piece of art on a large stone that looks like a fish, but secretly conceals and portrays 6 animals. You can visit the island by rental boat, or it is usually included on the popular 12 Islands Tour.

• Cleopatra Baths Bay

• At the Cleopatra Baths Bay there are, in close proximity, historical ruins with the famous sunken baths and blue and green waters. According to history, during the visit of the Egyptian queen Cleopatra to the Mediterranean shores, her close friends decided to make her this special bathhouse and give it to her as a gift. They did this because they discovered there is a hot water source in this bay. It is said that this hot water is good for the treatment of skin diseases and it is also claimed that the legendary beauty of Cleopatra comes from here.

• Tersane Island

• This is the largest island among the islands of Göcek. There are historical ruins from the time of the Ottoman Empire. The island is composed of two parts: a winter harbour and a summer port. You can find more historical ruins in the winter harbour.

• The popular resort of Fethiye, 135km southeast of Marmaris, has an important marina at the head of a beautiful bay strewn with islands.