Places to Visit in Ayvalik: Turkey hosts countless tourists every year with its magnificent nature and holiday destinations. Ayvalik, which is connected to the city of Balikesir in the Aegean Region, hosts thousands of tourists every year. With its magnificent nature, history and places to visit, Ayvalik is a holiday paradise for holidaymakers. Here you can enjoy the trio of sea, sand and sun, as well as see the magnificent natural and artificial places.
Alibey Island & Cunda Island (Alibey Adası)
Alibey Island, also known as Cunda Island, is located in the Aegean and is within the borders of Ayvalik. At the same time, it is the only island among the 22 islands in Ayvalik Bay that has facilities such as settlement. This island, which is the 4th largest island in Turkey, has a long history. For this reason, it hosts thousands of tourists, both domestic and foreign, every year. This island is especially famous for Taksiyarhis Church, Lovers Hill and Taş Kahve. The island, which was declared as a national park area, is famous not only for its natural places, but also for its structures from the Greeks, who were forced to leave the island after the Population Exchange Migration. If we list the places to visit on Alibey Island for you:
Lovers’ Hill in Ayvalık (Aşıklar Tepesi)
Located on Cunda Island and one of the symbols of the island, this place becomes the center of attention of thousands of local and foreign tourists every year. It offers its visitors unique views of the beautiful Cunda Island. The deep blue sea and the trees, which contain every shade of green stretching towards the sea, offer a very beautiful view to its visitors. At the same time, the first windmill of the island is located on this hill.
The historical mill was restored by a businessman and serves as a library and cafe. The restored historical mill serves both as a historical building and as a cafe and library for tourists. On this hill, you can both enjoy the magnificent view and spend a good time reading a book with this view.
Heaven Hill (Cennet Tepesi)
Heaven Hill, which reveals all its beauty in Ayvalik, which is one of the places that must be visited by those who come to Ayvalik, offers a very magnificent view to its visitors. Cunda Island, which can be seen quite clearly from the hill, fascinates those who see it with its deep blue and clear sea and the trees around the island extending towards the sea.
Along with Cunda Island and Ayvalik, Tulip Island can be seen clearly from this hill. Especially to watch the sunset, many people come to this hill and enjoy the sunset. There are benches and seating areas for visitors on the hill. Facilities and cafes have been built on the hill so that visitors can spend a better quality time.
Ayvalik Islands Nature Park (Ayvalık Adaları Tabiat Parkı)
Consisting of 19 islands in Ayvalik and being the largest nature park in Turkey, this place becomes the focus of thousands of local and foreign tourists every year. Among the 19 islands, there is Alibey Island, also known as Cunda Island, which was mentioned before. This area fascinates those who see it with its magnificent untouched nature.
It is suitable for day trips and you can also camp. Among these opportunities, there are also caravan areas for those who want to have a holiday with a caravan. In this park; Apart from resting and swimming activities in its magnificent bays and beaches, many activities are held from boat tours to hiking, from camping activities to diving activities.
Taksiyarhis Memorial Museum
It is one of the religious museums to visit. Taksiyarhis Church, which is thought to have passed through 3 different periods, is the first church of the Ayvalik district. For this reason, it is visited with great interest by many. When it was built, it was first built as a small church.
The building, which was built in the 15th century, attracts a lot of attention with its magnificent embroidery and ornaments. The church, which was used as a warehouse for a period, was later abandoned. The church, which was restored by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, was opened to visitors in 2013 as the Taksiyarhis Memorial Museum.
The museum is open to visitors 6 days a week, except Mondays. The visiting hours of the museum are between 09.00 and 19.00 on weekdays and weekends.
Moonlight Monastery (Ayışığı Manastırı)
The monastery, which was built on a steep hill by the sea, is located within the borders of the Pateriça Peninsula. Although the exact date of construction is not known, there is an obscure construction date on the rocks at the entrance of the monastery. It is said that 1771 or 1775 were written on these rocks. Many people think that this building was built in 1775.
The monastery has survived to the present day as a result of being in the olive groves given to Fahrettin Bey for a certain period and being used and maintained by Fahrettin Bey as a summer residence. Inside the monastery, the church is located in the middle of the courtyard. It is surrounded by long walls. When the church is examined, it is understood that the entrance door is made of garlic stone. The fact that the entrance door is made of garlic proves that the church was restored before. This place has been restored and welcomes its visitors.
Devil’s Feast (Şeytan Sofrası)
This hill, where all the islands of Ayvalik and Lesbos Island can be seen, are located on large rocky hills. It is thought that the devil’s footprint is on the Devil’s Table. The hill consists of lava deposits that accumulated as a result of volcanic eruptions and cooled over time, and is likened to a table due to its round shape. There is also a restaurant for visitors on the privately run hill. Apart from the view of a footprint in a cage on the hill, it also attracts the attention of many tourists with its magnificent nature view. Especially those who want to watch the sunset is one of the places to visit.
