Turkey has many beautiful and valuable holiday resorts, but if you want to have a holiday and find peace, one of your priorities should be Bozcaada.. In terms of “Places to Visit in Bozcaada“, which draws attention with its streets smelling of history, magnificent sunsets and clean air, it will leave memories that you will carry in your pocket for a lifetime..
Bozcaada, which Evliya Çelebi and Piri Reis praised in their books, who were among the first and great travelers in the Ottoman Empire; A place where you can enjoy your holiday, spend a great time. I would recommend you to plan a trip for at least two days rather than a day trip on such a fascinating island.
I would like to briefly talk about the history of Bozcaada as knowing the history of a place you plan to visit will make your trip more meaningful.. The island, conquered by Mehmet the Conqueror in 1455, had a strategic importance for centuries in the defense of the Dardanelles, and many conflicts with the Venetian, Greek and Russian armies took place around the island itself.. On the island, which was occupied by the British and French armies during World War I, an airport was built in three different places and became the command center of the Dardanelles War.
Places to Visit in Bozcaada
After so much praise, I think it’s not possible without giving you a list of must-see places that will guide you.. The island is so beautiful that I had a hard time creating my list that I wanted to present to you.. Let’s take a look at my list, which is quite difficult for me:
1. Bozcaada Castle – Enjoy the Landscape of the Island
This castle, which is not clear by whom and when it was built, was actively used by the Phoenicians, Genoese, Venetians and Ottomans to protect the island for centuries. used as. You can observe the magnificent views of the island from this castle, which also included the Turkish quarter.. It would be a great shortcoming for you to leave the island without visiting Bozcaada Castle, which is spread over a very large area, separated from the city by a ditch 10 meters wide, its construction dates back to the Phoenicians and has a magnificent view.. For more information, you can read our article titled “Bozcaada Castle”.
2. Bozcaada Streets – Step into History
I said at the beginning of my article that the island smells like history.. The streets of the island, which form a bridge between the past and the present, are adorned with colorful and charming houses, in the consistency of history.. The Greek houses lined up on both sides of the cobblestone streets are full of details that will take you hundreds of years ago.. I recommend that you spend most of your time on the island by walking around these nostalgic streets and take your camera with you.. Your trip here will take an average of two hours.
3. Bozcaada Museum – Discover the History
In the museum, which was opened in 2006 in a 130-year-old building, 6,000 photographs, paintings and historical items belonging to the island are exhibited.. For a better understanding of the island, you can visit the museum and discover the history of the island.. You should definitely visit this museum where you can access very useful information and documents about the history of the island.. The collection of the island’s famous wines is also worth seeing.
4. Wineries / Vineyards
Grape farms across the island immediately caught your attention. Where grapes are so common, there’s no mention of wine.. Therefore, Bozcaada actually means wine.. While touring the island, you can see the grape producers at many points.. I think it would be a great deficiency not to visit and discover these wine production farms that you cannot find in the metropolitan areas.. You can visit these wineries and witness the production stages of the wines and taste the precious wines.. Our advice to you is that you can offer these delicious wines to your relatives after the holiday…
5. Discover the Island Coves
While you’re here, it’s impossible not to enjoy the beautiful and cool sea. For this, we recommend you to explore the most beautiful bays of the island and swim in them.. “Aquarium Bay”, the most famous of the island, is one of the bays you should definitely visit with its colorful tones of blue, clear and cool water.. Apart from that, “Beylik Bay, Çayır Bay, Tuzburnu Bay, Poyraz Harbor Bay” are among the bays we can explore on the island.
You can take a look at our article titled “Bozcaada Beaches” that we have prepared about bays and beaches. .
6. Sunset the Day with Polente Lighthouse and Windmills
Polente Lighthouse, built on the western tip of the island in 1861, is located at the end of the island’s famous windmills.. Wind roses were made in 2000 as 17 pieces.. The image created by the wind roses, especially during the sunset, together with the lantern, offers views like a postcard.
After the view from the castle, do not leave the island without witnessing this visual feast.. Of course, don’t forget to take a chair and wine with you at sunset.. More information in our article titled “Polente Lighthouse”.
7. Ayazma Monastery
The Ayazma Monastery, which was built in the southern part of the island in 1734 and has the meaning of holy water -hagiasme-, contains various religious and mythological elements.. In the garden of the monastery, there is a historical fountain and great plane trees.. It is also known as Aya Praskevi here on July 26.. In the restaurant next to the monastery, you can taste delicious dishes in front of the unique view.
8. Virgin Mary Church
The only church open to worship on the island, the Virgin Mary Church can be seen from almost anywhere on the island with its four-storey tower and 28-meter bell tower.. Although it is known by the name of Virgin Mary among the people, its real name is Kimisis Teodoku Greek Orthodox Church.. The church, which is presumed to be from the Venetians, is located right in the middle of the Greek Quarter.
You have the chance to visit the inside of the church, which is open for worship, only during the mass held on Sundays.. You can only see the interior of the church, which was restored in 2007, during the rituals.
9. Ayazma Beach
The best place to swim on the island is Ayazma Beach with its Maldives-like appearance, fine sand and ice-cold water.. Since there are many cafes around the beach, you can enjoy the sea and the sun here until late.. Since it is very popular, I recommend you to go early, especially on weekends, as it is very crowded.. As in many beaches of the island, the water here is very cold but clean, so you should have glasses and a palette with you because there will be a lot to discover.
If you have been to the island in summer, you can swim at Ayazma beach.. If you prefer quiet places, you can also go to Sulu Bahçe or Habbele Bays.. The island is also a very nice place for diving.. If you want to get more information, you can take a look at our article titled “Bozcaada Beaches”.
9. Aquarium Bay
Aquarium Bay is one of the most recommended places on the island.. This small cove, which has no beach, business and buffet, is so clean that you can even see the fish with your naked eye while swimming in the water.. For this reason, the bay, which is called “Aquarium”, is frequently visited by diving enthusiasts.. You can find more information in our “Aquarium Bay” article.
Bozcaada Travel Map
We have marked the locations of the places you must see on the island on the map above.. You can browse the locations of your destinations by using Bozcaada Travel Map.
Where is Bozcaada? How to Get there?
If you are going from Istanbul, you can take the hourly ferryboats between Gallipoli – Lapseki / Eceabat – Çanakkale to cross the Dardanelles, or you can travel a short distance to Kilitbahir without waiting. You can get on the motors departing from. However, since these engines are smaller than ferries, they can be canceled in bad weather in winter, keep in mind.. Afterwards, you can reach the Yukyeri Ferry Port of Geyikli by following the Bozcaada sign.. More information “How to get to Bozcaada?” You can find it in our article titled.
The ferry ride from Geyikli pier to the island takes approximately 30 minutes.. Do not forget to make a reservation for the return from the island, even if there is no reservation in advance at the entrance to the island.. Because they take the ones with reservations to the ferries first.
What to Eat in Bozcaada?
See the fish restaurants in the harbor for dinner. or you can choose the romantic restaurants in the side streets.. Bozcaada is an island famous for its wines, so if you choose wine with your meal, you will not regret it.
The island is also famous for its breakfast, and it is possible to come across tourists having breakfast while walking around the streets of the island in the morning.. You can drink homemade lemonade or gummy coffee at the Çınaraltı cafe in the square.. They serve gum liquor and chocolate as well as coffee.
Where to Stay in Bozcaada?
In Bozcaada Since there are festivals and fairs at certain times of the year, it is useful to book a place in advance.. Your options for accommodation can be boutique hotels, stone houses or, if your budget is enough, vineyard houses.. If you have a small amount of money, I can tell you a little secret that if you wander around the narrow streets of Bozcaada for a while, you can find residents of Bozcaada who will rent a house for you at very affordable prices.
If you do not have a car, I recommend you look for a place in the center of Bozcaada.. In this way, you can reach various coves with the shuttles departing from the center and you will not have any problems with eating in the evenings.. Those who have an intermediary can explore every part of the island for more affordable prices.. Because you can reach every part of the island in a short time, and you can use the free large car parks when you come to the bazaar in the evening.
What to buy in Bozcaada?
You can buy wine from wineries, handmade jams and souvenirs from the market before returning from the island.. There is also a wine-themed shop on the island, where you can find original gifts.
Events in Bozcaada
Bozcaada has many beautiful festivals, especially during the summer months. and events are held. Ayazma Fair is held at the end of July every year.. In the Aya Paraskevi Monastery in Ayazma, first there is a ritual, then there is a meal and dancing.. On the night of July 25, Turkish-Greek Friendship Night is celebrated in the Castle.. Also, the Vintage Festival is held at the end of September.. Bozcaada activities will offer you pleasant moments.
Bozcaada Travel Review
Bozcaada; It is a place for those who like to sunbathe in the sea, who are interested in history and who enjoy nostalgic images.. When you step here, you can find all of these more than enough.. But I must also state that this place turned out to be more expensive than I expected.. I can summarize my many positive and negative opinions like this as follows:
My Positive Impressions:
* Clean and icy beaches
* Nostalgic streets
* The best sunsets
* Great variety of wine
* Taverns
My Negative Impressions:
* Too expensive
* Go- Although the arrival ferry is expensive, it is very busy.
* In Bozcaada, the food is expensive and the portions are small
* If you don’t go early, parking at the beaches is difficult and paid
Finally, I will summarize some things you need to pay attention to in a few articles :
-There is only Ziraat Bank on the island.
-The evenings are cool even on the hottest days of summer.
-There is only a pharmacy and a health clinic.
-It is a crowded time to the island If you are going to go, make sure to book your place on the ferry beforehand.