Balıkesir

A province spanning the Marmara and Aegean seas, with resort destinations such as Ayvalık, Cunda Island and Mount Kaz.

Balıkesir Province lies in northwestern Türkiye, with the Sea of Marmara to the north and the Gulf of Edremit on the Aegean to the southwest. Ayvalık on the Aegean coast is known for its Greek-style stone houses, olive oil and Cunda Island, the forests on the northern slopes of Mount Kaz (Mount Ida) are dense, and seaside towns such as Akçay are good for vacations. The Marmara Sea islands of Avşa and Marmara and the Manyas Bird Paradise National Park also belong to the province. Summer is the peak season for coastal tourism. You can get there via an airport near Edremit.

Destinations

• Ayvalık
• Assos (Behramkale)

Itineraries

• North Aegean Ruins & Islands Road Trip – Drive south from Istanbul via Gallipoli, Troy, Bozcaada, and Assos to the charming town of Alaçatı.
• Turkey Grand Panorama Loop – From the historic battlefields of the Dardanelles to the Lycian Coast and the Anatolian heartland, experience a compreh…