Assos (Behramkale)

The Temple of Athena gazes over the Aegean and Lesbos, surrounded by a stone village, Kadırga Bay and old forest villages on Mount Ida (Kazdağı).

Assos, today called Behramkale, lies in the Ayvacık district of Çanakkale Province, Turkey, on the North Aegean coast at the southern foot of Mount Ida (Kazdağı), facing the Greek island of Lesbos across the water. Founded in the 7th century BC, the ancient city was once where Aristotle taught; the Temple of Athena on the acropolis and the stone village hugging the hillside together form one of Turkey's best-known historic coastal villages. The best times to visit are May–Jun and Sep–Oct, when the weather is mild and crowds are thinner; Jul–Aug is peak beach season, when rooms at the ancient harbour and Kadırga Bay are hard to find; in winter many hotels and restaurants close. There are three main routes: locally, see the temple, the ancient city ruins, the stone village and the old harbour, staying a night for the sunset; head east to the old villages of Adatepe and Yeşilyurt and the Altar of Zeus, then hike in Kazdağı National Park; or go northwest via the Temple of Apollo Smintheus, Babakale Castle and Alexandria Troas to the ancient city of Troy and its museum – a classic day trip. Getting there: about 5–6 hours by road from Istanbul or via Çanakkale, and about 4 hours from İzmir; the nearest airports are Edremit (Koca Seyit) and Çanakkale. Travel first to Ayvacık, then take a minibus or taxi for the last 20 km or so. Sights in the area are spread out, so a car is recommended; allow 2–3 days.

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