Bozcaada

A small wine island in the northern Aegean, where a castle guards the harbour, vines climb the stone houses of the Greek quarter, and the windmills and sunsets on the west coast make for perfect photos.

Bozcaada (ancient Tenedos) lies in the northern Aegean off the southwest of Türkiye's Çanakkale Province, about 7 km from the mainland. Covering about 40 km², it is Türkiye's third-largest island. In Homer's epic, this is where the Greek fleet hid while carrying out the Trojan Horse ruse. The island's only town wraps around the harbour: to the north is the coastal fortress rebuilt by the Ottomans, and to the south is the old Greek quarter of cobbled lanes and vine-draped stone houses, where most of the cafés, tavernas and boutique guesthouses are found. About a third of the island is planted with vines, and wineries such as Corvus and Talay offer tastings; the southwest coast has sandy beaches such as Ayazma and Sulubahçe, and at the far western tip the Polente lighthouse and row of windmills are the classic sunset spot. The best time to visit is Jun–Sep; Jul–Aug is the liveliest and priciest for accommodation, September's grape harvest brings pleasant weather, and in winter many restaurants and guesthouses close. Getting there: drive about 1 hour south from Çanakkale to the port of Geyikli, then take the ferry (about 35–45 minutes), with more sailings in summer; if you're bringing a car, queue early. Buses run directly to the port from Istanbul and Çanakkale. On the island you can walk, cycle or rent an e-scooter, and in summer minibuses run to the beaches. Plan 2–3 days. Tips: the island is windy and the northern Aegean is on the cool side; at breakfast, don't miss the tomato jam and almond cookies; book ferries and accommodation well ahead for summer weekends.

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