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Old Town
Ayvalık’s old town is a joy to explore. A maze of cobbled streets east of the liman, it is full of market squares, atmospheric cafes, Greek Orthodox…
Mark Read
Ayvalık
On first glance, Ayvalık may seem unremarkable, a port town similar to many others in this region. But wander a few streets back from the waterfront and you'll discover an old Greek village in spirited abandon. Colourful shuttered doors conceal boutique hotels in restored stone houses, mosques converted from Greek Orthodox churches welcome the faithful to prayer and historic cafes full of locals line hidden squares. Put simply, it's got Aegean ambience in spades.
The region's olive-oil production is centred on Ayvalık, and there are plenty of shops selling the end product. The broken chimneys in the town centre belonged to now-abandoned olive-oil factories; these days local production occurs on the edge of town.
Explore Ayvalık
- OOld Town
Ayvalık’s old town is a joy to explore. A maze of cobbled streets east of the liman, it is full of market squares, atmospheric cafes, Greek Orthodox…
- TTaksiyarhis Memorial Museum
This erstwhile Greek Orthodox cathedral, built in 1844 but never used as a place of worship, was completely renovated in 2013 and positively shimmers in…
- ÇÇınarlı Cami
Built in 1790 as the Greek Orthodox church of Ayios Yorgis and converted to a mosque in 1923, this lovely building has three naves and three apses and…
- KKöy Pazarı
On Thursdays, a 'village market' is held in this square next to the main pazar yeri (marketplace), which is also filled with market stalls.
- BBroken Chimney
The tapering brick chimneys that are scattered throughout the old Greek quarter are remnants of the olive-oil factories that once operated here. These…
- BBroken Chimney
Broken brick chimneys like this one are scattered throughout the old Greek quarter, all that remains of the olive-oil factories that have now relocated to…
- SSaatlı Camii
Originally built as the Ayios Yannis Kilise, this imposing stone building with its ugly freestanding minaret was converted into the Saatli Cami in 1923.
- AAtatürk Statue
As is the case in almost every town in this region, there is a statue of the great man in the main square.
- PPazar Yeri
This square in the Old Town hosts a popular street market on Thursdays.
Top attractions
These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Ayvalık.
See
Old Town
Ayvalık’s old town is a joy to explore. A maze of cobbled streets east of the liman, it is full of market squares, atmospheric cafes, Greek Orthodox…
See
Taksiyarhis Memorial Museum
This erstwhile Greek Orthodox cathedral, built in 1844 but never used as a place of worship, was completely renovated in 2013 and positively shimmers in…
See
Çınarlı Cami
Built in 1790 as the Greek Orthodox church of Ayios Yorgis and converted to a mosque in 1923, this lovely building has three naves and three apses and…
See
Köy Pazarı
On Thursdays, a 'village market' is held in this square next to the main pazar yeri (marketplace), which is also filled with market stalls.
See
Broken Chimney
The tapering brick chimneys that are scattered throughout the old Greek quarter are remnants of the olive-oil factories that once operated here. These…
See
Broken Chimney
Broken brick chimneys like this one are scattered throughout the old Greek quarter, all that remains of the olive-oil factories that have now relocated to…
See
Saatlı Camii
Originally built as the Ayios Yannis Kilise, this imposing stone building with its ugly freestanding minaret was converted into the Saatli Cami in 1923.
See
Atatürk Statue
As is the case in almost every town in this region, there is a statue of the great man in the main square.
Guidebooks
Learn more about Ayvalık
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