Balikesir City Guide

Balikesir City Guide

Two glorious seas, Marmara and the Aegean, complete the picture of Mount Ida on both sides. The unique beauty of the mountain peaks transforms into first green, then into coves surrounded by olive trees, and lastly into golden beaches. Finally, this beauty is spread to islands of various sizes. Balıkesir is a city of islands with 22 islands. With the exception of Cunda, islands have no population. Balıkesir draws vacationers with not just its shores to the Aegean Sea to the west and Marmara Sea to the north, but also the inner parts where its rich nature dominates with all its glory. Balıkesir is also the city with the highest number of islands in Turkey. The land that expands around the city is true touristic paradise with its historical, cultural, and natural riches. This area, that is cited as Ida Mountain in Homer’s epic, is also worth your attention with medicinal water springs. Balıkesir is one of the cities in the world with the highest amount of oxygen in the air. Balıkesir, built on crossroads, neighbors Bursa to the northeast, Kütahya and Manisa to the southeast, İzmir to the southwest, and the Aegean Sea and Çanakkale to the west. Nearly more than half of the area of the city is made up of plains broken up by river valleys. In Balıkesir, the southeast and southwest parts of which are relatively more mountainous, altitude does not pass 2000 meters.

Tourist Attractions

Kuşcenneti Milli Parkı (Bird Paradise National Park) is at the top of the list of places to see. It is located within the borders of the the district of Bandırma. Besides Kuş Lake, Uluabat Lake (Apolyont) and its vast surrounding plains are also located in the area. The shores of the lake are covered by a rich greenery when there is low tide in the summer time. Kuş Lake is home to a rich wildlife, especially water birds. Large breeding colonies of dalmatian pelicans, pelicans, and ibises, among species that are becoming extinct, are for you to see here. Also, there are more than 20 fish species that inhabit this lake. The park is a significant watery area, from which a total of 2-3 million birds of 266 different species benefit. Tall mountains and plains draw the borders of the national park. From these points of high altitude, you can enjoy the 20 km by 14 km view of Kuş Lake that stretches from east to west.

Mount Ida National Park, which is formed with deep valleys and canyons, is located within the borders of the district of Edremit. It is a significant natural area with its biological diversity and fauna. Kaz Mountain, Mount Ida as called in antiquity, separates the regions Aegean and Marmara. Mount Ida, especially due to its deep valleys and tall hills, is an irreplacable habitat for raptors. Among raptors which are visible to the naked eye or through a simple pair of binoculars are eagles, falcons, hawks, sparrow hawks, and ravens.

In the area, where -from antiquity to our time –Mysians, Carians, Trojans, Leleges, Lurians, Lydians, Alexander the Great, Kingdom of Pergamon, and Roman Empire existed; there are ancient cities such as Thebe, Astria, Anderia, Antandros, Adremytteion, Killa, Krysa, and Lyrnessos. The national park area is full of legends. Sarıkız Hill where the Sarıkız Legend takes place, together with Sutüven Falls and Hasanboguldu Pond where the Hasanboguldu Legend takes place are in the area for you to see. Another characteristic of the Mount Ida region is its rich water source. Health resorts and thermal water springs make the city a center of attraction.

Akçay Beach is one of the nearby coast lines. Although somewhat pebbly, it is quite popular. Akçay is also an area famous for numerous desserts and cold water springs. Coast line of Altınoluk offers a very lively night life with entertainment facilities in addition to numerous lodging options. On the other hand, there are great options for a calm vacation with lots of oxygen along the coast as well. Ören Beach is a fine-sand beach option. The coast line stretches like a bow for 1.5 km. Century-old valonia oaks are one by one numbered and protected in Ören, which is also a Protected Natural Area.

There are areas where the sea meets the shore in Ayvalık and Sarımsaklı- a district within the Municipality of Küçükköy located close by. The length of the beach with fine sand and shallow waters reaches 7 km. It is possible to find lodging options of a wide price range from bed&breakfasts to five-star hotels.

Erdek Coast, covered with pebble-free fine sand from side to side, is one of the most beautiful natural beaches of Turkey. In addition to Paşalimani Island; Villages of Ocaklar, Narlı, and Ilhan are areas that are worth a visit.

In the region of Marmara Island, there are natural beaches where green and blue come together. Some of them are Avşa and Ekinlik Islands, and the marble beach in the village of Saraylar. There are tour boats to all around Avşa Island and its coves everyday.

Culture & Entertainment

Kuva-yi Milliye Museum, made up of two parts, is in the old municipal building which was used as headquarters for the Turkish War of Independence. In the ground floor; the written decrees by the 41 people that pioneered the founding of Kuva-yi Milliye in Balıkesir, their personal belongings, and Atatürk’s photographs taken while he was in Balıkesir; are displayed. On the second floor are some archeologic and ethnographic items. The museum is open everyday except Monday from 08.30-12.00 and 13.30-17.00.

Bandırma Museum of Archeology is located next to Park of Atatürk, which is also known as Ziraat Garden. This location is also 200 km away from the intersection of Bandırma-Erdek and Çanakkale-İzmir roads. Thus, it gets easier for people that arrive through Bandırma via sea transportation going to places such as Susurluk Health Resort, Edremit, Akçay, Altınoluk, Çanakkale-Assos to visit the museum. The museum is open from 09.00 to 16.00 everyday except Monday and including the weekends.

Alibey Island, also called Cunda Island, is a must-see location towards Ayvalık. The island can be reached via land route over a bridge. In summer time, boats are arranged at every half hour between Ayvalık and Alibey Island. You can enjoy the famous Papalina, all kinds of seafood, appetizers, and vegetable dishes prepared with olive oil in the seafood restaurants lined up in the central area of the island. Try to make that happen around dinner time as you can also enjoy the beautiful view of the straits, islands, and entwined coves.

Food & Drink

In Şeytan Sofrası (Devil’s Table) in Ayvalık, watching the sunset is one of the things you definitey should not miss. You can try Ayvalık tost (grilled cheese), a local specialty, everywhere from mid-class restaurants to small refreshment booths. Edremit is worth a visit for many shops and stores in which you can find items such as olives, olive oil, and soap.

Shopping

Also, you must stop by the marketplace of Cunda for shopping.