Bozcaada Recommendations and Must-See Places to Visit

When you think of Bozcaada, the first things that come to mind are its deep blue sea, hidden coves, and natural beauty. The most famous spot on the island is undoubtedly Ayazma Beach. With its golden sand, turquoise sea, and beach chairs and umbrellas, it is one of the most popular destinations in summer. The rustic beach restaurants with wooden chairs and checkered tablecloths add a special charm to the place. Bozcaada is not just Ayazma; every cove is a separate discovery. Aquarium Cove (Mermer Burnu) attracts attention with its crystal-clear sea, reminiscent of an aquarium. Snorkeling and observing the colorful marine life underwater is a unique experience here. When you arrive at this cove, which is only accessible by private vehicle, the crystal-clear waters that greet you make all the effort worthwhile. If you are looking for a peaceful sea experience away from the crowds, Sulubahçe and Habbele coves are also great alternatives. Especially in the summer heat, Bozcaada's coves offer lively and peaceful moments with their cool waters.

Places to Visit in Bozcaada

Windmills: Don't leave Bozcaada without watching the sunset. You must visit the windmills at the western tip of the island for the most enchanting sunset you'll ever see. Put on comfortable walking shoes and head towards the abandoned Polente Lighthouse. On one side, you'll see the windmills in all their glory, and in front of you, the vast Aegean Sea stretches out endlessly. Bring along a small picnic basket and a bottle of local wine to enjoy the beauty of nature. After the sun sets, the atmosphere transforms into something truly magical. With no settlements around, the moon in the sky becomes your strongest light, and the stars guide your way.

Göztepe: When you reach Göztepe, the highest point of the island, you'll truly feel like you're on an island when you see the view. Getting to this point is like ascending to the captain's cabin of a ship. From here, you can see all the vineyards, houses, surrounding small islands, and hills of the island. You can reach Göztepe by a quite steep and narrow road by car. Alternatively, you can walk from the center of the island to Göztepe in about half an hour.

Rum Neighborhood: The colorful narrow streets of Bozcaada adorned with flowers and the warm people of the Rum Neighborhood will make you fall in love. Cats and dogs resting under the tables and chairs in front of the houses, and children running around with cheerful laughter, add a different atmosphere to this place.

Bozcaada Wine Culture: Viticulture and wine are two keywords that define Bozcaada. Winemaking is one of the oldest traditions of Bozcaada. Each wine has its own production story and taste. If you want to buy a good wine and have a pleasant conversation, you should visit Çamlıbağ in the center.

Kavala Cookie: The signature taste of the island is the Kavala Cookie flavored with mastic and almonds. For tasting this cookie and buying it for your loved ones, your address should be Çiçek Pastanesi, the apple of the eye of the island. Çiçek Pastanesi is also famous for its handmade ice creams and breakfasts served at its square-side shop. Don't end your Bozcaada trip without visiting Çiçek Pastanesi.

Simyon Tavern: One of the most enjoyable parts of the Rum Neighborhood is the taverns lined up one after another in the narrow streets. If you're looking for a pleasant rakı table accompanied by delicious appetizers, seafood, and fish, Simyon Tavern is waiting for you. We recommend you to especially try the octopus with eggplant as a hot appetizer.

Maya Restaurant: Located among the vineyards, Maya Restaurant is a culinary wonderland where food turns into art. Chef Selçuk Aykan's special flavors distilled from world cuisines are enriched with the island's herbs, the pink tomatoes of the opposite shore, and surprise appetizers. From homemade bread, jam, cheese, and pastries to specially rested, thyme-scented meats or the island's fish, Maya offers a wide range of flavors. You can visit Maya for breakfast in the morning, coffee in the afternoon, or a romantic dinner in the evening, enjoying the view stretching from the vineyards to the Aegean Sea.

Bozcaada Guide

 One of the first places that comes to mind when it comes to vacation in Turkey is Bozcaada; with its nature, history, culture, sea, and hotels, it's the address for a comfortable holiday. Bozcaada, the third largest island in Turkey, is a tourism destination with magnificent beauty and sea belonging to Çanakkale. It is located about 15 kilometers south of the Çanakkale Strait. You reach the island from Geyikli Ferry Port, which is 40 kilometers away from Çanakkale. Bozcaada, which has an increasing tourism potential in recent years, is now irresistible for those who visit once. You immediately get captivated by the charm of the island. Faced with the beauty and impressiveness of the island, the historian Herodotus even noted in the pages of history, "God created Bozcaada so that people would live long." Bozcaada's settlement history dates back to ancient times. The first settlers on the island are known as the Pelag. The most important event in the history of the island, which dates back to ancient times, is the Trojan War. Bozcaada, located opposite Troy, is mentioned as a hidden port where the Achaean fleet hid during the Trojan War in Homer's Iliad Epic. Later, the island, which fell under the domination of many ancient civilizations, was occupied by the British and French navies during the Gallipoli Campaign. The island, formerly known as Lefkofris and later as Tenedos, was left to the Republic of Turkey by the Treaty of Lausanne and took the name Bozcaada. With its historical heritage dating back to ancient times, tranquil magnificent bays, crystal clear sea, streets adorned with old Greek houses and cobblestone, clean air, and famous vineyards and wines mentioned in the Travelogue of Evliya Çelebi, old Bozcaada is one of the important tourist centers of Çanakkale. After a pleasant journey of half an hour, when the ferry approaches Bozcaada, you are greeted by the 'Old Castle' on the eastern side of the island, also known as the Historical Bozcaada (Tenedos) Castle. First thought to have been built by the Phoenicians, Bozcaada Castle was repaired and expanded by the Genoese and Venetians. The main purpose of the Genoese and Venetians was to protect their ships from pirate ships for trade purposes. Bozcaada Castle, which acquired its present-day architecture during the reign of Fatih Sultan Mehmet, underwent several repairs and renovations during the Ottoman period. Inside Bozcaada Castle, there is an open-air museum with an ethnography exhibition established by the efforts of the people. Ayazma Beach is truly magnificent with its golden sandy beach as bright as a pearl. Ayazma is beautiful in every aspect: the sea, the beach, and the restaurants right behind the beach. When you come to the island, it is one of the places you must visit and enjoy the sea and sun. In Bozcaada, you have plenty of options for accommodation facilities.

Where to Eat in Bozcaada

 When you come to Bozcaada, there are many different flavors to taste. You can eat in many fish restaurants in the center and by the sea. In Bozcaada, you can taste tomato jam, fig jam, and many vegetables and fruits jams specific to the island. You can taste fresh seasonal fish, seafood, and many olive oil mezes in a fish restaurant on the beach. If possible, you should also taste the island wine. Apart from these, you can also find restaurants serving pizza, lahmacun, and kebab type dishes, grilled meat, and chicken products. For pizza, Ela Pizza (in the Rum neighborhood) or Tayyare Pizza on the road to Ayazma are recommended. For guests looking for more special tastes, we can recommend grape leaf omelette, steamed lipsos fish, and homemade grape liqueur. Lamb and kid meat are also among the meat dishes you will eat on the island. Cornflower sherbet, cornflower pudding, cornflower delight, mastic-flavored cookies, island herb salad, seafood pilaf, sardines on the leaf, black cabbage wine, island calamari, and many other different appetizers are also among the must-try dishes.

 Editor's Recommendations: Kavala cookie from Bozcaada Çiçek Pastanesi. Simyon Meyhanesi is highly recommended in Bozcaada. We tried it. However, the taste of Battı Balık Meyhanesi was a bit better than Simyon. Grilled octopus, fried zucchini, fried goat cheese were legendary flavors.

1. Koreli Restaurant: Located on Ayazma Beach, Koreli can satisfy your hunger with delicious snacks after a swim, and you can indulge yourself under the sun with a cold beer. From sole fish to stuffed vine leaves, from fried dishes to appetizers, you can treat your taste buds with a variety of foods. 
2. Cabalı Meyhane: Located in Cabalı Street Rum Meyhane, Cabalı Meyhane is unrivaled when it comes to 'Fava'. Paper-wrapped calamari and Sea Bass with Eggplant Purée are must-try flavors. For a nice dinner with a sea view, you must make a reservation. 
3. Sandal: Sandal, one of the oldest venues in Bozcaada, is a must for a dinner. Shrimp casserole and Cretan salad are our favorites. It offers a wonderful atmosphere where you can clink your raki glasses with delicious appetizers accompanied by Turkish classical music. 
4. Ada'm Restaurant: Located on Meyhaneler Street in Rum Mahallesi, Ada'm makes you feel like swimming in a sea of ​​flavors. Don't leave without tasting the Cold Mediterranean Platter, Sea Bass in Vine Leaves, Octopus with Artichokes, seafood, and almond fish. You can end your meal with helva dessert wrapped in phyllo pastry. Few tables, quality service. 
5. Vahit's Place: Vahit's Place is a venue for lunch breaks, quick bites, romantic dates with your loved one, and fun gatherings with friends. Here, you can enjoy a fantastic sea asparagus (in season) seasoned with a view, garlic cheese spread, olive oil dishes, and all other sauced/yogurt mezze with the view. But what you really must try is the Fried Calamari, as it's the best in Bozcaada. 
6. Maya: When you come to Bozcaada, if you want to spend a nice evening in its garden surrounded by greenery, with light music in the background, you must have dinner accompanied by homemade wine. You may hear from many that the portions are small, but when you choose a few of their rich variety of appetizers according to your taste, you can feel full. You can try their homemade wine along with their appetizers, which they add their own interpretations to. Don't forget to make a reservation before you go! 

What to Do in Bozcaada 

When you think of a holiday on Bozcaada, there are more activities than you might imagine. Because Bozcaada is an island that offers its guests unique beauties.

First of all, you should rent a bicycle and take a nice tour of the island. Alternatively, you can explore the island on foot. You'll also take plenty of photos. During your walk, you can take a refreshing break at the pier and enjoy a foamy island coffee.

You can enjoy the sun, sea, sand, and vacation at Ayazma Beach. Especially if the beach is a bit quiet, it's truly unbeatable. The sea is magnificent, crystal clear, and not a single stone in sight. You can also join daily boat tours and explore the other coasts of the island.

If you're a diving enthusiast, you can dive in Bozcaada. You can also take a nice tour in the vineyards that make the island special.

While watching the sunset, sipping island wine or raki by the sea, you can taste the seasonal fish, various appetizers, and seafood. You must try the pickled sea fennel, stuffed vine leaves, and calamari stew at the fish restaurants in the harbor.

If you visit the island in September, you can join the grape harvest festival. During the festival, everyone goes to the vineyards with tractors and learns the intricacies of grape picking with the workers. Concerts are held at the castle, and two competitions are organized. One to select the island's grape beauty queen and the other to select the best "çavuş" grape.

Bozcaada's nightlife is also quite lively. After enjoying a fish dinner in the evening, you can have a fun time at the island's bars.

If you're a bit interested in history, you can visit places related to the island's history such as Bozcaada Castle, Bozcaada Local History Museum, and Bozcaada Church of the Virgin Mary.

You can taste tomato jam, poppy syrup, poppy jam, and poppy cookies.

What to Buy from Bozcaada 

There are many products and items you can add to your suitcase when you return from Bozcaada. When you come to the island, you must buy tomato jam and fig jam made here. You can also buy thyme honey and other jam varieties. We wouldn't be exaggerating if we said there's jam for every fruit and even vegetable you can think of.

After participating in the grape harvest festival, you can buy famous Corvus wines for both yourself and your loved ones.

You can buy many original flavors made from poppies such as poppy syrup, poppy delight, poppy cookies, and products made from poppy flowers. Don't forget to buy mastic, and when your loved ones come to visit you, you can serve it with coffee. Don't forget to buy mastic and cottage cheese cookies.

You can buy olive oil, olive oil soap, and soaps with different aromas sold in many shops and stores. You can also buy souvenirs, decorative items, handmade jewelry and trinkets, or small wooden products.

You can buy fresh fruits and vegetables from the neighborhood market held every Wednesday. You can also obtain many medicinal herbs such as thyme, fresh or dried.