.: About Aegean Coast :.

The Aegean Coast 

 The shores along the Aegean Sea  are some of the loveliest in Turkey.  There are idyllic fishing villages, bustling city harbours, popular tourist beaches and wonderful landscapes.

 In this area as with so much of Turkey there are  many  bustling and lively towns with roots in ancient historical times, archeological  sites, wonderful scenery and beautiful coastline. 

 Here are some places of interest.

 NORTHERN AEGEAN

In the Northern Aegean we have the city of Canakkale which lies at the narrow entrance to the Çanakkale Strait (The Dardenelles). The shores of the province of Çanakkale touch both Asia and Europe. Passenger and car ferries run between the Asian side of Turkey to the European side.  The beautiful setting of the  Gelibolu Peninsula Historical National Park (a national park of remembrance  to honour the  soldiers who died in 1915 Battle of Çanakkale) has the  natural beauty of green hills, blue waters and sandy beaches.

 The ancient harbour of Alexandria-Troas was built in 3rd Century BC. Homer wrote about and immortalised Troy in his stories.

 Assos a famous teaching centre of antiquity is 87 kms South of Canakkale. It is reputed that Aristotle spent over three years living and teaching in Assos the ruins of which are set within the village of Behramkale.

 SOUTHERN AEGEAN

In the  Southern Aegean is Izmir with it’s bustling city life, palm fringed promenades, port, airport, museums, numerous historical sites, a cultural centre which hosts opera, ballet and musical concerts, a home to the Aegean Philharmonic orchestra.

 The Çesme peninsula lies west of Izmir has some of the most beautiful stretches of coast with  a mixture of sesame, artichoke and aniseed fields, Çesme town has a port and is a popular holiday resort, with 14th Century Genoese fortress, 16th Century Caravanserai ,  thermal baths and excellent shopping.

 Kusadasi or Bird Island is a bustling port which is host to the many cruise ships that stop over for visits to Ephesus as well as a marina.  It has a lively town full of shops, a Caravanserai built in the 16thC by the mayor of Aydin, Centrum,  street markets and lots of resturants and cafes. There are popular beaches at Ladies Beach, and about 8km from centrum is the Long Beach area.  23 km South of Kusadasi is the lovely resort town of Guzelçamlı. About 30kms South of Kusadasi is the beautiful Dilek Peninsula National Park, home and wildlife preserve for many wild animals including wild horses.

 The Province of Muğla includes the popular resort towns of Bodrum, Marmaris and Fethiye.

Bodrum where the Aegean and Mediterranean sea meet is a charming town with all kinds of goods to be found in it’s narrow white walled streets.  It has a long waterfront, marina and harbour with Bodrum Castle (an example of C15th Crusader architecture).  It was called