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The western coast of Türkiye is where the Aegean Sea forms a lacelike shoreline framed by seemingly endless bays, creating a unique and exclusive culture defined by barefoot luxury to be enjoyed in idyllic settings. The region offers an exquisite fusion of amazing experiences with its crystal-clear waters, pristine nature, secluded bays, refined delicacies, superb historical heritage, pine woods, olive groves, genuinely welcoming people and a slow-paced way of life.
With its 2,800-kilometer stretch of turquoise coves, pine-crested hills, sleepy mountain villages and sun-kissed beach towns, the coast of happiness is perfect for travellers who are curious and prefer to travel spontaneously, go with the flow and enjoy an experience-driven vacation. The cities here offer a refreshing lifestyle where you can explore colourful local markets, partake in rustic eateries to taste the hearty farm-to-table dishes or dine at lovely seafront restaurants to savour the fresh catch of the day and watch the sun melt away. This region has always been a significant hub in history and is home to hundreds of archaeological and natural sites. It is like an open-air museum, where one can discover the history of humankind by exploring ancient cities such as Ephesus, Pergamum, Aphrodisias, Pamukkale & Hierapolis, and Troy.
The Biga Peninsula: Troy & the Islands
The Aegean coast was the front line to the legendary Trojan War, which is known to have a profound influence on arts in general and significant literary works, such as Homer’s Illiad and Virgil’s Aeneid, over more than two millennia. The site has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage due to its exceptional cultural significance and consists of nine primary layers, the earliest dating back to 3600 BCE. Today, it is thrilling to see the city’s ancient walls, climb its ruins, and look across the Troad (Troy’s plains) to the waters of the Dardanelles and the hills of Gallipoli beyond. The Museum of Troy also awaits you in a state-of-the-art building, where the excavated artefacts are displayed on-site with an inspiring storyline.
Beyond Troy, the Troad region that spanned the whole Biga Peninsula has been the cradle of other great cities, including Assos (Behramkale) and Bozcaada Island (Tenedos), both popular vacation spots today. Bozcaada, off the Strait of Dardanelles, is known for its 3,000-year-old viticulture, thanks to the northern winds bestowing the island with perfect conditions for wine cultivation. Here, you will find the endemic varieties of Kuntra and Karalahna for red wines and Çavuş and Vasilaki for white, which Bozcaada wine producers experiment with to create balanced and well-defined vintages. Restaurants provide regional wines and specialties, celebrating how such delectable tastes can evoke the greatest of human joys. These establishments are surrounded by the island’s winding cobblestone streets and distinctive stone houses.
Another regional island is Gökçeada (İmroz), the twin sister of Bozcaada, which warmly embraces cultural variety and accommodates various customs and traditions, a rich food culture, and unique architecture. Located in the northwest Aegean region, it is the first and only “quiet island” in the world to receive the title of slow city (Cittaslow) in 2011. Thanks to the consistent and powerful winds, particularly during the summer season, Gökçeada is an ideal destination for windsurfers and kitesurfers of all skill levels. After a fun-filled day at the beach, you can visit one of the local restaurants and indulge in some mezes, along with locally caught fish such as mackerel, sea bass, carp, seabream, red mullet, and many more delicious options.
İzmir: The City of Sea & Breeze
The third largest city of the country, also the first Cittaslow metropol, İzmir is a multi-layered city and an important Aegean port since ancient times. Thanks to its provincial style and the abundance of local fresh produce, the seafront city has lately attracted the attention of gastro-travellers. Each of its towns has its special charm from pristine beaches at the Çeşme peninsula, to the vineyards of Urla. The city’s beautiful nature, farmlands and village markets will truly allow you to embrace the culture of the Aegean coast. The city of İzmir is also a great destination for cycling enthusiasts who want to explore the region through the EuroVelo 8 Mediterranean Route. Additionally, the Ephesus to Mimas Cycle Route and Efeler Yolu Culture Route is an excellent opportunity to visit ancient cities that have significant cultural heritage, once inhabited by various civilisations, from the Ionians to the Ottomans.
Two ancient cities that should be on your list are İzmir’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites. As one of the most important ports of the ancient world and the oldest excavation of an archaeological site in Türkiye, Ephesus, having a continuous and complex settlement history can be traced beginning from the seventh millennium BCE, today provides a complete envisioning of what an ancient Roman city was like two thousand years ago. Ephesus’s delightful landmarks to explore are the Library of Celsus, the intact Roman theatre (where St. Paul once preached and gladiators took stage) and hillside mansions of the wealthy citizens of ancient Ephesus that are rich in frescoes and murals with vivid colours and patterns. In addition to these you can also visit the Ephesus Experience Museum, where you will travel back in time with visual interactions, where you will literally live the daily life of the Roman Empire, the grandeur of the Temple of Artemis, and the magnificent atmosphere of the Celsus Library.
The next ancient city to be discovered is Pergamum, a hub for culture and medicine. The Roman theatre, carved into a steep hillside, is a stunning sight. As you walk around the Library of Pergamum ruins, imagine its golden age with visions of the approximately 200,000 volumes of books. Pergamum was a production center of parchment, a writing material prepared using untanned animal hides – in fact, the name itself is a corruption of the word “pergamenos” (from Pergamum) The foundations of the great Pergamum Altar are also visible in situ, referring to its original place.
Discover the Local Taste
To better understand the region, exploring its cuisine is one of the best ways to go about it. Half an hour’s drive north of İzmir, Foça was named Phokaia by the Ionian civilisation in the Ancient Era after the Mediterranean monk seals that lived in its waters, and the name has reached our present day in the form of Foça. The town has beautiful stone houses, some converted to provide accommodation services. When you go farther into the coastal part of the town, the olive oil obtained from the tastiest olives meets mezes and invites diners to a feast of taste. Traditional mezes made from blessed thistle, common mallow, radicchio, asparagus, and many delicious and very healthy endemic herbs are undoubtedly the flavours that should be included on your seafood dining tables. One can enjoy local seafood like grey & red mullet and octopus, accompanied by a glass of red wine made of the local variety of Foça Karası.
Some of the most exciting vineyards in Türkiye have lately begun to flourish along the Urla Vineyard Route, where you will find a good selection of boutique vineyards, cultivating the local grape varieties like Bornova Misketi and the ancient Urla Karası. Urla is also a destination for rakı (the local anise-flavoured liqueur) and fish lovers. The Urla Vineyard Route offers a great way to discover the district, with wine tasting, vineyard walks, and gourmet restaurant menus made from fresh local ingredients. It’s also an eco-friendly option for cycling enthusiasts.
Situated in the south of İzmir city, Seferihisar is the first town in Türkiye to join the Cittaslow movement. In Seferihisar, restaurants offer local delicacies that are unique to the town. Homemade, fresh, and natural products are in the market set up inside the Sığacık Castle every Sunday. Seferihisar has a forty-nine-kilometer-long coastline with many beaches and bays, each more beautiful than the next. The town has also become well-known throughout the country for its producers’ market, which boasts local products and an authentic atmosphere. The market offers various fruits, vegetables, jams, and handcrafted items.
In addition, the culinary scenes of İzmir and Bodrum made a brilliant entry in the 2024 MICHELIN Guide.
Hidden Paradises of Muğla
Muğla, located in the southern Aegean Region, is renowned for its turquoise waters, unspoiled bays, and natural splendour. Its numerous districts are popular tourist destinations in Türkiye, drawing visitors to explore hidden crystal-clear coves and discover ancient cities of civilisations like Carian and Lycian.
Marmaris is the perfect destination to enjoy the turquoise sea and golden sands and to experience several water activities at its isolated coves and bays or secluded beaches… Marmaris is a major centre for traditional gullet, a wooden sailing vessel built along the western coast of Türkiye that has evolved into comfortable yachts. You can reserve a sleek motor yacht or sail on a Blue Voyage aboard these traditional yachts.
If you want to relax on land, two of the Cittaslow towns, Akyaka & Köyceğiz are perfect options. Located just north of Marmaris district in Muğla Province, at the far end of the Gulf of Gökova, Akyaka is a lovely small town surrounded by pine trees. As a result of its geographical location, there are many adventures here for outdoor lovers to experience such as windsurfing, sea kayaking, biking, kitesurfing, rock climbing, sailing, paragliding, rafting, trekking, and riding. Akyaka is mostly known for its Azmak River, which flows through Akyaka to the Gulf of Gökova, moving between trees and reeds, at times displaying a magnificent turquoise colour. You can take a boat ride on the steam or enjoy the view at the restaurants looking over to the flow of the river.
If you travel east of the Marmaris district, you’ll arrive in Köyceğiz. Home to the ruins of the ancient city of Kaunos, the oldest settlement in the region. Archaeological excavations have revealed that settlement here began in the 8th century BCE. Among the ancient ruins, there is an ancient theatre and rock tombs. You can explore the area on a bicycle following the Eco Trails route that traverses Köyceğiz, Ortaca and Dalaman. After this long journey, you may want to cool off in the Toparlar Waterfall. For a unique, sustainable tourism experience, nature-friendly travellers can watch the miraculous adventure of endangered loggerheads, also known as Caretta carettas, who return to their birthplace for nesting. If you’re planning a trip between May and August, head to İztuzu Beach in Köyceğiz, the prime nesting spot for these specific sea turtles, to witness the baby turtles hatching and taking their first steps towards the blue waters. Also, on your way to İztuzu Beach, you can see the amazing Carian rock-cut tombs that were carved on to rocky hills around 4th century BCE.
In this enchanting journey along the coast of happiness, Türkiye unveils its hidden gems, inviting you to embrace the art of slow travel. In the western coast of Türkiye, from the ancient ruins of Troy and Pergamum to the charming Cittaslow towns, there’s something truly magical about this region. So, slow down, savour every moment, and let Türkiye’s Aegean coast enchant you with its timeless beauty and charm.
For more information, visit aegean.goturkiye.com
The MICHELIN Guide İzmir and Bodrum at a Glance:
34 recommended restaurants (15 in İzmir, 19 in Bodrum) including:
- 5 One MICHELIN Star restaurants (3 in İzmir, 2 in Bodrum)
- İzmir: OD Urla, Teruar Urla, Vino Locale
- Bodrum: Kitchen, Maçakızı
- 8 Bib Gourmand restaurants (6 in İzmir, 2 in Bodrum)
- 21 selected restaurants (6 in İzmir and 15 in Bodrum)
- 3 MICHELIN Green Star restaurants (3 in İzmir): OD Urla, Vino Locale, Hiç Lokanta
- 1 MICHELIN Sommelier Award (1 in İzmir): Vino Locale
