Cooling off in the bays, sitting on the beaches and sunbathing, enjoying nature with a private vehicle on land, by bicycle or on foot, renting a boat and anchoring wherever you want, fishing with a line, diving… These are just a few of the things you can do, in addition to swimming all day long in a crystal clear sea in the middle of the Aegean… Not to mention a castle tour in the evening and tasting different flavors at the restaurant opposite… If you want clean air, free from smoke and soot, away from the city stress. If you want to breathe, turn your route to Bozcaada…

It is the choice of those who go to Bozcaada, the only town in Turkey without a village, for a day or a weekend; Ayazma Beach. The coastline, one of the most popular places on the island, is a source of healing for those who take sand cures. Bozcaada is fascinatingly beautiful with its unique beach, shallow and warm sea, and indescribable blue color.

Those who come by private vehicles park at the top of the beach and enjoy the sea all day long, relax in the countryside restaurants and gazebos and play beach volleyball. There is a ferry for those who want to come to the beach by taxi. As soon as the ferry docks at the port, taxis take the passengers to the beach and picnic areas in a short time. If you are looking for quieter bays, continue left from Ayazma. 

You can reach Mermer Burnu by going there. The bay, covered with marble rocks and its interesting geographical structure extending like a tongue to the sea, is in demand with its calm sea. There are several other bays around the island where you can get out of your car and swim in the sea in a few steps without paying any fee. The last stop of those who go for walks, wander around the rocks and watch the sunset is the harbor where Bozcaada Castle is located.

The restaurants in the harbor, facing the magnificent view of the castle, which started to be illuminated 4 years ago, are filled with people who enjoy eating outdoors. Guests enjoy the happiness of the unpolluted sea and air with Bozcaada wines. Fried calamari, unique to the region, is at the top of the order. 2-2.5 kg steamed lipsos and soup, red mullet, dentex, grouper and sea bass are among the fish that must be tasted.

Different tastes: There are areas in Bozcaada that are suitable for diving, have high visibility and beautiful natural views. If you go on a boat tour with fisherman-captain Kemal Şahin from Bozcaada, you may have the opportunity to encounter interesting tastes. The most enjoyable of these is to dive with the captain, take out the sea urchins with small stones on them living in these clean waters and eat the caviar inside right there.

This melt-in-your-mouth caviar has a very high nutritional value. Another food is; fuska Egg yolk colored fuscas are found in stony areas and are used in iodine treatment for goiter patients. Another specialty of this place is “kulfada meatballs”. Kulfada, which is a white plant that lives attached to the shores and can be removed with a fork, is kneaded and shaped by adding meatball ingredients without using bread.

This appetizer, which tastes like cauliflower and is generally used by Greeks, is consumed with raki. Grapes and wine: A sweet breeze begins in Bozcaada in mid-July. The wind, which does not overwhelm or burn people, starts at 10:00 in the morning and lasts until 17:00. The island is generally dry. But world-famous grapes are nourished by this moist wind and find their flavor. Viticulture in Bozcaada is as old as its name.

While Evliya Çelebi talks about Bozcaada in his famous travelogue; He describes it as the place where the most beautiful sergeant grapes in the world grow. 18,500 acres of the island are covered with vineyards. Wines made from grapes that reached their current quality under the influence of sun, soil and wind, became famous as Bozcaada wines. Table Çavuş Grape is thin-skinned, sweet and delicious due to the influence of northeastern winds. Varieties such as Karasakız and Vasilaki are used as wine.

Three factories are in operation in the region. Hüseyin Pehlivan Talay (Truva), Ataol (Old) and Ragbet (Yunatçılar) wines are rested, aged, cork-capped and dry wines. You can also buy double or triple gift packages from the kiosks in the port. Salhane, Beer Bars and restaurants are places where wines are tasted on site. Bars are lined up on the island’s coast. Young people dance and have fun in groups on summer nights by lighting fires.

Bozcaada Castle: It is not known who built the castle, which was built on the northern cape of the island. The castle, which was used during the Venetian, Genoese and Byzantine periods, was repaired by Fatih Sultan Mehmet due to the importance of the Dardanelles. The castle, which was expanded by Suleiman the Magnificent and Mahmud II, was reviewed by the Ministry of Tourism in 1965-70.

Separated from the island by a 10-meter wide and 250-meter water moat, Bozcaada Castle consists of two parts: inner and outer. In the sections surrounded by walls, there are water cisterns, ammunition depots, infirmaries, headquarters, wells, fountains, mosques, workshops and barracks buildings. The castle is as impressive from the inside as it is from the outside with its magnificent appearance.

Visitors, who climb the walls and bastions with stone steps in warm weather, have the opportunity to watch and photograph the panorama of Bozcaada from different angles. Those who want to visit the museum inside the castle can admire the various amphorae on display. Immediately after sunset, Bozcaada Castle, illuminated by powerful spotlights, shines brightly in the middle of the Aegean Sea, as if in comparison with Bodrum Castle. How to get to Bozcaada?

Those who set out from Istanbul by private vehicle will have two ferry rides waiting for them. Those who leave the highway from the Kınalı exit can turn towards Gelibolu when they reach Tekirdağ-Keşan and pass to Çanakkale from Lapseki or Eceabat with the ferries departing hourly. For those who do not want to wait in line, minibuses with a capacity of 5-6 vehicles travel from Gelibolu and Kilitbahir to Çanakkale.

When you come to Ezine via Çanakkale, you can reach Bozcaada Ferry Port from the road allocated to Geyikli. There is a fuel station at Bozcaada Pier. The entire road of the island is asphalt and you can do a full tour. If you have a bike, put it in your car and hit the road! You cannot find a more suitable place. You can pedal in the fresh air and enjoy the roads suitable for sightseeing.

If you want to go with a travel agency, you can choose Arnika Travel Agency, which organizes tours to Bozcaada.

What to eat in Bozcaada? When Bozcaada is mentioned, the first thing that comes to mind is the taste of grapes, which are world famous. Thanks to advanced radars, the chance of fish proliferation after Saros has decreased considerably in Bozcaada. Despite this, the taste of fish, squid and insects eaten in the restaurants lined up around the harbor is worth the price paid. Pizza, lahmacun and kebab type foods are among the other options available in the port.

Tea gardens, bars, nut sellers, buffets, and shops selling souvenir wine are other popular places. The countryside restaurants on Ayazma Beach, with gardens under the gazebo, welcome the beachgoers with a variety of meatballs, menemen, toast and soft drinks.