Photo: Bachelot Pierre J-P (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Source Balıkesir is the only province with coastlines on two seas: the Aegean, with the stone houses of Ayvalık, Cunda Island and the Kaz Mountains, and the Marmara, with Erdek, Kapıdağ and the Marmara and Avşa islands. With the bird sanctuary at Manyas, ancient Kyzikos and Antandros, the Zağnos Paşa Mosque and 46 registered geographical indications (Ayvalık and Edremit olive oil, höşmerim, Susurluk ayran), it makes a rich itinerary.
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17 places worth seeing in Balıkesir, from historic monuments to natural wonders, grouped by type. Open any of them on the map with a single click.
Photo: Bachelot Pierre J-P (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Source A coastal town of stone houses, narrow streets, old churches and olive-oil factories, on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List since 2017. In antiquity it was known as Kydonia ('wild quince').
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Photo: Maurice Flesier (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Source The only inhabited island of Ayvalık's 22 islands and the fourth-largest of Türkiye's Aegean islands, it is connected to the mainland by a bridge. Its name comes from the Turkish word 'yunt' (wild horse); after 1922 it was renamed Alibey in honour of Ali Çetinkaya, a commander of the Kuvâ-yi Milliye (National Forces).
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Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA) · Source A 20-metre, five-storey tower built in 1827 by Giritli-zade Mehmet Paşa, governor of Silistra, to the plan of the clock tower at Silistra; it is likened to the Galata Tower. It collapsed in the earthquake of 1897 and was rebuilt faithfully to the original in 1901.
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Photo: Carole Raddato (CC BY-SA 2.0) · Source A Mysian city near Erdek, north of the isthmus joining the Kapıdağ Peninsula to the mainland. With its sheltered harbours it was one of the most powerful cities on the Marmara in antiquity. The huge remains of the Temple of Hadrian, regarded as the 'eighth wonder' of the ancient world, are here; locally the site is known as Belkıs or Balkız.
View on mapA Troad city 2 km from Altınoluk that grew rich exporting timber from the Kaz Mountains. According to legend, Aeneas built ships here and set sail after the fall of Troy. Excavations have uncovered a Roman villa decorated with mosaics.
View on mapAn ancient city in the Ören neighbourhood of Burhaniye, believed to have been founded by Adramys, brother of the Lydian king Croesus. The name Edremit comes from this city.
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Photo: Osourdounmou (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Source A metropolitan church built in 1873 on Cunda by the Greek Orthodox community in the name of the archangels Gabriel and Michael; it is the island's most important monument. In 2011 it was allocated to the Rahmi M. Koç Museum Foundation, restored and opened as a museum.
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Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA) · Source Built in 1461 by Zağnos Paşa, vizier of Mehmed the Conqueror, this is the largest mosque in Balıkesir and the symbol of the city. During the War of Independence Mehmet Akif Ersoy called on the people to resist here, and Mustafa Kemal Paşa delivered his famous Balıkesir Sermon in this mosque.
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Photo: BIYIKLI, Türkçe Vikipedi (GFDL) · Source A table-shaped hill formed from the lava deposits of an extinct volcano, 8 km south of Ayvalık. With views of the Ayvalık Islands and Lesbos, it is the most popular spot for watching the sunset. Visitors toss coins into the caged 'devil's footprint' and make a wish.
View on mapA 17,950-hectare nature park established in 1995 and covering 19 islands, where 752 plant species and 671 marine species have been recorded. It is ideal for boat trips and diving.
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Photo: Ibrahimarslanca (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Source A national park on the north-eastern shore of Lake Manyas (Manyas Kuş Gölü). It was discovered in 1938 by the zoologist Curt Kosswig and in 1975 received the Council of Europe's Class A European Diploma. It is reached by a 3-km road that branches off at km 15 of the Bandırma–Balıkesir road; from the observation tower you can watch colonies of pelicans, cormorants and herons.
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Photo: Kirmazeytin (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Source This national park in Edremit is home to 29 local endemic species, above all the Kazdağı fir, which grows only on this mountain. The Pınarbaşı and Hasanboğuldu picnic areas are the main places to visit; the legend of Sarıkız and her tomb are also within the park.
View on mapThe second-largest island of Türkiye after Gökçeada; its ancient name is Prokonnesos. Its white marble, quarried since antiquity, is so famous that it gave its name to the sea and the region. In summer it can be reached by sea bus from Istanbul.
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Photo: Özge (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Source A wooded recreation area stretching along a stream near the centre of Balıkesir.
View on mapAn island 7 km long and 4 km wide, part of the Marmara district, known for its beaches and its registered Ada Karası grape. A few thousand people live on the island in winter, but its population reaches 100,000 in summer.
View on mapErdek, on the western shore of the Kapıdağ Peninsula, is one of the oldest seaside resorts on the Marmara; it is known for the peninsula's coves and the registered Kapıdağ purple onion.
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Photo: Erika Praefcke (CC BY 1.0) · Source Long beaches south of Ayvalık, lying at the foot of Şeytan Sofrası.
View on mapBalıkesir is the only province in Türkiye with coasts on both the Aegean and the Marmara. It has a long coastline stretching between the Gulf of Edremit and the Ayvalık Islands in the south-west and the Kapıdağ Peninsula and the Marmara Islands in the north; inland lie broad plains, Lake Manyas (Manyas Kuş Gölü) and the eastern slopes of the Kaz Mountains.
In antiquity this land was the region of Mysia: Kyzikos, south of Kapıdağ, was one of the most powerful port cities on the Marmara; Antandros, near Altınoluk, was a Troad city enriched by the timber of the Kaz Mountains; and the name Edremit comes from ancient Adramytteion on the shore of the gulf. In the 14th century the Karesi Principality, which gave the region its name, was founded; the province was called Karesi until 1926.
During the War of Independence Balıkesir was one of the centres where the Kuvâ-yi Milliye (National Forces) were organised: the Balıkesir Congresses held in 1919–1920 laid the foundations of resistance on the western front. The Balıkesir Sermon, which Mustafa Kemal Paşa delivered in the Zağnos Paşa Mosque in 1923, was also read in this city.
In Balıkesir city centre summers are hot and dry and winters cool and rainy; the coastal districts are milder. Averages for 1999–2025 from the Turkish State Meteorological Service (Balıkesir city centre):
| Month | Avg. high | Avg. low | Rainfall | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 9.4 °C | 1.0 °C | 87 mm | 14 |
| February | 11.4 °C | 1.7 °C | 74 mm | 12 |
| March | 15.2 °C | 3.4 °C | 63 mm | 12 |
| April | 19.9 °C | 6.4 °C | 56 mm | 9 |
| May | 25.3 °C | 10.4 °C | 37 mm | 7 |
| June | 30.2 °C | 15.1 °C | 36 mm | 5 |
| July | 32.8 °C | 18.1 °C | 12 mm | 1 |
| August | 32.7 °C | 18.6 °C | 5 mm | 1 |
| September | 28.9 °C | 14.3 °C | 27 mm | 4 |
| October | 22.8 °C | 9.9 °C | 49 mm | 7 |
| November | 16.8 °C | 5.3 °C | 76 mm | 9 |
| December | 10.9 °C | 2.6 °C | 79 mm | 12 |
June to September is ideal for the sea, the spring migration (March–May) and autumn for Kuşcenneti, and May–June and September–October for walks in the Kaz Mountains. The olive harvest takes place in November–December, which is the best time to taste freshly pressed olive oil in Ayvalık and Edremit.
By air: For the Aegean coast, Balıkesir Koca Seyit Airport in Edremit (4 km from Edremit centre) is the closest airport to Ayvalık, Akçay and Altınoluk.
By sea and rail: Ferries and sea buses run from Istanbul to Bandırma, and trains from Bandırma go to Izmir via Balıkesir. In summer sea buses run daily from Istanbul to the Marmara and Avşa islands.
By road: The Istanbul–Izmir motorway passes through Balıkesir; Ayvalık and Edremit lie on the Izmir–Çanakkale coastal road.
Aegean route (3 days): Stone streets in Ayvalık and Taksiyarhis Church on Cunda; the next day, sunset at Şeytan Sofrası and a boat tour of the islands; on the third day, a walk to Hasanboğuldu in Kazdağı National Park and Antandros near Altınoluk.
Marmara route (2 days): From Bandırma to Kuşcenneti National Park, then the remains of the Temple of Hadrian at Kyzikos; on the second day, Erdek and the coves of Kapıdağ.
According to TÜRKPATENT records, Balıkesir has 46 registered geographical indications. The highlights are the Ayvalık, Edremit and Burhaniye olive oils, Edremit Körfezi yeşil çizik zeytini (Gulf of Edremit green scored olives), Balıkesir höşmerim tatlısı (cheese and semolina dessert), Balıkesir kaymaklısı (clotted-cream dessert), Susurluk ayranı and tostu, Balıkesir düğün çorbası (wedding soup), Balıkesir tombul bamyası (plump okra), Gönen pirinci (Gönen rice), the Manyas, İvrindi and Savaştepe Mihaliç kelle cheeses, Ayvalık lor tatlısı (curd-cheese dessert) and sakızlı kurabiyesi (mastic biscuits), Havran siyah inciri (Havran black figs), Sındırgı çıtır kavunu (Sındırgı crisp melon) and Avşa ada karası üzümü (Avşa Ada Karası grapes).
Balıkesir province has 20 districts. Explore the places to visit, local dishes and transport in each one.
A dessert made with cheese, semolina and syrup, with a registered geographical indication.
A clotted-cream dessert with a registered geographical indication.
Frothy Susurluk ayran, served with the Susurluk toasted sandwich (tost); both are registered.
A traditional soup with a registered geographical indication.
An Ayvalık dessert made with lor (curd) cheese, with a registered geographical indication.
Small-podded okra registered with a protected designation of origin.
The main stops are Ayvalık Old Town and Cunda Island, Taksiyarhis Church, Şeytan Sofrası, Kazdağı National Park, Kuşcenneti National Park, Kyzikos, Antandros, the Zağnos Paşa Mosque, the Clock Tower, Erdek and the Marmara and Avşa islands.
Yes. Balıkesir is the only province in Türkiye with coasts on both the Aegean and the Marmara: Ayvalık and Edremit are on the Aegean, while Bandırma, Erdek and Marmara Island are on the Marmara.
The nearest airport is Balıkesir Koca Seyit Airport in Edremit. Ayvalık lies on the Izmir–Çanakkale coastal road.
Höşmerim, kaymaklı, Susurluk ayran and tost, Ayvalık and Edremit olive oil, kelle cheeses, tombul okra and Ayvalık lor tatlısı; the province has 46 registered geographical indications.
Spring (March–May) and autumn, when bird migration is at its peak, are the best times; the best time to watch the birds is early in the morning.
Until 1926 the province was called Karesi, after the Karesi Principality founded in the region in the 14th century.
The information in this guide has been compiled from and checked against the sources below (last checked: 7 October 2026). If you spot an error, please let us know.