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11 places to visit in the Gömeç district of Balıkesir: Gömeç Shore, Madra Mountain and Karaağaç Cove. Plan your trip to Gömeç with local food, practical tips and transport information.

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Gömeç is a district on the Aegean Sea coast of Balıkesir province. It is the smallest district in Balıkesir by area. It is famous for the “Atatürk Rocks”, where a silhouette of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk appears, and for its centuries-old plane trees. The district’s main source of livelihood is olive and olive oil production.

History

The earliest known name of the district is Passawanda, and its later name was Kisthene. Gömeç was occupied by Greece during the First World War and was liberated from occupation on 6 September 1922.

Geographical Structure

The district has an area of 171 km² and an average altitude of 14 metres above sea level. There are no rivers in the district, and 70 per cent of the land is mountainous and 30 per cent is plain.

Economy

The main agricultural product is the olive, and there are 11,150 hectares of olive groves. There are 13 olive oil factories in the district.

History and Culture

Gömeç was occupied by Greece during the First World War and was liberated from the occupation on 6 September 1922. When the Greeks landed at Ayvalık in 1919, the 172nd Regiment under the command of Ali Çetinkaya resisted in Ayvalık and was then moved to the Karaağaç front. At Karaağaç, during the War of Independence, the Karaağaç Front Command was established under Ali Çetinkaya’s command and served throughout the war. Kız Çiftliği Mound, on the sea coast north of the settlement centre, has been continuously inhabited since the Early Bronze Age. The district centre took the name Gömeç, which means “honeycomb”, because of the intensive beekeeping carried out there.

History and Culture

When the Greeks landed at Ayvalık in 1919, the 172nd Regiment under the command of Ali Çetinkaya resisted in Ayvalık.

Highlights

To the north of the settlement centre, on the sea coast, is Kız Çiftliği Mound, which has been continuously inhabited since the Early Bronze Age. Gömeç was occupied by Greece during the First World War and was liberated from the enemy occupation on 6 September 1922.

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Places to Visit in Gömeç

  • 2 Historic
  • 1 Museum
  • 5 Nature
  • 3 Beach

Historic Sites 2

Historic

Historic Municipal Building

Built in 1908 as a primary school, the building was restored in 2010 in keeping with its original form and began to be used as the municipal building.

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Historic

Kız Çiftliği

A historic farmhouse on a mound on the coast of the Edremit Gulf, north-west of the district centre.

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Museums 1

Museum

Lieutenant Colonel Ali Çetinkaya Museum, Commander of the 172nd Regiment

In Karaağaç Neighbourhood, this museum houses the headquarters of Lieutenant Colonel Ali Çetinkaya, Commander of the 172nd Regiment, and personal belongings used in the war.

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Natural Wonders 5

Nature

Madra Mountain

A mountain to the east of the district.

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Nature

Karaağaç Cove

The Karaağaç cove, west of Gömeç, is a small beach surrounded by natural vegetation. Its shallow, calm waters make it ideal for families.

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Nature

Olive Grove Walking Trails

Walking trails running through the centuries-old olive groves in the inland parts of Gömeç offer a peaceful route for nature lovers. During the olive harvest these trails provide a particularly atmospheric experience.

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Nature

Atatürk Rocks

An arrangement of rocks on the Madra mountains is seen as the face of Atatürk. Viewing points have been created along the E-87 highway.

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Nature

Historic Plane Tree

A plane tree known to be 850 years old, located in the area of the Atatürk rocks in the Madra Mountains. It is 7 km from the district centre.

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Beaches and Coves 3

Beach

Gömeç Shore

A beach on the coastline of the district.

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Beach

Gömeç Beaches

Beaches with wide, long sands and a sea that has the Blue Flag.

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Beach

Karaağaç Coastal Coves

The coastal coves in Karaağaç Neighbourhood are awarded the Blue Flag every year for their cleanliness and natural character.

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Places to Visit Around Balıkesir Province

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While you are in Gömeç, you can also see the highlights of Balıkesir province. These places are in other districts.

  • Ayvalık Old Town — 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').
  • Cunda (Alibey) Island — 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.
  • Taksiyarhis Church — 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.
  • Şeytan Sofrası (Devil's Table) — A table-shaped hill formed from the lava deposits of an extinct volcano, 8 km south of Ayvalık.
  • Ayvalık Islands Nature Park — A 17,950-hectare nature park established in 1995 and covering 19 islands, where 752 plant species and 671 marine species have been recorded.
  • Zağnos Paşa Mosque — Built in 1461 by Zağnos Paşa, vizier of Mehmed the Conqueror, this is the largest mosque in Balıkesir and the symbol of the city.

Practical Information for Visiting Gömeç

Suggested time
1 day
Best time to visit
June–September
Places to visit
11 places

What to Eat in Gömeç

Food guide →

  • Olive Oil Wild Herb Dishes

    Wild herbs gathered among Gömeç's olive groves are cooked with natural extra virgin olive oil. Herbs such as chicory, radicchio and sirken are served as cold mezes.

  • Papalina Tava

    Papalina fish from the Edremit Gulf are coated in corn flour and fried in olive oil. It is the most popular dish at Gömeç's seaside restaurants.

  • Gözleme

    Thinly rolled yufka pastry filled with cheese, spinach or minced meat and cooked on a sac. Gözleme is an essential part of breakfast tables in rural Gömeç.

  • Düğün Köftesi

    A dish presented on Habertürk's programme Nursel's Kitchen as specific to Gömeç cuisine. The recipe is not detailed in the source.

  • Olive Oil

    Olive oil produced in Gömeç has won awards in competitions held in Europe.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Gömeç

  • Olive Growing Tradition

    Olive growing has been the main source of livelihood in Gömeç for centuries. The olive harvest, carried out in November and December, becomes a social event in the villages.

  • Coastal Way of Life

    Gömeç's quiet coastal life offers holidaymakers escaping big cities an alternative lifestyle. The tradition of summer houses has shaped the district's modern cultural identity.

Local Products

  • Olive Oil — Natural extra virgin olive oil obtained from Gömeç's fertile olive groves, known for its low acidity and fruity aroma.
  • Table Olives — Olives of the Ayvalık variety, specific to the region, are prepared by brining and by the çizme method and eaten as table olives.

Economy

Gömeç's economy consists of olive growing and tourism. The district contains one of the important olive production areas of the Edremit Gulf. Coastal tourism provides additional income in the summer months. Small-scale fishing and farming are other sources of livelihood.

How to Get to Gömeç

Gömeç is 100 km from Balıkesir and 15 km from Ayvalık. Edremit Koca Seyit Airport is 40 km away. There are bus connections via Ayvalık and Burhaniye.

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Gömeç: Frequently Asked Questions

What are the things to see in Gömeç?

The 11 highlights of Gömeç are: Gömeç Shore, Madra Mountain, Karaağaç Cove, Olive Grove Walking Trails, Atatürk Rocks, Gömeç Beaches, Karaağaç Coastal Coves, Lieutenant Colonel Ali Çetinkaya Museum, Commander of the 172nd Regiment, Historic Municipal Building, Historic Plane Tree and Kız Çiftliği.

What to eat in Gömeç?

Olive Oil Wild Herb Dishes, Papalina Tava, Gözleme and Düğün Köftesi are the standout dishes on Gömeç's tables.

What is Gömeç famous for?

Gömeç is known for Olive Oil and the Olive Growing Tradition. The natural extra virgin olive oil obtained from Gömeç's fertile olive groves is known for its low acidity and fruity aroma.

How do I get to Gömeç?

Gömeç is 100 km from Balıkesir and 15 km from Ayvalık. Edremit Koca Seyit Airport is 40 km away. There are bus connections via Ayvalık and Burhaniye.

How much time should I set aside for a visit to Gömeç?

Suggested visit length: 1 day. Best time to visit: June–September.

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