Things to Do in Havran: 5 Places to Visit

Places to Visit in Havran

• 1 Historic
• 1 Ancient City
• 1 Religious
• 1 Nature
• 1 Attraction

While you are in Havran, 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 Havran

Suggested time

1 day

Best time to visit

Spring and autumn

Places to visit

5 places

• 🌿

  Zeytinyağlı Enginar (artichokes in olive oil)

  Artichokes grown on the Havran plain are cooked in olive oil and lemon. Served cold, this dish is one of the most loved olive oil dishes of Aegean cuisine.

• 🍲

  Keşkek (cracked wheat and meat dish)

  Made by cooking and pounding cracked wheat and lamb for a long time, keşkek is the traditional dish of wedding tables in Havran.

• 🫓

  Gözleme (stuffed flatbread)

  Thin rolled dough filled with cheese or spinach and cooked on a griddle, gözleme is an essential part of Havran's rural breakfast tables.

• 🍽️

  Havran leblebisi (roasted chickpeas)

  One of Havran's known products, roasted chickpeas associated with the district.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Havran

• 🎭

  Tahtacı Turkmen Culture

  Tahtacı Turkmen living in the mountainous parts of Havran contribute to the region's cultural diversity with their distinctive beliefs and traditions.

• 🫒

  Olive Growing Tradition

  Olive growing in Havran is a tradition maintained for generations. During the olive harvest season, a culture of community solidarity and sharing is kept alive in the villages.

Local Products

• Havran Mandalinası (Havran mandarin) — Havran Mandalinası was registered as a protected geographical indication on 9 August 2023 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 1446). Product group: processed and unprocessed fruits, vegetables and mushrooms. Registered by: Havran Municipality.
• Havran Siyah İnciri (Havran black fig) — Havran Siyah İnciri was registered as a protected designation of origin on 8 June 2023 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 1382). Product group: processed and unprocessed fruits, vegetables and mushrooms. Registered by: Balıkesir Metropolitan Municipality.

Economy

Havran's economy is based on olive growing, agriculture and livestock farming. Olives, cotton and cereals are produced on the fertile Havran plain. Small livestock farming is an important source of livelihood in rural areas.

How to Get to Havran

Havran is 80 km from Balıkesir and 20 km from Edremit. Edremit Koca Seyit Airport is 30 km away. There are regular minibus services from Edremit and Balıkesir.

Get directions on Google Maps Getting to Balıkesir

Havran: Frequently Asked Questions

Continue Your Trip

• 🍽️ What to Eat in Havran Famous dishes and local products →
• 🗺️ Things to Do in Balıkesir The province's 17 best places and all its districts →

Other Districts of Balıkesir

• Altıeylül 6 places Değirmenboğazı Nature Park, Zağnos Paşa Mosque and Balıkesir Clock Tower
• Ayvalık 12 places Cunda Island (Alibey Island), Şeytan Sofrası (Devil's Table) and Ayvalık Old Town
• Balya 8 places Balya Mine Workings, Balya Castle and İlyaslar Canyon
• Bandırma 7 places Kuşcenneti National Park, Kyzikos Ancient City and Bandırma Vapuru Museum
• Bigadiç 5 places Bigadiç Boron Mine (Bigadiç Bor Madeni), Bigadiç Hot Springs (Bigadiç Kaplıcaları) and Achyraus Ancient City Ruins (Achyraus Antik Kenti Kalıntıları)
• Burhaniye 7 places Ören Coast, Adramytteion Ancient City and Pelitköy Olive Oil Museum
• Dursunbey 7 places Alaçam Dağları (Alaçam Mountains), Suçıktı Mesire Yeri (Suçıktı Picnic Area) and Ulus Dağı (Ulus Mountain)
• Edremit 8 places Kazdağı (Mount Ida) National Park, Altınoluk Beach and Akçay Beach
• Erdek 5 places Kapıdağ Peninsula, Kyzikos Ancient City and Erdek Beach
• Gömeç 11 places Gömeç Shore, Madra Mountain and Karaağaç Cove
• Gönen 5 places Gönen Hot Springs, Asepsus Ancient City and Gönen Hot Spring Park
• İvrindi 8 places Mount Kaz, Mount Madra and İvrindi Castle
• Kareşi 9 places Balıkesir Castle (Karesi Castle), Zağnos Paşa Mosque and Complex and Balıkesir City Museum
• Kepsut 4 places Kepsut Plain, Çataldağ and Kepsut Plain and Peach Orchards
• Manyas 5 places Manyas Lake, Kuşcenneti National Park and Lake Manyas (Bird Lake)
• Marmara 9 places Marmara Island, Saraylar and Ancient Marble Quarries
• Savaştepe
• Sındırgı 5 places Hisaralan Hot Springs, Yağcıbedir Carpet Museum and Sındırgı Castle
• Susurluk 6 places Susurluk Ayran Stop, Susurluk Bazaar Mosque and Susurluk Plain