Things to Do in Kareşi: 9 Places to Visit

Places to Visit in Kareşi

• 1 Historic
• 3 Religious
• 2 Nature
• 2 Attraction
• 1 Other

🕌 Religious Buildings 3

i Photo: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA) · Source

2 🕌 Religious

Zağnos Paşa Mosque and Complex

Built in 1461 by Zağanos Paşa, one of the commanders of Mehmed the Conqueror, the complex consists of a mosque, hammam and madrasa. It is the oldest and most important Ottoman building complex in Balıkesir.

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i Photo: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA) · Source

3 🕌 Religious

Yıldırım Mosque

Built in 1388 by Yıldırım Bayezid, the mosque is one of Balıkesir's oldest Ottoman buildings. Its single-dome plan and stonework make it an important example of early Ottoman architecture.

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4 🕌 Religious

Zağnos Paşa Mosque and Complex

A historic mosque and complex registered under the Karesi address in the Culture Portal. Only the hammam from the complex has survived in its original state.

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While you are in Kareşi, 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 Kareşi

Suggested time

1-2 days

Best time to visit

Spring and autumn

Places to visit

9 places

• 🥩

  Balıkesir Köftesi (grilled beef meatballs)

  Finely minced beef kneaded with bread crumbs and spices and grilled. It is Balıkesir's most famous dish and is served with the traditional recipe at Karesi's historic köfte shops.

• 🧀

  Höşmerim (fresh cheese dessert)

  A traditional Balıkesir dessert made by melting fresh cheese in butter and cooking it with flour and sugar. It is served hot, with a caramelised surface.

• 🍲

  Keşkek (pounded wheat and lamb)

  Keşkek, made by boiling and pounding wheat and lamb for hours, is the traditional dish of wedding and festival tables in Balıkesir.

• 🥪

  Ayvalık Tostu (toasted sandwich)

  Ayvalık tostu, made with sucuk, kaşar cheese, tomato and sauces, is a common street food throughout Balıkesir. It is also served with the traditional recipe at Karesi's toastie shops.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Kareşi

• 🏛️

  Karasi Principality Legacy

  Karesi district takes its name from the Karasi Principality, which ruled between 1297 and 1360. Karasi, the first Turkish principality to join the Ottoman State, played a strategic role in the Ottoman crossing into Rumelia.

• 📜

  Balıkesir Congress

  During the War of Independence, congresses held in Balıkesir in 1919 played an important role in organising the national struggle. The congress building is open to visitors as a museum.

Local Products

• Dairy Products — Karesi and Altıeylül districts together form Balıkesir's largest milk production basin. Kaymak (clotted cream), cheese and yoghurt are the region's best-known products.
• Balıkesir Kaymağı (Balıkesir clotted cream) — Made from the region's rich milk production, Balıkesir kaymak, with its thick texture and intense flavour, is an essential part of breakfast tables.

Economy

Karesi's economy is based on trade, services, industry and agriculture. Forming the western side of Balıkesir city centre, Karesi is the economic heart of the city with its trade and shopping centres. Food, textile and machinery sectors operate in the organised industrial zone. Dairy farming and agriculture remain important in rural areas.

How to Get to Kareşi

Karesi forms the western side of Balıkesir city centre. It is 290 km from Istanbul, 310 km from Izmir and 150 km from Bursa. Balıkesir Koca Seyit Airport is 10 km away. Regular services to all major cities run from the intercity bus terminal.

Get directions on Google Maps Getting to Balıkesir

Kareşi: Frequently Asked Questions

Continue Your Trip

• 🍽️ What to Eat in Kareşi 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
• Havran 5 places Havran Plain, Tebai Ancient City and Havran Castle
• İvrindi 8 places Mount Kaz, Mount Madra and İvrindi Castle
• 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