Photo: Aziz Akbiyik (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Source 9 places to visit in the Enez district of Edirne: Ainos Ancient City (Ainos Antik Kenti), Meriç River Delta (Meriç Nehri Deltası) and Enez Castle (Ainos). Plan your trip to Enez with local food, practical tips and transport information.
Enez has an area of 455 km², an average elevation of 18 metres above sea level, and a total population of 10,399.
The first settlement in the area is said to be Hoca Çeşme Mound, about 3 km east of Enez, founded in the Late Neolithic period. Enez was taken in January 1456 by the Ottoman army commanded by Fatih Sultan Mehmet and was incorporated into Ottoman territory.
Excavations and research carried out since 1978 in Enez have uncovered historic remains including wine cellars, a villa with mosaics, bath ruins, a basilica and chapels, and Roman and Ottoman period necropolises.
The district’s economy rests mainly on agriculture and livestock, with wheat and sunflowers the main crops. Fishing, which for a long time was one of the district’s major sources of income, is gradually losing importance due to irregular and illegal fishing.
According to ancient sources, Ainos was settled in the 7th century BC by the Aeolians, who lived in the Aiolia region north of İzmir. Enez was taken in January 1456 by the Ottoman army commanded by Fatih Sultan Mehmet and by the Ottoman fleet under the Kaptan-ı Derya, Has Yunus Bey. Excavations and research have uncovered wine cellars, a villa with floors paved in mosaics, bath ruins, a basilica and chapels in Enez. According to the 1892 yearbook (salname), Enez produced 49,000 kıye of wine and 5,115 kıye of rakı from grapes each year.
Inside Enez Castle are the Enez Ayasofyası, a mosaic church, and a cave used as a chapel. In ancient times, Enez was an important port city linking the Balkans with Anatolia and the Aegean. Enez is a city of art and history spanning 10,000 years, stretching from Taşöz to Çanakkale and along the western Black Sea coast.
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Photo: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA) · Source Built on the rock where the acropolis stood in ancient Greek times, Enez Castle was also used in the Byzantine and Ottoman periods. Surrounded by marshes in the Meriç River delta, the castle bears traces of one of the oldest settlements in Thrace.
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Photo: Aziz Akbiyik (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Source The ancient city centre, which has been inhabited since the 4000s BC, was also an important settlement during the Ottoman period.
View on mapExcavations since 1971 have shown that this mound, about 3 km east of Enez, was the first settlement in the region.
View on mapThe ancient Ainos, a city with two harbours founded where the Meriç flows into the sea. Today it bears the name Enez.
View on mapThe tomb of Has Yunus Bey, the Ottoman naval commander who conquered Enez in the name of Fatih Sultan Mehmed. It is located north of the castle.
View on mapThe area where the Meriç River flows into the sea is an important part of Enez district's natural geography.
View on mapEstablished in 2005, the national park is an important stopover for migratory birds. About 45,000 birds live on the lake, and 163 bird species have been recorded.
View on mapPırlanta Beach, 3 km south-west of Enez centre and across the lagoon, is one of the favourite beaches of the Saros Gulf, with clear waters and fine sand. Much loved by domestic tourists in summer, the beach has kept its natural character.
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Photo: Aziz Akbiyik (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Source Altınkum Beach, 2 km south of Pırlanta Beach, is a coastal strip serving domestic tourism with holiday villages and guesthouses. Named after its golden sand, the beach offers swimming in the warm waters of the Saros Gulf.
View on mapWhile you are in Enez, you can also see the highlights of Edirne province. These places are in other districts; Enez is about 155 km from the provincial centre.
Sea bass, sea bream and sardines from the clean waters of the Saros Gulf are served fresh in Enez's fish restaurants. Prepared grilled or steamed, the fish are served with rocket and lemon.
Beef mince kneaded with bread, onion and spices, then grilled or fried. The meatballs, a traditional dish of the Thrace region, are served with rice and salad.
Fish caught in the dalyans (fish traps) of the Meriç River delta and cooked using traditional methods. Fresh grey mullet and sea bass in particular are an important part of Enez cuisine.
Enez has kept its importance as a port city since ancient times. Bearing traces of the Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman periods, the district is one of Thrace's oldest settlements.
Enez, on the border with Greece, has for centuries been a meeting point of different cultures. Interaction between the communities on either bank of the Meriç River has shaped the district's pluralist cultural character.
Enez's economy is based on fishing, agriculture and summer tourism. The beaches along the Saros Gulf coast bring tourism income in the summer months. Sunflower and wheat farming are the main agricultural activities. Dalyan fishing in the Meriç delta is a traditional livelihood.
Enez is 155 km from Edirne city centre and 42 km from Keşan. It is reached by road via Keşan. The nearest border gate is at İpsala. Access by road from Edirne and Istanbul is possible.
The highlights of Enez are 9 places: Ainos Ancient City, Meriç River Delta, Enez Castle (Ainos), Pırlanta Beach, Altınkum Beach, Gala Lake National Park, Has Yunus Bey Tomb, Hoca Çeşme Mound and Ancient Ainos City.
Saros Gulf Fish, Trakya Köftesi and Dalyan Balığı are the standout dishes on Enez's tables.
Enez is known for Sunflower and the Ancient Port City Heritage. Sunflowers grown on the fertile soils of the Thracian plain are Enez's main agricultural product. Sunflower oil production makes an important contribution to the regional economy.
Enez is 155 km from Edirne city centre and 42 km from Keşan. It is reached by road via Keşan. The nearest border gate is at İpsala. Access by road from Edirne and Istanbul is possible.
Recommended trip length: 1-2 days. Best time to visit: summer (June-September).