Where is Avşa Island, How to Get There? What are the Places to Visit on Avşa Island?

Where is Avşa Island and how to get there?

Avşa Island is located in Balıkesir Province, in the Marmara Region. Its clean air and beautiful beaches attract visitors. Local tourists, especially from Istanbul, visit the island every year. Located within the group of islands surrounding the Kapıdağ Peninsula, it has become a popular destination for both local and international tourists.

Avşa Island can be reached by sea bus or ferry from Istanbul, Erdek, and Tekirdağ. Those traveling from nearby provinces like Eskişehir, Bursa, and İzmir should first arrive at the Erdek pier and then transfer to the island via Adalar 1, Gestaş, or Marmara RoRo ferries.

What are the places to visit in Avşa Island?

Avşa Island, with its conceptual structure and beautiful features, is a favorite among local and international tourists. It's also very easy to reach. Located in the Sea of Marmara, it's part of the island group known as the Marmara Islands.

It is one of the islands of Balıkesir Province in the Marmara Region. It broke away from the Kapıdağ Peninsula many years ago and became an island. Throughout history, Arabs, Greeks, and Turks have lived on the island. Many other nations have lived on the island from the Old Stone Age to the present day. During the Byzantine period, the island was used for defense purposes. Its name at that time was Afousia.

Between 672 and 678, the Arab armies that besieged Constantinople used the island as a settlement. Over the years, the Arabs became Turkified, and the island became known as Arab Island during the Ottoman period. With the signing of the Population Exchange Treaty, the Greeks on the island were sent to Greece, and Turks were settled there. Following this event, agricultural activities on the island ceased.

For a brief period during the Republican era, the island was known as Türkeli. Following subsequent regulations, the island was renamed Avşa. Avşa Island is now a major tourist destination and has a population of approximately 2,000.

Avşa Island offers many hotels and guesthouses for accommodation. Prices vary depending on the hotel and guesthouse's features. Rather than large hotels, smaller hotels, apartments, and guesthouses are more common here.

Hotel prices tend to increase, especially during summer and public holidays. Therefore, if you're planning a holiday, it's best to book in advance.

Avşa Island is located within the Sea of Marmara. It is approximately two hours by ship from Erdek and 2.5 hours from Istanbul. This island is located in the Marmara district of Balıkesir province. It is approximately 11 km from the district center and approximately 155 km from the city center. Avşa Island is also known as Türkeli Island, but the name Avşa has since become more commonly used.

There are many wineries to visit on Avşa Island. You can also sample some wine while you're there. The wines are made from a grape variety called Ada Karası (Island Karası). There are also ancient historical buildings dating back to the Greek era on the island.

You can swim from the central beach of Avşa Island. This beach is approximately 3 km long. You can also rent a boat from here and explore the coves. Yiğitler Village is located in the southern part of Avşa Island, approximately 5 minutes from the center. You can also swim from Yiğitler's beach. There are two shrines in the village, and you can visit them while you're here.

Altınkum Bay is located very close to Yiğitler Village. Altınkum Bay is a popular destination for tourists. Şahintepesi (Falcon Hill), named after the rocks here that resemble hawks, is also located in Altınkum Bay. There's also a restaurant there.

Karadut Bay is the second most popular bay after Altınkum. It has a long beach and two tea gardens near it. It takes its name from the black mulberry trees found there.

There is a women's-only beach on Avşa Island. However, there are no cafes or restrooms there.