Hidden bays of Assos
Being among the popular places of summer such as Bozcaada, Ayvalık and Cunda Island, Assos does not get the attention it deserves. However, it has a distinct advantage over its rivals with its historical richness and its nature that has protected itself from mass tourism.
Assos, the most extraordinary settlement of the North Aegean, where most of us stop by, draws attention with its little known magnificent bays as well as its historical and natural beauties. Being among the popular places of summer such as Bozcaada, Ayvalık and Cunda Island, Assos does not get the attention it deserves. However, it has a distinct advantage over its rivals with its historical richness and its nature that has protected itself from mass tourism. Whether you want history or nature, there are many things expected from a holiday in Assos. If you are interested in history and ancient cities, 2700-year-old ruins are waiting for you. Kazdağları is very close for nature lovers. For those who want sea, sand and sun, the blue flag Kadırga Beach is here. For those who want to relax and swim in deep blue waters and feel a little special, the hidden coves on the shores of Assos from Babakale to Küçükkuyu are waiting to be discovered. The 50-kilometer coastline between Assos and Babakale, in the middle of Assos, is shown with yellow and green lines on the maps. We all know that this means a road that has visual richness and is intertwined with nature. Especially the road between Assos and Babakale is the least known part of the North Aegean, which passes through ancient ruins and next to calm beaches shaded by glass. For those coming from Akçay, Altınoluk, Küçükkuyu, it is enough to follow the brown sign “Behramkale (Assos)” at the end of Küçükkuyu. This road is literally “a corner of heaven” after the hustle and bustle of the sites and vehicle traffic of these settlements. The road that continues along the seashore reaches Assos after about 22 kilometers. But don’t rush. Take your time and enjoy this road, where construction is extremely low, lined with olive and pine trees, shabby fish restaurants and cute little hotels.
Deserted and calm bays
The area, which is a Natural Protected Area, is almost surrounded by olive trees flowing into the sea, and slightly higher are covered with pine trees. You pass by many deserted and calm coves along the coast. The sea is crystal clear and you can swim wherever you want. When you get hungry, small restaurants where you can find delicious fish and appetizers of the Aegean are waiting for you. A little way before you reach Assos, the blue flag Kadırga Beach, which has the most beautiful sea of Edremit Bay, lays in front of you. There are plenty of options for accommodation here. Various accommodation and eating and drinking places are available on Kadırga Beach, from a spa hotel option to tent camping areas. The sea is truly magnificent in Kadırga. For this reason, people from many places from Çanakkale to Edremit prefer this place for sea enjoyment, especially on weekends. However, do not worry, Kadırga Beach is so wide that there is enough space for everyone here as in the whole North Aegean.
It is possible to find a quiet corner to swim in even the busiest times. Kadırga Beach is only 3 kilometers from Assos. For this reason, you should definitely visit Assos after enjoying the sea. But it is recommended that you do this trip in the evening. Since Assos is quite barren and consists entirely of stones and rocks, the sun is burning during the day. Starting the tour from Behramkale Village and drinking a Turkish coffee in the village square will make your trip more enjoyable. A variety of local and non-local products are sold at the stalls set up by the villagers along the narrow streets. If you ask me, the best product to buy here should be green olives and olive oil.
Edremit Bay view
Assos was founded on a hill 240 meters above sea level and the highest place of the city was BC. In the 4th century, a temple was built in the name of Goddess Athena. Although there is very little left from the temple, the views of Edremit Bay and Lesbos Island are magnificent. It is time to pass Assos and continue towards the westernmost tip of our country. The distance between Assos and Babakale is approximately 30 kilometers. Here are the most virgin areas and the most beautiful bays of the region.
Bays in villages
A few kilometers after setting off from Assos, the sign “Green Port” directing you to the left will take you to a small bay in the middle of calm. This bay, where there are no settlements except a few houses, is reached by a 2-kilometer dirt road. When you take the main road and continue towards Babakale, this time you reach Koruoba Village. The road going down to the sea through the village takes you to a hidden bay again. “Çayevi in the Sea” by the sea is a place to rest your head. You can sit all day in the part with wooden tables and chairs, shaded by a gazebo, of the place, which is right in front of the sea. The pancakes made with purslane collected from the garden are wonderful.
Fish pleasure in Sivrice
From here it is necessary to go back to the main road. Because there is no road along the shore. Bektaş Village on the main road is a village consisting entirely of stone houses. You follow the Sivrice sign from the village and go down to the sea at the end of a winding road. This is Sivrice, famous for its lighthouse. There is the opportunity to swim on both sides of a thin nose with a lantern at the end and depending on the wind. But the most important thing is the Okan Motel Restaurant on the east side of the nose and the Uncle Muammer’s Place on the west side. In both places, places where you can eat fish at an affordable price, as well as in shabby conditions. Especially the tuna or swordfish are recommended.
Street mouth relatively lively
From here, the road continues along the shore and reaches Sokakağzı. Sokakağzı is a little more active than other bays. The beach, lined with small pensions and restaurants, is still quite calm compared to its counterparts in many places. After Sokakağzı, the coastal road ends. Therefore, go back to the main road and continue towards Babakale. Along the way, stone-married villages, which remind more of the steppe villages than the Aegean, are worth seeing. Before arriving at Kocaköy, one of the villages in question, another beautiful bay is reached by the dirt road that goes to the left. When you follow the sign for Imbat Motel, which you will see at the turn, after 6 kilometers, you reach a small bay where this facility is located. This is a complete retreat center. Quiet, calm and like your own. Now is the time to go to Babakale, the last stop of the journey. However, Gülpınar, taking the road to Babakale, hosts magnificent ruins. Not without visiting this place. This is the Temple of Apollo Smintheus. The impressive Temple of Apollo Smintheus, once the center of prophecy, is in Gülpınar. B.C. The temple, which was built in the 2nd century, has been significantly restored thanks to the restoration works in recent years. Babakale, known as the westernmost tip of our country on the mainland, is 9 kilometers from Gülpınar. This is the best place next to the historical castle worth visiting, where you can eat cheap and fresh fish accompanied by the sunset and end your journey with pleasure.
ARISTO AT ASSOS
The famous philosopher of the ancient world, Aristotle. He taught philosophy for three years in Assos in the 4th century.
In some sources, it is said that he came to Assos for the sake of love, and in some sources, Plato came to Assos to create a state in accordance with what he described in his work The State. Aristotle’s philosophical tradition continues in Assos. Every summer, philosophers from many countries of the world come to Assos to discuss various issues.