A peaceful island vacation: Gökçeada

If you're really looking for a secluded place to relax, our suggestion is Gökçeada. 

As the largest island of our country and often mentioned in every geography lesson as the westernmost point, Gökçeada actually has so many wonderful unknown aspects!

Gökçeada is an island full of surprises, located in the middle of the deep blue sea. It's close to the city but far from the chaos, perfect for unwinding. Whether you're alone, with your partner, or with your best friend, it’s the destination for a secluded vacation. Decide what kind of holiday you want. You can stay in a boutique hotel with superb views in the center of the island, or you could light a campfire and pitch a tent by the sea. The island says "yes" to all these options.

We cannot compare Gökçeada with any other island, with its abandoned Greek villages and homes featuring distinct architecture, and narrow cobblestone streets that open up to the sea. There are no lively night entertainments here. The shimmering sea under the moonlight, the crackling of wood in the fire, and the sound of the sea are your most loyal companions.

The pristine beaches redefine what clean seas and beaches are. Its undiscovered and untouched bays, fine sandy beaches, and stunning seas are exceptional. The olive trees, challenging centuries, start right at the end of the beach and accompany you with their fragrance.

When you visit Gökçeada, tour the old Greek villages and distinctive Greek houses. The island, rich in water resources, also has an underwater museum that you must see. Head towards Tepeköy to find an ancient plane tree. Have a fine Turkish coffee there, chat with the locals, and listen to interesting stories that shed light on the island's history. There's also a small salt lake formed between sand dunes in Gökçeada; don’t forget to take pictures. In the evening, enjoy a delightful fish dinner by the sea accompanied by the moonlight.

The island is truly serene; be sure to bring your books, notebook, and camera. You will find many moments to document in history or to immortalize. Immersing in the worlds within your book while listening to the sea and nature on the beach will make you forget everything else.

Gökçeada is like a fairy-tale island where you can clear your mind and cleanse yourself of all the negatives... A place without crowds, chaos, noisy and rowdy entertainment, and boasting luxury-life show-offs and selfish vacationers. The sound of the wind, the bells of goats, the sound of the sea waves, the feeling of independence that comes with leaving everything behind and walking in empty streets with only your own footsteps.

Eski Bademli village, still predominantly inhabited by the Greek population, is one of the most beautiful and special villages of the island.

What to Do in Gökçeada

 First and foremost, if you're coming in the summer, spend plenty of time sunbathing on its beaches and swimming in the clear, azure sea. You can windsurf, dive, and kite surf. You might want to rent a scooter to explore and swim in the undiscovered bays of Gökçeada. Take a trip to old Greek villages like Zeytinliköy and Kaleköy and take plenty of photos in the old streets. One of the best things to do here is to take a delicious break at "Madam's Dibek Coffee". Do not miss trying the beautiful desserts made by the island’s Greek inhabitants. You can visit Gökçeada Salt Lake and the Gökçeada Underwater National Park. Visit the rock tombs. From the Genoese Castle, you can admire the spectacular view of the island and the harbor. Plan a beautiful nature walk and spend a day full of oxygen in the untouched nature of Gökçeada, watching the view of Saros Gulf from the hills. Rent a bike to cycle around the island. Swim in the magnificent bays of Gökçeada such as Aydıncık Bay, Yuvalı Bay, and Laz Bay. If you are there during the right season, witness the events, festivals, and shows held on the island on July 1st, Maritime Day. You can participate in the Assumption Day festivals organized by the Greeks on August 15th. After a nice island walk, enjoy mastic pudding and a fine dibek coffee in Zeytinli. In the evening, under the moonlight, enjoy a nice island wine and fresh seasonal fish. 

Note: Tepeköy Barba Yorgo Restaurant is a must-visit. The restaurant overlooks extensive vineyards, with wines served directly from these vines. 

The sunsets incorporating the island of Samothrace are not to be missed.

Exploring Gökçeada 

Gökçeada is endowed with a rich natural landscape due to its volcanic geography and has been a cultural treasure trove of historical remnants left by civilizations that have lived on the island over 4000 years. In addition to its cultural attractions, it boasts vast stretches of beaches making it a paradise for sun and sea lovers. You can immerse yourself in the cooling waters of its pristine natural beaches such as Kefalos, Marmaros, Kaleköy, Yıldızkoy, Yuvalı, Uğurlu, Gizlikoy, Kuzulimanı, Güzelceköy, and more.

Gökçeada has several old Greek villages worth visiting. You can start your exploration with these villages, particularly Zeytinli Village, where many Greeks still live. Among the places you should visit are Kaleköy, Zeytinli Village, and Kefaloz. Zeytinliköy, for example, is a beautifully preserved village where colorful flowers dangle from the windows of well-maintained houses, cobblestone paths, fountains, and churches, offering a tranquil escape.

From the remains of the castle on Kaleköy Hill, you can enjoy a view of the harbor. In Marmaros, visit the hidden bay where a freshwater spring flows into the sea, and consider trekking in the area. Kefalos is known for its rock tombs, and Aydıncık offers healing mud baths and water sports at its beach. After visiting the historic laundry in Dereköy and Turkey's first underwater national park, rest under the shade of the giant plane tree at Pınarbaşı.

Enjoy the panoramic view of the island from Genoese Castle. Surfing is popular at Aydıncık Beach. You might also consider renting a motorboat to explore unseen coves around the island. Tepeköy is a charming Greek village with a small square featuring a café and a restaurant across from it. Other recommended spots include Laz Cove, Star Cove, Aydıncık Beach, Kuzu Limani, and Secret Harbor.

Where to Eat in Gökçeada

 When in Gökçeada, it's worth noting that many ingredients, whether in restaurants or hotels, are organic as the island is a pilot region for organic farming. Your day might start with a hearty breakfast at your hotel featuring a variety of natural olives, olive oil, cheese decorated with olive oil and thyme, homemade jams, eggs, and toasted breads. As the saying goes, "there must be a connection between breakfast and happiness."

Herbal tea and thyme are abundant and used in many dishes on the island. You can also enjoy molasses, thyme and pine honey, local wine, and plenty of natural fruits like figs, mulberries, and apricots. Fish, seasoned with a unique Gökçeada recipe, especially swordfish, is a must-try alongside organic olive oil dishes and seafood.

Local delicacies include cicirya, a type of Greek pizza with cheese; after pizza, try sour cherry juice and rosehip cookies. Other local tastes include almond sweets, kurkuti, octopus stew, and koliva. You can also enjoy mantı, pide, kebabs, and börek, made from animals that graze on the island's organic herbs.

After a day of exploring, relax with a frothy Turkish coffee in Zeytinliköy and try the gum mastic pudding.

Restaurants and Cafés:

  • Hristo's Place, especially for 'krem karamel.'
  • Angelikis Taverna
  • Elenirum Taverna
  • Lunch at Anjelika Restaurant in Tepeköy.
  • Poseidon Restaurant in Upper Kaleköy for a sunset view
  • Mina Café.
  • Garaj Café, worth visiting just for the view.
  • Nostos, located in the village square, offering delicious cookies and cakes.

Getting to Gökçeada

 There are two main ways to reach Gökçeada: either from the port of Çanakkale or the Gelibolu Kabatepe port. If you are traveling by bus, regular services to the island are not available from all locations. Therefore, you will need to reach Çanakkale first and then take a ferry to the island. Make sure to align your bus schedule with the ferry times. Once you arrive at the Çanakkale bus terminal, you can take a minibus or dolmuş to the port. However, during the summer months, there are regular bus services from Istanbul directly to the island. The departure points on the island are centrally located.

Besides bus, you can also travel from Istanbul to Gökçeada by plane, but keep in mind that flights are only available during the summer vacation season. There are no flights to the island during winter.

If you are driving your own vehicle, those coming from Istanbul should use the Kabatepe port, while those coming from the rest of Anatolia should use the Çanakkale port. Particularly in the summer months, there are frequent ferry services to the island. You can travel to the island with your car using the car ferries. Here are some road travel details:

  • o The distance from Izmir to Çanakkale is approximately 330 kilometers, taking about 4 hours and 40 minutes.
  • o From Bursa to Çanakkale, it is about 270 kilometers, taking around 3 and a half hours.
  • o From Balıkesir to Çanakkale, the distance is approximately 220 kilometers, with a travel time of about 2 hours and 45 minutes.
  • o From Ankara to Çanakkale, the distance is about 660 kilometers, requiring about 8 hours and 10 minutes of travel time.

Where to Stay in Gökçeada

 For accommodation options in Gökçeada, visit this link where you can check availability and prices: https://www.boutiquesmallhotels.com/gokceada-hotels