Cunda Island, One of the Addresses of Unforgettable Vacation

Island vacations have always been interesting. Cunda is also a small settlement, but no matter how small it is, it offers many beautiful nature scenes and is an incredible choice for fun experiences and fantastic moments. Today, Cunda remains one of the most sought-after destinations for sophisticated vacationers.

On Cunda Island, romance begins at the very entrance of the island. You reach the island with the first Bosphorus bridge built on Cunda Islandbefore there were bridges on the Bosphorus in Istanbul. You are greeted by historical houses with their unique architecture on the narrow cobblestone streets leading to the sea. This is accompanied by the sea restaurants along the shore. Drinking island coffee while relaxing in the shade of the trees at Taş Kahve makes you feel relaxed.

After a short stroll in the bazaar, you will be even more surprised to know that many of the colorful and authentic objects you will buy are handmade. As you stroll through the streets, you can relieve your fever with iced almonds or melon ice cream. During the day, you can explore the island's surroundings on small blue cruises, and in the evenings, you can enjoy raki and fish by the shore with the rays of the sun. Aegean olive oil and delicious appetizers will also delight your palate.

In addition to all these unforgettable beauties, historical buildings, churches, forests covered with olive and pine trees and museums are waiting to be discovered. Ending the day on Aşıklar Hill, witnessing the sunset, visiting Taşlı Monastery and watching the view of the bay under your feet will fill you with peace. You will capture the most colorful and beautiful shots of your photo album in Cunda.

This beautiful island and dramatic landscape is home to many different kinds of life both on land and in the water, as well as unique boutique hotels , each with their own style. If you're looking for a little luxury on this small island, you won't be disappointed. Cunda boutique hotels offer luxurious and comfortable services accompanied by authentic and eye-catching architecture.

You can see our recommended hotels on the blog. https://www.boutiquesmallhotels.com/cunda-island-hotels

What to do in Cunda? 

Early in the morning, you should visit the side streets of the island. Inhale the abundant oxygen. Lovers hill, city library, coach museum and mill are among the places to see. The sea is shallow. Beautiful for those who like it, boat tour for those who don't. 

Don't forget to go to Pateriça Bay to see a few Greek monasteries, the deep blue sea and listen to the sound of silence. You should definitely eat cinnamon lokma dessert, eat gum mastic, melon, black mulberry ice cream and taste the iced almonds. 

You should go to the cafe with the Koc Museum on the hill and watch the view from there, swim in the sea at Ada Camping or Ortunç Bay, drink coffee at Taş Kahve, eat gummy ice cream in the square and of course visit historical places. Dance with the wind in #aşıklartepesicunda, drink #TaşKahvedeTürkKahvesi.

You can visit historical buildings and monasteries on the island such as Taksiharyis Church, Agios Yannis Church. You can go up to the Hill of Loversand watch the magnificent view of the island and Ayvalık and see the first windmills of the region. There are many old Greek settlements on Cunda Island. Pateriça Villages is one such place. You can visit this place. You can enjoy fish in the restaurants by the sea with delicious seasonal fish and delicious appetizers. You can taste papalina fish and various appetizers unique to the island. You can eat lokma dessert.
At the famous Taş Kahve, you can sip your foamy coffee in the afternoon against the sea view. In the evenings, you can visit the bazaar in the center and do a lot of shopping. You can buy souvenirs from the shops and stores. You can take a walk around the island, explore the cobblestone streets and take lots of photos.  
In spring and summer, you can join daily boat tours to explore the hidden bays.
In the evening, go to a fish restaurant and taste the delicious seasonal fish while sipping wine or raki against the magnificent sunset. If you want, you can also go to entertainment venues and bars later in the night.
You can visit Sevim-Necdet Kent Library. Once a church, abandoned in 1924, Agios Yannis was restored in 2007 and opened as a city library and cafe. Be sure to watch the view of Agios Yannis, built on a hill overlooking Cunda. Taksiyarhis Church.The Orthodox church, built in 1873, bears the characteristics of Byzantine architecture. Hiking. Don't forget to hike, especially from Village II to the Monastery of Ai Dimitri Ta Salina and along the coast to the Monastery of Panayia. Ayvalık Excursion. A 10-minute walk from Ferahi Evler Hotel, Ayvalik is ideal for a day trip. Devil's Table, from where you can see the whole of Ayvalık and the Lesbos Islands, is a must-see. In addition, Tımarhane Island, Çıplak Tepe, İlkkurşun Hill with its panoramic view will attract you.

Where to Eat? Elamyhane is definitely recommended. Shabby place lovers, daily delicious appetizers and great entertainment with live band. In Cunda, you should definitely have raki fish at Yakamoz restaurant. Aynacunda should be eaten in the mirror, no matter what time of the day, of course, a coffee with sakizli in tas kahvede and dessert in karadeniz pastry shop. In Cunda, you should definitely taste the great appetizers of @sonvapurcunda restaurant. Have fish and meze at Mr. Nihat. You should definitely eat gumdrop cookies from the Black Sea Patisserie, almond custard should also be eaten. You should have raki fish at #ilyostarestaurant and enjoy the appetizers. You should taste the appetizers at Balikci Koboroz, especially the sea beans, I think they were amazing. 

You should eat lokma at Lokma Emperor. Wander through the streets and experience the spirit of the Greek houses, go up to the mill on the hill of aşıklar for a breather and sip lemonade in front of the magnificent view. 

Taste the papalina, which is only available in Cunda in September and August. Of course, in order not to make him cry, you need a lion's milk with it. You should drink Turkish coffee with gum drops at @taskahve and watch the sea to the fullest. 

Lunch: Fysko Pomegranate Garden and Sardinia

Dinner Ayna, Mr. Nihat, Cunda Bay

Cunda Island cuisine is generally similar to the Aegean cuisine. However, since it is by the sea, fish varieties, seafood and olive oil dishes are at the forefront.   
Enjoying fish in the restaurants by the sea in Cunda Island is one of the must-haves when you come to the island. You should definitely try the papalina, which is known as a fish unique to the island, a fish that is a little smaller than anchovies, especially fried in a pan. Apart from that, you can find fresh seasonal fish and almost all seafood in the fish restaurants.   
You should especially taste the sea bass and sea bream while enjoying the sea shore against the fireworks. You can also find many other types of fish.    
Seafood is quite rich in Cunda. Different flavors unique to the island are; shrimp with Cunda artichoke, stuffed squid, octopus with wine sauce, mussels with cheese in the oven, sea urchin caviar, calamari with vinegar, onion cuttlefish, octopus with gum drops, stuffed mackerel, squid stew, fish kokoreci, fish meatballs and roasted angler fish. You can also try special dishes made from seafood.   
In addition to fish and seafood, appetizers are also very rich and varied in Cunda. First of all, you should taste stuffed zucchini blossoms with olive oil. Roasts and salads made from various herbs are also at the forefront. Bagla herb, nettle and papules herb salad, hoardno herb salad (made with eggs), sea beans, artichoke salad.

Laterna Named after a Greek instrument, Laterna keeps the forgotten melodies of the past alive. Regulars start coming to Laterna after midnight, eating hot and cold appetizers and having deep conversations until the morning.

Ada Restaurant. Ada Restaurant, which serves in a restored Greek building during the winter months, welcomes its guests in the gazebo where the sea is at your feet in summer. The food served accompanied by a panoramic view of the island will leave you speechless.

Ayna Ayna, one of the most original restaurants in Cunda, stands out with its simple white decoration. You can taste flavors such as Cretan-style fish in milk and pear in wine that you can't find anywhere else.

Taş Kahve. One of the symbols of Cunda, Taş Kahve, which is thought to have been built in the 1800s, is open both summer and winter. The breakfasts at Taş Kahve, which witnesses the history of the island, are delicious.