This peninsula, which has an area of approximately 300 km² in Southern Marmara, is located in Erdek district of Balıkesir province.. Kapidag Peninsula, known to have been inhabited since ancient times, is now crowded with tourists from the surrounding provinces in summer.. As long as I knew myself; Since I was 3 years old, I spent almost 3 months every summer on this peninsula.. As someone who knows everything, I have prepared this article for you with notes that I consider important.. I hope it will help you have a nice holiday.
>> How to Go to Kapidag Peninsula?
>> Places to Visit in Kapidag Peninsula
>> Where to Stay in Kapidag Peninsula?
> > When to go to Kapıdağ Peninsula?
The people living in Kapidag Peninsula mostly make their living from olives. At the same time, they earn additional income by renting their houses and hostels to tourists during the summer period.. They were renting even a room beforehand.. A large part of the population is immigrant; While the property was being shared on time, the men of the house always took the olive groves and left the seaside to their sisters.. At that time, of course, because they could not foresee that the business would come to this point, the daughters of the families now have the most valuable region..
How to Get to Kapidag Peninsula?
You don’t need to brood over how to go to Kapidag Peninsula.. There are many alternative routes to reach here.. If you want, you can make Yenikapı – Bandırma and set off to the point of the island you want to go via Bandırma, or you can reach the peninsula via Bursa or Çanakkale.. It is possible to reach the peninsula in only 2 hours from Bursa.. We arrive at Ocaklar in 5 hours by making Eskihisar – Topçular from Istanbul.. It’s critical that you fine-tune the traffic.
Well, of course, there are some disadvantages of being so centralized.. For example, there are a lot of daily visitors on weekends.. So much so that if you stay there for a long time, you won’t even step out of your house on Sunday.. It gets a lot of traffic from Ankara and Eskişehir, mainly Bursa.. Unfortunately, most of the arrivals are either in the car or sleeping on sun loungers on the sand.. When this audience misses the entertainment too much, they can also get into a fight with the people of that place.. You better not extend your holiday to Saturday night.
When we look at the peninsula in general, the most popular regions are undoubtedly Erdek and Ocaks. Accommodation areas are more than other villages. It has a coastline where we can walk, restaurants where you can dine out and have fun in the evenings.. Since the average age of the incoming audience is between 45 and 60, the number of tea gardens is also quite high.. It’s okay, it’s backgammon, it’s paper, whatever you look for, you’ll find. As of 2018, the “hookah culture” that Turkey has entered into has unfortunately included this place as well.. In the evenings, you will see hookah cafes all along the beach, and the music is blaring.. Apart from Erdek and Ocaklar, Tatlısu, Turanlar, Ormanlı are also must-see regions.
While you’re here, make sure to taste cold-pressed olive oil and olives.. The olives of this region are beautiful. The residents of the town, those who have gardens, sell the olives and olive oil of their own gardens.. You can get cheaper and better quality olives and olive oil from Ayvalık.
Places to Visit in Kapidag Peninsula
Let’s start our peninsula tour with historical and touristic places.. We recommend you to see the historical points of this peninsula.
The Ancient City of Kyzikos
When you set off from Bandırma to Erdek, you will see the sign of the Ancient City of Kyzikos.. The researches carried out in this area close to the Düzler locality indicate that the settlement in the region BC.. It shows that it goes back to 6,000 BC.
Four temples have been identified so far in this ancient city.. The most important and largest of these is Hadrian’s Temple. In antiquity 8 of the world. Listed as a wonder, this temple was later left to its fate.
Zeytinli Island
You can watch this island, where excavations are still ongoing, while sipping your tea in a tea garden in Erdek.. Only 200 meters from the land. Although it is currently closed to visitors due to excavations, I can say that there are Virgin Mary’s Church and olive trees on its top.
Seyit Gazi Hill
Seyit You can reach a part of this hill where Gazi Tomb is located by car.. If you don’t have a 4×4 vehicle, I suggest you pull over and climb the slope without getting stuck on the road.. From this hill, you can see the whole of Erdek as if it were under your feet.
Manastır Bay
This is a hidden place right after Turanlar village before you come to Ormanlı.. The sea is very beautiful, take a look from above when you climb up and descend from Turanlar.. You will love the colors. We can guarantee that the Sea of Marmara is a sight you can’t believe. The biggest advantage of Manastır Bay compared to Turanlar and Ocaklar is that no matter how the wind blows from the land or the sea, neither algae accumulates nor jellyfish. This place has been getting popular lately and its popularity has unfortunately brought with it the dirt.. There is only one disadvantage to Manastır Bay, which is that after taking 5-6 steps in the water, it suddenly deepens and then it gets deeper.. Generally, you will see people swimming on the shore, but that depth is at least 150 cm.
There is a small beach.. In general, people come to Manastır Bay to camp, but there is no camping area.. There is a small business at the end of the beach.. If you want, you can rent a sunbed there or eat and spend time in it.
It does not have any parking lot or a different business.. Take your car to a place you find suitable and come prepared as if you will spend all day here.. We come to this bay with our icebox, umbrella, table and chairs, almost like a tiny migration..
Ormanlı Waterfall
When you think of waterfall, if you dream of something flowing from a height of 20 meters, I can say that Ormanlı Waterfall can be its offspring.. It is not possible to go to the waterfall by car.. You can pull the car somewhere without going too far into the village.. You will then have to walk a distance of about 500 meters through the bushes.. ice cold water. It feels very good in that heat.. It is rocky around, you can rest on the rocks depending on the crowd.
Where to Stay on Kapidag Peninsula?
Where to Stay on Kapidag Peninsula? let’s come now. There are apart hotels and hostels in all settlements on the peninsula.. In addition to these, if you like camping, there are camping areas. Whether you come with your caravan or tent, the number of campsites is quite large.. Whether it is crowded or secluded; whether it is a hostel or a hotel; You can answer these questions first and choose the most suitable area to stay.. Below, we share tips about all of them with their pros and cons.
Erdek
With the population exchange period of 1924, Karacaova (Karacaabat) and Kavala Pomaks of Thessaloniki began to live in Erdek, where the Greeks lived in the first place.. Its current population is well over 20,000.. There is an increase in the number of tourists living not only in summer but also in winter.
Erdek; It is far from being a village with its shopping malls, restaurants, hotels and hospitals.. However, when you look at the streets and the stones on the ground, you will see the opposite.. I hope this contrast is telling you why you shouldn’t drive there in summer..
Has a fairly long coastline. There are restaurants, souvenir shops, ice cream shops, and tea gardens on this coastal road.. At some point on the beach you will see Mado. 7-8 years there. You can choose for breakfast.. You can also see some of the ATMs and banks on this shoreline.. In Erdek, you can easily find everything you are looking for.. But the best breakfast is the breakfast you will have with a freshly prepared bagel and pastry in the tea garden with a calm mind.. Staying in a hostel can be a bit tiring. Erdek will be the right choice for those who do not want to prefer this.
At the same time, if you want to have a resting holiday, you can go to Erdek in late April – May.. Some of those who stay in Erdek during the winter are retired and live there in summer and winter.. Fresh air, flat feet.. People also have the comfort brought by the sea climate.. It is possible to enjoy these places in peace.
Ocaklar
We can say Ocaklar is the most beautiful place among the settlements on the Kapidag peninsula.. Although the most developed place is the center of Erdek, it is now an urbanized place, so you can be sure that you will prefer to swim in Ocaklar, which is still a village, instead of swimming in Erdek.. Since the furnaces are located in the middle of both Erdek and Narlı and Turanlar region, you can stay here and go to Erdek for example at night – maximum 15 minutes. – , it would be quite easy to go to Turanlar to the sea during the daytime. Especially if you have a car, you will be very comfortable.
For information on when to go to Ocaklar, what to do, what are the accommodation alternatives and all other details, please click “ You can check our article on “Erdek Ocaklar”.
Turanlar
A place where you can drive from Ocaklar Town in 15 minutes and see the village environment exactly.. Of course, people still give their houses to the hostel, but due to the fact that it is not very crowded, it is not very deteriorated, concrete has not yet started.. We recommend that you be careful on the road you will use when coming to Turanlar.. Mountain road, the bends are very sharp and one side is cliff, the road is broken; there are quite a lot of holes. We’re not Fast & Furious characters after all, calmly.
If you are going to swim in Turanlar, bring everything with you.. There is a tea garden where you can even cook your meat and spend time from breakfast to dinner.. Even if it is not very well-maintained, it is at a level where you can do your job, just above the beach.. that is, a place where you can spend time without the hassle of moving up and down.
If you want to enjoy Turanlar, don’t come here on Sunday, but if you say there is only one Sunday, come early in the morning.. Otherwise, you will have problems such as finding a place on the beach, trying to park the car.. Because the roads are only one lane. It gets clogged up when it’s crowded.
Narlı
5 minutes from Ocaklar Town. This is a quiet village far away.. Except for the weekend of course. Compared to Ocaklar, there is no beach line where you can walk, there are a few restaurants. The famous pizzeria. If you want to stay, you can still choose hostels.. Of course not without a tea garden. In the evenings, you can spend time in the tea garden, where the villagers also go.. People living here are usually profiles who spend time in their own homes in the evenings.. Therefore, you may be bored at night.. The sea is shallow in places, so it may be more suitable for families with children.
Ormanlı
When you do not enter Manastır Bay and continue straight, it is approximately 5-6 km.. then you will come to Ormanlı village, the road is a bit bad. this place is not crowded. Because it does not have a structure that can handle the crowd.. It is quite quiet on weekdays, except for those who come on the weekend.. The beach is wide. You will see children jumping from the pier at the very beginning of the beach.. Children usually have fun there.
The sea is not as beautiful as I can call it a bride.. Of course, the water is not very cloudy due to the fact that it is less crowded.. You can also see this place when you come to the monastery.
İlhan Village – Küçükova
Continue straight from Narlı village, you will come across villages one by one.. The first, known as İlhan; There are many people coming to the beach here, especially from the surrounding villages.. the sea is really beautiful. If you have time, you can set off early in the morning and come to Küçükova.. Of course, it doesn’t have a great beach, but I’m sure you’ll like the fact that it’s a cove that seems untouched and secluded.
Doğanlar Village – Büyükova
When you continue from Küçükova, Doğanlar village will come.. Again, people come here just for the sea.. The coast is a little wider and longer than Küçükova, I recommend you to come.
When to go to Kapidag Peninsula?
As it is a place staying in the Marmara Region, I recommend you to come in June. It has a season that starts and ends in September.. Its people say that the best time at sea is in September.. If you want to have a quiet holiday, you can choose the September period.
