Cunda (Choonda) Island offshore from Ayvalik on the North Agean Coast of Turkey is connected to the mainland by an 8 km long Causeway, built in the late 1960’s. Cunda Island was changed to Alibey Island immediately prior to the Republic of Turkey being formed in 1923.
Although connected by road boats still regularly ply the 3km stretch of water between Ayvalik and Cunda. In the back streets behind the port, there is a collection of interesting old Greek Stone houses clustering around the (restored) Greek Taksiyarhis Church – the most well known local landmark.
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What to Eat on Cunda Island
Island life makes in mandatory that fish restaurants line the shore and a popular Ayvalik past time is to catch the ferry over to Cunda Deniz for the island’s famous Papalina (fried sardines) or my favourite Octopus Salad. Bey Nihat is another popular place for an island fish dinner.
Tas Kahve Coffee Shop is in a beautiful old stone building in the front row of the harbour. They serve Turkish Coffee (acquired taste). I’ll take the Çay any day! It’s in a fantastic position for my favourite Turkish scrambled egg “menemen” breakfast or for people watching and ice-cream.
Cunda was once a Greek Island
Along with Ayvalik, the enforced population exchange of 1923 saw the Greek population of Cunda Island, known by the Greeks as Moschonisi, swapping with Turkish residents of Crete and Lesbos.
Read more about this huge population swap HERE.
Read how the Greek Islanders were persecuted before finally being repatriated to Greece.
Where to Stay on Alibey Island (Cunda Island) Turkey
There is no better way of experiencing one of the delightful stone houses of Alibey Island or Cunda Island than choosing one from the Airbnb Site.
Remember if you are new to Airbnb that you can join using the portal in our side bar and receive a significant reduction on your first booking.
How to get to Cunda Island/Alibey Island
The Island is in the Balikesir Region of Turkey:
- 8km from Ayvalik and
- 150 km north of Izmir.
- 500 km west of Istanbul and
- 16km east of the Greek Island of Lesbos.
From Istanbul
When driving from Istanbul, catching the car ferry to Bandirma then driving to Ayvalik will save time and effort. We rented a diesel sedan from Izmir and drove north to Gallipoli and Canakkale breaking the journey at Ayvalik and Cunda Island.
From Ayvalik
Boat leave regularly from Ayvalik
Dolmus (Public Mini Bus) leave regularly from Ayvalik.
Things to see and do on Alibey Island/Cunda Island
Sevim Necdet Kent Kitaplığı
The once white windmill is now restored to original stone and houses a souvenir shop and cafe and a library of political books of Necdet. Necdet saved Turkish Jews in WWII. Kent 5 TL adult.
Drive around the Island.
Herbs like nettle, blessed thistle, chicory and izvinye grow wild in the rocky soil and are widely used in local cooking. You will find bags of dried herbs like these for sale at the weekly Ayvalik Market.
There are approx. 2.5 million olive trees in the Ayvalik area. I wonder how old these Island ones were?
Our route led north from the windmill and east to Birincikoy (on the above map) or Biyicli Beach on Google Maps. Out of season it all looks very pretty and instagrammable. It was early September during our visit and with the beach season already over, we discovered a very sleepy, some might say comatose ambience.
The protected water is shallow and still.
Biyikli Pension is located 7km from the Island port on a dirt road. While in good condition during our visit, the road can be bad at times.
On the shore behind the jetty, were these over water pavilions, similar to the ones we saw 1,000 km to the east in the Ihlara Valley of Cappadocia.
A monastery is easily visible on the island in the bay between Cataltepe (20 min. walk to hill views) and Birincikoy. I am sure that arranging a boat would be easy, but the distance looks swimmable don’t you think?
Abandoned places like this can be found all over Turkey.
Go Swimming.
Cunda Island offers swimming, diving, hiking, relaxation in a beautiful Aegean setting. So different to the tropical islands I am used to – yet with the same warm invitation to lay in the sun, let a book shade your eyes and feel your tensions drift slowly out to sea.
Things to know.
It has an area of 23 sq.km.
It has been connected to the mainland via a causeway since the mid 1960’s.
The island landmark Taksiarchis Greek Orthodox Cathedral was derelict but is now restored.
Eat fresh meze and seafood dishes that use local herbs.
Ayvalic translates to Pear in English.
This post is linked to:
Corinne’s Weekend Travel Inspiration over at Reflections Enroute.
Noel’s Travel Photo Mondays over at Travel Photo Discovery.
I could just picture myself lazing in one of those over-the-water pavilions with a nice ice cold drink in hand and a good book! Stunning photos and yet another interesting place to see in Turkey.
Those pavillions are such a fun idea aren’t they Kathy? I love the floaty white material – such a romantic touch. Thank you for commenting.
Jan, The perfect time to visit Turkey is when the crowds are all gone and you can still swim! Have you been to Kizkalesi?
Oooh No, but I just googled it and it looks like a special place. We did not go further than Antayla.
Wow, I have never heard of the population exchange between Greece and Turkey–interesting…. A seafood dinner sound great here!
I had not heard about it before visiting Turkey Jessica. I love finding out about these amazing and unheard of historical facts.
Jan, Thanks for linking up with Weekend Travel Inspiration!
Peaceful… and beautifl place…
So much easier when you can just drive over, looks like a very popular place to be during the main vacation season,but I would prefer the quiet times with no crowds.
I would love to have a nice lunch sitting in those chairs/tables in the middle of the water, super cool!
Looks like a fabulous place to visit – rather peaceful & idyllic.
Oh Jan! I could so do this island! If only tele-transportation was invented I’d go right now on this cold grey WA day. Love the tables and chairs in the water. How lovely.
Aah…I still have so much of Turkey to explore! Is this island similar to Buyukada which is a part of Istanbul? Also, how was driving in Turkey? Would you recommend that? Just wondering because I’d love to plan a return trip to Turkey one of these days.
Hi Dana, We did not visit Buyukada but I would say it would be different to Cunda. The countryside at Cunda was dry and brown and not very touristic. Turkey is wonderful for driving – I don’t know how you missed my driving in Turkey Posts lol – I have done so many of them 🙂 https://www.budgettraveltalk.com/2014/02/27/eastern-turkey-selfdrive-itinerary/
That lead photo is to die for! 🙂
Thanks for the compliment and for commenting Johanna.
That region continues to be a focus here in Greece as the two countries patrol the waters, the lands and finger point at each other if the slightest encroachment is thought to have happened. It is a beautiful part of the world and so enjoyed visiting it through your eyes.
I have been thinking about it since updating this post and would love to go back. I can imagine there is much bitterness about the past between the two countries. Do you know that people come over from Greece to Ayvalik market each week!