Day by day
2 Days in Balıkesir: Day-by-Day Itinerary
2 days in Balıkesir give us 9 sights at an easy pace, about 4 hours a day including getting around. Day 1 starts at Museum of the Nationalist Forces in Balıkesir; each day stays in one area, so we walk more and wait less.
Day 1
About 3 hours with visits and getting aroundOn foot
some prices unconfirmed
1Museums
Museum of the Nationalist Forces in Balıkesir
Museum of the Nationalist Forces in Balıkesir is a museum in Balıkesir, Turkey, dedicated to the irregular Kuva-yi Milliye formed as part of the Turkish National Movement during the Turkish War of Independence.
6 min on foot · 432 m
2Historic & Cultural
Karesi Tomb
Karesi Tomb is a tomb located in Balıkesir, built for Karesi Bey, the founder of the Karesi Principality. The tomb, which was destroyed in the 1898 Balıkesir earthquake, was rebuilt and repaired by the mayor of the period, Hayrettin Bey. Karesi Bey and his five sons lie in the tomb.
4 min on foot · 257 m
3Museums
Balıkesir National Photograph Museum
Balıkesir National Photography Museum is Turkey's first photography museum. The museum, where objects related to the history of photography and photographic art are exhibited, also houses a special library called M. Emin Tan Photography Library.
3 min on foot · 213 m
4Historic & Cultural
Balıkesir Saat Kulesi
Balıkesir Clock Tower is a historic structure located within the Municipal Park in Karesi, Balıkesir. It was first built in 1827 by Silistre Governor Girit-i Zade Mehmet Pasha, resembling the Galata Tower with five stories. After being destroyed in an earthquake in 1897, the tower was rebuilt in 1901 by Governor Ömer Ali Bey. This approximately 20-meter-high, square-prism-shaped tower is constructed with white cut stones and features clocks facing all four directions. It is within walking distance of Balıkesir Kuvâ-yi Milliye Museum (48 m), Balıkesir National Photography Museum (213 m), and Karesi Tomb (469 m).
Day 2· Erdek
About 4.5 hours with visits and getting aroundStops are a short ride apart
An outing from Balıkesir: about 105 km, roughly 1.5 hours each way. The ride is counted in the day.
some prices unconfirmed
Bandırma Museum and Bandırma Kapalı Çarşısı: closed every Monday and Sunday. If Day 2 lands on that day, we swap it with Day 1.
1Historic & Cultural
Cyzicus
Kizikos is an ancient city of Mysia, located today near the Erdek district of Balıkesir province, on the coast of the Sea of Marmara. It was located on the southern coastal side of today's Kapıdağ Peninsula, which was originally said to be an island in the Sea of Marmara and formerly connected to the mainland by artificial means, and was named Arctonnesus in the classical period.
About 4 min by road · 1.6 km
2Historic & Cultural
Kyzikos Hadrian Tapınağı
Kyzikos Hadrian Temple is a monumental Roman Imperial Period structure located in the ancient city of Kyzikos in Erdek, Balıkesir. Construction of the Corinthian-style temple began in the 1st century AD and was completed with the support of Emperor Hadrian after an earthquake in 123 AD. Approximately 116 meters long and 64 meters wide, this temple is considered the largest Corinthian-order temple in Anatolia. Kyzikos (108 m) is within walking distance.
About 19 min by road · 9.1 km
3Historic & Cultural
Kirazlı Monastery
Kirazlı Monastery is a complex consisting of a monastery, church, and building groups at the foot of the mountain known as Mount Didumus in ancient times. According to the wall technique; it is understood to be a religious monumental structure used by Greeks in the 19th century. From the existing foundations and wall remains, it is seen to be two-storied on a basement. Today, the south wall and a part of the apse wall of the existing church are standing and on the surface.
About 27 min by road · 13.5 km
4Museums
Bandırma Museum
Bandırma Archaeology Museum, located in Bandırma, Balıkesir, opened to visitors in 2003. The construction of the museum building was initiated by the Bandırma Museums Construction and Sustenance Association and completed in 1995 after being transferred to the Ministry of Culture. The museum exhibits archaeological artifacts from the Early Bronze Age to the early 20th century, primarily from the ancient cities of Kyzikos and Daskyleion. The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday between 09:00 and 17:00 and is 664 meters from Bandırma train stop. It is wheelchair accessible.
Closed every Monday
About 4 min by road · 1.8 km
5Shopping
Bandırma Kapalı Çarşısı
Bandırma Kapalı Çarşısı is a shopping area located in the Bandırma district of Balıkesir. Built in 1954, the bazaar was once Bandırma's first and most prestigious shopping center. It originally housed 23 businesses inside and 14 on its exterior, with the upper floor serving as the municipality building. The bazaar is open from Monday to Saturday, 09:00-19:30, and is wheelchair accessible. It is within walking distance of Bandırma Pertevniyal Hospital (405 m) and the BADO Bandırma Terminali ferry stop (360 m).
Closed every Sunday
What the tickets cost
None of the stops on this route has a confirmed ticket price yet.
9 stops have no confirmed price yet, so the real total can be higher.
Prices are for international adults, each checked on a date and linked to its official source on the sight's page. The official site always has the final word.
Good to know
How many days do we need in Balıkesir?
For the highlights (Museum of the Nationalist Forces in Balıkesir, Karesi Tomb, and Balıkesir National Photograph Museum), one full day works. From what we know, Balıkesir fills 4 full, different days without repeating a sight.
What should we see first in Balıkesir?
We would start with Museum of the Nationalist Forces in Balıkesir, Karesi Tomb, and Balıkesir National Photograph Museum. They sit close together, so they make a relaxed first day.
Is 2 days in Balıkesir enough?
Yes. 2 days cover 9 sights without rushing. With more time, the plan stretches to 4 days.
Can we change this itinerary?
Of course. Tap "Make it yours" and the plan opens in our trip planner: swap stops, change the pace, add a day or pick what we love most.
This plan is built automatically from our places, visit lengths and locations. Opening hours change, so a quick check before we set off is always a good idea.