4 Days in Balıkesir: Day-by-Day Itinerary

Museums

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.

Historic & 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.

Museums

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.

Historic & 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).

Historic & 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.

Historic & 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.

Historic & 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.

Museums

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

Shopping

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

Historic & Cultural

Adramyttion

Adramyttium was an ancient city and bishopric in Aeolis, in modern-day Turkey. It was originally located at the head of the Gulf of Adramyttium, at Ören in the Plain of Thebe, 4 kilometres west of the modern town of Burhaniye, but later moved 13 kilometres northeast to its current location and became known as Edremit.

Museums

Burhaniye National Forces Culture Museum

Burhaniye National Forces Culture Museum is a museum in Burhaniye district of Balıkesir Province in western Turkey.

Shopping

Havran Cuma Pazarı

Havran Cuma Pazarı is a shopping area established every Friday in the Havran district of Balıkesir. This market, initiated by Havran Municipality, is known for its natural and additive-free products, including the geographically indicated Havran Black Fig, fresh vegetables, fruits, village eggs, homemade tomato paste, and local delicacies from Havran villages. It is located 41 meters walking distance from Havran Kapalı Pazar Yeri. The market attracts not only local residents but also visitors from the Edremit Gulf.

Shopping

Havran Kapalı Pazar Yeri

Havran Kapalı Pazar Yeri is a shopping area located on Aydın Street in the Camikebir neighborhood of Havran, Balıkesir. This indoor market, open every Friday, offers fresh fruits and vegetables as well as local products. It is within 41 meters walking distance of Havran Cuma Pazarı.

Museums

Ayşe Sıdıka Erke Ethnography Museum

Ayşe Sıdıka Erke Ethnography Museum is a museum located in the Edremit district of Balıkesir. It is affiliated with the Balıkesir Kuvay-ı Milliye Museum Directorate. It was established by the Edremit Municipality. The museum exhibits a Kuvâ-yı Milliye room, traditional Turkish house islands, handmade artifacts, and old weapons. Although there are no artifacts dating back to ancient times in the museum, the existing artifacts are quite few in number.

Nature & Adventure

Mount Ida National Park

Kazdağı National Park is a nature-themed national park located in Edremit, Balıkesir. It takes its name from Kazdağı, which forms a border between the Marmara and Aegean regions. The transitional climate it is in, its being the only high mountain in the nearby region, and the structure of the mountain extending in an east-west direction on the Biga Peninsula, fragmented by canyons opened by rivers, the most well-known of which is Şahinderesi Canyon, have created conditions that allow the sea and mountain climates to mix.

Historic & Cultural

Panaya Kilisesi

Panayia Church, Panaya Church, Panagia Church or Koimesis Theotokou Church; is an old Greek Orthodox church, currently in ruins, located in Cunda, Ayvalık, Balıkesir Province, Turkey.

Religious Sites

Rahmi M. Koç Müzesi (Taksiyarhis Kilisesi)

The Rahmi M. Koç Museum in Ayvalık's Cunda (Alibey) Island is housed in the historic Taksiyarhis Church building. It opened in 2014 as Ayvalık's first private museum. The church was built in 1873 by the Greek Orthodox community as a Metropolitan Church and dedicated to the guardian archangels Gabriel and Michael. The museum exhibits a wide collection ranging from tin toys to steam-powered mechanical models, baby carriages, and time-measuring instruments. It is within 248 meters walking distance of Panaya Kilisesi.

Nature & Adventure

Şeytan Sofrası

Şeytan Sofrası is one of the wetlands of local importance located in Turkey. Şeytan Sofrası is on the dominant large rocky hills located 8 km south of the Ayvalık district center. From the location, all Ayvalık Islands and Lesbos Island views are visible.

Nature & Adventure

Cennet Tepesi

Cennet Tepesi in Ayvalık is a natural area offering panoramic views of Ayvalık Bay and its islands. Surrounded by pine trees, this hill provides a unique beauty, especially at sunset. There is also a viewing terrace and cafeteria operated by Ayvalık Municipality, which was completed in 2021.

Religious Sites

Çınarlı Mosque (Ayvalık)

Çınarlı Mosque, formerly known as Agia Iorgi Church, is a historical mosque located in Ayvalık district of Balıkesir, built in 1880. Originally built as a Greek Orthodox church, the mosque was converted into a mosque in 1923 after the population exchange.