"Heavenly island." Top 5 Page for this destination Gokceada by Tdiver

Gokceada Travel Guide: 93 reviews and 221 photos

Zeytinlikoy's cafe with history, Gokceada.

Old Imbros.

The Greek name for the island is Imbros or Imvros but now being Turkish since 1927 it is Gokceada which translates to Heavenly island. Most of the Greeks have gone now but there are pockets and several Orthodox Churches remain, indeed the present Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I was born on the island on 29th February 1940 in Aghios Theodorus, now renamed Zeytinlikoy. His and formerly his fathers old house is now a small coffee house near the centre of the village.
The highest point of the island is an extinct volcano but there are flatter areas to the south near Yuvali and Eselek, also the area for camping and windsurfing. Road are generally OK but sign posts aren't great nor are maps. Out of season it's hard to find anything except in the capital Gokceada or the main tourist area around Kalekoy (Kastro).

Gokceada-Kabatepe ferry in Kuzu Limani harbour.

Currently there are only ferries from Kabatepe, east of Eceabat on the Gallipoli Peninsula but high season sees ferries also from Canakkale.
Lots of pensions in Yeni Bademli and some nice motels in and overlooking Kalekoy, serving great food. Olive trees are everywhere on the island and they sell their own oil. Three old Greek villages are worth a look but the smallest, Eski Bademli (Gliky) or just Bademli on the signpost isn't that big and the streets are rocky and narrow, you have been warned. The other two are Zeytinlikoy (Aghios Theodoros) and Tepekoy (Agridia) famous for it's Barba Yorgo restaurant. All the beaches are nice, with the longest being at Pinarbasi if you can find it. We looked in at Mavi Su resort on the SW end of the island and the beach is just perfect for kids.

The beach at Mavi Su Resort, Gokceada.

Turkey's first marine national park is at Mavikoy, between Kalekoy and Kuzu Limani, on the NE coast. Couldn't see any diving and not sure if anyone does it there at present but the Mavisu Resort say they do it on their web pages..

Pros and Cons

Pros:Relax with nature, nowhere is built-up except Gokceada town.
Cons:Signs and roads.
In a nutshell:If getting away from it all excites you, this is fairly good.

Last visit to Gokceada: May 2008
Intro Updated May 23, 2008
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Reviews (18)

Ornek Pansiyon, Yeni Bademli, Gokceada. - Gokceada

Model Motel. Hotels (16)

Motel or Pansiyon? Passed this just before entering Kalekoy, lots of others also around it, so all probably much the... more travel advice

Poseidon Pansiyon, Yukari Kalekoy, Gokceada. - Gokceada

Neptune's Palace. Hotels (16)

Facilities are basic but clean. Price is 45Ytl per room, with 2,3 or 4beds available. Find your own breakfast. More... more travel advice

Kalekoy (Kastro) Castle, Kalekoy, Gokceada. - Gokceada

Kalekoy (Kastro) Castle. Things to Do (1)

OK so it isn't the best castle in the world but it gives you some nice views across the surrounding coastline, bay and... more travel advice

Gokceada Resort Hotel, Kalekoy, Gokceada. - Gokceada

Resort? Hotels (16)

Went across the bay and had a nose around. Needs a bit of paint but otherwise looks OK and has a nice inviting... more travel advice

Transportation (1)
Gokceada-Kabatepe Ferry.

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Comments (3)

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12stars Aug 11, 2010 at 12:56 PM

Now the website http://www.gestasdenizulasim.com.tr works in english. Hi, 12stars
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Arkeolog Mar 18, 2009 at 6:26 AM

Gokceada always means peace&quiet to me. I love this island esp in spring. All the best.
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mirliya Dec 7, 2008 at 2:17 AM

Thanks for sharing Mark.it was amazing to watch underwater /Ugurlu. I've missed Gokceada...