"I left my heart here" Top 5 Page for this destination Ayvalik by ozalp

Ayvalik Travel Guide: 124 reviews and 460 photos

The place where I plan to live later

Let's start with a Sezen Aksu song's lyric, "Kalbim Ege'de Kaldi":

Cigarami sardim karsi sahile
Yaktim ucunda acilari
Aglari attim, anilar doldu
Aglar hasretimin kiyilari

Yareme tuz diye
Yakamoz bastim
Tek sahidim aydi
Aman aman
Bir elimde defne
Bir elimde sevdan
Kalbim Ege'de kaldi

Kadehimi vurdum
Karsi yakaya
Efeler kalkti serefe
Sevgimi attim dostlarim tuttu
Bir agit yaktim kadere

Aman efendim
Ayrilik olumden beter
Canim efendim
Yeter bu hasretlik yeter
Aman efendim
Bana bir merhaba gonder
Canim efendim
Canim efendim

We visit this small town every year since 1992. We first saw Cunda (Alibey Adasi) in a movie with my dad and we decided to go there. Since we realized that we cannot live without visiting Cunda, we had a summerhouse in this lovely island.
When I remember this song, I want to go this place at once. When I remember it while I drink raki, I feel like I could cry. It is a song for two sides of Aegean Sea. I wish someone translate the lyrics someday.
The hyperlink on the song's name is its video clip on Youtube. You can see the streets of Cunda in it.

Do not expect a touristy sea town. This place is peaceful and quiet.

I love every single piece of this place

Pink tomatoes

These tomatoes are from the weekly opening street markets. I do not know why, everything I eat is delicious here.

Do not think that the photo is pale, these tomatoes are not red. They are pink, it is a different kind of tomatoes.

Narrow Streets

Beetle

I love being lost in the streets of Cunda and Ayvalik. Unfortunately after all these years it is getting hard to lost. I am nearly a local.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Wonderful small town by the sea
Cons:Tell me if you find any
In a nutshell:Sea, history, delicious fresh fish, olive oil, old stone houses... I love it here.

Last visit to Ayvalik: May 2009
Intro Updated May 21, 2009
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Reviews (16)

Most famous café of Ayvalik Restaurants (5)

Ayvalik Gucu is the sports club of Ayvalik. The café was built as a meeting point of club, I think. It is at the square... more travel advice

Silica Gem Things to Do (5)

I visit this place whenever I go to Cunda. It shares a wall with the house I dream to own. And also it is next to the... more travel advice

Mastic Cookies Restaurants (5)

We heard about these cookies after many years we had spent in Ayvalik. Some neighbors said us that there was a pastry... more travel advice

Learn Ottoman Language in Cunda Things to Do (5)

If you walk into a street with many cats in Cunda, search for a sign of Harvard University. This is Harvard’s Ottoman... more travel advice

Hotels (1)
At the center of Cunda
Transportation (2)
See All By bus, from Izmir

Travelogues (1)

Written Jun 18, 2009

8 photos

Wildflowers of Cunda

1 - 1 of 1

Comments (13)

Pinat Jul 31, 2009 at 1:19 AM Report Abuse

Hi Ozlem! I was in Ayvalik in early 1990s and have never been since then. Ayvalik and Cunda should definitely be added to our "to visit" list!
Kuznetsov_Sergey Jun 19, 2009 at 12:24 AM Report Abuse

Thank you Ozlem for bringing back sweet memories about this place where I happened to stay for a night and half a day... Couldn't visit Cunda unfortunately.
aussirose Jun 18, 2009 at 5:03 PM Report Abuse

Hey great page Ozlem!! Gorgeous flowers :o) And that gem shop looks cool. Pink rock hey?....well that sounds interesting. ....and food!...I'm hungry now ;o) Good stuff matey!! Cheers, Ann :o)
volopolo Dec 15, 2008 at 10:06 AM Report Abuse

Great tips
Yiannis2000 Dec 30, 2007 at 11:45 AM Report Abuse

Happy new year! I envy you that u feel like a local in Ayvalik... I miss it often... Did u read "twice a stranger"???
Tijavi Oct 1, 2007 at 7:19 AM Report Abuse

Ayvalik seems to be another pretty little town worth a visit for its food and unhurried pace of life. Thanks for sharing.
Mehmet1234 Aug 18, 2007 at 6:40 PM Report Abuse

Hi Ozlem how are you? My aunt's friend summer place is in Ayvalik we used to go there sometimes in the summer. Our summer place is Bozcaada my most favorite summer place. I am from Istanbul originally. Mehmet
pagl57 Aug 17, 2007 at 3:15 AM Report Abuse

Ah, Sezen Aksu, a great voice, beautiful songs. One always recognizes her voice.
Mikebond Jul 16, 2007 at 2:08 AM Report Abuse

Ayvalik looks very beautiful! And the local toast must be very tasty...
Astrobuck Jun 15, 2007 at 12:31 AM Report Abuse

This place DOES sound beautiful!! I'll have to put it on my TO DO list for Turkey!!