Avşa Island is a popular spot during summertime with its ample sea, sand, and sun. It attracts attention with its unique atmosphere and its proximity to İstanbul. Avşa Island, “the pearl of the Marmara”, invites you to come and enjoy your summer!
If you want to have a holiday on an island surrounded by clean sea this summer, Avşa Island is a great option for you to explore. This island will amaze you with its cute streets, budget friendly hotels and much more. Create fun memories and have a peaceful holiday at the same time. If you are thinking “Where is Avşa Island?”, we invite you to read-on. Here’s everything you need to know about Avşa Island.
- Where is Avşa Island?
Avşa Island, one of the most beautiful islands close to Istanbul, belongs to the mainland region of Balıkesir, in its island district of Marmara. Avşa, which is popular with domestic tourists due to its proximity to Istanbul, is busiest during the summer. With the addition of tourists from the rest of Türkiye the population swells to over 100,000 people in the summer months.
2. How to get to Avşa Island?
If you are going to Avşa Island from İstanbul, you are very lucky, as there are now daily ferry services from Istanbul’s Yenikapı, Bostancı, and Avcılar terminals. If you are coming from İzmir, Bursa, Eskişehir, or Ankara, you can first drive to Balıkesir. Once you arrive is easy to take a ferry from the Erdek pier in Balıkesir. Avşa Island departure times vary periodically, but there can be ferries running nearly every hour during high season.
3. How long does it take to arrive at Avşa Island?
To reach Avşa Island from different points in Türkiye, it is necessary to travel both by land and then sea. The sea journey takes an average of three hours from Istanbul, and four and a half hours with the boats departing from the Erdek district of Balıkesir.
Average Arrival Times from Metropolitans to Avşa Island
İstanbul 3 hours
Ankara 8 hours
İzmir 2-3 hours
Bursa 3 hours
Antalya 9 hours
4. What kind of Accommodations are available on Avşa Island?
We can say that accommodation facilities on Avşa Island are highly developed and there are many hotel options. In addition to resort hotels on the island, there are accommodation options such as boutique hotels, motels, and hostels that appeal to differing needs and budgets. Avşa Island offers a wide range of accommodation options, so it is easy to search Avşa hotel prices to find options that fit your budget.
5. What’s Avşa Island Like?
If you dream of immersing in the cool waters of the Marmara Sea on hot summer days but also want to sightsee, you will love Avşa Island! It is possible to do many different activities during the day. The nightlife in Avşa is crowded and fun and always maintains a dynamic energy.
It is possible to see people of all ages and all walks of life having fun on Avşa Island, which is suitable for pleasant family holidays or a few days full of fun with your friends. During the day, you can take a short stroll to the calm bays of the island-away from the activity of the centre-to relax and immerse yourself in the cool waters. If you wish, you can visit the touristic hot spots and taste the famous ice cream. In the evening, you can also enjoy music and dancing in one of the nightlife spots.
6. Where to Go on Avşa Island?
With its clean beaches and deep blue sea visitors to Avşa Island immediately want to go swimming. As you approach the island by ferry, you will see holidaymakers having fun and you will surely want to immerse yourself in the sea as soon as possible. However, there are also many impressive places to visit in Avşa. You should definitely spend some of your holiday exploring the Island. Don’t know where to start? Let us have a look.
6.1. Avşa Merkez Çarşısı (Avşa Central Bazaar)
Every touristic place has a colourful and dynamic bazaar, and Avşa Island is no exception. It is located on a long street right along the coastline in the centre of Avşa. It is one of the first things that welcomes you as you approach the island by ferry. If you have time you should stop by the kumrucu (sandwich place), which is located near the pier and at the starting point of the bazaar. Thanks to the friendliness of the shopkeepers you will leave feeling like a native islander!
6.2 Yiğitler Köyü (Yiğitler Village)
Yiğitler Village, an extremely impressive place with historical structures and natural beauty, is among the places you should visit on Avşa Island holiday! This village is notable for its historical Greek architecture, clear water, and is a great spot to swim for free.
Moreover, Yiğitler Village can be reached in only 10 minutes by minibus from the centre. If you think that sounds close enough to walk, think twice. Yes, the olive trees on the road can be a nice companion for your walk, but you are likely to be very tired when you arrive because the midpoints of the island are a bit hilly and walking in the heat can be challenging.
6.3 Barlar Sokağı (Bar Street)
One of the best places you can go for fun evenings is to the Bar Street! Barlar Sokağı, located on the coastline in the city centre, will make your island holiday much more enjoyable with its many entertainment venues and restaurants. Here you can also find the island’s street-food.
Book your room with Odamax for a comfortable stay on Avşa Island. To make your time on the island more enjoyable, Odamax, lists many hotel options for you that are within your budget, and makes selecting a hotel quick and easy.
