ASSOS, KAZDAĞLARI & Zeus Altar – Turkey’s Hidden Gems

May 28

Our Northern Aegean Adventure: Uncovering Hidden Gems in Turkey!

After spending a few months quarantining in Turkey, we were itching to explore some of the country's lesser-known treasures. We set our sights on the northern Aegean coast, a region that truly blew us away with its natural beauty, ancient history, and charming villages. Come along as we share our discoveries in Assos, Kazdağları, and the surrounding areas – a truly hidden gem of Turkey!

A Taste of Local Delights: Gozleme and Ayran

Our days in this region always began with a delicious and non-traditional Turkish breakfast: gözleme. This savory pancake, similar to a quesadilla, is often filled with cheese, potatoes, eggplant, and herbs. Paired with a traditional ayran (a refreshing yogurt drink), it was the perfect start to our mornings at the base of the Aida Mountains. We even got to try our hand at making some gözleme ourselves – it's harder than it looks!

Mountain Villages and Ancient Gods: Adatepe & Zeus's Altar

From our breakfast spot, we ventured into the beautiful mountain villages of Kazdağları.

Adatepe Village: This charming village, perched in the hills behind Edremit, reminded us of the popular Alacati and Çeşme near Izmir but with a more peaceful atmosphere. Many of the old buildings have been beautifully restored, turning it into a lovely vacation spot with boutique hotels, restaurants, and ice cream shops. We loved trying the local ice cream, which often features more fruity flavors than what we're used to. While it has become a bit more tourist-focused, it still retains its architectural charm.
Zeus's Altar: Just next to Adatepe is Zeus's Altar, a truly unexpected and breathtaking site. Perched on a hill overlooking the water, this ancient Greek temple offers absolutely insane panoramic views. We had no idea this even existed, and the climb up (which involves some unconventional steps!) was entirely worth it for the scenery alone. The ancient Greeks certainly knew how to pick a temple location!
Turkmen Village Museum: For those interested in local history, we visited Turkey's first-ever village museum, a private museum showcasing artifacts and traditions of Turkmen villages. It was fascinating to learn about the local culture and even see elements like dreamcatchers, which had surprising similarities to Native American culture we learned about back home.

The Kazdağları mountains are also renowned for having the second-highest oxygen content in the world after the Alps, boasting incredible natural beauty like the Hasan Boğuldu Waterfall.

Seaside Serenity and Ancient Wonders: Assos

After our mountain explorations, it was time to enjoy Turkey's beautiful Aegean seaside at the ancient city of Assos. Located about 5 hours drive from Istanbul, this spot combines stunning coastal views with fascinating history.

Ancient Port & Beach Clubs: The ancient port area of Assos is lined with lovely beach clubs. We found the water here to be incredibly refreshing and clear – perfect for a dip! Directly behind us, we could see the Greek island of Lesbos, and towering above on the hill was the ancient city of Assos itself. The scenery and history here are truly amazing!
Ancient City of Assos: We then climbed up to the ancient city of Assos, where the famous philosopher Aristotle once lived and taught thousands of years ago. Entrance to the ruins is very reasonable (or free with a museum card, which we decided to get for future adventures!). We loved exploring the art shops and cellars along the pathway. The ruins, including the amphitheater and the Temple of Athena, offer breathtaking views, especially around sunset – a truly magical time to visit. It's a peaceful site, not overly crowded, making for a very enjoyable historical experience.
Charming Streets and Seafood Dinners: The narrow, winding streets of old Assos can be a bit tricky to navigate by car, but there's a central parking area above the beach clubs. In the evenings, we enjoyed beautiful dinners at the restaurants nestled by the water, many of which are attached to charming boutique hotels. These spots serve delicious seafood and are perfect for enjoying a "rakı balık" (rakı and fish) kind of night with picturesque views of the Aegean and the Greek islands. We even found a place with delicious ice cream for a sweet treat after dinner.

Our Final Thoughts: The Aegean Coast's Hidden Delights

Our journey through Assos, Kazdağları, and the surrounding areas was an absolute joy. This region of Turkey offers an incredible blend of stunning natural landscapes, rich historical sites, and authentic local experiences, all with a wonderfully relaxed and affordable vibe. We highly recommend exploring these hidden gems of the northern Aegean coast – you won't be disappointed!