Best Things to Do in Cunda Island 2025 Guide
Cunda Island is a popular destination on Turkey’s Aegean Coast. The island is characterized by its lovely antique houses, accentuated with colorful doors and windows often graced with bougainvilleas.
In the summer evenings, the town square comes alive with families dining in the traditional meyhane style. Turkish music bounces off the walls to accompany food, a drink, or a stroll. But a more peaceful ambiance is not far away, with the town pier only a few minutes from the center.
The tranquil turquoise waters of the Aegean Sea surround the island. It is known for having calm waters, making the beaches particularly pleasant for families with small children and those looking to relax.
Cunda Island
Part of the Ayvalık province, Cunda Island is the largest within the Ayvalık Islands archipelago. Ayvalık has a rich Greek history still evident in its architecture and landmarks in the present day.
Cunda Island is also known by its Turkish name, Alibey Island. The name change comes as a result of a dark chapter in Turkish history. In the 1920’s a treaty was signed that marked an event colloquially referred to as the population exchange. The expulsion of Greeks from Turkey and of Turks from Greece. But the echoes of Greek life remain on the island.
Upon arrival, you might catch a sight of the island’s historic windmill, a prominent sight in most Aegean towns.
The wind is a faithful visitor to Aegean towns, and in the past, it was put to use by the mills grinding grain. Now it is another lovely aspect of an Aegean holiday as the persistent wind cuts through the heat of a summer day, allowing for a pleasant visit.
Things to Do in Cunda Island
There are plenty of things to do in Cunda, which will be highlighted below. That being said, part of the charm of the Aegean coastal towns is the slow mornings, idyllic town strolls, and refreshing dips.
The town of Cunda is enchanting, as you stroll down its cobbled stones, you catch glimpses of the hauntingly charming abandoned homes, a reminder of the town’s history.
The mornings are slow, and while you stroll, you can see the shops and restaurants setting up for the day ahead. But there are still a few cafes open for the traditional kahvaltı or a dose of caffeine. Many of the town cats have only ceased their nightly activities and are preparing for a nap, perhaps as you prepare for the day of activities ahead.
Town Square & Farmer’s Market
Cunda Island’s town square is lively in the evening and rather quiet in the mornings, except for Saturdays. On this day, the farmer’s market sets up, and the town seems to come alive a little earlier.
The farmer’s market is vibrant, offering a range of fresh produce. The colorful fruit is displayed beautifully and ready to quench your summer thirst.
But beyond produce, the market also offers nuts, dried fruits, honey, and spices.
Near the town square is also another market known as the Cunda Sahil Bayraklı Çarşı, which is open daily and offers a wide variety of goods from artisanal crafts to souvenirs. But there are many boutiques and galleries in Cunda, so have a look around the shops town as well as the market.
Insider Tips:
- Ayvalık province is well-known in Turkey for its delicious olive oil, so if you have the opportunity of buying some, it makes for a great souvenir.
- The favorite and best Turkish towel (I have tried many) is from a shop in Cunda Island known as Sokak Kedisi. The shop mainly focuses on textiles but offers some other regional artisanal products like candles, soaps, and ceramics.
Taxiarches Church (Rahmi M. Koç Museum)
Taxiarches Church is only a couple of streets from the town square. Given that the town of Cunda is quite small, you will feel its prominence during your visit.
The church, like many landmarks in Turkey, was built upon an old structure in 1873. It would function as part of the Greek Orthodox congregation until the time of the population exchange in the 1920s, when it would be converted into a mosque. It faced damage during the conversion since the idols were painted over and suffered further damage during the 1944 earthquake, after which it was abandoned for some time.
In 2014, it was restored by Rahmi M. Koç, a Turkish businessman and philanthropist who created museums to showcase historical industrial and engineering objects.
Taxiarches Church is now home to one of the museums. It is worth a visit to see the painting inside the church.
Lover’s Hill & Sevim and Necdet Kent Library
Only a short walk (15 minutes) from the town square is Lover’s Hill, offering panoramic views of the island. You will know you’ve reached the spot when you are standing next to the famed Aegean trademark of a windmill.
Besides the windmill is the Sevim and Necdet Kent Library. The site was also renovated by the Rahmi M. Koç foundation and converted into a library and coffee shop that are now open to visitors.
In the past, the site had been a chapel housing religious texts that formed part of a monastery. But it was destroyed during the population exchange of the 1920s. After the restoration, a Turkish Ambassador by the name of Muhtar Kent donated his collection of books, and the library was named after him.
The coffee shop on the site is a lovely place to take in the views and have a refreshment before making your way down.
Cunda Boardwalk (Cunda Sahili)
Cunda’s boardwalk is near the town square and a nice place for a seaside stroll.
It is lined with restaurants and cafes, including a staple known as Taş Kahve. There, you can try a popular local dish, known as Ayvalık Tostu. It is a sandwich filled with sucuk (Turkish spicy sausage), salami, tomatoes, ketchup, and mayonnaise. Many places on the island offer this dish, but we would get ours at Taş Kahve.
Best Beaches in Cunda Island
There are many beaches to explore in Cunda Island, but below are the top ones to visit if you only have a few days to explore.
Plaj Sobe
Located on the northern part of the island, about a 30-minute drive from the center of town. The drive is a scenic one across the island. The beach club is in a traditional-style house, and you enter into a lush garden with sunbeds leading to the beach.
It offers a full-service restaurant and bar, but it has limited capacity, so it is important to make a reservation ahead of time.
Plaj Sobe is a great option for those looking for a serene environment.
Cunda Kesebir Beach
Only a short drive (10 minutes) from the center of town, past old olive groves, is Kesebir Beach.
This beach club offers a lively ambiance with music and waves flowing.
It has a higher capacity compared to other beach clubs, so there is a higher chance of finding sunbeds, but calling ahead is always a good practice. They also offer a restaurant and bar service.
Halk Plaji in Ortunç Koyu
A great option for nature lovers! There is also a hiking area near the beach (Seyir Terası).
It is a public beach about a 15-minute drive from the center of town. There are beach clubs nearby, but you can simply take your towel and a picnic to set up camp for your beach day.
Cunda Fora Glamping
A more modest but equally refreshing option is the beach located at the hostel Cunda Fora Glamping.
This option is the closest to town, only a few minutes by foot from the center. We used it on days when we only wanted to spend a short time in the sea before returning to town.
Zeytinyağli Cuisine
One of the best things to do in Cunda is to eat. Turkey’s Aegean Coast has dishes popularly referred to as zeytinyağli. These are typically vegetable dishes that are cooked with olive oil and often served cold.
Many restaurants in Cunda offer these dishes, but your best bet and a memorable experience will be to have a traditional meyhane night.
A meyhane is a traditional Turkish restaurant that takes the style of a tavern serving meze and rakı. Zeytinyağli will make up the cold meze (appetizer-sized, tapas-like plates), and then you will have a choice of warm meze options or fresh fish.
Part of the meyhane experience is to eat alongside the traditional Turkish anise liquor known as rakı and traditional Turkish music.
That said, the Aegean Coast is home to many vineyards, so it is a great opportunity to try some Turkish wine made from indigenous grape varietals.
How to Get to Cunda Island?
Getting to Cunda Island from Istanbul:
The best way to reach Cunda from Istanbul is by bus or by car.
When my sister and I visited, we took the bus, but I’ve also driven to the Aegean Coast with a rental car, which is a great option.
The drive from Istanbul to Cunda Island is about a 5-hour drive. Highways in Turkey are well developed and safe.
While driving in Istanbul can be overwhelming, once you exit the city, it is a smooth ride. Consider renting a car from the Asian or Anatolian side of the city to avoid city traffic on your way out of Istanbul. For our road trip to the Aegean Coast, we rented our car using Booking.com.
The bus from Istanbul goes to Ayvalık and takes approximately 7 hours. From Ayvalık to Cunda, you will need to take a taxi, and the drive will be about 20 minutes.
We booked our tickets with FlixBus. There are multiple bus stations in Istanbul, so check the one closest to you.
The bus ride was comfortable and efficient. They offer snacks and refreshments, and will include a couple of stops to pick up additional passengers, where you will be able to use toilets and buy food if needed.
Flying into Cunda Island:
The closest airport is Balıkesir Koca Seyit Havalimanı. Cunda Island is still about a one-hour drive from the airport, so you will need to rent a car or arrange transportation to the island.
Where to Stay in Cunda Island?
Many of the hotels in Cunda Island are boutique-style hotels housed in the old Greek houses. There are many options in the town, but also a few hotels that are closer to the beaches.
Staying near the town center is recommended because part of the experience of Cunda is the evening ambiance in the old town.
- Ortunc Hotel: located outside of the old town, this hotel is a great option for those looking for a secluded stay near nature but with all the amenities of a resort.
- Cunda Lena Otel: an old house converted into a small hotel with a lovely garden terrace where breakfast is served and where you can rest after a day of activities. It is only a few minutes walk from the town square.
- La Luna Otel: also housed within an old house, this small hotel is near town and has raving reviews about the service.
Where to Eat in Cunda Island?
The Aegean Coast is a great place to eat. In Turkey, there are dishes referred to as zeytinyağli that are popular in this region, and Ayvalık is also known for its special sandwich known as Ayvalık Tostu.
Coffee & Lunch:
- Taş Kahve Cunda: a Cunda Island staple, this is a great place to go for coffee or to try an Ayvalık Tostu (sandwich filled with sucuk or Turkish spicy sausage, salami, tomatoes, ketchup, and mayonnaise).
- Sade Coffee and Tea Artisan: with an ample terrace, located in the town square, this is a great place for coffee and lunch. A place to spend a morning, people watching as the town comes alive.
Dinner:
- Ayna Cunda: offering a more modern take on some of the traditional zeytinyağli dishes, Ayna is highly recommended and also a good place to try some regional Turkish wines.
- L’arancia Cunda: featuring Italian cuisine, the setup of the restaurant is lovely, and an open-air terrace welcomes guests.
- Papaz’in Evi Tria Cunda: housed in an antique Greek mansion, guests are seated in the ample, candlelit garden. The cuisine focuses on zeytinyağli dishes.
- Yakamoz AVLU Restaurant: housed in an antique Greek house, Yakamoz offers a meyhane-style experience to its guests.
Cocktails:
- Ola Kala: located in the town square, this cocktail bar is usually full on summer nights, lit with music, conversations, and delicious cocktails.
- Cactus Coffee & Cocktails: a great option for both coffee and cocktails. It is located near the town square, and often people stop for an aperitivo between the day’s activities and dinner.
Final Thoughts
Cunda Island is an ideal summer destination with its tranquil mornings and lyrical nights. The island offers a little bit of itself to every traveler type, lovers, families, foodies, and nature explorers alike.
The saltwater and local olive oil will both nourish and delight you!
Cunda’s rich culture and history are evident and captivating – the antique houses and local flavors, all remnants of the people that have inhabited the land. You might even spot some ruins while you enjoy the beach.
