How many days do you need in Assos?

The top 8 places in the centre take about 2 days at a normal pace on a walking route from your hotel.

What are the top things to do in Assos?

Highlights: Ancient Assos, Temple of Athena, Ancient harbour and quay, Murad Hüdavendigar Mosque and Ottoman Bridge of Behramkale. The map has 9 things to do in total.

How do you get from the airport to Assos city centre?

Balıkesir Koca Seyit (Edremit) (EDO): Hire car or taxi via Küçükkuyu and Ayvacık ≈ 1–1.5 h. · Çanakkale (CKZ): Drive via Ezine and Ayvacık ≈ 1.5 h; or bus to Ayvacık, then minibus or taxi to Behramkale. · Istanbul (IST): Car or bus via Çanakkale ≈ 6 h; by bus, get off at Ayvacık and change to a minibus.

A 5–10% tip is common in restaurants; round up taxi fares.

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Assos (Behramkale) Things to do and walking itinerary

Türkiye

Assos travel guide

9 things to do in Assos, where to stay, airport transfers. Pick places on the map and get a day-by-day walking route from your hotel with steps, kilometres and minutes.

Top things to do in Assos

Ancient Assos — Ancient city on the Behramkale hill with walls, agora and theatre (visit ≈ 120 min)
Temple of Athena — Doric temple atop the acropolis looking out to Lesbos (visit ≈ 45 min)
Ancient harbour and quay — Little harbour at the foot of the hill with stone inns and fishing boats (visit ≈ 60 min)
Murad Hüdavendigar Mosque — Plain 14th-century domed mosque on the way up to the acropolis (visit ≈ 20 min)
Ottoman Bridge of Behramkale — Stone-arched Ottoman bridge over the Tuzla stream at the village entrance (visit ≈ 15 min)
Necropolis of Assos — Ancient cemetery lined with sarcophagi outside the west gate (visit ≈ 30 min)
Kadırga Bay — Long, calm pebble bay east of the harbour (visit ≈ 180 min)
Sivrice Bay — Quiet clear-water cove to the west, near the lighthouse (visit ≈ 120 min)
theatre of Assos — Ayvacık'ta (Çanakkale) antik tiyatro (visit ≈ 60 min)

2-day Assos walking itinerary

Starting point: Behramkale village. The top 8 places at a normal pace (up to ~10 km of walking a day), in this order. Change places or your hotel on the map and the route is recalculated; distances are estimates with a street allowance.

Day 1 (≈ 2.4 km · 3,180 steps · 32 min on the way): Murad Hüdavendigar Mosque → Temple of Athena → Ancient Assos → theatre of Assos → Ancient harbour and quay
Day 2 (≈ 9.9 km · 13,300 steps · 2 h 11 min on the way): Kadırga Bay → Ottoman Bridge of Behramkale → Necropolis of Assos

Hidden gems and overlooked spots in Assos

Babakale — Fishing village on the westernmost tip of mainland Anatolia, with an 18th-century castle, lighthouse and small harbour. (visit ≈ 180 min)
Sivrice Lighthouse — Lonely lighthouse at the end of Sivrice Bay, on a quiet cape facing Lesbos. (visit ≈ 45 min)
Temple of Apollo Smintheus (Gülpınar) — Temple in Gülpınar village dedicated to Apollo of the mice, with a small excavation site. (visit ≈ 60 min)
Adatepe village — Mountain village on the slopes of Mount Ida known for its restored stone houses and gulf views. (visit ≈ 90 min)

Where to stay in Assos

Behramkale village: Guesthouses in old stone village houses, a few minutes' walk from the Temple of Athena.
The harbour (İskele): Stone hotels and fish restaurants right on the water; the most romantic, but pricey in summer.
Kadırga Bay: Beach hotels on a wide bay; best for swimming, 10 minutes' drive from the village.

Getting from the airport to Assos

Balıkesir Koca Seyit (Edremit) (EDO): Hire car or taxi via Küçükkuyu and Ayvacık ≈ 1–1.5 h.
Çanakkale (CKZ): Drive via Ezine and Ayvacık ≈ 1.5 h; or bus to Ayvacık, then minibus or taxi to Behramkale.
Istanbul (IST): Car or bus via Çanakkale ≈ 6 h; by bus, get off at Ayvacık and change to a minibus.

Getting around

The village and the harbour are linked by a steep, winding road of about 1 km; walking down is easy, coming back up takes effort. Parking at the harbour is very limited in summer, so leave the car up top. Kadırga and Sivrice bays are reached by car or by summer minibuses; minibuses also run from Ayvacık to Behramkale.

Romantic views

Temple of Athena (Sunset): Sunset between the Doric columns, looking out over the sea to Lesbos; the region's most famous view.
The harbour (Evening): Dinner by the water as the lights of the stone buildings reflect on the sea.
Ottoman Bridge of Behramkale (Morning): A stone arch among olive groves, with the village and acropolis on the hill behind.
Sivrice Lighthouse (Sunset): A quiet sunset on a cape far from the crowds.

Good to know before visiting Assos

Fine: Insulting the memory of Atatürk, the Turkish flag or state symbols is a criminal offence.
Fine: Exporting antiquities is banned; keep receipts and, for old carpets or objects, ask for a museum export certificate.
Fine: Photographing military zones and facilities is prohibited; obey "military zone" signs.
Fine: Smoking is banned indoors and on public transport; lighting fires in forests in summer is fined.
Warning: Carry your ID or passport; police may ask for it at checks.
Warning: Shops and kiosks may not sell alcohol between 22:00 and 06:00.

Extra rules for Assos (Behramkale)

Fine: The village and ancient city are a protected heritage site; the ruins need a ticket, and climbing on them or taking stones or fragments is prohibited.
The road down from the village to the harbour is narrow and steep; parking at the harbour is very limited in summer.

Emergency: 112
Plugs: C/F, 230V
Tap water: Tap water is treated, but most people drink bottled or jug water.
Tipping: A 5–10% tip is common in restaurants; round up taxi fares.

Sources: UK FCDO — Foreign travel advice: Türkiye, T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı — Resmî e-Vize, Wikivoyage — Turkey · For information only; rules change, check official sources before you go. Last checked: 2026-10

Assos travel FAQ

How many days do you need in Assos?: The top 8 places in the centre take about 2 days at a normal pace on a walking route from your hotel.
What are the top things to do in Assos?: Highlights: Ancient Assos, Temple of Athena, Ancient harbour and quay, Murad Hüdavendigar Mosque and Ottoman Bridge of Behramkale. The map has 9 things to do in total.
Where to stay in Assos?: Behramkale village: Guesthouses in old stone village houses, a few minutes' walk from the Temple of Athena. Other options: The harbour (İskele) and Kadırga Bay.
How do you get from the airport to Assos city centre?: Balıkesir Koca Seyit (Edremit) (EDO): Hire car or taxi via Küçükkuyu and Ayvacık ≈ 1–1.5 h. · Çanakkale (CKZ): Drive via Ezine and Ayvacık ≈ 1.5 h; or bus to Ayvacık, then minibus or taxi to Behramkale. · Istanbul (IST): Car or bus via Çanakkale ≈ 6 h; by bus, get off at Ayvacık and change to a minibus.
How do you get around Assos?: The village and the harbour are linked by a steep, winding road of about 1 km; walking down is easy, coming back up takes effort. Parking at the harbour is very limited in summer, so leave the car up top. Kadırga and Sivrice bays are reached by car or by summer minibuses; minibuses also run from Ayvacık to Behramkale.
What is the emergency number in Assos?: Emergency: 112.
Do you tip in Assos?: A 5–10% tip is common in restaurants; round up taxi fares.

Nearby cities

Bozcaada · Çanakkale · Gökçeada · İzmir · Bursa · Istanbul · Athens · Bodrum

Türkiye travel guide: all cities · All cities