How many days do you need in Bozcaada?

The top 7 places in the centre take about 1 day at a normal pace on a walking route from your hotel. Add extra days for day trips (Troy).

What are the top things to do in Bozcaada?

Highlights: Bozcaada Castle, Polente Lighthouse, Old Greek Quarter, Ayazma Beach and Church of the Virgin Mary (Koimisis Theotokou). The map has 10 things to do in total.

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

Çanakkale (CKZ): Taxi or hire car to Geyikli (Yükyeri) pier ≈ 1 h, then the car ferry ≈ 35–45 min. Timetables change with the season; check with the ferry operator. · Balıkesir Koca Seyit (Edremit) (EDO): Drive via Ayvacık to Geyikli pier ≈ 2 h, then the ferry ≈ 35–45 min. · Istanbul (IST): Bus or car via Çanakkale to Geyikli pier ≈ 5–6 h, then the ferry.

Do you tip in Bozcaada?

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

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Bozcaada Things to do and walking itinerary

Türkiye

Bozcaada travel guide

10 things to do in Bozcaada, 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 Bozcaada

Bozcaada Castle — Historic double-walled castle right by the harbour (visit ≈ 60 min)
Polente Lighthouse — Lighthouse on the island's western tip; the classic sunset spot (visit ≈ 60 min)
Old Greek Quarter — Narrow lanes of bay-windowed stone houses and geraniums west of the castle (visit ≈ 45 min)
Ayazma Beach — The island's best-known bay of fine sand and clear water (visit ≈ 180 min)
Church of the Virgin Mary (Koimisis Theotokou) — 19th-century Orthodox church at the heart of the old Greek quarter (visit ≈ 20 min)
Ayazma Monastery — Small monastery and holy spring among plane trees above Ayazma Bay (visit ≈ 30 min)
Vineyard country — Cycling and walking lanes through the vineyards of the island's interior (visit ≈ 90 min)
Bozcaada Clock Tower — Clock tower in Bozcaada (visit ≈ 40 min)
Alaybey Mosque — mosque in Bozcaada District (visit ≈ 30 min)
Bozcaada Local History Museum — Bozcaada'da müze (visit ≈ 120 min)

1-day Bozcaada walking itinerary

Starting point: Town centre / Harbour. The top 7 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 (≈ 9.2 km · 12,420 steps · 2 h 3 min on the way): Bozcaada Castle → Alaybey Mosque → Vineyard country → Bozcaada Clock Tower → Church of the Virgin Mary (Koimisis Theotokou) → Old Greek Quarter → Bozcaada Local History Museum

Hidden gems and overlooked spots in Bozcaada

Akvaryum Cove — Small rocky snorkelling cove on the south coast, named for its aquarium-clear water. (visit ≈ 120 min)
Habbele Cove — A small sandy cove on the way to Polente, quieter than Ayazma. (visit ≈ 120 min)
Mermer Burnu Lighthouse — Small lighthouse on a rocky cape at the island's south-eastern tip, away from the crowds. (visit ≈ 40 min)
Ayana Cove — A quiet sandy beach on the south coast, less known than Ayazma. (visit ≈ 120 min)

Where to stay in Bozcaada

Town centre / Harbour: A short walk from the ferry, with the castle, market lanes and tavernas on your doorstep.
Old Greek Quarter: Boutique guesthouses in old stone houses; quiet and very romantic in the evening.
Vineyard country (inland): Farm stays among the vineyards; peaceful, but you will need a bike or a car.

Getting from the airport to Bozcaada

Çanakkale (CKZ): Taxi or hire car to Geyikli (Yükyeri) pier ≈ 1 h, then the car ferry ≈ 35–45 min. Timetables change with the season; check with the ferry operator.
Balıkesir Koca Seyit (Edremit) (EDO): Drive via Ayvacık to Geyikli pier ≈ 2 h, then the ferry ≈ 35–45 min.
Istanbul (IST): Bus or car via Çanakkale to Geyikli pier ≈ 5–6 h, then the ferry.

Getting around

The town is entirely walkable. For the coves and Polente Lighthouse, rent a bike or scooter, or take the summer beach minibuses from the square; bringing a car means long ferry queues in summer. Ferries leave from Geyikli (in summer there may also be occasional sailings from Çanakkale); check current times with the operator.

Romantic views

Polente Lighthouse (Sunset): Everyone gathers at the island's western tip to watch the sun drop into the sea; come early.
Bozcaada Castle (Late afternoon): Views from the walls over the harbour, the tiled roofs and the Anatolian coast beyond.
Lanes of the old Greek quarter (Evening): An evening stroll among bay-windowed houses and bougainvillea, then a glass by the harbour.
Ayazma Bay (Late afternoon): A quiet hour on the sand once the day crowds have left.

Day trips

Troy — 20 km from the centre

Good to know before visiting Bozcaada

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 Bozcaada and Gökçeada

Fine: Spearfishing and collecting marine life are banned in Gökçeada's underwater national park.
Fine: Lighting fires and barbecues in woodland and scrub is banned in summer; fires spread fast on the islands.
Warning: In summer, at weekends and on public holidays car ferries can have queues of several hours; if taking a car, check sailing times and ticket or booking rules with the ferry operator in advance.
Warning: Ferries can be cancelled in strong winds; keep your return day flexible.

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

Bozcaada travel FAQ

How many days do you need in Bozcaada?: The top 7 places in the centre take about 1 day at a normal pace on a walking route from your hotel. Add extra days for day trips (Troy).
What are the top things to do in Bozcaada?: Highlights: Bozcaada Castle, Polente Lighthouse, Old Greek Quarter, Ayazma Beach and Church of the Virgin Mary (Koimisis Theotokou). The map has 10 things to do in total.
Where to stay in Bozcaada?: Town centre / Harbour: A short walk from the ferry, with the castle, market lanes and tavernas on your doorstep. Other options: Old Greek Quarter and Vineyard country (inland).
How do you get from the airport to Bozcaada city centre?: Çanakkale (CKZ): Taxi or hire car to Geyikli (Yükyeri) pier ≈ 1 h, then the car ferry ≈ 35–45 min. Timetables change with the season; check with the ferry operator. · Balıkesir Koca Seyit (Edremit) (EDO): Drive via Ayvacık to Geyikli pier ≈ 2 h, then the ferry ≈ 35–45 min. · Istanbul (IST): Bus or car via Çanakkale to Geyikli pier ≈ 5–6 h, then the ferry.
How do you get around Bozcaada?: The town is entirely walkable. For the coves and Polente Lighthouse, rent a bike or scooter, or take the summer beach minibuses from the square; bringing a car means long ferry queues in summer. Ferries leave from Geyikli (in summer there may also be occasional sailings from Çanakkale); check current times with the operator.
What is the emergency number in Bozcaada?: Emergency: 112.
Do you tip in Bozcaada?: A 5–10% tip is common in restaurants; round up taxi fares.

Nearby cities

Gökçeada · Assos (Behramkale) · Çanakkale · İzmir · Bursa · Istanbul · Thessaloniki · Athens

Türkiye travel guide: all cities · All cities