Aegean Region
THE AEGEAN: WHERE OLIVE GROVES AND ANCIENT HISTORY MEET
Hi! We are Holly & Safak. The Aegean is very special to us — Safak’s family has been coming to Ayvalık for over 40 years, and most of his family is still here. We even got married in the Aegean. Let us show you the Aegean we love. About us →
The Turkish Aegean is a region of olive groves, ancient history and a wonderfully irregular coastline dotted with small islands and hidden bays. We love the way the landscape shifts between mountains, forests, beaches and endless rows of olive trees, with the Greek islands often visible just across the sea. The region also has a fascinating cultural mix, shaped by centuries of Aegean and Greek influence, ancient civilisations and the traditions of the people who live here today. And then there’s the food: perhaps our favourite part of the Aegean. Fresh vegetables cooked with olive oil, wild herbs, seafood, meze, local olives and excellent wines make this one of Türkiye’s most delicious regions to explore. From the lively streets and markets of Ayvalık and the vineyards of Urla to ancient Bergama and quiet coastal villages like Bademli, the Aegean is a place we keep coming back to.
Discover The Aegean with these local facts…
…Home to tens of millions of olive trees, some of which are over 1,000 years, the Aegean holds the world’s oldest known olive oil workshop, dating back to the 6th century BCE.
…Beyond the coast lies Pamukkale’s white travertine terraces and ancient Hierapolis, where people have bathed in hot thermal springs for millennia.
…Aegean cuisine centers on vegetables cooked in local olive oil (zeytinyağlılar) and seasonal wild greens (otlar) harvested straight from the hillsides.
…Strong summer sea breezes (meltemi) powered historic stone windmills across towns like Cunda and Alaçatı and keep the coastal summer heat remarkably mild.
…The region hosted both the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus and the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, making it one of the ancient world’s richest cultural hubs.
…You can feel the mix of greek-ottoman heritage everywhere—from the neoclassical stone architecture (rum evleri), to the coastal meze culture and local dialects.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO THE TURKISH AEGEAN
Far away from mass tourism, the Aegean offers rich history, slow food traditions and an authentic way of life. Explore the region through our personal guides and experience Turkey’s western coast like a local.
Our Favourite Slow Stays in The Aegean
We love staying in private holiday homes connected to the landscape—from our own family beach house in Ayvalık to a quiet hillside retreat in Urla overlooking the rolling Aegean hills.
AK-El Sitesi
One of the oldest yet best maintained housing in Sarımsaklı, located away from the main tourist crowds. Enjoy direct access to the sea and morning walks into the neighboring Badavut Nature Park.
Ev Urla Sitesi
A beautiful hillside housing complex above Urla with views over the landscape and distant islands, featuring 7 uniquely designed houses inspired by the mid-century Palm Springs desert architecture.