Accomodation in Cunda
If you are an adventurer who love nature, I strongly recommend Ada Camping for staying, the well organized camping place in Cunda. If you do not prefer to stay in a tent you can also rent a bungalow or a caravan which is decorated with flowers outside and sweetened with cute garden ornaments at the camping area. We have already planned to have reservations from caravans for the next time. This camping area has a beautiful and clean beach and a nice open air cafeteria for drinking or eating wide variety of food during the day. A la Carte and buffet facilities are available. There is a small, clean kitchen available for the use of campers. When you jump into the water under the 37 centigrade in July you feel refresh because the sea a bit cold here.
The only disadvantage of the camping area is the location, it is 8 km away from the center of Cunda. But you should note that even the closest beach you can go in Cunda is also far away from almost 8 km. You can solve this problem by using taxi. If you prefer, you can walk through the lovely green way as we did. In my opinion with its nice beach and facilities Ada Camping is a good choice for staying.
Besides camping place Cunda offers many altenatives for staying from nice stone houses to lovely boutique hotels. If you prefer a more luxurious place for staying, you can try Hotel Ortunc, the most luxurious hotel in town located at the same beach with Ada Camping. Ada Camping daily entrance fee of $ 25. I anticipate a higher entrance fee for the Ortunc Hotel's beach. For more information about Ortunc click here , for detail information for Ada Camping please click here.
Secret Island Cunda
Cunda (also called as Alibey Island) is a lovely island with its beautiful old stone houses, narrow streets and cobblestone pavements. The historical background of the island is a good mixture of Christian and Islamic culture. Cunda as the biggest island of the Ayvalık island group, located in the Balıkesir province of Turkey. While walking across the stone streets the warm atmosphere and friendly people makes you feel as you have lived there for a long time.Things to do in Cunda
There are many streets, restaurants, churches and monasteries waiting to be discovered in this historic town. Our list of things to do in town as follows:
1. Fisherman Bahtiyar's Restaurant (Balıkcı Bahtiyar) -You should try fresh fish alternatives and wide variety of Crete appetizers such as cibes, aquadis, papal fish, stuffed squash blossoms (kabak cicegi dolması), octopus, a nice salad made of tin cheese, butter shrimp at the restaurant of 'Balıkcı Bahtiyar'.
Balıkcı Bahtiyar |
2- Vino Winehouse- Everyone will tell you try the wine in Vino but what you really do should try gum liquor in this sweety winehouse. As far as we heard the recipe of the chewing gum liquor is belong to Vino. Here is a place that makes you happy with the warm colorful decor, its great musics and all kinds of liquor. (Sorry that I can not share the second day photographs with you because of a technical accidents :( )
3- Try the delicious gummy ice cream whether melon inside or cone in. You can find them in the seaside part of Cunda.
4- Drink roasted Turkish coffee and eat lokma (Turkish dessert made of deep fried dough awaited in sugar syrup and eaten with cinnamon) in 'Tas Kahve', which has a special stone building in the center of Cunda.
5- Cunda is famous with its historical structures. You can find out the island's historical texture by visiting the churches, monasteries and mosques which are separated in the different parts of the island. Cunda is an ideal place for those who like taking pictures. Some churches and monasteries; Hayrettin Pasha Mosque, Cinarli Mosque, The Church of Profitis Ilias, The Church of Portaitsa, The Church of Faneromeni, The Church of Aghia Triada, The Church of Panagia, The Church of Taksiyarhis.
6- Visit the bazaar of the Island on Saturday, which have a variety of handmade ornaments, cheeses, products made of olive oil such as; soap, body lotion, shampoo. It is recommended to buy some natural products and gorgeous olive oil of Cunda. Soap made of olive is perfect for gifts.
7- Sevim -Necdet City Library (The Church of Agios Yannis) is the most beautiful place to be seen in Cunda which is located on the top of the Cunda. (Ten minutes walk away from the center.) This stone architecture and remarkable monastery is the symbol of the town. You can see the blend of Christian and Islamic culture together. Sevim- Necdet City Library was restored by Rahmi Koc (Famous family in Turkey). There is also a very nice cafe in the building. You can relax here while sipping something cool in front of the wonderful view of Cunda.