Turkish Aegean
Cheap flights to the Turkish Aegean
Clear water, fantastic beaches and ancient cities await the holidaymaker in this exotic region. A flight to the Turkish Aegean with SunExpress brings sun worshipers to the destination with the most historical discoveries in Turkey. The airlines fly holidaymakers from Germany directly to Izmir (ADB), Dalaman (DLM) or Bodrum (BJV). The coastal line of the Aegean Region stretches from Canakkale to Fethiye, where the sun shines 300 days a year. As on the entire coast of the Far East, the Mediterranean climate is dry and warm from May to October. In the hidden coves are magnificent sandy beaches, and local restaurants in the fishing ports serve dishes according to the region. Pergamon, Troy or Ephesus remind history lovers of the times of Odysseus, Achilles and Priamos. There is hardly a place on the Aegean Sea in which visitors do not encounter archaeological finds from Roman, Greek or Byzantine times. But that’s not all. Visitors can admire art and jewellery from later centuries, especially in the north where the craftsmen have preserved their long-standing traditions.
If you find this recommendation desirable, then book your low-cost flights to the Turkish Aegean at SunExpress!
The legendary Troy: endless sand beaches and historical architecture
Troy is, without a doubt, the most famous archaeological site on the Aegean. In 1873, Heinrich Schliemann discovered the legendary Troy, known by many from The Iliad. According to this epic, Odysseus built a wooden horse capable of hiding Greek soldiers. After the Greeks pretended to sail away in defeat, the Trojans wheeled the horse through the gates into their city as a trophy. Not long after, the Greek soldiers escaped and opened the gates for the rest of their army to destroy the city, ending the Trojan war. The area is not just limited to these historical sites, however; the endlessly long, sandy beaches of the town of Ören are an insider tip of those who know the area well. The city of Ayvalik is also an interesting visit for guests of the area. Originally founded in the 17th century, it was inhabited by Greeks until the beginning of the last century. You can identify their churches, which are now used as Islamic mosques, by their orthodox architecture. Another attraction is Pergamon. The Bergama, founded in the third century, was in the ancient capital and had the potential to become the second Athens. Even today, guests can see the magnificent columns that lead to the Acropolis. The name of the city also stands for the parchment that was invented here.
Pulsating life in the third-largest city of Turkey
The modern city of Izmir is an important economic hub of the country. The “Pearl of the Aegean” was formerly called Smyrna. Due to the central location of Izmir, both the port and the airport are a busy hub for leisure travellers as well as business people. The 420,000m² exhibition ground in the Konak district is connected to the cultural park and can be reached from the airport by car in an hour. From Alsancak, in the north of the bay, is a 3.5km long promenade along the waterfront. From here, visitors arrive at Attaturk Caddessi, the shopping boulevard of Izmir. In Konak Square (Konak Meydani) stands the city’s landmark: the clock tower (Saat Kule). The 25m high tower, a gift of Kaiser Wilhelm, was built on the occasion of the accession of Abdulhamid II in 1901.
The Southern Aegean coastline
Cesme is situated on the same peninsula, 80km west of Izmir. Because of its protected location, the volume of visitors is high. Nevertheless, the area has preserved its Turkish charm. In the famous seaside resorts of Pirlanta Plaji, Tursite Plaji and Altinkum, plenty of entertainment and leisure activities are offered. From here, you can explore the limestone terraces of Pamukkale, the olive groves of Aydin and Ephesus. Kusadasi is the most famous seaside resort south of Izmir. The wide bay with its fine, sandy beach and vegetation-rich country, and the Greek island of Samos display fantastic natural scenery. In the neighbouring town of Selcuk, camel wrestling takes place every year in January.
Bodrum Castle and the lively Marmaris
With a little luck, visitors can see the rare sea turtles (Caretta caretta) between the wooden boats in the harbour basin of Bodrum. The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus was built in the 15th century, though the site now houses a museum. The saying goes that the Crusaders used the stones of the mausoleum – one of the Seven Wonders of the World – for their castle. A particularly large marina is located in Marmaris. Here, the flair of Turkish high society prevails and the hotels are equipped accordingly. The lively promenade with adjacent shops, boutiques, cafés and restaurants invites you to stroll around for hours. Dense pine forests surround the picturesque bay.