Bozcaada Island sits close to the mouth of the Dardanelles strait. It has a long history of human settlement, having been occupied by the Pelasgians, Phoenicians, Athenians, Greeks, Persians, Byzantine, Genoese, Venetians, and Ottomans. The oldest graves on the island have been dated as far back as 3,000 BCE.
The island was formerly known as Tenedos and was even mentioned several times in Homer’s Iliad. It’s within proximity to the ancient city of Troy. This was where the Achaeans launched the ships that delivered the Trojan horse to the city of Troy during the Trojan War.
And speaking of war, the Allies used it as an offshore base during the Gallipoli campaign for its strategic location on the Dardanelles. To prevent this from happening again, the newly formed Turkish republic held on to Tenedos even after relinquishing the possession of almost all Greek Aegean islands like Rhodes, Patmos, Kos, and Symi to Greece.
However, persecutions in the 70s prompted a significant population of the Island’s Greek population to migrate. Tenedos (now Bozcaada) has retained much of its Greek influence and charm. Combine that with the rich culture and hospitality of the island’s Turkish population, and you get an island unlike no other on the Aegean Sea.
Bozcaada is a gem that lures many tourists, especially in the summer months. In fact, an estimated 1.5 million tourists visited the island last year, which is pretty impressive when you consider that it has a year-round population of about 500 people. So naturally, this means that reservations are essential, especially in high summer.
There are several five-star hotels and restaurants that should make for a comfortable and luxurious stay in the city.
Transport to Bozcaada is also relatively easy. But to avoid the hustle of booking accommodation and finding convenient transportation, you want to book a tour with a travel agency. This ensures that you enjoy private transport to and from the island and accommodation at the best resort on the island.
Bozcaada is a popular weekend destination for Istanbulites and a summer one for tourists from all over the world. The island is swept by land-bound breezes from the sea that make even the hottest summer days cool and bearable.
However, during the peak summer season of May to September, Bozcaada is visited by hundreds of thousands of tourists. August is so nuts that some streets and beaches seem a little too crowded. If you want to enjoy the calm, slowness, and beauty that made the island famous in the first place, visit in the off-season.
Bozcaada is famous for its brand of marmalade and tomato jam. It is sold along with 20 other varieties of marmalade that make for an incredible breakfast. But, of course, you’ll also want to visit one of the island’s fish restaurants to sample fresh and delicious seafood and a myriad of meze varieties.
The island also has a rich wine culture. Thus, your experience will be incomplete if you don’t visit one of the several wineries for a wine-tasting session. However, if you want to make it a little more traditional, don’t forget to order some raki (Turkey’s traditional alcoholic beverage).
Solo travelers driving themselves in rented cars will need to familiarize themselves with the island’s regulations on vehicular traffic. Generally, the administration limits traffic in Bozcaada during summer, i.e., from early June to mid-September. To transport a vehicle from the mainland to the island, you must obtain a reservation.
If approved, you can drive directly through town to other parts of the island. However, you may not drive to the town center except when returning to the ferry. Traffic through the center will be limited to service vehicles carrying food and other supplies and equipment.
Bozcaada Island arrived late for the tourism party. This, together with the resident’s refusal to accept large-scale development and the privatization of beaches, has allowed the island to retain an authentic Greek setting.
The best place to enjoy its laid-back island aesthetics is, of course, on the narrow streets. The old Greek houses were constructed on a grid plan along a slight slope, creating a beautiful maze of old rustic houses on either side of taverna-lined cobblestone streets.
The island’s social life unfolds on these streets, where residents and tourists spend hours drinking tea and coffee as they engage in light conversations.
You’re free to roam the town as much as you want. The streets are clean and shaded by oriental trees in many places, so you don’t have to worry about the sun roasting you.
Bozcaada also offers several sightseeing opportunities, including the island’s castle. This is known as Bozcaada Castle and is one of the largest citadels on the Aegean. Nobody knows its original builder, but it may have been expanded by the Byzantine, Genoese, and Ottoman civilizations that had previously occupied the island. The castle is in surprisingly good condition and makes for an exciting visit.
There is also a museum that showcases memorabilia relating to the island’s history. These are mainly about the Greek population and their culture. However, there are also old objects and documents from the Ottoman period.
From there, you’ll want to visit the beach and enjoy the island’s infamous cold waters. Ayazma beach is the most popular beach on Bozcaada Island. Thanks to its beautiful soft sand and clear cold waters, it even broke the record for the most likes on Instagram. However, it gets pretty crowded in summer, so you’ll want to look for another beach.
Finally, visit the island’s famous vineyards and wineries, taste some wine, and spend your evenings on the westernmost point watching the beautiful sunset.
After two or three days in Bozcaada’s embrace, you’ll want to explore the surrounding region for a taste of more attractions. For example, you can visit the Gallipoli Peninsula, the ancient cities of Troy, Canakkale, Alexandria Troas, Assos, and more on the Aegean coast.
