Our first trip to Bozcaada was in September 2021. In October 2024, we revisited this beautiful island for a short getaway. Bozcaada is ideal for beach, food, and entertainment tourism in the summer, and for a peaceful, relaxing weekend in the spring. Due to its island nature, Bozcaada isn’t active or crowded for most of the year. For this reason, ferry trips decrease after late September, and online ticketing stops, as you can easily board the ferry by waiting in line. Although car traffic is normally restricted on the island, this restriction is lifted after the season ends. During peak season, hotels, restaurants, and beaches can be very crowded. To avoid this, we chose mid-September for our first trip, which allowed us to enjoy the sea and taste local flavors at a relaxed pace.

In October, for our second visit, we didn’t plan on swimming; instead, we aimed to relax, breathe in the sea air at our leisure during the day and evening, enjoy delicious food and drinks in a calm environment, and wander peacefully through the streets. We stayed for two nights, which was sufficient for us.

To reach Bozcaada, you can take the ferry from the Geyikli pier (Ezine/Çanakkale) on foot or by car. If you buy your ferry tickets online, you can board without waiting in line. Keep in mind that the island is very popular and crowded during the summer season.

Our first trip was in September 2021. The weather was warm but not overwhelming, and we could comfortably swim. However, it did rain during the day. By mid-September, a few restaurants and beaches had already closed for the season. Our second trip was in October 2024, when daytime temperatures reached around 19-20°C. Although the sun was strong, the breeze made it feel chilly in the shade, so you might want to bring a medium-weight jacket. We recommend packing warm clothes, especially for the evenings, as temperatures drop even further. 

We stayed for two nights on both of our trips. For a typical summer vacation, a longer stay could be ideal. Since we visited multiple places in the same summer, two nights in Bozcaada were sufficient for us. Generally, one day may be enough to explore the island, but if you want to fully enjoy Bozcaada, swim at a different cove each day, and experience a variety of dining and drinking spots every evening, you could easily stay for five nights without getting bored.

On both of our visits, we chose to stay in the center of the island. The ferry dock, Bozcaada Castle, main square, and the cafes and taverns in the Greek and Turkish neighborhoods are all located in the center. Staying here allows you to explore Bozcaada, which is already closed to car traffic, on foot. There are parking lots available in the center, and some hotels offer parking or valet services. We stayed at Aspava Hotel and Seher Hanım'ın Konağı. There are also many other small hotel and guesthouse options. We were very satisfied with the accommodations in terms of price, location, breakfast variety, and quality.

For those considering staying outside the center, keep in mind that public transportation (minibuses) has limited routes and schedules on the island. For accommodations outside the center, there are vineyard houses, small hotels, and holiday farms that serve as guesthouses, surrounded by vineyards and offering scenic natural views.

The beaches in Bozcaada are not in the center, so to reach them, you’ll need either city transportation (minibus) or a private vehicle.

You can start your tour in the Greek Quarter, which hosts the island’s beautiful and colorful historical buildings. There is a small museum here with an entrance fee, where you can learn about the island’s food culture and the stories of its established families. In this neighborhood, you’ll also find the Virgin Mary Church, where you can photograph the tower from the outside.

The Turkish Quarter forms the left side of the island’s center. Additionally, you can visit Bozcaada Castle, visible as your ferry approaches the pier. Entry requires a fee, and inside, you’ll find historical information about the castle's construction, restoration, and some archaeological remains. A beautiful view awaits you if you go inside and climb up.

Close to the castle, there are windmills. You can park your car below and walk uphill for 10 minutes to reach the hill where the windmills are located. Keep in mind that it may be windy.

The island is known for its sunset activity. You can find sunset points marked on maps. This tradition is so popular that various “sunset plates” or “sunset packages” are available throughout the island, featuring items like dried fruits, nuts, cheeses, and charcuterie. Popular sunset spots include Polente Lighthouse and the cliffs with wind turbines. To enjoy the sunset here, you may want to bring your chair, table/blanket, food, and drinks. Just note that the road to the sunset point can be rough and traffic may form due to high demand during sunset hours.

If you visit the island during the summer season, minibuses run from the center to the sunset point. After the season, however, this road has been closed due to risks like forest fires.

Well-known beaches on the island include Ayazma, Habbele, Tuzburnu, and Akvaryum. Besides these, you can explore more secluded coves by car. Ayazma and Habbele have sunbed/umbrella rentals, making them crowded during the season, while Akvaryum and Tuzburnu are quieter with no facilities.

In the center of Bozcaada, there are numerous food and drink options, including small and large buffets, cafes, bars, taverns, and restaurants. Most of these establishments have outdoor seating arrangements with tables and chairs on the streets or in front of the shops. Since the island is generally small, the interiors of these establishments are also quite compact. Apart from a few restaurants, most have no indoor seating, only open-air spaces.

In the Greek Quarter, the narrow streets are tightly packed with tables and chairs, leaving little room for walking. In the summer, these tables are usually full. Some spots have live music, while in others, the proximity of venues means you can hear music from one place while sitting at another.

To experience the Greek Quarter, we visited Nevreste Bozcaada in September 2021, upon a friend’s recommendation. It offers unique local appetizers and a variety of dishes. However, the space was cramped and noisy, and we struggled to hear our own conversation due to nearby tables. Although the dishes were unique, there was nothing particularly memorable about the taste. There are many similar places, but since we didn’t enjoy this setting, we didn’t try any others.

We also visited Polente, a cafe offering snacks like pizza, charcuterie boards, and cheese plates. We were very pleased with the food, especially the parmesan crisps, which were much tastier than snacks at other cafes.

If you’d like to sample Bozcaada’s range of wines, rich in vineyards, you can do tastings at Ataol, Çamlıbağ, or Talay. These places only serve snack items like cheese, crispy bread, and charcuterie. The flavors and services are generally similar, with no major price differences.

One of the recommended places is Biz Meyhane, which opened in 2024. Despite not visiting during peak season, the meze cabinet had many options. This is a spacious, calm tavern with fair pricing, excellent food, and a clear pricing policy. The cold appetizers were delicious, and the calamari, sardines, and hot goat cheese were all excellent. Prices were comparable to similar places on the island.

Shopping: In Bozcaada’s square, you’ll find stands selling jewelry, accessories, and souvenirs, as well as various homemade jams at reasonable prices. One of the island’s well-known bakeries, Çiçek Bakery, offers a wide range of cookies, including kavala, mastic-flavored, almond, and apple varieties. While the cookies aren’t particularly cheap, they’re large and flavorful. We shopped here on both visits, and they also offer online sales.