Avşa Island

Last update September 26, 2026

Avşa Island is located in the Marmara Sea, just a short ferry journey from Istanbul, and it still has the atmosphere of a place that the local people have kept for themselves. To get there you can take the IDO ferry from Yenikapı or Bostancı, and after you have landed minibuses will take you around the island about every fifteen minutes during the day. It’s a good idea to have a scarf with you when you’re on the ferry because the air conditioning is quite cold. The pace here is the same as that of the ferry journey: slow, easy and there’s no hurry to get anywhere.

That’s why you visit the beaches; Tavşanlı has calm and shallow water, soft sand, and good opportunities for snorkelling, together with a simple restaurant situated in a wooded area. Karadut, which is named after the mulberry trees along its shore, is even quieter, featuring only two restaurants and a combination of loungers and open sand on which you can place your own umbrella. Because Çınar Koyu attracts larger numbers of people and has rows of sun loungers all packed closely together, it should be avoided if you are looking for some space.

The reason Avşa is worth a visit is not due to a single attraction but because of its atmosphere—a pedestrianized road runs alongside the main beach, with most of the evening activities taking place along this road and prices being considerably lower than in resort areas such as Bodrum or Çeşme. Rent a bicycle, cycle along the coastal path and stop at any spot where the water looks appealing. A visit to the local vineyards for wine tastings provides a pleasant afternoon, and having grilled fish at a table by the water is the proper way to end the day.

If possible, visit in early September since the number of people decreases after the busy summer period and you’ll be able to enjoy the beaches without having to be cramped alongside others as happens in July. Avşa will not impress you with its monuments or night life; instead, it offers something more basic such as clean water, inexpensive food, and a few days when there’s no need for anything much to happen.