This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Ayvalik.
Ayvalik is a small town located on the western coast of Turkey; it is a very quiet town in much contrast to the hustle of Istanbul. It can be reached by ferry or by a bus, which takes about nine hours when coming from Istanbul or five-and-a-half hours when coming from Izmir. There are very few hostels in Ayvalik, as most of the accommodations come in the form of pensions or hotels. When choosing a place to stay in Ayvalik, it is best to stay near the new port area of the town, which is where most of the pensions are located anyways. The new port area has lots of shops and restaurants. Even if you don't stay near the new port transportation is very cheap; transportation options include buses and the dolmus, which is a sort of shared taxi or you can always get a regular taxi.
The pensions in Ayvalik typically have either single, double, or triple bedrooms or occasionally dormitories with multiple beds. They typically have a common area inside and some have a seating area outside as well. Some of the pensions come with breakfast included, but some of them do not. After finding your accommodations in Ayvalik be sure to get good directions on how to get there because the buildings and houses that are beyond the main roads are on unmarked and convoluted streets and it can be confusing and hard to find places in the beginning. If you get lost, locals are very friendly and are happy to help you find your way.
Written by local enthusiast for Ayvalik hostels
Kaitlyn
