The Festival Route of Turkaegean Flavours

Turkaegean cuisine, with its warm climate and fertile lands, is a selection of mainly olive oil dishes, appetisers, and light vegetable dishes. The fertility of the Aegean, where olives, grapes, citrus fruits, and various herbs are grown, is also reflected in its cuisine.

Here is an autumn route for a colourful journey where you can try these light and unique flavours of Turkaegean cuisine:

9 Points

540 km

9 h

Route points

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The first destination on the route is Ayvalık, famous for its olive oil, which forms the cornerstone of Turkaegean cuisine. Located by the Aegean Sea, this district awaits your discovery, offering both its natural beauty and delicious olive oil dishes.

The festival, held every year on different dates in the fall, typically in October or November, celebrates the olive harvest. It promotes olive and olive oil-based dishes, olive oil tasting events, and provides participants with the opportunity to discover traditional olive processing methods.

While visiting Ayvalık for the Olive Harvest Festival, you can extend your route to Cunda Island and Küçükköy. In Cunda, you can wander through cobblestone streets lined with historic stone houses and end the day with a cosy seaside dinner by the sea.

Afterwards, continue to Küçükköy to explore stone houses converted into art galleries and visit the small local museum that tells the migration story of the village.

The Kavacık Grape Festival, held in İzmir, takes place annually, typically in September or October. The festival contributes to the preservation of the region’s local culture and invites visitors from outside the area to celebrate the grape harvest.

Visitors taste the grapes grown in different vineyards and also their subspecies. Different products made from grapes, such as molasses or other local flavours, are also promoted. The programme also includes useful and informative speeches on grape growing traditions. This delightful festival, where you can discover the local culture and reach the peak of flavour, is waiting for you to explore.

While in Kavacık, it is also possible to discover nearby Efemçukuru and Gödence. In Efemçukuru, you can join a short hike or vineyard walk on the slopes of Kızıldağ and see where some of the region’s well-known grapes are grown. Then, you can stop by the Gödence Village to taste local wine and olive oil and take a break while enjoying the panoramic views over the valleys.

The Aegean, with its warm climate, is one of the most fertile lands for citrus fruits. The Traditional Bodrum Tangerine Festival is celebrated every year on different dates in the autumn, usually in November, to promote the various citrus fruits and local farming in this area.

In addition to Bodrum's famous tangerines, a variety of delicious citrus fruits, including oranges, kumquats, and lemons, await you. Visitors can also sample a variety of handcrafted products, including jams, desserts, soaps, and unique souvenirs made by local artisans.

During your visit to Bodrum, you can also include Bitez and Ortakent in your route. In Bitez, you can stroll or cycle through fragrant mandarin orchards before taking a break in the village square, where local markets and small events are often held. Continuing to Ortakent, you can walk among citrus gardens and then end the day with a refreshing swim at Yahşi Beach.