Local’s Guide to Bozcaada, Turkey

Local’s Guide to Bozcaada, Turkey

Legend says that Bozcaada was where the Greeks hid after leaving the Trojan horse in Troy. While you won’t find proof of the legend in the town center of Bozcaada Merkez, you will find Greek-style whitewashed homes and a Greek Orthodox church. You’ll also discover that an array of other cultures have left their mark, from the fortress used by Venetians, Genoese and Ottomans and the Alaybey Mosque to the popular stuffed ravioli and the Greek grapes used for centuries to make island wines. Here’s a look at how to enjoy this hidden Turkish treasure like the locals.

DINE
Ada Café
Çınar Çarşı Cad. No. 35-A
This local café serves up fresh and delicious baked goods, soups, seafood and homestyle dishes such as Turkish ravioli (manti) and traditional housemade pastries called borëk. Don’t miss the island’s delicious tomato jam and be sure to sample the local wine too.

SHOP
Yöresel Ürünler
cnr Çınaraltı Çarşı Caddesi & Lale Sk
On the main square, this shop is worth popping into for its unique selection of local products – in fact, that’s exactly what the shop name means in Turkish. Browse local wines, organic jams, handmade clothing, handicrafts made by Turkish artisans and more.

EXPLORE
Ruins of Ancient Troy
Not far from Bozcaada, explore layers of ruins dating as far back as 3000 BC at the UNESCO-listed Archaeological Site of Troy, the ancient city immortalized in Homer’s epic Iliad poem about the 10-year Trojan War. Take a ferry to the Turkish mainland to witness evidence of ancient legends at one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world.

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