Erdek is a very convenient travel destination if you would like to run away from the busy life in Istanbul and Bursa for a few days, if you can't or don't want to travel far.
In summer the town is full, of mostly Turkish tourists, but it is not over crowded and the prices are moderate.
Sights and things to do:
You can enjoy swimming or discover the nature of the Kapıdağ Peninsula.
If you like the nature and camping, I would like to recommend to stay at the Ant Camping.. They speak English and German and offer free wifi.
But Erdek and the surrounding villages offer various places to stay: Hotels, Pensions and holiday homes.
The remains of the ancient city of Cyzicus can be seen nearby Erdek. Currently, there is no entrance fee as the sight is still an active archaeological excavation.
On the small islet Zeytin Adası (in front of shore of Erdek), are some ruins, including a temple.
There are two farmers markets in Erdek. One is Saturday 8(close to the stadium of Erdek) and the other is Mondays(Not far from the centre and bus station, nearby the hamam).
The hamam opens for women on Tuesday and Friday and the other days for men. The working hours are from 7.00-23.00.
If you like to party, it is no problem, as you can find various discos and bar, which are opened during the summer time.
The Marmara island, Avşa, Ekinlik and Balıklı islands can be reach via a ferry, which departs from Erdek port, in the centre of the town. In summer the ferry leaves Erdek 3 times.
The winter time table of 2015 and prices can be found here.
Kuşcenneti Milli Parkı
If you travel by car, you can visit the Lake Kuş or Lake Manyas, which is around 20km away from Bandirma. The lake is a national park (Kuşcenneti Milli Parkı) and it's not only possible to observe various bird species but there is a small information hall, where you can find various information.
Opening times are from 9.00-18.00 and the entrance fee is around 4 TL.
Directions from Bandirma:
Follow the Susurluk Yolu/D565 until you have to turn right to Kuşcenneti Köyü and then follow the directions of the signs.
Kuşcenneti Milli Parkı
Ruins of kyzikos
Transportation:
By ferry
From Istanbul fast ferries depart daily to Bandirma. The travel time is approx. 120 Minutes.
From Bandirma it takes around 20 Minutes to Erdek by Dolmuş. (The Dolmuş stop is nearby the port and in summer it runs every 15-20 Minutes)
By bus
There are also possibilities to go from Erdek to Tekirdag and to the Marmara island by ferry daily.
From the Erdek Bus station several times on a day buses from and to Istanbul, Bursa and other cities arrive and depart.
By train
Bandrima can be reached by train from Izmir
External information
The page Erdek turizm offers various useful information of Erdek in Turkish. The interactive maps helps you to find the different locations and give you a good overview of Erdek:
Erdek Turizm
Check the IDO ferry boat homepage for the time tabels to and from Bandirma:
IDO
Camping site
Beaches
Isthmus of Kapıdağ with the view torwards the mainland
View torwards Bandirma
Erdek
View torwards Kapıdağ as seen from Bandirma
Before you start a trip, check the provided information carefully, they may be outdated, time tables change sometimes quickly and unannounced. The information is supplied without liability.
