Share the article
Last updated
We’ve all found ourselves daydreaming about escaping to paradise. But what does that actually mean?
The world is full of wonders, and everyone may have a different definition of ‘paradise’. Some may want to escape to the mountains to appreciate nature and solitude.
Others may imagine crystal clear waters and sipping Mai Tais on a beautiful beach. Regardless of your version of paradise, many agree that the Mediterranean is one of the best paradise destinations.
We all know the beautiful islands of Spain and Greece. Heck, even Croatia has risen in popularity throughout the year.
There’s another island in the Mediterranean that’s not on the radar for many Westerners, yet it’s just as majestic, if not more so, than any holiday destination in the Mediterranean.
Welcome to Turkiye’s ‘Maldives’
With everyone seemingly getting their news via social media these days, it’s hard to imagine how such a place could be so beautiful Bozcaada flies under the radar.
You’d think travel influencers would be shouting up and down, begging to show off a place known as ‘Heaven on Earth’ and ‘The Maldives of Turkiye’.
Or perhaps the locals want this Turkish treasure to go unnoticed. Sorry Turkiye, but the secret is about to be revealed to the general public.
We know you already have Istanbul and so many beautiful coastal cities along the Black Sea. Can’t you also share Bozcaada with us?
Formerly known as Tenedos, this small island of around 500 inhabitants will amaze you with how breathtaking it is, from its crystal blue waters and laid-back atmosphere to charming, colorful streets.
In particular, Sulubahce Beach is what makes you feel like you are in a remote paradise reminiscent of the Maldives.
We’ve all stepped into the ocean to make sure it passes the test of being able to see our feet. Sulubahçe Beach far exceeds the test and despite not being able to swim most days due to the cold water, the scenery is immaculate.
It will easily become one of your all-time favorite beaches.
A fairytale island
Not only is the scenery some of the most beautiful you could ever imagine, but the small town charm is to die for. Similar to Greece, visitors will find themselves here ooh and ahh in every street.
In fact, it was a Greek island until the 1920s, when it joined the Turkish Republic. Greece’s loss is Turkiye’s gain, where locals have been gathering for sunny days for more than a century now.
It is estimated that around a million Turks visit in the summer because it is so easy and affordable (€30 per ferry) to reach from mainland Turkey, which of course means it is easy for you too if you flies in once.
It’s no mystery why locals love it, whether it’s for cozy cafes, vibrant storybook houses or the timeless cobbled streets we all have in mind for our dream holiday.
That’s why recent visitors call it a ‘fairy island’. Not to mention, the extremely affordable hotels often are too as low as $40 per night.
Although Bozcaada feels like a Greek island, the Turkish currency (lira) usually gives tourists more bang for their buck.
A place to enjoy
When you spend less money on hotels, you get more money for experiences. Of course you can see one of the best preserved castles in Turkiye (Bozcaada Kalesti), or you can spend your day enjoying great Greek and Turkish cuisine and local wine.
The choice is yours, but when you’re in a destination where two delicious cuisines come together, it’s hard to pass up, especially when you can sit on a terrace and take in the vast landscape while pampering your taste buds.
Most of the cuisine you will find here is Greek, but there are some Turkish dishes here and there. However, the wine selection remains strictly Turkish produced locally in Bozcaada of different grape varieties.
Your taste buds won’t be disappointed as you spend your day enjoying the finer things in life. The island may be small, but it is home to many vineyards and restaurants with both unforgettable food and unparalleled scenery.
Read more:
Top 5 Travel Insurance Plans for 2023 from $10 per week
How to easily earn points for free travel
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS
Enter your email address to subscribe to the latest Travel Off Path breaking travel news, delivered straight to your inbox.
This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
