Travel to Canakkale, Troy, Assos, Adatepe and Kunda
Türkiye is much more than just a bridge between East and West; it is the cradle of a rich culture and thousands of years of history, especially the history of the olive tree.
Traveling the Olive Routes in Turkey will allow you to discover majestic landscapes, ancestral traditions and unique tastes. From the Aegean coast to the lands of Anatolia, the olive tree is a symbol of living in harmony with nature and the Mediterranean climate. On this route, each region tells its own story, from the olive fields of Çanakkale to the olive oil museums of Adatepe and Cunda Island.
Here’s an overview of the must-see places on this exciting route.
Çanakkale: Port of entry to the Olive Route in Turkey.
Çanakkale, a historic city located on the shores of the Dardanelles, is the ideal starting point for exploring olive farming in Turkey. Known for its military heritage and proximity to the site of the Battle of Gallipoli, Çanakkale is also surrounded by fertile lands that have been home to olive trees for centuries. During your visit, don’t miss the local markets where you can sample local varieties of olives and olive oil.
Çanakkale is a cultural crossroads that connects the richness of the Aegean Sea with the region’s agricultural traditions.
Troy and the Troy Museum: at the crossroads of history and olive culture
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A few kilometers from Çanakkale, the ancient city of Troy invites visitors to take a journey through time, between mythology and archaeology.
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the ideal place to understand Turkey’s thousand-year history, a history also linked to the olive tree.
The region around Troy is famous for its ancient olive groves, and the Troy Museum enriches this visit with exhibits about daily life, including agricultural practices such as olive growing.
There you will learn that the olive tree was already an integral part of life in Troy thousands of years ago.
Assos and Behram Castle: tranquility and olive tree heritage
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Driving along the Aegean coast, you will arrive in Assos, a historical town famous for its Temple of Athena overlooking the Aegean Sea. Below in the village of Behramkale lies Behram Castle, a symbolic site testifying to the rich past of the region.
Here the olive tree is a valuable resource and every autumn the locals pick the olives by hand, continuing a centuries-old tradition. Assos is also close to numerous olive groves, where visitors can see the harvest and taste the local olive oil, renowned for its exceptional flavor and purity.
Adatepe: a traditional village in the center of olive culture
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Adatepe is a charming village located in the hills of Mount Ida (Kaz Dagi), a place rich in legends and olive trees.
In Adatepe, be sure to visit the Adatepe Olive Oil Museum, the first of its kind in Turkey. This museum traces the history of olive oil and the important place it has occupied in the region over the centuries. There you can learn about the traditional oil production process, from olive harvesting to extraction, and appreciate the art of growing olives.
Adatepe is a must-visit destination for those who want to gain a deeper understanding of the importance of olives in rural life in Turkey.
Junda (Alibey Adasi): island of olive trees and Aegean gastronomy.
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Junda, also known as Alibay Adasi, is a picturesque island in the Aegean Sea, known for its serene atmosphere and centuries-old olive trees. Connected to the mainland by a bridge, Kunda is a popular destination for its traditional taverns, quiet beaches and Greco-Ottoman architecture.
Here olive oil is king; it is present in every dish, from mezze to fresh fish. Visitors can explore the island’s olive groves, take part in olive harvest festivals and enjoy typical dishes prepared with local olive oil.
Kunda is the ideal place to try the specialties of Aegean cuisine, where olives play a central role in the cuisine.
Olive harvesting in Turkey: an ancestral ritual from the Aegean coast
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Autumn marks the beginning of the olive harvest along the Aegean coast, a tradition that brings families and communities together around olive groves. At each stop along the Olive Route, travelers can take part in a harvest festival and taste fresh olive oil, renowned for its taste and nutritional qualities. Hand harvesting, practiced in many villages such as Adatepe and Assos, helps preserve the quality of the olives and strengthens the connection between the land and local traditions.
Olive oil in Aegean cuisine: a culinary treasure
In Aegean cuisine, olive oil is more than just an ingredient; this is a culinary tradition. Whether it’s fresh salads, vegetable dishes, or local herbs like samphire and thistle, olive oil is the foundation of Mediterranean flavors. During the trip, you will discover how this precious oil, often served with bread for breakfast, enhances every dish, adding rich and balanced notes.
