Edremit

Edremit lies on the Istanbul-Izmir bus route with direct services every hour around the clock. From Istanbul allow 7 hours via Bursa and Balıkesir for 500 TL; from Izmir it's 3 hours for 140 TL. Ankara buses take 8 hours 30 minutes for 500 TL via Eskişehir. From Çanakkale allow 2 hours for 130 TL. Operators include Metro Turizm, Pamukkale, and Flixbus. The bus station is central in Edremit town, also serving as a stop for inter-city buses toward Izmir and Çanakkale.

Dolmuş minibuses radiate from Edremit to all the townships along the gulf. Don't attempt to use inter-city buses for short hops between resort towns—they likely won't sell you a ticket for those routes.

Edremit town has budget options near the otogar. Burhaniye town has a couple of hotels, but most accommodation lines the Ören beach strip 3 km west, with Idahan, Karakaş, Çiçek Aile Pansiyonu, New Fiord, Tezmadra, Köprü, Blue Port, and Marina Hotel. Akçay has dozens of hotels and pansiyons plus campsites (Güre Camping Plaj, Askar, Ulus 99). Altınoluk offers many options around the marina including Mare & Monte, Bacahan, Ucem, Asmalı, and Vesta, plus campsites (Barbaros, Caravan Çadır, Onuncu Köy, Deniz, Endemik). Mountain campsites around Kazdağı National Park include Weeping Falls, İnek Obası, Troltunga, Pine Garden, Değirmen, Kazdaği Kamp, Arden, Akaleos, Kuzgun, and Xibalba.

Edremit has a cluster of eateries in the old centre near the museum including Gram Plus, Mercan, Deli Burger, Cumhuriyet Mustafanın Yeri, Tarihi Ömür Lokantası, İnci, Özdemir, Öz Hamur, and Cumhuriyet Lokantası. Akçay has Ciğerci Malik Usta on the highway specializing in liver and kebabs, open 24 hours for 100-175 TL. Burhaniye eating places cluster on the south beach strip near the marina. Pelitköy has a couple on the north-facing beach with more beyond the cape on the west-facing beach.

Derman, 4 km southeast of Edremit, is a geothermal spring (kaplıca) best experienced at spa hotels like Entur Termal. Akçay Lunapark is a chain funfair near the marina open daily 10:00-02:00. Sahinler village south of Burhaniye has a painted mosque from 1895 with richly decorated interior. Hasanboğuldu is a scenic mountain valley reachable by lane north from the coast highway east of Akçay through Zeytinli, with waterfalls and ponds at a steady 7°C temperature, plus picnic areas and camping.

The resort strip is busiest in summer (June-August) when beaches are crowded. Spring and autumn offer milder weather for exploring olive groves, mountain trails, and archaeological sites. The thermal springs are popular year-round.

Edremit is a generally safe area for travelers. Standard precautions apply against petty theft. Beach safety: heed warning flags and be aware of currents. Mountain trails require appropriate footwear and supplies.

Edremit town, gulf shore resorts, and the highway from Balıkesir have 4G coverage from all Turkish carriers. As of July 2022, 5G has not rolled out in Turkey.

Edremit and its gulf resorts offer budget-friendly travel. Bus fares range 130-500 TL depending on distance. Accommodation ranges from campsites to mid-range hotels. Meals at local eateries start around 100 TL.

Assos (Behramkale) is an acropolis with a temple to Athena. Troy lies on the highway north with a fine museum. Balıkesir east is the regional capital with rebuilt mosques. Ayvalık south is a large resort with causeways to islands. Bergama (ancient Pergamon) is reachable via Ayvalık or over the hills.