Mordoğan: Beaches, Culture and Routes

Mordoğan lies on the road between İzmir and Karaburun. You can plan your trip around coastal spots, historic cultural sites and routes. If you’re looking for hotels in Mordoğan, these themes can help you match the character of the area with the activities you’d like to plan during your stay.

Coast and beaches

Mordoğan has three natural beaches: Kocakum, Ardıç and Ayıbalığı. The public Kocakum Beach is in the centre, has Blue Flag status and is a swimming beach. Ardıç is Mordoğan’s largest sandy beach; it is close to the town centre and public transport stops. As a breeding ground for the Mediterranean monk seal, Ayıbalığı Beach was declared a nature reserve in 2008. Ayıbalığı Bay is entirely rocky, clean, and its waters are always calm and wave-free. Manal Bay, a popular swimming spot with calm seas, is also located on Mordoğan’s coast near the settlement. Around sunset, the coastal landscape there changes, offering changing views.

Cultural sites and history

The Ayşe Kadın Mosque dates back around 700 years: the mother of a girl named Ayşe Kadın had it built in accordance with her daughter’s wishes. Its design was modelled on the Kaaba; the mosque is described as unique in Turkey. The mosque also houses a 2.5-metre-high clock made of wood 450 years ago, which is still working.

Opened in 2008 by Müesser Aktaş, the local cultural centre Müesser Aktaş Etnografya ve Tarih Evi offers a different focus. It displays handicrafts, a traditional village room, regional clothing and kitchen utensils. These two places highlight religious architectural history and objects from regional everyday life in different ways.

Routes and activities

A 13-kilometre route runs from Eski Mordoğan via Eğlenhoca and İnecik to Kösedere; its average duration is 4 hours and 30 minutes. The walking and cycling route from Balıklıova to Eski Mordoğan is 18 kilometres long and takes an average of 5 hours and 30 minutes. The longer route is therefore five kilometres longer and has an average duration that is one hour greater; the two routes also have different starting points and destinations.

The 88.3-kilometre Efes-Mimas cycling route reaches Mordoğan after passing through Saip, Ambarseki, Kösedere and Eğlenhoca. History can also be explored as an activity underwater: at the Mordoğan Archaeopark, visitors can discover hidden history while diving.

Coastal cuisine

Restaurants along Mordoğan’s coast serve fish dishes and seafood, including fish köfte, steamed sardines, salt-crusted grouper and fried mussels. Visitors can also fish with a rod and have their catch prepared at coastal restaurants along with regional specialities. This combines the selection of coastal dishes with a specific activity for guests who would like to fish themselves.

Discover more destinations: Selçuk, Kuşçular, Yolüstü Köyü, Çesme, İzmit, Karaburun, Barbaros Köyü, Menderes.

For the main travel overview: Izmir.