Türkiye's Biggest Island: Gökçeada

Türkiye's largest island is Gökçeada, in the northern Aegean Sea off the Gallipoli peninsula. It covers about 280 square kilometres, with green hills, quiet villages and long beaches. Did you know that it is also Türkiye's westernmost point, so the country's last sunset each day is seen from its shores?

Gökçeada at a Glance

The island belongs to the province of Çanakkale and is reached by ferry from Kabatepe. Its traditional Greek villages, such as Zeytinli and Tepeköy, sit on the hills inland, while the south coast has sandy bays popular with windsurfers and kite surfers. The island has also been promoted as a centre for organic farming.

Türkiye's Other Large Islands

• Marmara Island: the largest island in the Sea of Marmara, famous for its marble quarries that gave the sea its name.
• Bozcaada: a small Aegean island known for vineyards and a castle by the harbour.
• Cunda (Alibey) Island: joined to Ayvalık by a causeway.
• Princes' Islands: a group of car-free islands off Istanbul.

Islands Near Antalya

The Mediterranean coast of Türkiye has no large islands, but it has many small, beautiful ones. These are best visited by boat on a day trip.

Suluada

Off Adrasan, Suluada is often called the Maldives of Türkiye because of its white sand and turquoise water. It takes its name from a freshwater spring found on the island.

Kekova

Near Kaş, Kekova Island lies beside the remains of an ancient city partly submerged by earthquakes, visible from glass-bottomed boats.

Rat Island and others

Smaller islets along the Antalya coast, around Kemer and Phaselis, are regular swimming stops on boat trips.

If island hopping interests you, a Suluada boat tour or a Kemer boat trip is the easiest way to experience the islands of the Antalya coast.

Islands and boat trips

Visiting islands by boat is one of the most relaxing ways to see the Turkish coast. Calm summer seas, regular swimming stops and lunch on board make these trips suitable for families and first-time sailors alike.