Assos (Behramkale)
Aristotle lived in Assos and St Paul visited, but today visitors go to Assos as a tranquil Aegean-coast seaside retreat amid ancient ruins.
Atop a hill surrounded by olive groves are the ruins of the Doric-style Temple of Athena (530 BC) surrounded by crumbling city walls and an ancient necropolis (cemetery). Nearby is the 14th-century Ottoman Murad Hudavendigar Mosque. The hill offers spectacular views of the Aegean Sea and the nearby Greek island of Lesvos.
Down the steep seaward side of the hill at the water's edge is the hamlet called Iskele (Dock, Wharf), with old stone houses now serving as inns, pensions and restaurants. It's hopelessly charming and picturesque.The small pebbly beach is less of an attraction than the boat tours and the picturesqueness of the hamlet itself.
Though officially named Behramkale (BEHH-rahm-kah-leh), most people still call the town by its ancient name of Assos. It was founded in the 700s BC by colonists from Lesvos. Aristotle came here and married King Hermeias's niece, Pythia, before sailing over to Lesvos.
These days, the nearest Lesvos ferry services are from Ayvalik and Dikili, to the south. The way to get to Assos is by bus from Canakkale or Ayvalik. You'll probably have to get off the bus at Ayvacik (not Ayvalik) and switch to a minibus or taxi to make the final 19-km (12-mile) run into Assos.
The nearest small airport is at Canakkale, the nearest large one is Adnan Menderes Airport south of Izmir. The Bandirma-Izmir train stops at Balikesir, 161 km (100 miles) to the east. Going by bus is faster.
Distances & Travel TimesAyvacik: 19 km (12 miles) N, 25 minutes
Ayvalik: 130 km (81 miles) NW, 2.25 hours
Balikesir: 161 km ( 100 miles) E, 2.5 hours
Bandirma: 257 km (160 miles) NE, 4 hours
Bergama: 180 km (112 miles) SE, 2.75 hours
Canakkale: 79 km (49 miles) N, 1.5 hours
Istanbul: 419 km (260 miles) NE, 6.5 hours
Izmir: 370 km (230 miles) S, 5.5 hours
