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- Taksiyarhis Church — The island’s most striking old Greek Orthodox church: big stone architecture, painted icons inside and a quiet courtyard that tells the story of Cunda’s multi-ethnic past. Worth a slow look for the murals and to feel how the town grew around a single big landmark.
- Cunda (Alibey) Old Town — Maze of limestone houses, narrow lanes and low stone walls. The architecture and the way people still live in these streets give you an authentic island-town rhythm you won’t easily replicate elsewhere.
- Harborfront & fish restaurants — Where the day’s catch arrives and gets filleted minutes later on your plate. The waterfront cafés and meyhane-style places are social hubs—watch boats, local banter, and sample simple seafood dishes that are pure local flavor.
- Akvaryum Bay (Aquarium
- Taksiyarhis Church — The island’s most striking old Greek Orthodox church: big stone architecture, painted icons inside and a quiet courtyard that tells the story of Cunda’s multi-ethnic past. Worth a slow look for the murals and to feel how the town grew around a single big landmark.
- Cunda (Alibey) Old Town — Maze of limestone houses, narrow lanes and low stone walls. The architecture and the way people still live in these streets give you an authentic island-town rhythm you won’t easily replicate elsewhere.
- Harborfront & fish restaurants — Where the day’s catch arrives and gets filleted minutes later on your plate. The waterfront cafés and meyhane-style places are social hubs—watch boats, local banter, and sample simple seafood dishes that are pure local flavor.
- Akvaryum Bay (Aquarium Bay) — Clear, calm water ideal for snorkeling, cliff-jumping or just floating with a book. Rock formations and small coves make it feel private even on busy days. (Personal favorite—best place on the island to chill and swim.)
- Zeytinliköy Village — A quieter pocket of the island surrounded by olive groves. Stroll between stone houses, visit small family olive presses, and try fresh olive oil straight from local producers—this is rural Aegean life in compact form. (Hidden gem: many visitors skip deeper into villages.)
- The Causeway & sunset viewpoint — Walk or cycle the strip that links Cunda with the mainland islands and grab one of the classic sunset angles over the archipelago. It’s a simple scene, but the light and the boats make it memorable every night.
- Cunda Lighthouse (northwest tip) — Small lighthouse with clean panoramic views over open sea and neighboring islets. Great for a late-afternoon walk—wind, rocks, and seabirds, plus fewer people than the main town spots.
- Taş Kahve (the old stone coffeehouse) — Low-key, historic café where locals still meet. Not flashy—just good coffee, sometimes live music, and a genuine slice of local social life. Perfect for people-watching and overhearing island gossip. (Hidden gem: tourists often miss this one.)
- Back-alley chapels and forgotten courtyards — Spend an hour getting lost among the alleys behind the main drag and you’ll find tiny chapel façades, old stone wells and laundry lines—small, quiet scenes of everyday island history that big tours never show you. (Hidden gem: go with no plan and a camera.)
- Secluded coves and east-side bays — Walkable pebbled beaches and tiny coves around the less-developed side of the island where locals anchor small boats and families picnic. You’ll find clearer water and a private-feeling spot if you’re willing to hike a short track from the road.
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Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past decade, I’ve backpacked through 80+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.