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From Wikitravel

Balıkesir is a city in interior Southern Marmara, Turkey.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

Nearest airport is Edremit Körfez Airport (IATA: EDO, ICAO: LTFD) located near Edremit, about 90-100 km west.

• Edremit Körfez Airport (Edremit Körfez Havaalanı), ☎ +90 266 312 11 30. Flights from Istanbul-Atatürk by Atlasjet [1]  edit

[edit] By train

Trains to Balıkesir are available from

• Ankara (İzmir Mavi Treni, 9 Eylül Express, Karesi Express)
• Eskişehir, Kutahya (İzmir Mavi Treni, 9 Eylül Express, Karesi Express, Ege Express)
• Manisa, Izmir (İzmir Mavi Treni, 9 Eylül Express, Karesi Express, Ege Express, 6 Eylül Express)
• Bandirma (6 Eylül Express)

For more info, see Turkish State Railways (TCDD) webpage [2].

[edit] By bus

• Coach station (Otogar), ☎ +90 266 241 11 99.  edit

[edit] By boat

Although Balıkesir is an inland city away from the sea, you can take fast ferries [3] from Istanbul to Bandirma and then take the train or the bus for the rest.

[edit] Get around

[edit][add listing] See

• Balikesir Museum – National Forces Museum (Balıkesir Müzesi – Kuvayı Milliye Müzesi), Anafartalar Caddesi (located at the old town hall building), ☎ +90 266 243 31 81. Tu-Su. Museum dedicated to the fighters of Turkish War of Independence (1921-22), became to be known as “National Forces” (Kuvayı Milliye). Written documents, private items and photos of the fighters, and some photos of Kemal Atatürk taken when he was in the city. Archeological artifacts excavated in the surrounding region and some ethnographic artifacts are exhibited upstairs.  edit

• Clock Tower (Saat Kulesi), Anafartalar Caddesi (at the city centre, adjacent to old town hall – the Museum). Modelled after Galata Tower of Istanbul, this clock tower was built in 1827. It took its current appearance after it was destroyed by an earthquake in 1897 and re-built.  edit

• State Fine Arts Gallery (Devlet Güzel Sanatlar Galerisi), Çavuş Sokak 30 (at Eski Kuyumcular Mahallesi Quarter), ☎ +90 266 241 30 45 (fax: +90 266 245 31 52).  edit

• Tomb of Karesi Bey (Karesi Bey Türbesi), (behind Zagnos Pasha Mosque). Mosque Tomb of Karesi Bey and his five sons. Karesi Bey was the founder of Karesi Emirate which ruled more or less Southern Marmara during a period when there was no centralized, major power in Asia Minor (13th century).  edit

• Yildirim Mosque (Yıldırım Camii). Built by Sultan Bayezid I in the second half of 14th century. Free.  edit

• Zagnos Pasha Mosque (Zağnos Paşa Camii), (at the city centre; near Hasanbaba Bazaar). Built by Zağnos Pasha, grand vizier of Mehmed II period (1451-81) as a religious complex, only mosque and baths have remained to the date. Free.  edit

[edit][add listing] Do

[edit][add listing] Buy

[edit][add listing] Eat

[edit][add listing] Drink

• Hisar Ayran (yoghurt drink) - Not a famous brand in Turkey but it's the best ayran you can ever drink. Can be found in almost all the restaurants or buffets in Balikesir.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

[edit] Contact

Telephone code of the city is (+90) 266.

• Tourism Information Office (Turizm İl Müdürlüğü), ☎ +90 266 244 72 71.  edit

[edit] Get out