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Cunda Island

Overview

A town that comes alive spectacularly in the evenings. Despite its official name being Alibey Island, the fact that everyone knows it as Cunda is the kind of thing that could only happen in our country.

While many of the venues have that typical tourist-town sloppiness, there are both fun hangout spots and plenty of new places with cool concepts opening up. It has a really sprawling town center; after exploring Cunda, our own Urla felt like a village in comparison.

There are loads of places under restoration. It looks like it's going to develop a lot more in the future.

Tips & Advice

I wish they'd completely close the town center to car traffic. If they put a big parking lot at the entrance and allowed only pedestrian access from there onward, with only residents permitted to drive in, it would be so much better. The already narrow streets become total chaos with vehicles coming through.

My Place Reviews

Hotels

Cunda Despot Evi2025★★★★★

A beautifully designed hotel with superb attention to detail in the rooms. From the slippers to the hair dryer, the highest quality choices I've ever seen in a hotel. They also offer a complimentary glass of wine. There's parking at the entrance. The sea view is quite enjoyable. The breakfast included at Kosebasi wasn't quite satisfying enough. From a hotel with this concept, we'd expect a much better breakfast.

Shops

Stone Coffee Shop2023★★★★☆

The inside is really beautiful, birds have nested and it's very authentic. But the outdoor seating area is very small especially in summer season, and the tables are too small.

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