Avsa— sea&sun island frequented by mid-class families
Princes’ Islands— a getaway from crowded Istanbul featuring pine-covered islands with elegant mansions
This region gets its name from the sea it surrounds: the Sea of Marmara, a part of Mediterranean Sea, connected to Aegean Sea via Dardanelles, and to Black Sea via Bosporus. The Sea of Marmara is considered as the geographical border between Europe and Asia: northern coasts of it are in Europe, while southern/eastern coasts are in Asia.
This region is Turkey’s most populous and most heavily industrialized part, though you can still find primordial forests hardly seen by human eyes here and there.
Atatürk International Airport (IST) in westernIstanbul is the main gateway for the city, the region, and the country as well. The other international airport in the region is Sabiha Gökçen (SAW), situated in eastern Istanbul, largely prefered by low-cost airlines. Corlu Airport (TEQ) is used by airlines flying from ex-USSR countries. Other airports in the region are located in Bursa and Canakkale.
All cities and many towns in Turkey has direct daily bus services to Istanbul. Many cities neighbouring Balkan countries also has bus links to the city. Bursa, by virtue of being a big city, is also served from a large number of cities and towns throughout Turkey.
Marmara Region is well linked to neighbouring regions and countries by a motorway and highway network.
There is a weekly ferry service to Istanbul from Izmir during summer months.