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Fresh Fish, Seafood & Aegean Coastal Cuisine

Seafood in İzmir – Aegean Fish, Mezes & Coastal Food Guide

Discover İzmir's extraordinary relationship with the Aegean Sea,
from grilled sea bass and red mullet to calamari, octopus and seaside mezes.

Discover İzmir Seafood

Seafood in İzmir – The Flavours of the Aegean Sea

Few foods capture the atmosphere of İzmir and Türkiye's Aegean coast as completely as fresh seafood. The city's long shoreline, fishing traditions, seaside restaurants and love of leisurely shared meals have made fish and seafood an essential part of local culinary culture.

A traditional İzmir seafood meal is rarely about one plate alone. It might begin with a table covered in cold mezes, seasonal Aegean greens, olive-oil dishes and seafood appetisers, followed by grilled or pan-fried fish and finished with fruit, helva or another simple dessert.

Depending on the season and the day's catch, restaurant displays may include levrek, çipura, barbun, sardalya, mercan and other Aegean fish, alongside calamari, octopus, shrimp and mussels.

The experience becomes even more memorable along the coast. From İzmir city and Güzelbahçe to Urla, Çeşme, Foça and the wider İzmir Peninsula, seafood restaurants combine local ingredients with some of the most beautiful coastal settings in western Türkiye.

Aegean Fish

Sea bass, sea bream, red mullet, sardines and many other fish appear according to season and availability.

Seafood Mezes

Calamari, octopus, shrimp and fish-based appetisers are natural companions to the Aegean meze table.

Simple Cooking

Fresh seafood is often grilled, fried or prepared with olive oil, lemon and restrained seasoning.

Coastal Dining

İzmir's bays, fishing towns and peninsula communities make seafood part of the region's travel experience.

Know Before You Order

İzmir Seafood – Quick Facts

Essential information for discovering fish and seafood along Türkiye's Aegean coast.

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Region

İzmir lies on Türkiye's Aegean coast and has a deeply rooted maritime and seafood culture.

Open İzmir on Google Maps
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Popular Fish

Levrek, çipura, barbun and sardalya are among the names visitors frequently encounter.

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Popular Seafood

Calamari, octopus, shrimp and mussels feature prominently on many coastal menus.

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Aegean Style

Olive oil, lemon, herbs and simple cooking methods allow fresh seafood to remain the focus.

A City Facing the Sea

The Story of Seafood in İzmir

Fishing, coastal trade and generations of Aegean cooking have shaped İzmir's relationship with the sea.

İzmir's identity has been connected with the sea for thousands of years. Ancient Smyrna developed beside the Aegean, and the modern city still stretches around a broad gulf where waterfront neighbourhoods remain central to everyday life.

Fishing communities around the wider İzmir coast supplied local households and markets with whatever the Aegean provided. Rather than depending on a single species, traditional seafood cooking naturally changed according to season, weather and the day's catch.

This relationship with the sea also shaped the way seafood is cooked. Good fish needs relatively little intervention, which helps explain the enduring popularity of grilling, frying, olive oil, lemon and fresh herbs.

İzmir's cosmopolitan history added further layers. Turkish, Greek, Sephardic, Levantine, Cretan and other culinary traditions interacted around the Aegean, contributing to the enormous variety of vegetable dishes, seafood preparations and mezes associated with the region today.

The seafood table therefore extends far beyond fish. Octopus, squid, shrimp, mussels, sea vegetables, wild greens and olive-oil dishes all form part of a broader coastal cuisine based on freshness and sharing.

Today seafood remains one of the most enjoyable ways for travellers to understand İzmir. A meal beside the Aegean connects the city's geography, markets, fishing traditions and relaxed social culture directly to the plate.

From Fishing Boat to Aegean Table

Seafood to Try in İzmir

The exact selection changes constantly, but several fish and seafood favourites appear again and again along the İzmir coast.

Levrek – Sea Bass

One of Türkiye's best-known fish, appreciated for its delicate white flesh and suitability for simple grilling.

  • Turkish: Levrek
  • Style: Often grilled
  • Character: Delicate

Çipura – Sea Bream

A classic Aegean fish with firm white flesh that works particularly well cooked whole over a grill.

  • Turkish: Çipura
  • Style: Whole grilled fish
  • Character: Rich but balanced

Barbun – Red Mullet

Small, flavourful red mullet is particularly prized around the Aegean and commonly prepared by frying.

  • Turkish: Barbun
  • Style: Usually fried
  • Character: Distinctive

Sardalya – Sardines

Sardines offer one of the simplest and most satisfying expressions of coastal cooking when beautifully fresh.

  • Turkish: Sardalya
  • Style: Grilled or fried
  • Character: Full flavoured

Kalamar – Calamari

Fried calamari with a creamy or garlicky dipping sauce is one of the most familiar seafood appetisers in Türkiye.

  • Turkish: Kalamar
  • Style: Fried or grilled
  • Role: Hot appetiser

Ahtapot – Octopus

Octopus may appear grilled, marinated or incorporated into salads and cold seafood mezes.

  • Turkish: Ahtapot
  • Style: Grilled or cold
  • Role: Meze favourite
More Than Just Grilled Fish

Understanding the İzmir Seafood Table

A seafood meal in İzmir is often designed around sharing. Instead of immediately ordering a main course, diners may first choose a collection of mezes, salads, Aegean vegetables and seafood appetisers.

Fish usually arrives later as the centrepiece, creating a meal that can unfold slowly over several courses.

Cold Mezes

Olive-oil vegetables, yoghurt dishes, herbs and seafood salads begin the meal.

Seasonal Greens

Radika, deniz börülcesi and other Aegean plants introduce freshness and acidity.

Hot Seafood

Calamari, shrimp and other warm appetisers can bridge the mezes and main fish.

Whole Fish

Fresh fish is frequently presented whole before being grilled or fried.

Lemon

A squeeze of lemon adds brightness without hiding the natural flavour of the seafood.

Olive Oil

One of the defining ingredients of the wider Aegean table accompanies vegetables, salads and seafood.

Know the Names

Popular Fish You May Find in İzmir

The fish available in İzmir changes according to season, fishing conditions and restaurant supply. Learning several Turkish names makes choosing from the display considerably easier.

Levrek

Sea bass with delicate white flesh; commonly served grilled or baked.

Çipura

Sea bream, another extremely popular choice for grilling whole.

Barbun

Red mullet, a smaller and strongly flavoured fish often enjoyed fried.

Sardalya

Sardines are especially rewarding when extremely fresh and simply cooked.

Mercan

A name visitors may encounter among the pinkish-red fish displayed in Aegean restaurants.

Dil Balığı

Sole is prized for its delicate flesh and may be pan-fried or grilled.

Beyond the Catch of the Day

Calamari, Octopus, Shrimp & Mussels

İzmir's seafood culture extends well beyond finfish. Some of the most enjoyable dishes arrive before the main course as hot appetisers or cold mezes.

Kalamar Tava

Fried calamari rings with a crisp exterior and tender centre are an enduring seafood favourite.

Izgara Kalamar

Grilled calamari offers a lighter preparation with smoky flavours from the grill.

Ahtapot Salatası

Octopus salad combines tender seafood with olive oil, acidity and fresh ingredients.

Izgara Ahtapot

Grilled octopus is increasingly common in contemporary Aegean seafood restaurants.

Karides

Shrimp may be grilled, sautéed or cooked hot in small dishes with butter and seasonings.

Midye

Mussels appear in several Turkish preparations, including fried and rice-filled versions.

Keep the Seafood at the Centre

How Fish Is Cooked in İzmir

Traditional Aegean seafood cooking often relies on relatively simple techniques. When the fish is fresh, elaborate sauces are unnecessary.

Izgara Grilled – one of the most popular ways to prepare sea bass, sea bream and many other fish
Tava Fried – particularly suited to smaller fish, red mullet and calamari
Fırında Baked – fish may be cooked in the oven with vegetables, herbs or citrus
Buğulama A gentle moist cooking method that can include tomato, onion or other aromatics
Whole Fish Many fish are cooked whole to preserve moisture and flavour
Simple Finish Olive oil, lemon and herbs often provide all the accompaniment that good fish needs
Follow the Sea, Not a Fixed Menu

Seafood Seasonality in İzmir

One of the most important things to understand about genuine seafood culture is that not every fish is equally desirable throughout the year.

Species, fishing conditions and availability change with the seasons. Instead of arriving with only one fish in mind, ask what is particularly good that day.

Ask What's Fresh

A good restaurant should be able to explain which fish are particularly suitable that day.

Inspect the Display

Many fish restaurants allow diners to view the available seafood before ordering.

Season Matters

Traditional diners often choose fish according to the natural rhythm of the sea rather than habit.

Weather Matters

Fishing conditions can influence both availability and the selection reaching markets.

Wild & Farmed

Some widely available fish may be farmed, while others are supplied through seasonal fisheries.

Stay Flexible

The most rewarding choice may be a fish you had not planned to order before seeing the day's selection.

Choosing Well

How to Recognise Fresh Fish

When fish is displayed whole, several simple observations can help diners understand its condition.

Clear Eyes

Fresh fish generally has bright, clear-looking eyes rather than a heavily sunken appearance.

Clean Aroma

Fresh seafood should smell pleasantly marine rather than aggressively unpleasant.

Firm Flesh

The flesh should appear resilient rather than excessively soft or damaged.

Moist Surface

The fish should look fresh and naturally moist rather than dry around the edges.

Good Storage

Seafood should be kept properly chilled and handled with care.

Ask the Restaurant

Good seafood restaurants usually take pride in explaining the origin and preparation of their fish.

Build the Perfect Aegean Table

Best Mezes with Seafood in İzmir

For many travellers, the meze selection becomes as memorable as the fish itself. The best combinations bring together seafood, vegetables, olive oil, herbs and refreshing acidity.

Deniz Börülcesi

Salty coastal samphire with olive oil, garlic and lemon fits naturally beside seafood.

Radika

Boiled bitter greens dressed simply with olive oil and lemon provide freshness.

Fava

Silky broad-bean purée offers a creamy contrast to grilled fish.

Artichokes

Olive-oil artichokes reflect the vegetable-rich character of İzmir's Aegean cuisine.

Ahtapot Salatası

Octopus salad introduces another seafood element before the main fish arrives.

Seasonal Greens

Mixed herbs and vegetables change according to what local markets provide.

Eating Like a Local

How to Order Seafood in İzmir

Knowing a few Turkish expressions can make choosing fish and understanding the menu considerably easier.

Bugün hangi balık taze? “Which fish is fresh today?”
Günün balığı nedir? “What is the fish of the day?”
Levrek Sea bass
Çipura Sea bream
Barbun Red mullet
Izgara olsun. “Please grill it.”
Tava olsun. “Please fry it.”
Fiyatı nedir? “What is the price?”
Kilosu ne kadar? “How much is it per kilogram?”
Know Before Ordering

Understanding Seafood Prices in İzmir

Seafood pricing can work differently from an ordinary restaurant menu. Certain fish may be priced by portion, while larger whole fish can sometimes be sold according to weight.

For this reason, always confirm the price and approximate total cost before the fish is cooked if the menu or display is unclear.

Per Portion

Some dishes have a straightforward fixed price for one serving.

By Weight

Whole fish may sometimes be priced according to weight rather than by plate.

Ask First

Confirm how the fish is priced before choosing from a display.

Whole Fish

Larger fish may be suitable for sharing between several diners.

Mezes Add Up

A large selection of individual meze plates can significantly increase the final bill.

Check the Menu

A clear menu makes it easier to understand individual dish and service prices before ordering.

Follow the İzmir Coast

Where to Eat Seafood Around İzmir

Excellent seafood experiences are not limited to one neighbourhood. The city's waterfront and the surrounding peninsula offer very different settings for enjoying Aegean fish.

İzmir City

The city offers everything from neighbourhood fish restaurants to contemporary waterfront dining.

Güzelbahçe

This coastal district is well known locally for fish restaurants and relaxed seaside dining.

Urla

Seafood forms part of a broader gastronomic scene built around local produce, olive oil and Aegean ingredients.

Çeşme

The peninsula combines seafood restaurants with beautiful marinas, bays and summer resort culture.

Foça

A historic coastal town where fishing boats, harbour views and seafood naturally belong together.

Sığacık

The harbour and coastal atmosphere make Sığacık an appealing stop for fish and Aegean mezes.

Choosing a Memorable Meal

What Makes Excellent Aegean Seafood?

The finest seafood meals depend less on elaborate presentation than on ingredient quality, careful cooking and a balanced supporting table.

Fresh Seafood

Quality begins with seafood that has been properly sourced, stored and handled.

Correct Cooking

Fish should remain moist and delicate rather than becoming dry through excessive cooking.

Light Seasoning

Seasoning should complement rather than disguise the flavour of the fish.

Good Olive Oil

Olive oil connects seafood naturally with the wider culinary traditions of the Aegean.

Seasonal Mezes

Fresh vegetable dishes create variety without competing with the main fish.

Balance

A memorable seafood table moves naturally between salty, acidic, vegetal and savoury flavours.

Enjoy the Aegean Responsibly

Seasonality & Responsible Seafood Choices

Responsible seafood dining begins with recognising that the sea is not an unlimited pantry. Fish populations, legal fishing rules and appropriate catch sizes matter to the future of coastal food traditions.

Respect the Season

Choosing species naturally available at the time reduces pressure to demand everything throughout the year.

Ask About Origin

Restaurants may be able to explain whether seafood is wild caught or farmed and where it was sourced.

Avoid Undersized Fish

Minimum catch sizes help protect juvenile fish before they have matured.

Try Alternatives

Being flexible about species allows the day's appropriate catch to guide your meal.

Support Good Restaurants

Responsible kitchens depend on trustworthy suppliers and careful seafood handling.

Think Seasonally

The traditional principle of eating what the sea provides at the right time remains valuable today.

Taste İzmir Like a Local

Tips for Eating Seafood in İzmir

Ask for the Day's Best Fish

Don't automatically order the most familiar species. The freshest option may be something different.

See the Fish

When possible, look at the seafood display before choosing your main course.

Confirm the Price

If fish is sold by weight, establish the approximate total before it goes to the kitchen.

Share the Mezes

Order several small dishes so the table can experience a broader range of Aegean flavours.

Try Local Greens

Seafood becomes much more interesting alongside radika, deniz börülcesi and seasonal vegetables.

Keep the Fish Simple

A beautifully fresh grilled fish may need little more than lemon, salad and good olive oil.

Explore Beyond the City

Urla, Foça, Çeşme, Güzelbahçe and Sığacık offer very different coastal dining experiences.

Leave Time

A traditional seafood meal is best enjoyed slowly rather than treated as a quick restaurant stop.

A Meal That Explains the Aegean

What Seafood Reveals About İzmir Food Culture

Seafood brings together many of the qualities that define İzmir cuisine: seasonality, simplicity, olive oil, vegetables, sharing and a close relationship with the surrounding landscape.

Geography

The Aegean Sea directly shapes both the ingredients and identity of coastal İzmir.

Seasonality

The best seafood table changes through the year instead of remaining fixed.

Simplicity

Fresh fish is often cooked with remarkably little intervention.

Sharing

Mezes turn the meal into a social experience built around the entire table.

Aegean Produce

Vegetables, herbs, lemon and olive oil connect the sea with the agricultural landscape.

Living Tradition

Fishing and seafood dining remain active parts of everyday coastal culture rather than museum traditions.

Markets, History and the Waterfront

Build Seafood into an İzmir Food Day

A seafood meal can become part of a full day exploring İzmir's historic centre, markets and famous waterfront.

Morning Begin around Konak Square and the Clock Tower
Late Morning Explore Kemeraltı Bazaar and İzmir's traditional food culture
Lunch Try local dishes, vegetables or street foods around central İzmir
Afternoon Walk through Alsancak and along the Kordon waterfront
Before Dinner Choose a seafood restaurant and ask about the day's fish selection
Start With Order several seasonal mezes and a hot seafood appetiser
Main Course Share a freshly grilled or fried fish
Evening Finish with a slow walk beside the Aegean
Follow the İzmir Peninsula

A Coastal Seafood Day Around Urla & Çeşme

Travellers particularly interested in Aegean cuisine can turn seafood into part of a beautiful coastal journey west of İzmir.

Morning Leave central İzmir and travel toward the İzmir Peninsula
Urla Explore local food culture, markets and the district's strong connection with Aegean produce
Lunch Choose seasonal seafood together with several olive-oil dishes and mezes
Afternoon Continue through the peninsula toward Alaçatı or Çeşme
Coastal Stop Enjoy a walk beside the marina, harbour or one of the surrounding bays
Ask For Whatever fish or seafood the restaurant considers particularly good that day
Pair With Seasonal greens, artichokes, deniz börülcesi and local olive oil
Evening Finish beside the Aegean as the sun sets over the peninsula
Discover İzmir Through the Sea

An İzmir Seafood Route

Seafood can become the theme for an entire journey through İzmir Province, with each coastal district offering a different atmosphere.

İzmir City

Combine historic markets, Kordon and a classic urban seafood dinner.

Güzelbahçe

Experience one of the closest seafood-oriented coastal escapes from the city centre.

Urla

Pair seafood with olive oil, seasonal vegetables and İzmir's contemporary gastronomic culture.

Çeşme

Enjoy Aegean fish and mezes in a peninsula setting of bays, beaches and marinas.

Foça

Discover fishing-town atmosphere, historic streets and a beautiful harbour.

Sığacık

Combine seafood with the fortified old town, harbour and Seferihisar's producer culture.

More Than Dinner by the Sea

Why Seafood Matters to İzmir Cuisine

Seafood expresses one of the most important relationships in İzmir's identity: the connection between city, coast, season and Aegean lifestyle.

Maritime Heritage

İzmir's history and development have always been closely connected with the Aegean Sea.

Fishing Culture

Fishing communities continue to connect coastal towns with regional kitchens and markets.

Seasonal Eating

The changing catch encourages diners to follow natural availability rather than a fixed menu.

Meze Culture

Seafood belongs to a wider shared table of vegetables, herbs and olive-oil dishes.

Aegean Identity

Fish, olive oil, lemon and greens together create one of the clearest expressions of coastal western Türkiye.

Living Tradition

Seafood culture continues to evolve through markets, fish restaurants and contemporary Aegean gastronomy.

Explore the İzmir Table

Other İzmir Foods to Try

Seafood is only one part of İzmir's extraordinary culinary landscape. Continue exploring the region through herbs, vegetables, street foods and traditional desserts.

İzmir Aegean Herbs

Explore the edible wild greens and seasonal plants that define Aegean vegetable cuisine.

Deniz Börülcesi

Discover salty coastal samphire, one of the most natural companions to an Aegean seafood meal.

Radika

Taste pleasantly bitter greens traditionally dressed with olive oil and fresh lemon.

Artichoke Dishes

Explore İzmir's famous enginar traditions and the vegetable cuisine of Urla.

Stuffed Zucchini Flowers

Delicate flowers filled with fragrant rice and herbs are another classic Aegean favourite.

İzmir Boyozu

Discover the city's famous layered pastry and one of the essential flavours of İzmir breakfast.

İzmir Kumrusu

Explore the distinctive sesame bread and sandwich tradition associated with İzmir and Çeşme.

İzmir Lokması

Finish with a beloved fried syrup dessert strongly connected with sharing and neighbourhood tradition.
Taste and Explore

Places to Combine with an İzmir Seafood Journey

A seafood-focused journey can easily be combined with İzmir's historic districts, waterfront promenades and beautiful coastal towns.

Kordon

Walk along İzmir's iconic waterfront before or after a seafood meal in the city.

Kemeraltı Bazaar

Explore the historic commercial centre and discover the wider food traditions of İzmir.

Urla

Combine seafood with vineyards, olive groves, markets and one of Türkiye's most dynamic food destinations.

Çeşme

Discover beaches, marinas, historic streets and a strong coastal dining culture.

Foça

Enjoy a historic fishing town built around a beautiful natural harbour and Aegean atmosphere.

Sığacık

Combine a fortified coastal settlement, marina and regional producer culture in one relaxed stop.

Useful Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Seafood in İzmir

Is İzmir famous for seafood?

Yes. İzmir's location on the Aegean Sea and its many coastal communities have made fish, seafood and meze an important part of regional cuisine.

What fish should I try in İzmir?

Levrek, çipura, barbun and sardalya are among the names commonly encountered, but the best choice depends on season and the day's availability.

What is levrek?

Levrek is sea bass. It has delicate white flesh and is frequently served whole and grilled.

What is çipura?

Çipura is sea bream, one of the most familiar fish served in restaurants along Türkiye's Aegean coast.

What is barbun?

Barbun is red mullet, a small and flavourful fish commonly prepared by frying.

What is sardalya?

Sardalya means sardine. Fresh sardines can be grilled or fried and are especially enjoyable when eaten in season.

What is kalamar?

Kalamar means calamari or squid. Fried calamari is one of the most popular hot seafood appetisers in Türkiye.

Is octopus common in İzmir?

Yes. Ahtapot, or octopus, may be served grilled, marinated or prepared as a cold salad or meze.

What seafood mezes should I try?

Look for octopus salad, shrimp dishes and other seafood appetisers, then combine them with deniz börülcesi, radika, fava and seasonal Aegean vegetables.

Is fish usually grilled in İzmir?

Grilling is extremely popular, especially for whole fish such as sea bass and sea bream, although frying, baking and other methods are also used.

What does “ızgara” mean?

Izgara means grilled. Asking for a fish “ızgara” means that you would like it grilled.

What does “tava” mean?

Tava generally indicates a fried preparation and is commonly seen with smaller fish and calamari.

How do I ask what fish is fresh?

Say “Bugün hangi balık taze?” which means “Which fish is fresh today?”

Are seafood prices based on weight?

Sometimes. Certain whole fish may be priced by weight, while other dishes have a fixed portion price. Confirm the pricing method before ordering if it is unclear.

Where should I eat seafood in İzmir?

İzmir city, Güzelbahçe, Urla, Çeşme, Foça and Sığacık all provide different styles of coastal seafood dining.

Is Urla good for seafood?

Yes. Urla combines seafood with a wider culinary culture based on local vegetables, olive oil, vineyards and seasonal ingredients.

Is Foça good for seafood?

Foça is an excellent destination for travellers who want to combine seafood with the atmosphere of a historic Aegean fishing town.

What vegetables go well with Aegean seafood?

Deniz börülcesi, radika, artichokes, mixed Aegean herbs, salads and olive-oil vegetables all pair naturally with fish.

Should I choose fish according to the season?

Yes. Seasonal availability matters greatly in seafood cuisine, so asking which fish is particularly good that day is usually better than insisting on one species year-round.

What other İzmir foods should I try?

Try boyoz, gevrek, kumru, İzmir köfte, Tire köfte, Ödemiş köfte, kokoreç, lokma, artichokes, stuffed zucchini flowers and İzmir's extensive range of Aegean herbs.

Capture the Aegean Table

Best Seafood Photos in İzmir

Seafood dining in İzmir provides wonderful photographic opportunities, from colourful fish displays and fishing boats to beautifully arranged mezes beside the Aegean.

Fresh Fish Display

Photograph the variety of whole fish arranged over ice before choosing the day's meal.

Grilled Fish

A simply grilled whole fish with lemon captures the essential character of Aegean seafood cooking.

Meze Table

Several colourful vegetable and seafood dishes together create one of the most recognisable images of Aegean dining.

Fishing Boats

Harbours in Foça, Çeşme, Sığacık and other coastal towns connect the meal visually with the sea.

Calamari & Octopus

Hot calamari and grilled octopus add texture and variety to seafood photography.

Aegean Sunset

A seaside seafood table at sunset provides the perfect visual summary of İzmir's coastal lifestyle.


When photographing fishermen, market sellers, cooks or restaurant staff, always ask permission before taking close portraits. The people who work with the Aegean's seafood are an essential part of the culinary story.

Taste the Aegean with Us

İzmir Seafood and Culinary Experiences

Discover İzmir through coastal towns, seafood, seasonal markets, Aegean mezes, olive oil and the culinary traditions created by life beside the sea.

Private İzmir Food Experiences

Custom-designed private touring with professional guiding, comfortable transportation and flexible timing for travellers who want to discover the relationship between İzmir's seafood, markets, history and Aegean lifestyle.

Explore İzmir's Aegean Coast

Extend your culinary journey through İzmir Province with Urla, Çeşme, Foça and Sığacık, combining seafood, markets, fishing harbours, olive oil, seasonal vegetables and spectacular coastal landscapes.