Kozak Plateau is a broad highland landscape northwest of Bergama, stretching through forested countryside between Bergama and Ayvalık. Known especially for its remarkable stone-pine forests and pine-nut production, the plateau reveals a completely different side of the Bergama region.
Instead of monumental ruins and busy archaeological sites, Kozak offers winding rural roads, traditional villages, pine forests, agricultural landscapes, picnic areas and beautiful geological formations. Its elevations generally range between approximately 500 and 1,000 meters, creating cooler conditions and a distinctly highland atmosphere.
Kozak also forms part of the wider Ida-Madra Geopark landscape. One of its most fascinating natural features is its granite tor topography: enormous rounded granite formations shaped over long periods of erosion and weathering, rising unexpectedly among the stone-pine forests.
Drive and walk through extensive forests famous for producing some of Türkiye’s most highly regarded pine nuts.
Discover quiet settlements where agriculture, forestry and village traditions remain an important part of everyday life.
See unusual rounded granite formations that give parts of the plateau an extraordinary geological character.
Combine ancient Pergamon with forests, countryside and village scenery on the same regional journey.
Essential information for planning a scenic journey through one of the most distinctive rural landscapes around Bergama.
Northwest of Bergama, extending through the highlands between Bergama and Ayvalık.
Much of the plateau lies approximately 500–1,000 meters above sea level.
Stone-pine forests, pine nuts, traditional villages, rural scenery and granite formations.
Allow around half a day, or a full day if combining several villages, walks and archaeological stops.
A landscape where forests, agriculture, geology and village life have developed together over generations.
Kozak Plateau is not a single village but a wider highland region containing numerous rural settlements scattered through the forested countryside northwest of Bergama. The plateau has long been closely connected with its natural environment, particularly its extensive stone-pine forests.
Pine nuts have played an especially important role in the local economy. Stone-pine trees dominate large areas of the landscape, giving Kozak its characteristic appearance and shaping agricultural traditions that continue to be associated with the region today.
Grapes, olives and other agricultural products have also contributed to village life. Traditional weaving and rural crafts form another part of Kozak's cultural identity, creating a landscape where forestry and agriculture remain closely connected with local communities.
Kozak's history reaches far beyond modern village agriculture. Archaeological remains in the plateau demonstrate that this mountainous landscape was also used and settled during antiquity. Near Aşağıbey are the remains of ancient Perperene, an archaeological settlement particularly associated with the Hellenistic and Roman periods.
The plateau also possesses an important geological story. Granite bodies beneath the region have weathered and eroded over immense periods of time, producing large rounded rock formations known as granite tors. Together with the surrounding pine forests, they create some of the most distinctive scenery in the area.
Explore pine forests, villages, unusual rock formations and hidden traces of ancient settlement.
The vast stone-pine forests are the defining landscape of Kozak. Mature trees spread across hills, valleys and village farmland, creating a green panorama that feels very different from the archaeological landscapes around central Bergama.
Yukarıbey is one of the best-known settlements in the plateau and provides a useful introduction to Kozak's village landscape. The surrounding countryside contains extensive stone-pine cultivation, agricultural land and forest scenery.
Villages including Aşağıbey, Yukarıbey, Göbeller, Demircidere, Karaveliler and others are scattered throughout the plateau. Each reveals another part of the region's rural character, from agriculture and forestry to village houses and local traditions.
One of Kozak's most unusual features is its granite tor topography. Huge weathered granite rocks rise through the countryside, creating dramatic natural forms among stone-pine trees and open highland landscapes.
Near Aşağıbey are the remains of Perperene, an ancient settlement with important remains from the Hellenistic and Roman periods. Archaeological features include defensive walls and traces of civic and residential structures.
Kozak's combination of forest tracks, rural roads, granite formations and highland scenery makes the region rewarding for gentle walking and nature-focused exploration.
Agriculture is an important part of the Kozak experience. The plateau is particularly famous for stone-pine nuts, which have been closely connected with local livelihoods for generations.
Kozak's signature product. Pine cones are harvested from stone-pine trees and processed to obtain the valuable edible kernels used throughout Turkish and Mediterranean cuisine.
Grapes have traditionally been cultivated in parts of the plateau, adding another agricultural layer to Kozak's rural identity.
Depending on the village and season, travelers may encounter olives, fruit, preserves and other locally produced foods.
Kozak has also been associated with local weaving and textile traditions, another reflection of the plateau's long-established rural culture.
Kozak Plateau forms part of the wider Ida-Madra Geopark landscape, an extensive region of northwestern Türkiye recognized for its geological, ecological and cultural diversity.
The most distinctive geological feature around Kozak is its granite tor topography. Granite rock beneath the plateau has gradually fractured and weathered, producing rounded and sometimes enormous formations that appear between forests and agricultural land.
There is no general entrance ticket for Kozak Plateau. It is a large inhabited rural region containing public roads, forests, villages and agricultural landscapes rather than a single enclosed attraction.
Driving through Kozak and visiting its villages does not normally require a general admission ticket.
Individual recreational facilities or privately operated areas may have parking, entrance or service charges.
Access arrangements around archaeological remains can vary. Some locations are undeveloped and should not be treated like conventional ticketed museums.
Budget separately for village meals, pine nuts, local produce, handmade products and refreshments.
Kozak is an inhabited rural region rather than a gated attraction, so there is no official opening or closing time for the plateau itself. Individual cafés, restaurants, shops and facilities operate according to their own schedules.
After experiencing the monuments of ancient Pergamon, Kozak Plateau provides a beautiful change of pace: forests instead of marble ruins, village roads instead of archaeological streets, and rural landscapes instead of urban sightseeing.
Kozak shows that the Bergama region is much more than ancient ruins, combining archaeology with mountains, forests and rural culture.
Roads winding between pine trees, villages and granite landscapes make the journey itself an important part of the experience.
Kozak remains a living agricultural region where tourism exists alongside traditional village activities rather than replacing them.
The plateau rewards travelers who enjoy unhurried drives, short walks, local food and quiet countryside.
For travelers who want to understand the wider landscape surrounding ancient Pergamon, Kozak is one of the most rewarding countryside excursions from Bergama.
Kozak lies northwest of Bergama along the mountainous countryside leading toward Ayvalık. The plateau begins approximately 20 km from Bergama, although distances vary considerably depending on which village or natural area you plan to visit.
A private vehicle is the easiest option. Roads climb gradually from the Bergama area toward the forested plateau and its scattered villages.
Kozak can also be approached from the Ayvalık side, making it possible to create a scenic route between Ayvalık and Bergama.
A private vehicle with a flexible itinerary is ideal for combining several villages, landscape stops and archaeological sites without worrying about transport connections.
Rural transport can be limited and may not conveniently connect the natural and archaeological locations travelers want to explore. Confirm local services before relying on them.
Travelers with their own vehicle or private transport can explore Kozak at a relaxed pace without attempting to visit every village.
The plateau covers a large area and its highlights are spread between forests, villages and rural archaeological locations.
Kozak is best appreciated slowly. Allow time for scenic stops, village tea and spontaneous viewpoints along the route.
Services can be limited outside the main villages, so keep drinking water and basic supplies in your vehicle.
Walking areas may include forest tracks, loose granite, uneven surfaces and rural terrain.
Pine groves and fields may be privately owned. Avoid entering orchards or collecting cones, plants or agricultural products without permission.
Expect narrow rural roads, agricultural vehicles, animals and changing road conditions in more remote areas.
The highland elevation means winter weather can be considerably colder than the nearby Aegean coast.
Buying pine nuts and other products directly from appropriate local sellers is a simple way to contribute to the rural economy.
Ideal for visitors who enjoy forests, quiet countryside, unusual geological formations and scenic drives.
A rewarding destination for those who prefer rural roads, villages and local experiences over tightly scheduled sightseeing.
Stone-pine forests, granite boulders, agricultural scenery and village life provide excellent landscape subjects.
Perfect for travelers who want to complement Pergamon's archaeology with the natural and rural landscapes surrounding the ancient city.
The plateau's remarkable granite tor landscape adds an unusual geological dimension to a visit to western Türkiye.
Pine-nut production and traditional agriculture make Kozak particularly interesting for visitors curious about regional food culture.
Kozak Plateau can easily become part of a wider Bergama itinerary, combining rural landscapes with some of western Türkiye's most important archaeological and cultural attractions.
Explore one of the ancient world's celebrated healing centers, associated with medicine, sacred springs and the physician Galen.
Discover the monumental Roman sanctuary later transformed into an important early Christian complex in the heart of Bergama.
See archaeological discoveries from Pergamon and surrounding sites and gain deeper context before or after exploring the region.
Wander through traditional neighborhoods, historic houses, markets and streets beneath the ancient Pergamon Acropolis.
Visit the dramatic hilltop remains of ancient Pergamon, including temples, palaces, theatre terraces and monumental foundations.
Continue west toward the Aegean coast for historic streets, island scenery, olive culture and seaside landscapes.
Kozak is best known for its extensive stone-pine forests, high-quality pine nuts, traditional villages, rural scenery and unusual granite formations.
Kozak lies northwest of Bergama in İzmir Province, in the highland countryside between Bergama and Ayvalık.
The Kozak highlands begin at roughly 20 km from Bergama. The actual driving distance depends on which village or location you plan to visit.
No general entrance ticket is required because Kozak is a large inhabited rural region. Individual recreational areas, restaurants or private facilities may charge separately.
Allow at least half a day. A full day is better if you want to explore several villages, stop for lunch, walk in the countryside or include Perperene.
A private vehicle is strongly recommended. Kozak covers a broad rural area and its villages, viewpoints and natural features are widely dispersed.
Yes. A morning visit to Pergamon followed by an afternoon drive through Kozak is possible, although travelers wanting to explore both areas thoroughly should allow more time.
They are the edible kernels produced by stone-pine trees. Pine-nut cultivation has long been one of the defining agricultural activities of the Kozak region.
Long-term weathering and erosion of granite created rounded rock masses known as granite tors. These formations appear throughout parts of the plateau and form a distinctive landscape with the pine forests.
Ida-Madra is a geopark and a UNESCO Global Geopark candidate. It should not currently be confused with a fully designated UNESCO Global Geopark.
Spring and autumn are especially pleasant for driving, walking and photography. Summer is also attractive because the plateau's higher elevation can feel cooler than lower coastal areas.
Kozak offers excellent landscape photography thanks to its combination of pine forests, granite formations, villages and elevated countryside.
Long stretches of road framed by mature pine trees capture the essential character of Kozak.
Large rounded boulders emerging between trees create some of the plateau's most unusual compositions.
Elevated sections of the plateau reveal layers of forested hills and agricultural valleys.
Traditional buildings, village squares and everyday rural details provide more intimate photographs.
Carefully managed stone-pine landscapes illustrate the connection between nature and local agriculture.
Warm light across granite rocks, pine trunks and rural fields can create especially atmospheric photographs.
Kozak Plateau can be visited throughout the year, but its higher elevation and rural roads create noticeably different experiences from season to season.
One of the most beautiful periods for green countryside, comfortable walking conditions and fresh forest scenery.
Sunny and generally dry, with highland elevations offering an attractive escape from the stronger heat of lower Aegean areas.
Excellent for scenic drives, rural landscapes and photography, particularly as agricultural activity and seasonal colors change.
Quiet and atmospheric but colder. Check weather and road conditions before exploring remote parts of the plateau.
April – June & September – October
Morning for exploration; late afternoon for photography
Half day to full day
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