Travel guide

Kocaeli

Kocaeli is an industrial powerhouse on the Gulf of İzmit, but it also has a green side. Maşukiye, Kartepe, Sapanca's edge and the coast give weekend travellers easy access to forests, lakes and winter snow.

Marmara 2,161,171 12 Districts on the coast

Photo: Kocaeligönüllüsü · CC BY-SA 4.0

Why visit

Kocaeli

KerpeSeka ParkPembe KöşkGölkay ParkSapanca GölüKefken Adasıİzmit SahiliÖrcün Hamamı

Verify before you travel

This guide covers all 81 provinces, the World Heritage sites, local food, transport, emergency numbers and the small details that make a trip easier. It is written for foreign visitors and built from public records, official indexes and original research.

Opening hours, prices and transport change. Confirm details with the official venue before you go.

Sources: Sources & credits

Kültür ve Turizm Bakanlığı Türkiye Kültür Portalı

Top attractions

Kerpe Read more

Seka Park Read more

Pembe Köşk Read more

Gölkay Park Read more

Sapanca Gölü Read more

Kefken Adası Read more

İzmit Sahili Read more

Örcün Hamamı Read more

Civilizations of Anatolia

Civilizations

Bithynia and Thracec. 1200 BCE, 300 CERead more

Local flavours

Nazlı ( Otur Fatma Tatlısı ) · local specialtyKandıra Yoğurdu · local specialtySimit Dolması · local specialtyPişmaniye · local specialtyÇalça Çorbası · local specialty

Souvenirs and local products

Karamürsel Sepetiİzmit SimitiDeğirmendere Fındığıİzmit PişmaniyesiEşme AyvasıKandıra YoğurduYarımca KirazıÇene SuyuKandıra BeziHereke Halısı Ve İpekli DokumalarıYuvacık Kaynak Suyuİhsaniye Elması

Museums

Kasrı Hümayun Saray MüzesiOsman Hamdi Bey Evi MüzesiTcg Gayret Müzesi, İzmitTcg Hızır Reis Müzesi

Culture and living heritage

Kocaeli BilmeceleriKocaeli ManileriÇene DağıAyrılık

Outdoor activities

Doğa Yürüyüşü (trekking), Serindere, KızkalesiDoğa Yürüyüşü (trekking), Hamza DağıDoğa Yürüyüşü (trekking), Nüzhetiye ŞelalesiDoğa Yürüyüşü (trekking), Taşköprü Çobangeçidi KanyonuSerindere, KızkalesiHamza DağıNüzhetiye ŞelalesiTaşköprü Çobangeçidi KanyonuKungul DağıKayaüstü YaylasıAkçaova Çelebi KöyüBüyükdere Vadisi

Culture Atlas

Legends, games, weddings, beliefs and everyday traditions recorded by the Türkiye Culture Portal.

Keltepe TürküsüKocaeli Üzüm TürküsüNerdesin Türküsü

3 records · Names and links come from the Türkiye Culture Portal. Check the official page for current details.

Where to stay

Kartepe Köşkü Papuli Köyevi +6 Bağdat Resort Cevizdibi Otel Maşukiye

124 accommodation options listed by OpenStreetMap.

Accommodation listed by the Culture Portal, alongside OpenStreetMap options.: 52 records.

Bayramoğlu Paradise IslandHoliday Inn Gebze, İstanbul AsiaRamada Plaza İzmitBaltürk House OtelEmex OtelNorth Star Resort &hotels Bayramoğlu

Districts and neighbourhoods

Başiskele131,387 Population · 38 Neighbourhoods

2,535 Streets

Çayırova162,262 Population · 11 Neighbourhoods

1,274 Streets

Darıca235,632 Population · 14 Neighbourhoods

1,983 Streets

Derince147,892 Population · 17 Neighbourhoods

1,120 Streets

Dilovası55,355 Population · 17 Neighbourhoods

1,054 Streets

Gebze414,960 Population · 45 Neighbourhoods

3,952 Streets

Gölcük181,227 Population · 50 Neighbourhoods

2,352 Streets

İzmit381,254 Population · 104 Neighbourhoods

3,430 Streets

Kandıra54,260 Population · 96 Neighbourhoods

1,357 Streets

Karamürsel59,488 Population · 27 Neighbourhoods

1,567 Streets

Kartepe154,377 Population · 33 Neighbourhoods

2,875 Streets

Körfez183,077 Population · 36 Neighbourhoods

1,921 Streets

Getting there

Main airports serving the province

KCO

Cengiz Topel Havaalanı · Kartepe

Practical information

Emergency

Emergency · Ambulance112
Police155
Gendarmerie156
Fire110
Forest fire177
Tourism hotline176

Provincial Culture & Tourism Office

0262 322 44 04

iktm41@ktb.gov.tr

Save these numbers

Health & safety

Pharmacies446
Hospitals56
Police31
Taxi55

Post office

PTT · 444 1 788

Verify before you travel

Travel tips

Carry some cash for small villages, markets and taxis; cards work in most hotels and city restaurants.
Check museum and archaeological-site opening days before travelling; some close one day a week.
Book hot-air balloons, popular restaurants and summer ferries in advance, especially in high season.

Nearby provinces

Continue with these nearby provinces.

Coast

Marmara

Sakarya

Çark · Gölpark · Saklıgöl

16 Districts Read the guide

Coast

Marmara

Yalova

Dipsiz Göl · Yürüyen Köşk · Karlık Yaylası

6 Districts Read the guide

Marmara

Bilecik

Atatürk Köşkü · Çiçekli Yayla · Mihalbey Hanı

8 Districts Read the guide

UNESCO

Marmara

İstanbul

Ağva · Balat · Büyükada

39 Districts Read the guide

Place names and indexes are compiled from the Türkiye Culture Portal, UNESCO, OpenStreetMap and public tourism sources.