This calm Turkish city in the Black Sea region produces high-quality marble and draws winter sports visitors to its mountain slopes. Local markets and the Grand Mosque add to daily life.
Bolu lies between Istanbul and Ankara in northern Turkey, where you'll find mountain slopes covered in pine forests and crystal-clear mountain lakes. Walk around Lake Abant, taste local recipes passed down through generations of Mengen chefs, or explore the painted wooden ceilings of 19th-century Ottoman mansions. In winter, ski the slopes of Kartalkaya, and in summer, swim in the seven connected lakes of Yedigöller National Park.
Getting to Bolu
The city lies on the main highway between Istanbul and Ankara, making it easily accessible by bus or car. The new E-80 motorway passes through Mount Bolu Tunnel, while the old D-100 road climbs over the mountain, providing mountain views. The nearest airports are in Kocaeli (145 km away) and Ankara (200 km away).
Weather and When to Visit
Bolu has cold, snowy winters and mild summers with cool nights. The ski season at Kartalkaya typically runs from December through March. Spring and autumn bring moderate temperatures ideal for hiking and exploring the lakes. Summer temperatures remain comfortable due to the city's elevation of 742 meters.
Lakes and Nature Parks
Lake Abant sits 34 kilometers from the city center at an elevation of 1,325 meters. Pine trees grow along its shores, and you can walk the 7-kilometer trail that circles the lake. Yedigöller National Park contains seven small lakes connected by streams and waterfalls. The beech and oak forests turn golden and red during autumn. At Gölcük Nature Park, 13 kilometers from the center, you'll find a small lake with a wooden guesthouse that locals often photograph.
Local Food Scene
Chefs from the Mengen district have worked in Turkey's top kitchens since Ottoman times, creating recipes that combine local ingredients with palace cooking techniques. Visit during the September Culinary Festival to taste their specialties. On Mondays, villagers come to the city market to sell hazelnuts, fresh produce, and a locally-made cologne scented with mountain grass.
Historical Buildings and Museums
The Bayezid Grand Mosque, built in 1899, contains ceiling paintings and carved wooden panels with floral motifs. At the Bolu Museum, you can see over 17,000 artifacts, including Roman coins, Byzantine statues, and Ottoman-era household items. In nearby Mudurnu and Göynük, Ottoman houses from the 1800s still stand, with their wooden frames and colorfully painted interior ceilings.
Winter Sports
You can ski at Kartalkaya Resort, 40 kilometers from Bolu, from December to March. The resort has beginner, intermediate, and advanced slopes, and gets consistent snowfall throughout the season. From the Köroğlu Mountains where the resort is located, you can see across miles of pine forest.
