Located in northwestern Turkey, this calm city sits between mountains and forests. Visitors can explore Ottoman-era mosques, walk through the local bazaar, and take short trips to the Black Sea coast.
Kırklareli in northwestern Turkey lets you explore Ottoman-era mosques like the 14th-century Hızır Bey Mosque, hike through forests that supply timber to much of the country, and visit the only cave open to visitors in Thrace. The compact center includes a museum set in a restored Ottoman municipal building and bathhouses from the same period. Head northeast to walk through Dupnisa Cave’s illuminated stalactite chambers or drive 50 kilometers to swim at Black Sea beaches near İğneada’s floodplain woodlands. Try hardaliye, a drink made by fermenting grapes with mustard seeds, at family-run eateries near Republic Square. This area gives you a different view of Turkey’s European side through its working historical sites and less-visited natural areas.
Hızır Bey Mosque and Surrounding Structures
Begin at Republic Square, where the Hızır Bey Mosque anchors the city’s oldest complex. Built in 1383 from cut stone, the mosque follows a square layout typical of early Ottoman religious buildings, with geometric patterns carved around its entrance. Next door, the Hızır Bey Bath once operated separate sections for men and women, heated by a shared furnace system. The attached Arasta bazaar stretches in a T-shape under vaulted ceilings, originally housing 12 shops that sold goods to travelers on the Istanbul-Edirne trade route. Restoration work in the 1600s and 1800s repaired earthquake damage, ensuring these buildings still function today as places of worship, commerce, and community gathering.
Kırklareli Museum’s Artifacts and Exhibits
The city’s museum occupies a two-story stone building constructed in 1894 as Kırklareli’s first municipal office. Ground-floor displays include Bronze Age tools from nearby digs and cannonballs forged at the Demirköy Foundry for Mehmed II’s siege of Constantinople. Upstairs, you’ll find handwoven textiles from Yıldız Mountain villages and farming tools used in early 20th-century wheat fields. Don’t miss the detailed scale model of Dupnisa Cave’s chambers near the geology exhibit. Entry is free, and most labels provide English translations. Plan to spend 45 minutes here before exploring the surrounding streets.
Exploring Dupnisa Cave
Drive 58 kilometers northeast to Sarpdere village, where guides lead hourly tours through Dupnisa’s two main caves. The Dry Cave extends 150 meters with formations like curtain-shaped stalactites, while the Wet Cave requires wading through shallow streams beneath soda straw formations. Archaeologists discovered pottery fragments here stained with wine, suggesting ancient rituals dedicated to Dionysus. Guides explain how tectonic movements in the Istranca Mountains created the caves over millions of years. Bring shoes with grip—some sections have slippery limestone floors. Tours cost 60 Turkish lira and run daily from 9 AM to 5 PM.
Yıldız Mountains and Black Sea Reserves
North of the city, the Yıldız Mountains hold forests of oak and beech where European wildcats and brown bears roam. İğneada’s Longos forests combine wetlands with sandy beaches, forming one of Turkey’s four freshwater floodplain ecosystems. Park rangers lead free birdwatching walks each morning at 7 AM from May to August, when white-backed woodpeckers nest in dead trees. South of İğneada, Kasatura Bay’s cliffs have marked trails leading to viewpoints over the Black Sea. Rent a bike in Kırklareli to explore these areas independently or join a guided fishing trip on Saka Lake.
Regional Dishes and Wineries
Hardaliye stands out as Kırklareli’s signature drink—grape juice fermented with crushed mustard seeds and cherry leaves for a tangy, slightly spicy flavor. Order it alongside ciğer tava, bite-sized fried liver cubes served with raw onions, at Şenol Lokantası near the mosque. For dessert, peynir helvası mixes unsalted cheese with semolina into a sweet, dense cake. Vineyards around Lüleburgaz grow grapes like Sauvignon Blanc, which you can taste at Çamlıca Winery’s tasting room 30 minutes south of the city. Coastal restaurants in Kıyıköy serve grilled anchovies and sea bass caught that morning.
Byzantine and Ottoman Historical Sites
Vize’s 6th-century Little Hagia Sophia Church, later converted into the Süleyman Paşa Mosque, preserves gold-leaf mosaics beneath layers of plaster added during Ottoman renovations. In Demirköy, stone furnaces at the 15th-century foundry site show how workers produced iron for weapons and construction. Kırklareli’s former Jewish quarter, centered on Hızır Bey Street, has early 1900s houses with cantilevered balconies made from chestnut wood. These sites highlight the region’s importance to both the Byzantine defense system and Ottoman expansion into the Balkans.
Getting Around and When to Visit
Buses depart Istanbul’s Büyük Otogar every 90 minutes for the 2.5-hour trip to Kırklareli. From the bus station, you can walk to all central attractions within 15 minutes. May through September brings dry weather optimal for cave tours and beach visits, though coastal areas stay windy. Book hotels early in summer—options like the 20-room Kırklareli Merkez Otel fill quickly. Learn phrases like “Fiyat ne kadar?” (How much?) and “Tuvalet nerede?” (Where’s the bathroom?), as English speakers are scarce outside tourist offices. Carry cash for rural areas where cards aren’t accepted.
