This industrial port city on the Marmara Sea is a major manufacturing center in Turkey, with active shipyards and Turkey's largest oil refinery.
Located in northwestern Turkey, Kocaeli stretches between the Sea of Marmara and Black Sea coasts. You'll find Roman ruins scattered throughout İzmit, including a well-preserved ancient citadel. In winter, you can ski down the slopes of Kartepe Mountain, while in summer, you can swim at Kerpe's sandy beaches. In the small town of Hereke, you'll see skilled artisans weaving intricate carpets using centuries-old techniques.
Getting Around Kocaeli
You can reach Kocaeli easily from Istanbul (1.5 hours) or Ankara (4 hours) by car or train. The province's main transport hub is İzmit, connected to other districts by regular bus services. Cengiz Topel Naval Air Station operates civilian flights to major Turkish cities. High-speed trains run multiple times daily between İzmit and Istanbul (45 minutes).
Industrial and Technology Hub
Kocaeli has grown into Turkey's leading research center with 143 R&D facilities and five technoparks. The recently opened Informatics Valley houses technology startups and established companies. TÜBİTAK (Scientific Research Council) and TSE (Standards Institute) operate their main research facilities here. The province's port handles more cargo than any other Turkish port and ranks eighth in Europe.
Coastal Areas and Recreation
Along the Black Sea coast, Kerpe and Kefken beaches stretch for several kilometers, with water temperatures reaching 24°C in summer. The calmer waters of the Gulf of İzmit's southern shore make it ideal for swimming and kayaking. The coastal towns of Gölcük and Karamürsel have public beaches and waterfront restaurants serving fresh seafood.
Winter Sports and Mountain Activities
At Kartepe's 1,600-meter summit, you'll find 20 kilometers of ski runs suitable for beginners and intermediate skiers (December to March). Lift tickets cost around 400 TL per day. During summer, you can hike several marked trails ranging from 2 to 15 kilometers. Clear days allow you to see both seas from the summit viewing platform.
Traditional Crafts and Culture
Visit Hereke's carpet workshops to watch weavers create silk carpets using traditional Ottoman patterns. Each square meter contains up to 1 million knots and takes 3-12 months to complete. The workshops open Monday to Saturday, 9 AM to 5 PM. You can arrange demonstrations through the local tourism office.
Archaeological Heritage
In İzmit, walk through the remains of ancient Nicomedia at the city center. The archaeological museum (open Tuesday-Sunday, 9 AM-5 PM) displays Roman statues, coins, and everyday objects from excavations. The Temple of Augustus foundations still stand near the modern courthouse. In Gebze, 30 kilometers west of İzmit, you can visit the burial site of Hannibal, marked by a modern monument.
