Situated on the Sea of Marmara's southern coast, this Turkish city serves as a vital agricultural and trade center in the Thrace region, known for its port activities.
Tekirdağ sits 135 km west of Istanbul along the Marmara Sea coast. Walk along the city's 3-kilometer waterfront promenade to find restaurants serving the local köfte meatballs with rakı. Visit the 18th-century Rakoczi Museum, take a ferry to explore the Marmara Islands, or hike through pine forests on Mount Ganos, where trails lead you to panoramic views of the sea.
Getting to Tekirdağ
You can reach Tekirdağ via Çorlu Airport (TEQ), though most international travelers arrive through Istanbul Airport (IST), 130 km away. Buses run every hour between Istanbul and Tekirdağ from 6:00 to 22:00 on the four-lane highway. The recently completed rail link connects Tekirdağ's port to the national railway network for both cargo and passenger transport.
Local Food and Drink
Local chefs prepare Tekirdağ köftesi using a specific mixture of lamb and beef, grilling the meatballs and serving them with spicy tomato sauce and piyaz (white bean salad). The city's distillery has produced rakı since the 1930s, and you'll find it in most restaurants along the harbor, where you can also order fresh fish caught daily from the Marmara Sea.
Museums and Historical Buildings
At the Rakoczi Museum (open 9:00-17:00), you'll see period furniture and personal items from Hungarian prince Francis II Rákóczi's exile. The Archaeology Museum displays Bronze Age tools, Roman artifacts, and Ottoman-era household items across three floors. Inside the 16th-century Rüstem Paşa Mosque, designed by architect Sinan, you'll find walls covered in geometric tile work and Islamic calligraphy.
Beaches and Island Trips
The 60-kilometer coastline includes Kumbağ Beach and Şarköy Beach, both with Blue Flag certification for water quality. From June through September, windsurfers gather at these beaches, where you can rent equipment from beachfront shops. Ferries to Marmara and Avşa islands depart daily at 9:00 and return at 17:00 during summer months.
Mount Ganos Activities
Hiking trails on Mount Ganos range from 2 to 15 kilometers, climbing to 2000 feet above sea level. You can choose between steep climbs and gentle walks through pine and oak forests. In Yanikoy village, 25 km southwest of the city, paragliding instructors operate tandem flights lasting 20-30 minutes when weather conditions allow.
Getting Around
You can walk between most downtown attractions within 20 minutes. Local minibuses follow fixed routes from 6:00 to 23:00, running every 10 minutes during the day and every 30 minutes in the evening. Pay 1.5 TL directly to the driver for trips within city limits. Both private companies and the municipality operate minibuses on different routes throughout Tekirdağ.
