Places to Visit in Izmit | Natural Places

The number one choice for families with children will undoubtedly be the Darıca Zoo, also known as the Faruk Yalçın Zoo. This zoo, which houses species not found in dozens of other zoos in Turkey, will be the first place curious children interested in nature and animals will want to visit. The Darıca Zoo includes mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, invertebrates, and Anatolian species. Among these, the animals that must definitely be seen are the African lion, Siberian tiger, jaguar, brown bears, zebras and giraffes, various birds, penguins, Aldabra giant tortoises, crocodiles, and hippopotamuses. Additionally, there are 2 cafeterias and 1 snack bar inside the Darıca Zoo. There is also a souvenir shop and children’s play areas. They provide free guides for school groups. Exact Location: Faruk Yalcin Zoo and Botanical Garden

Ballıkayalar Nature Park, which trekking and climbing enthusiasts must have heard of, is located right next to factory chimneys in Gebze. It features pergolas with lake views where you can barbecue, moderately challenging hiking trails for trekking, and challenging rock formations for climbing. Unfortunately, I cannot say very positive things about picnicking and barbecuing here. However, I can write a praise-filled text for Ballıkayalar Canyon. After barbecue, be sure to take the challenging trekking route following the waterway up to the waterfall to burn off what you’ve eaten. Don’t worry about the crowds in the initial stages of the trail; the number of people decreases as you approach the waterfall. If you plan to climb, don’t forget to bring your equipment and an expert in the field with you. There are some small details I need to recommend for Ballıkayalar Nature Park. You definitely need to choose non-slip shoes. I recommend getting a small bag for items like your phone and watch that you don’t want to drop in the water. Barbecuing and hiking are also a good option for families with children. Exact Location: Ballikayalar Nature Park

Also known as Darica National Garden or Gökhan Hüseyinoğlu Coastal Park, this park draws a considerable number of tourists from Istanbul. In my opinion, there isn’t yet a coastal area in Istanbul that serves so many functions. It boasts Hobbit houses, picnic areas, a tennis court, basketball, football, and volleyball courts, parking lots, playgrounds for children of all ages, exercise equipment, and two small beaches – all of which are free. No one asks you for money for any of these amenities I mentioned. Additionally, there are budget-friendly cafes and restaurants inside the park. Darica National Garden is the top choice for families with children. For those coming from Istanbul, they can take the Marmaray to Gebze Station and then hop on Kocaeli Public Buses numbered 501, 502, 510, 515, or 520 to reach here. Exact Location: Places to Visit in Izmit – Darica National Garden

Ormanya, a natural habitat spanning 20,000 square meters, hailed as Europe’s largest and one of the world’s top 3 living areas, is a favorite destination not only for nature and camping enthusiasts but also for families with children. Entry to Ormanya is completely free, while the park area costs 15 TL. It is closed on Mondays. Furthermore, within Ormanya, there are three hiking trails of varying difficulty levels, a hobbit village with hobbit houses, a forest library, two ponds, a small zoo, and camping and caravan areas. My favorite activity within Ormanya is undoubtedly visiting the Forest Library. Sitting in hammocks, swings, or high netted areas amidst the sounds of birds and reading a book offers an unusual sense of relaxation. The Children’s Zoo houses 766 animals from 67 species. Moreover, with 42 tents and 23 caravan capacities, Ormanya is a meeting point for camping enthusiasts. Exact Location: Ormanya Kartepe

In our list of places to visit in Izmit, I’ve reserved a spot for ski enthusiasts. Kartepe Ski Center, considered one of the prominent ski resorts in Turkey, attracts the attention of both domestic and foreign tourists with its location, views, and natural beauty. The ski center, thanks to its vegetation and views of Lake Sapanca, is not only suitable for skiing but also brings along sports and activities such as mountaineering, camping, hiking, sports camps, and nature photography. Due to the high altitude of the location where Kartepe Ski Center is located, the most suitable sport and activity is skiing. The triangular terracotta-colored building seen in the photographs is called The Green Park Kartepe Resort & Spa. You can search to find out the prices. However, I would like to remind you that there are other budget-friendly hotels in Kartepe as well. Exact Location: Kartepe Ski Center

Maşukiye, located in Kartepe, Kocaeli, derives its name from the word “maşuk,” which means “beloved” in Turkish. It is a charming town where the locals say “those who come here fall in love.” When you visit Maşukiye, you will feel like you are in a Black Sea village. There are many small businesses and restaurants set up along the streams flowing through the forests and dirt roads. Additionally, you can find dozens of hotels to stay in Masukiye and numerous establishments where you can enjoy a traditional village breakfast. I highly recommend visiting in the spring months. While Masukiye hosts more foreign tourists in the summer, in the spring months, the streams flow more vigorously and there are fewer tourists. Exact Location: Masukiye, Kartepe, Izmit

Yuvacık Dam takes the 8th spot on the list of places to visit in Kocaeli. Despite being an industrial region, Kocaeli attracts many domestic and foreign tourists throughout the year with its unique natural beauty. Situated in a mountainous valley in Başiskele, Yuvacık Dam offers a picturesque setting where you can enjoy your morning breakfast at various establishments. There are plenty of activities around the dam area, such as picnicking, ATV safaris, zip-lining, or enjoying swing sets over the stream. If you happen to visit here, you won’t need to ponder over what to do. In the summer months, if you’re planning to come for weekend breakfast or a picnic, it’s advisable to hit the road early in the morning, in my opinion. Yuvacik Dam, with its Black Sea atmosphere, attracts a significant number of domestic and foreign tourists during the summer months. Exact Location: Yuvacık Dam Başiskele/Kocaeli

Continuing with the natural places on the list of places to visit in Kocaeli, I’m now moving full speed ahead. Sapanca Lake, which lies within the boundaries of both Sakarya and Kocaeli, is a tectonic freshwater lake. Additionally, Sapanca Lake is adjacent to the districts of Serdivan, Kartepe, Arifiye, and Sapanca. You can enjoy your first meal of the day in the municipal pergolas overlooking the Sapanca Lake. Moreover, you can board small boats on the lake for a certain fee to tour around it. Although I often see signs prohibiting swimming in Sapanca Lake, there are many children who enter the lake. I am strongly against swimming in the lake, especially for young children, because swimming in fresh water is much more difficult than swimming in saltwater. So, don’t even think about asking “Can we swim in Sapanca Lake?” After having breakfast at Sapanca Lake, you can spend your day exploring routes that take less than an hour by car. Exact Location: Sapanca Lake

Beskayalar Nature Park is one of Turkey’s richest habitats in terms of both fauna and flora, with its 1600-hectare area. Offering an incredible experience for nature and camping enthusiasts with its untouched forests and wildlife, Beskayalar Nature Park harbors 2 caves within its grounds. One of these caves features a waterfall, while the other contains a lake. With its unique natural structure, you can see every shade of green and gaze at the peaks in Beskayalar Nature Park. You can visit for a day trip or stay overnight for camping. Thanks to the red and white markings on the trees, you won’t stray far from your route. Group tours are usually organized, and you can join these groups if you wish. Exact Location: Beskayalar Nature Park Basiskele, Izmit

Menekse Plateau is a plateau that has managed to remain clean compared to many other plateaus. Located in the Basiskele district of Izmit, Menekse Plateau does not charge any fees for any activities as it does not host any commercial establishments. There are no restaurants, cafes, restrooms, hotels, or internet connection. Instead, you can camp, make fires, and engage in outdoor sports. In short, Menekse Plateau is a perfect fit for nature enthusiasts. Although the roads to the plateau are rugged, they can easily be managed with a 4×4 vehicle or ATV. When going to Menekse Plateau, you will fall in love not only with the plateau’s scenery but also with all the roads you pass on your way there. Even during daylight, you will admire the trees that turn the forest into night. You might feel a little chilly, but it will be worth it. Exact Location: Menekse Plateau, Basiskele, Izmit

We’ve reached the last place on the list of places to visit in Izmit. Let’s conclude with the popular İnönü Plateau located in Başiskele. I should mention that it gets incredibly crowded, especially during spring and summer, especially on weekends. In my opinion, it would be better to visit İnönü Plateau on weekdays or during the off-season. Although the roads are not as problematic as Menekşe Plateau, it would still be preferable to come with a 4×4 or ATV vehicle. At İnönü Plateau, where you will be surrounded by greenery and abundant oxygen, you can engage in nature sports such as trekking, camping, and various safari tours. Additionally, you can come to camp with groups. You’ll need to meet your food and drink needs in Yuvacık because there’s nothing else available in the area besides restrooms. Exact Location: Inönü Plateau, Pamukova, Sakarya

If you want to saturate yourself with the nature of Kocaeli and, of course, if you have no fear of heights, be sure to visit Ayrı Gezegen Glass Terrace. This Glass Terrace is one of the places to visit in Izmit for its unique natural landscape and plenty of activities. Don’t say ‘Our children can’t do it’ because I’ve seen children here who are braver than adults. You can stay at Ayrı Gezegen Glass Terrace for as long as you want. There is no specific time limit. You can also have drone footage taken for a certain fee if you wish. Once you’ve reached Ayrı Gezegen Glass Terrace and filled up on the view and oxygen, don’t wonder what to do next. They have thought of this too and have plenty of activities for you to spend your day fully. Adventure Park, Shooting Range, Zipline, ATV and UTV safari are some of them. Each has its own price, of course. Moreover, I recommend stopping by Masukiye, which is just a 20-minute drive away by car. You can also find small, affordable bungalows where you can stay overnight. Exact Location: Ayrı Gezegen Glass Terrace, Kartepe, Izmit