With its location easily accessible from the surrounding cities and its wonderful nature, Kocaeli is one of the most preferred places for those who want to get away from the crowds… How about exploring the beauties of Kocaeli’s surroundings to get away for a bit and be in touch with nature?
Yuvacik Dam
Yuvacık Dam is located 15 km to Kocaeli and about 20 minutes by car. It’s also known by the name of Kirazlidere as it was founded on Kirazdere Stream. Located in the valley where two large streams intersect, the dam is one of the most peaceful areas around Kocaeli with its lush green forests. The wonderful views accompanying you on the way to the dam are like a short summary of the beauties of the dam surroundings. It’s somewhat reminiscent of the Black Sea with its green mountain roads, large pine trees and cute wooden houses. The deep valleys of Yuvacik are surrounded with colourful flowers. This place also offers magnificent sceneries for those who are planning a photography trip. If you like trekking, the area around Yuvacik Dam is just for you. The 4 different tracks here vary according to the level of difficulty. Some of the tracks end within the borders of Beskayalar National Park. Routes extending to the historical arch are ideal for calm and relaxing nature walks.
Even though Yuvacık and its surroundings are known for their natural beauties, they have a history of thousands of years. There are very valuable ruins found in the archaeological excavations in the surrounding area. Among the ruins, there are arch bridges, water mills, historical fountains and carved stones.
Pink Rocks
One of the most interesting natural beauties of Kefken, located on the Black Sea coast of Kocaeli, is the Pink Rocks… This wonder of nature is located in the Kandira region, which is 70 km away from the center of Kocaeli within a distance of 1 hour and 25 minutes. These rocks, which have an outstanding look, fascinate those who see them with their geological structure. The stones extracted from this region, which was used as a quarry in ancient times, were also used in many architectural structures built in Istanbul during the Ottoman Period. The Blue Mosque is one of these structures. The pink stones, which are observed to be soft in water, take on a hard structure after being brought to the surface. The rocks, which turn pink at sunset, also offer an intriguing view.
This is a very peaceful environment for the visitors, especially in the summer season, amidst the deep blue sea and the sound of the waves. For those who want to spend the night here, let’s say that this is a great place to watch the stars to the fullest. At the same time, it’s a region that preserves its naturality as there are no facilities around it. Visitors of the Pink rocks and its surroundings prefer this place to enjoy the scenery, to have picnics and to catch fish.
Kerpe
Located in Kandira district, Kerpe is a very frequently preferred spot for sea holidays with its crystal-clear waters and clean beach. It is one of the most suitable places to swim in Izmit and also has a Blue Flag beach. It also meets the expectations of those who plan their daily holiday in the best way. We can say that the climate of the Black Sea is felt in Kerpe, but the fact that the Aegean atmosphere is felt in places makes it a very special place. Being suitable for camping areas and surfing is another thing that attracts the attention of the young visitors.
Mico Harbor and the onward coastline are preferred by those seeking serenity in Kerpe. It’s possible to reach the harbour by a nice walking track that passes through the forest. If you want to see the beautiful view of Kerpe from above, Babadagi is the best option for this. The hill, which is 4 kilometers from the center, is located at an altitude of 400 meters. After enjoying this exquisite view in touch with green and blue, you should not miss the natural beauties nearby. You can also visit different places such as Kumcagiz, Kefken, Akcakoca and Cebeci, and you can set a beautiful route accompanied by the Black Sea breezes.
Kartepe
Kartepe, one of the most beautiful districts of Kocaeli, is a place that is mostly known for its ski center. When a certain snow level is reached in Kartepe, among the highest points of the Marmara Region, this place becomes one of the popular destinations for ski and snowboard enthusiasts. The best time for winter tourism is between December and March. There are plenty of places where you can find the necessary equipment around the track, which is suitable for skiers of all levels. Kartepe, which is one of the best spots for short-term getaways with its proximity to Istanbul, has many options other than winter tourism. This is because this place is outstanding not only in winter, but also in all four seasons. Activities such as paragliding, trekking, mountain biking, bird-watching are just a few of them. Natural places such as Aygir Stream, Masukiye Waterfall, Kuzu Plateau, Uzuntarla and Soguksu in the vicinity should definitely be on your list of places to visit around Kocaeli.
You can find everything you are expecting from a peaceful, romantic or fun holiday in Kartepe, which is vibrant in all four seasons in the most beautiful way. Enjoy a wonderful holiday with your loved ones by choosing among Kartepe hotels with different concepts to suit every need!
