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Insider tips on the best things to do in Izmit – Guide of Izmit Turkey

Apartments for sale in izmit Turkey, Guide of Izmit, Turkey

Izmit is a large and heavily industrialized city in the Marmara region, Turkey, east of Istanbul, at the end of the sword-like Gulf of İzmit, the long inlet of the Sea of Marmara to the east, ideally located just 104 kilometers from Istanbul and less than two hours by car, making Izmit a desirable investment. İzmit is a district and the capital of Kocaeli province.

Izmit is of great economic importance, which directly benefits the Turkish economy, as the city is the most important location for the paper industry in Turkey, and Izmit also has a large oil refinery and a central commercial port on the Sea of Marmara.

As a result, Izmit has a well-developed infrastructure, as in addition to the main roads that cross it, the city also has railroad lines that connect it to the various Turkish states and cities, making the city of Izmit a link between major states such as Istanbul and Ankara.

Izmit was formerly known as Kocaeli and is still often referred to as Kocaeli.

The city stretches over several hills and a narrow plain, which is the heart of the commercial district. Izmit is not to be confused with Izmir, which is located on the Aegean coast of Turkey.

izmit turkey, clock tower,

What are the special places you should visit in Izmit?

  • Kartepe is the first place that Izmit residents recommend visiting. The area, which is a popular skiing and water sports center, is one of the most worth-seeing corners of the city. In winter, you can ski at Kartepe Ski House or go picnicking or hiking in Maşukiye, 13 km away, which is known for its unique nature.
  • Kefken, located on the Black Sea coast of the city, is one of the places that are special in all four seasons. The region, which is about 65 kilometers from the center of İzmit, is preferred for a vacation by the sea, especially in the summer months. Those who come to İzmir in the hot season should definitely include Kefken in their itinerary. 
  • Diving trip in Izmit: Water sports enthusiasts can enjoy a fantastic diving excursion in Izmit Bay and discover the pearls that lurk in the Sea of Marmara in northwestern Turkey. Izmit Bay is home to three of 71 diving centers in the Sea of Marmara region. Vatoz Center is one of the most famous and attractive centers, which hosts a huge variety of fish species and has a special training pool equipped with diving equipment. It offers an exciting cruise among different fish and other marine life. This center can be reached within a short drive from Istanbul, which takes about half an hour.
  • Kuzu Plateau, which is about 11 km away from Kartepe, is one of the places that should be on the list of nature lovers. The region, which attracts attention with its unique snowy landscapes in winter, dazzles with its beautiful nature in summer, so you should visit this place at any time of the year.
  • Clock Tower: The historic clock tower is indeed the focal point of Izmit and can be seen from anywhere and is beautifully designed.
    It is an elegant clock tower built in 1901, the clock tower now has a beautiful waterfall and from the garden, at the tower, you can have a wonderful view of the Gulf of Izmit. If you are interested in historical legends and art, you can visit the museum and see all the artifacts in the exhibition.
  • Kumcağız beach, which you can reach on foot from Kefken center, is one of the most beautiful beaches here. You should not leave Kefken before seeing the pink rocks. The rocks, which are soft in the water and harden when taken out, were used to construct many buildings in the Ottoman period.
    The Sultanahmet (Blue) Mosque in Istanbul is the most famous of these buildings. Along with Erim Hill, this is another place of interest in Kefken.
    With its central location in the region, it is preferred by those who want to watch the sunset. The hill promises pleasant hours with its romantic atmosphere and view.
  • SEKA Paper Museum: A museum of industrial heritage dedicated to paper making in Turkey. Machines and equipment used in paper making are an integral part of the museum. The museum also houses workshops for traditional paper making, paper crafts, and paper arts such as origami, kirigami, paper painting, calligraphy, miniature art, manuscript illumination, and paper marbling. There are also sculptures made from recycled materials.
  • Local Market in Izmit: The local market is one of the largest commercial markets in Izmit, with a number of stores selling a variety of food, textiles, sculptures, and other handicrafts at affordable prices, and is distinguished by its design, which allows vendors to elegantly display their wares. The walkway that runs through this market is made of colored, smooth stones. A roof covers the market, protecting it from the rain in winter and from the heat of the sun in summer.

Izmit turkey Map

izmit turkey map,

What about the climate in Izmit?

The climate in Izmit is oceanic with a touch of the Mediterranean. It has warm, busy summers and cold, very rainy, and sometimes snowy winters.

Morning fog is a semi-permanent sight throughout the year.

Spring and fall are mild and ideal for visiting, especially in the warmer parts of both seasons. Winter is not the best time to travel, to say the least.

Expect rain 15-20 days a month, including a chance of snow for a few days.

If it’s sunny outside, expect cooler nights (as low as -10°C in cooler periods) than in Istanbul, even if it’s milder during the day.

You Can look about: Apartments for sale in Izmit, Turkey

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Is the transport in Izmit easy?

In Izmit, you can choose between different means of transportation, such as:

  1. Train: several daily regional ferries connect Izmit with nearby Istanbul. The average price is about 5,50 TL per person. You can also reserve and buy a seat for long-distance flights departing from the Asian train station in Istanbul to other (Asian) destinations.
  2. Car: Both highways numbered D100 and O-4/E80 (expressway) connecting Istanbul and Ankara, Turkey’s two largest cities, run through or past the city. The drive from Istanbul should not take more than 1 hour, especially on the O-4/E80, which is of better quality and bypasses the cities through which the D100 passes.
  3. Bus: The easiest way to get to Izmit is probably by bus. Private bus companies (buses) offer regular trips from the two main bus terminals in Istanbul (Harem Otogar on the Asian side and Esenler Otogar on the European side).

You can also travel to any other major city in Turkey from the main bus station in Izmit.

Finally, Izmit offers an excellent alternative to Istanbul, and let us not forget that Turkey’s capital Ankara is only three hours away.

This location is perfect if you work in Istanbul but do not want the hustle and bustle of life there.

It is very easy to commute into the city every day if you work there. Izmit offers a lush green environment, so you can relax after work and enjoy the gardens and parks.

The whole atmosphere here means you can drop your shoulders and relax and your weekends become an oasis of calm, it is an ideal place for families to stay permanently.

Where is Izmit?

The city of Izmit is located in the province of Kocaeli, in the eastern part of Turkey.

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