Things to Do in Mengen: 5 Places to Visit

Places to Visit in Mengen

While you are in Mengen, you can also see the highlights of Bolu province. These places are in other districts; Mengen is about 40 km from the provincial centre.

• Lake Abant National Park — A landslide-dammed lake in the Mudurnu district, 35 km south-west of Bolu at an altitude of about 1,330 metres; the 125-hectare lake is 18 metres deep at its deepest point.
• Yedigöller National Park — Seven lakes formed when landslides blocked valleys, some of them connected underground, and beech forests reminiscent of a "sea of forest"; Türkiye's first farmed-trout production station was set up here in 1969. The lakes can be seen from the Kapankaya viewpoint.
• Gölcük Nature Park — A 4.5-hectare forest lake 13 km south of Bolu at an altitude of 1,217 metres; the wooden lake house on the shore is the most photographed view in Bolu.
• Lake Sünnet — A narrow lake 1,100 metres long, 22 km east of Göynük at an altitude of 1,030 metres, formed when two landslides blocked the Gök Dere stream; it has walking trails and an accommodation facility.
• Mudurnu — An Ottoman town 52 km from Bolu that developed on the Silk Road; it has a well-preserved urban fabric of wooden mansions, a historic bazaar and traditions.
• Mudurnu Yıldırım Bayezid Mosque — Built in 1374 during Yıldırım Bayezid's time as prince governor of Bolu, this is one of the finest examples of early Ottoman architecture; the Yıldırım Bayezid Hammam of 1382 nearby also still stands.

Practical Information for Visiting Mengen

Suggested time

Half a day to 1 day

Best time to visit

Summer (festival season) and autumn

Places to visit

5 places

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  Mengen Kaldırık Dolması

  "Mengen Kaldırık Dolması" was registered as a protected geographical indication on 19 July 2022 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 1167). Product group: dishes and soups. Registered by: Mengen Municipality.

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  Mengen Peyniri (Mengen cheese)

  "Mengen Peyniri" was registered as a protected geographical indication on 6 October 2023 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 1482). Product group: cheeses. Registered by: Mengen District Governorship and Mengen Municipality.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Mengen

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  Land of Chefs

  Since the Ottoman period, Mengen has been the district that has trained some of Türkiye's most famous chefs. Most of the chefs who worked in the Ottoman palace kitchen were from Mengen. The International Mengen Chef Festival, held every year, keeps this tradition alive.

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  International Mengen Chef Festival

  Held every year, this festival brings together chefs from across Türkiye and from various parts of the world. Cooking competitions, tasting events and cultural shows are organised.

Local Products

• Mengen Höşmerimi — "Mengen Höşmerimi" was registered as a protected geographical indication on 19 July 2022 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 1169). Product group: dishes and soups. Registered by: Mengen Municipality.
• Mengen Kedibatmaz — "Mengen Kedibatmaz" was registered as a protected geographical indication on 19 July 2022 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 1168). Product group: dishes and soups. Registered by: Mengen Municipality.

Economy

The economy of Mengen is based on forestry, agriculture and its culinary tradition. Forest products and mushroom trade are important sources of income. Tourism revenue is generated through the chef festival. Livestock farming and grain production also contribute to the economy.

How to Get to Mengen

Mengen is 40 km from Bolu city centre. Regular minibus services run from Bolu. It is close to the Ankara–İstanbul motorway.

Get directions on Google Maps Getting to Bolu

Mengen: Frequently Asked Questions

Continue Your Trip

• 🍽️ What to Eat in Mengen Famous dishes and local products →
• 🗺️ Things to Do in Bolu The province's 12 best places and all its districts →

Other Districts of Bolu

• Bolu Central District 12 places Yedigöller National Park, Abant Lake Nature Park and Bolu Museum
• Dörtdivan 10 places Dörtdivan Plateaus, Byzantine Castle Ruins and Himmet Dede Tomb
• Gerede 6 places Mengen, Mount Arkot and Historic Gerede Bazaar and Houses
• Göynük 10 places Akşemseddin Tomb, Gazi Süleyman Paşa Mosque and Historic Ottoman Houses of Göynük
• Kıbrıscık 3 places Karagöl, Yazıca Plateaus and Aladağ
• Mudurnu 8 places Yıldırım Bayezid Mosque, Armutçular Mansion and Abant Lake
• Seben 7 places Kızık Plateau, Gerenözü Plateau and Bağlum Hot Springs
• Yeniçağa 5 places Yeniçağa Lake, Grave of Poet Dertli and Yeniçağa Hot Springs