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6 places to visit in the Çilimli district of Düzce: Çilimli Mesire Alanları (Çilimli Picnic Areas), Çilimli Ormanları (Çilimli Forests) and Çilimli Merkez Camii (Çilimli Central Mosque). Plan your trip to Çilimli with local food, practical tips and transport information.

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General Information

Çilimli is a district of Düzce. Going north, the elevation rises, reaching 600–700 metres in places.

History

Konuralp Bey brought Çilimli under Turkish rule after his wars with the Byzantine tekfurs. Until 1869, Çilimli was a village attached to Göynük Town in the Bolu sub-province (mutasarrıflık) of Kastamonu Province. After Düzce became a district (kaza), it was attached to Düzce. In 1990 the Çilimli subdistrict was separated from Düzce district and became a district attached to Bolu. In 1999, with the establishment of Düzce province, it was attached to Düzce province.

Geographical Structure

Going south from the district centre, the land becomes plain-like. The Akdere Stream, formed by the merging of the Bıçkı Stream and Bayramali Stream, which rise in the Kaplandede Mountains, passes through the district centre. The district lies on a first-degree earthquake zone.

Climate

The district’s annual average temperature is 13.7 degrees. The average rainfall is 845 kg per square metre. The district has a very rainy and humid climate. In particular, the fog layer seen over the Düzce Plain in winter is not encountered in Çilimli and its surroundings, which makes it an ideal location for settlement.

Economy

The district’s economy is generally based on agriculture. The main crops in the area are hazelnuts, corn, tobacco, sugar beet and other vegetables, along with rice.

History and Culture

Çilimli became a district in 1990 after separating from Düzce. Çilimli was attached to Düzce in December 1999 when Düzce became a province.

Notable Facts

Çilimli district covers 100 km². It is bordered by Merkez district to the east and south, Cumayeri to the west, Gümüşova to the south-east, and Akçakoca to the north. Women who run the restaurant in the 13-hectare National Garden (Millet Bahçesi) in Çilimli, Düzce, use their skills to turn local flavours into meals, preserves and dry foods, which both please the palate and earn them income.

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Places to Visit in Çilimli

  • 2 Religious
  • 4 Nature
Nature

Çilimli Mesire Alanları (Çilimli Picnic Areas)

Picnic areas in various parts of the district offer places for picnics and rest by the streams. Set in lush forest, these areas attract strong interest from families, especially in summer.

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Nature

Çilimli Ormanları (Çilimli Forests)

The broad-leaved and coniferous forests surrounding the district stand out for their rich vegetation and wildlife. The forests, which offer suitable areas for hiking and cycling trails, show different beauty in all four seasons.

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Religious

Çilimli Merkez Camii (Çilimli Central Mosque)

The mosque in the district centre was rebuilt after the 1999 earthquake. Designed in line with modern earthquake regulations, the building has the capacity to accommodate a large congregation.

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Nature

Büyük Melen Çayı Kıyısı (Banks of the Büyük Melen River)

The Büyük Melen River, which passes through the district, is the source of the Melen Project, which meets Istanbul's water needs. The green areas along the riverbank offer a calm setting for walks and nature watching.

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Religious

Tepeköy Camii (Tepeköy Mosque)

A mosque in Tepeköy village with a rectangular plan and a timber-framed roof.

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Nature

Akdere Suyu (Akdere Stream)

A watercourse passing through the district centre of Çilimli.

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Places to Visit Around Düzce Province

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While you are in Çilimli, you can also see the highlights of Düzce province. These places are in other districts; Çilimli is about 8 km from the provincial centre.

  • Konuralp (Prusias ad Hypium) Ancient City — A Bithynian city known as the "Ephesus of the Western Black Sea"; it was developed by Prusias I in the 3rd century BC and enjoyed its most brilliant period in the 1st–3rd centuries AD. Its ancient theatre, walls and arched structures can be seen.
  • Konuralp Museum — The museum, opened in 1994, displays a copy of the 2.65-metre statue of Tyche found in 1931 (the original is in the Istanbul Archaeology Museum), a sarcophagus of the 1st century AD, the 45 m² Orpheus floor mosaic found in 1998, and the Achilles–Thetis mosaic.
  • Akçakoca Genoese Castle — A castle on the edge of a cliff overlooking the sea, 3 km west of Akçakoca; it is thought to have been built between 1204 and 1261 under the Latins or the Empire of Nicaea.
  • Akçakoca Beach — A 35-km beach stretching along the Black Sea coast; since the 1950s it has been a beloved summer resort town thanks to its proximity to Ankara and Istanbul.
  • Güzeldere Waterfall Nature Park — A waterfall in the village of Güzeldere in Gölyaka, where the Bıçkı Stream drops from 120 metres; the 22.76-hectare area surrounded by beech forest was declared a nature park in 2011. It is 28 km from Düzce.
  • Samandere Waterfall — A waterfall and its giant's kettles 26 km south-east of Düzce; it was registered as a natural monument in 1988. There are picnic and walking areas.

Practical Information for Visiting Çilimli

Suggested time
Half a day
Best time to visit
Spring and summer months
Places to visit
6 places

What to Eat in Çilimli

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  • Fındıklı Helva (hazelnut halva)

    Traditional halva made from roasted hazelnuts, flour and sugar, prepared at festivals and special occasions. Thanks to Çilimli's abundance of hazelnuts, it stands out for its intense hazelnut aroma.

  • Karadeniz Pidesi (Black Sea pide)

    Thin-dough pide filled with mince or cheese, baked in a wood-fired oven. Served with fresh butter at Çilimli's local bakeries, it is one of the region's most loved dishes.

  • Lahana Çorbası (cabbage soup)

    A soup made with kale, cornmeal and dried beans, one of the winter classics of Black Sea cuisine. In Çilimli it is served with butter and red pepper according to the traditional recipe.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Çilimli

  • Fındık Hasadı Kültürü (Hazelnut Harvest Culture)

    The hazelnut harvest, which takes place in August–September, is Çilimli's most important social event. Projects supported by the ILO have been carried out to improve the working conditions of seasonal agricultural workers.

  • Göçmen Toplulukları (Migrant Communities)

    Migrants from the Caucasus and the Balkans settled in Çilimli during the Ottoman period. Communities of different cultural origins have formed the district's pluralistic social structure.

Local Products

  • Çilimli Gözlemesi — Çilimli Gözlemesi was registered as a protected geographical indication on 23 March 2026 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 1832). Product group: bakery and pastry products, dough products, sweets. Registered by: Çilimli Municipality.
  • Fındık (Hazelnuts) — Çilimli has one of the most productive hazelnut-growing areas in Düzce. The hazelnut harvest in the district, with the participation of seasonal workers, forms a major economic activity.
  • Mısır (Corn) — Corn grown on the fertile soils of the Düzce plain is used both as animal feed and as human food. Cornmeal is one of the basic ingredients of regional cuisine.

Economy

Çilimli's economy is based on hazelnut farming, corn production and small-scale industry. Its location close to the Istanbul–Ankara motorway gives it a logistical advantage. The water project on the Büyük Melen River is of strategic importance to the region.

How to Get to Çilimli

Çilimli is 8 km from Düzce city centre. It is easily reached via the Istanbul–Ankara motorway (O-4) and the D-655 highway. There are frequent minibus services from Düzce city centre.

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Çilimli: Frequently Asked Questions

What are the places to see in Çilimli?

The top 6 places in Çilimli: Çilimli Mesire Alanları, Çilimli Forests, Çilimli Merkez Mosque, Büyük Melen Çayı Kıyısı, Tepeköy Mosque and Akdere Suyu.

What should I eat in Çilimli?

Fındıklı Helva, Karadeniz Pidesi and Lahana Çorbası are the standout dishes on Çilimli's tables.

What is Çilimli famous for?

Çilimli is known for Çilimli Gözlemesi and Hazelnut Harvest Culture. It is a product registered with TÜRKPATENT as a protected geographical indication.

How do I get to Çilimli?

Çilimli is 8 km from Düzce city centre. It is easily reached via the Istanbul–Ankara motorway (O-4) and the D-655 highway. There are frequent minibus services from Düzce city centre.

How much time should I set aside for a trip to Çilimli?

Suggested visit length: half a day. Best time to visit: spring and summer months.

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