Things to Do in Başiskele: 8 Places to Visit

Places to Visit in Başiskele

• 1 Historic
• 1 Religious
• 5 Nature
• 1 Beach

🏖️ Beaches and Coves 1

i Photo: gizem keskin (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Source

8 🏖️ Beach

Başiskele Coast

The coastal area of Başiskele district in the Marmara Region.

View on map

While you are in Başiskele, you can also see the highlights of Kocaeli province. These places are in other districts.

• İzmit Clock Tower — The clock tower, the symbol of the city, was built in 1901 for the 25th anniversary of Abdülhamid II's accession to the throne; it is the most photographed building in Kocaeli.
• Pertev Paşa (Yeni Cuma) Mosque — A mosque in İzmit built by Mimar Sinan in 1579 for Pertev Mehmed Paşa; it is the most important Ottoman-era building in the city.
• Çoban Mustafa Paşa Complex — A complex in Gebze of a mosque, tomb, madrasa, soup kitchen (imaret) and caravanserai, built in the 16th century by Çoban Mustafa Paşa, son-in-law of Selim the Grim, and attributed to Mimar Sinan; it stands out for its coloured marble cladding.
• Hannibal Monument — A monumental tomb and park in Gebze in memory of the Carthaginian commander Hannibal, who is believed to have died at ancient Libyssa in about 183 BC.
• Osman Hamdi Bey Museum and Eskihisar Castle — The house in the Eskihisar neighbourhood of Gebze where the painter and archaeologist Osman Hamdi Bey spent his summers in his last years; it has been a museum since 1987. The nearby Byzantine-era Eskihisar Castle controlled the entrance to the gulf.
• Kocaeli Archaeology Museum — The museum next to the historic railway station in İzmit displays the archaeological finds of the region, above all statues and reliefs from the excavations at Nicomedia.

Practical Information for Visiting Başiskele

Suggested time

Half a day

Best time to visit

Spring and summer (May-September)

Places to visit

8 places

• 🐟

  Körfez Fish

  Fresh fish from the Gulf of İzmit, served grilled in Başiskele's seaside restaurants.

• 🍬

  Pişmaniye

  Pişmaniye, the traditional sweet of Kocaeli, is also widely eaten in Başiskele.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Başiskele

• 🌊

  Gulf Coastal Culture

  Located on the shore of the Gulf of İzmit, Başiskele is a district with a strong maritime and seaside way of life.

• 🏘️

  Modern Settlement Culture

  Başiskele is a modern settlement area that has grown rapidly in recent years. Due to its proximity to İzmit and its natural beauty, it has become a preferred place to live.

Local Products

• Olives and Olive Oil — Oil made from olives grown on the southern slopes of Başiskele is among the region's agricultural products.

Economy

The economy of Başiskele is based on the service sector and agriculture. Its proximity to İzmit supports industrial employment. Olive growing and fruit farming are among the agricultural activities. The housing sector is developing rapidly.

How to Get to Başiskele

Başiskele is 10 km from İzmit. Access is by the D-100 highway. There are regular municipal bus services from İzmit.

Get directions on Google Maps Getting to Kocaeli

Başiskele: Frequently Asked Questions

Continue Your Trip

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

Other Districts of Kocaeli

• Çayırova 5 places TÜBİTAK Gebze Campus, Çayırova Parks and Akse Village Historic Fabric
• Darıca 5 places Darıca Castle (Darıca Kalesi), Bayramoğlu Beach (Bayramoğlu Sahili) and Darıca Faruk Yalçın Zoo and Botanical Park (Darıca Faruk Yalçın Hayvanat Bahçesi ve Botanik Parkı)
• Derince 6 places Derince Port, Çene Suyu and Derince Coastal Park
• Dilovası 3 places Dilovası Organised Industrial Zone, Dilovası Coast and Liyssa Castle
• Gebze 8 places Çoban Mustafa Paşa Complex, Tomb of Hannibal and Eskihisar Castle and Osman Hamdi Bey Museum
• Gölcük 4 places Gölcük Naval Command and Naval Museum, Earthquake Museum and Memorial Park and Gölcük Seafront
• İzmit 11 places İzmit Clock Tower, Kocaeli Museum (Former Government House) and Pertev Paşa Mosque
• Kandıra 11 places Kandıra Castle, Kefken Island and Kandıra Beaches
• Karamürsel 7 places Karamürsel Coast, Karamürsel Bey Tomb and Yalakdere Valley
• Kartepe 10 places Maşukiye Village, Kartepe Ski Centre and Shore of Lake Sapanca
• Körfez 6 places Hereke Castle, Kaiser II. Wilhelm Pavilion and TÜPRAŞ Refinery