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11 places to visit in the Kandıra district of Kocaeli: Kandıra Castle, Kefken Island and Kandıra Beaches. Plan your trip to Kandıra with local food, practical tips and transport information.

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Kandıra is a district of Kocaeli province, located in the north of the Kocaeli Peninsula. It has had a municipality since Ottoman rule. The district covers 840 km² and has an average elevation of 49 metres above sea level. Kandıra is the only district of Kocaeli whose industry has not developed.

History

According to some research, in the 7th century BC the Mysians, Bebryces and Megarians settled in the area through migration. It was conquered by Akçakoca during the Ottoman period. During the Roman and Byzantine periods it was known as Kandıra Desa (nôn Kômê).

Tourism

Kandıra’s best-known beaches, such as Kefken, Kerpe, Bağırganlı, Kumcağız, Cebeci, Seyrek, Sarısu and Pınarlı, receive large numbers of visitors in the summer months.

History and Culture

According to some research, the Mysians, Bebryces and Megarians settled in Kandıra in the 7th century BC. Akçakoca Bey was buried on a hill in accordance with his will.

Key Facts

Kandıra has survived to the present day through Romans, Greeks, Byzantines and Ottomans. Kandıra was added to Ottoman territory during the reign of Orhan Bey, between 1308 and 1317, by Akçakoca Bey, known as the Conqueror of Kocaeli. Kandıra Bezi is made from flax grown in the humid climate of the Black Sea coast, and has been used as a clothing material in the region for centuries.

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Places to Visit in Kandıra

  • 3 Historic
  • 1 Ancient City
  • 5 Nature
  • 2 Beach

Historic Sites 3

Historic

Kandıra Castle

One of Kandıra's historic structures.

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Historic

Kandıra Historic Bazaar

A historic bazaar dating from the Ottoman period, reflecting traditional trading culture through its stone buildings and narrow streets. Kandıra cheese and local products are sold here.

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Historic

Akçakoca Bey Memorial Tomb

A memorial tomb on a hill at Babadağ, close to Kandıra.

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Ancient Cities 1

Ancient City

Kerpe

A small settlement on the western Black Sea coast, formerly known as Kalpe.

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Natural Wonders 5

Kefken Island - Kandıra Photo: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA) · Source
Nature

Kefken Island

Kefken Island, on the Black Sea coast, is notable for its Genoese-period castle ruins and natural beauty. The island can be reached by boat and offers swimming in the summer months.

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Nature

Kandıra Beaches

The Bağırganlı, Cebeci and Kerpe beaches along the Black Sea coast are popular summer destinations, with natural sand shores and clean seas.

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Nature

Pink Rocks

An interesting geological formation in Kefken town, which was used as a quarry.

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Nature

Bağırganlı Cove

A cove on the Black Sea coast where green and white meet.

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Nature

Sardala Cove and Cennet Havuzu (Paradise Pool)

A cove on the border with Şile, with a cave pool filled with sea water inside the forest.

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Beaches and Coves 2

Beach

Kumcağız

A coastal village following Kerpe, known for tent camping.

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Beach

Sarısu

A coastline with a sandy beach and camping areas, suited to day trips and tent tourism.

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Places to Visit Around Kocaeli Province

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While you are in Kandıra, 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 Kandıra

Suggested time
2-3 days
Best time to visit
Summer months (June-September)
Places to visit
11 places

What to Eat in Kandıra

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  • Kandıra Cheese

    Kandıra cheese, made from full-fat cow's milk using traditional methods, is among Türkiye's best-known cheeses, with its firm texture and sharp flavour. It is a geographically indicated product.

  • Black Sea Pide

    Black Sea-style pide, with its buttery dough and generous filling, is the most popular product of Kandıra's bakeries.

  • Fresh Fish

    Fresh fish from the Black Sea coast, especially hamsi (anchovy) and mezgit (whiting), served grilled in Kandıra's coastal villages.

  • Kandıra Yoghurt

    One of the district's known local products, a yoghurt associated with the district.

  • Mancarlı Pide (chard pide)

    Mancarlı pide, one of Kandıra's famous and indispensable flavours, is the best way to eat mancar (chard) greens.

  • Kandıra Turkey

    The Kandıra turkey, famous for its high meat yield and flavour, is entirely natural as it grazes in pastures, and cannot be compared with other turkeys.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Kandıra

  • Cheese-Making Tradition

    Kandıra is known for its cheese-making tradition, which has been maintained for centuries. Kandıra cheese, produced by traditional methods, is an inseparable part of the district's cultural identity.

  • Black Sea Coastal Culture

    Fishing traditions continue in the villages on Kandıra's Black Sea coast. Coastal settlements such as Kefken and Kerpe carry traces of maritime culture.

Local Products

  • Kandıra Bezi — Kandıra Bezi was registered as a protected geographical indication on 23 November 2018 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 396). Product group: textiles. Registered by: Kandıra Public Education Centre.
  • Kandıra Dartısı — Kandıra Dartısı was registered as a protected geographical indication on 6 May 2022 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 1099). Product group: cheeses and dairy products other than butter. Registered by: Kocaeli Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism.
  • Kandıra Watermelon — Kandıra Karpuzu was registered as a protected geographical indication on 28 June 2021 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 788). Product group: processed and unprocessed fruits and vegetables and mushrooms. Registered by: Kandıra District Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry.
  • Kandıra Buffalo Yoghurt — Kandıra Manda Yoğurdu was registered as a protected designation of origin on 26 September 2023 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 1474). Product group: cheeses and dairy products other than butter. Registered by: Kocaeli Chamber of Commerce.

Economy

The economy of Kandıra consists of agriculture, livestock farming and tourism. Milk production and cheese-making are the main sources of income. The beaches on the Black Sea coast generate summer tourism revenue. Hazelnut and maize are also produced.

How to Get to Kandıra

Kandıra is 45 km from İzmit. Access is by road. There are regular minibus services from İzmit to the Kefken and Kerpe coasts.

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Kandıra: Frequently Asked Questions

What are the places to see in Kandıra?

The 11 highlights of Kandıra are: Kandıra Castle, Kefken Island, Kandıra Beaches, Kandıra Historic Bazaar, Pink Rocks, Kerpe, Kumcağız, Sarısu, Bağırganlı Cove, Sardala Cove and Cennet Havuzu, and Akçakoca Bey Memorial Tomb.

What should I eat in Kandıra?

Kandıra Cheese, Black Sea Pide, Fresh Fish and Kandıra yoghurt are the standout flavours on Kandıra's tables.

What is Kandıra famous for?

Kandıra is known for Kandıra Bezi and its Cheese-Making Tradition. It is a product registered as a protected geographical indication with TÜRKPATENT.

How do I get to Kandıra?

Kandıra is 45 km from İzmit. Access is by road. There are regular minibus services from İzmit to the Kefken and Kerpe coasts.

How much time should I set aside for a visit to Kandıra?

Suggested visit length: 2-3 days. Best time to visit: summer months (June-September).

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