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6 places to visit in the Akyazı district of Sakarya: Kuzuluk Hot Springs, Akyazı Plain and Foothills of the Samanlı Mountains. Plan your trip to Akyazı with local food, practical tips and transport information.

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Akyazı is a district of Sakarya province, with a population of 99,561 as of the end of 2025.

History

The Sakarya region, which includes Akyazı, was successively called Mysia and Bithynia. One year after the Battle of Manzikert (Malazgirt), the region was won for the Seljuk dynasty by Artuk Bey (1072). There are various accounts of when Akyazı passed to Ottoman rule, but the general view is that it happened in the time of Osman Bey and Orhan Gazi. In 1944, by a law, Akyazı became a district (kaza) attached to Kocaeli province, and in 1954 it was attached to Sakarya.

Geography and Climate

Akyazı lies on the plains of the Sakarya plain, and population density is higher in the plain villages. The district has an average annual rainfall of 800 mm. Among the products grown there, alongside maize, are wheat, sugar beet, potatoes and various vegetables.

Economy

Akyazı is an important agricultural centre known as a hazelnut store, and the 11,000 tonnes of hazelnuts produced on average each year are one of the most important sources of income for local people. Recently, the growing importance of greenhouse farming has begun to bear fruit and has become one of the livelihoods of the local people.

History and Culture

The Akyazı area was part of Bithynia in antiquity, and the people of Bithynia came from the Thracian region. Konur Alp conquered the Akyazı, Mudurnu and Düzce areas in the Ottoman period and showed great heroism in the conquest of Bursa. During the War of Independence, Çerkez Ethem came to Akyazı and was welcomed by the people as a liberator. In 1944 Akyazı became a district attached to Kocaeli province, and in 1954, with the establishment of Sakarya province, it was attached to Sakarya.

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Places to Visit in Akyazı

  • 1 Religious
  • 2 Nature
  • 2 Cultural
  • 1 Other
Other

Kuzuluk Hot Springs

Thermal spa facilities that are an important part of the district's tourism and income.

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Nature

Akyazı Plain

A fertile plain watered by the Sakarya River, known for its wide farmland and green scenery. Wetlands along the plain offer birdwatching.

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Nature

Foothills of the Samanlı Mountains

The Samanlı Mountains, rising to the south of Akyazı, offer forest walking routes and camping spots. Slopes covered in oak and beech forests turn into a riot of colour in autumn.

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Religious

Akyazı Central Mosque

The mosque in the district centre was built in the Ottoman period and restored in the Republican period. It is a simple example of classic Ottoman mosque architecture.

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Cultural

Hazelnut Orchards

Hazelnut production is an important source of income in the Akyazı area. An average of 11,000 tonnes of hazelnuts per year is the livelihood of the people.

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Cultural

Beekeeping and Silkworm-Rearing Areas

Beekeeping and silkworm rearing are among the livelihoods of people living in the forest villages. Wild strawberries are also produced in these areas.

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Places to Visit Around Sakarya Province

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

  • Sapanca Lake — A tectonic freshwater lake 12 km west of Sakarya city centre, 16 km long and covering 46.9 km²; its deepest point is 61 metres.
  • Justinian Bridge (Beşköprü) — A stone bridge of about 430 metres, built by the Byzantine emperor Justinian I in 559–562; because the Sakarya River changed its course, it now stands over the Çark Stream.
  • Acarlar Floodplain Forest — Between Karasu and Kaynarca, Türkiye's largest unbroken floodplain (longoz) forest, 7.5 km long; it has been a first-degree natural site since 1998 and is a breeding and wintering ground for migratory birds.
  • Taraklı — A district in the south-east of the province that has preserved its Ottoman townscape with mansions more than three centuries old; it is known for making boxwood spoons and combs.
  • Yunus Paşa Mosque — A domed, lead-roofed mosque in Taraklı built in 1517 by Grand Vizier Yunus Paşa; locally it is known as the Kurşunlu Mosque (Lead Mosque).
  • Poyrazlar Lake — A 67-hectare barrier lake 7–8 km north-east of Adapazarı, formed when the Sakarya River changed its course; 154 bird species have been recorded on its forest-fringed shore.

Practical Information for Visiting Akyazı

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

What to Eat in Akyazı

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  • Islama Köfte (meatballs served in tomato sauce)

    Minced meat kneaded with bread and spices and grilled. Served dipped in (islanmış) tomato sauce, it is a well-known flavour of Akyazı.

  • Keşkek (wheat and lamb porridge)

    Wheat and meat boiled and pounded for a long time. Keşkek is the traditional dish at weddings and special occasions in Akyazı.

  • Bolu Mantısı (Bolu-style dumplings)

    Because of the influence of the region, mantı is common in Akyazı too, served with yoghurt and a butter sauce.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Akyazı

  • Migrant Culture

    Akyazı is a district where Balkan and Caucasian migrants settled. Traces of Georgian, Abaza and Balkan cuisines can be seen in the district, where different cultures have come together.

  • Traditional Handicrafts

    Woodcarving and weaving are kept alive in Akyazı as traditional handicrafts.

Local Products

  • Hazelnuts — Akyazı is one of Sakarya's important hazelnut production centres. Hazelnuts gathered in the district are sold on the domestic and foreign markets.
  • Maize and Wheat — Maize and wheat are widely grown on the fertile soils of the Akyazı Plain.

Economy

Akyazı's economy is based on agriculture and livestock farming. Hazelnuts, maize and wheat are the main agricultural products. Small and medium-sized industrial plants operate in the district. The furniture and food sectors are developing.

How to Get to Akyazı

Akyazı is 30 km from Sakarya city centre (Adapazarı). The D-655 state highway passes through the district. Sabiha Gökçen Airport is about 150 km away.

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Akyazı: Frequently Asked Questions

What are the places to see in Akyazı?

The 6 standout places in Akyazı are Kuzuluk Hot Springs, Akyazı Plain, Foothills of the Samanlı Mountains, Akyazı Central Mosque, Hazelnut Orchards and Beekeeping and Silkworm-Rearing Areas.

What is there to eat in Akyazı?

Islama Köfte, Keşkek and Bolu Mantısı are the standout dishes on Akyazı's tables.

What is Akyazı famous for?

Akyazı is known for Hazelnuts and its Migrant Culture. Akyazı is one of Sakarya's important hazelnut production centres. Hazelnuts gathered in the district are sold on the domestic and foreign markets.

How do I get to Akyazı?

Akyazı is 30 km from Sakarya city centre (Adapazarı). The D-655 state highway passes through the district. Sabiha Gökçen Airport is about 150 km away.

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

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

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Other Districts of Sakarya

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