Yalova is a picturesque coastal city in northwestern Turkey that is well-known for its hot springs, gorgeous landscapes, ancient sites, and characteristic sandy coastlines. Because of its many advantages as a relaxation and stability destination, it has drawn many visitors, tourists, and even investors from many nations.
Yalova’s summers are pleasant and sunny, with temperatures ranging from 25 to 30 degrees Celsius. Yalova has a wide range of activities and attractions to suit all tastes and interests, making it an ideal summer vacation destination. Here are some ideas for activities and planning for your summer visit to Yalova:
1. Enjoying the sandy beaches: Yalova is home to many beautiful beaches, including Altinova Beach, Çınarcık Beach, and Armutlu Beach. You can spend your days basking in the sun, swimming, and enjoying water sports such as water skiing and parasailing.
2. Visiting thermal resorts in Termal: Yalova is famous for its hot natural springs, which have many features and therapeutic properties. You can visit one of the many thermal resorts in the area, such as the Yalova Thermal Baths or the Termalium Health Park, to relax in the hot springs and enjoy spa treatments.
3. Explore the city center: Yalova’s city center has a rich history and culture, with many historical monuments and museums to explore. Visit the Yalova Ataturk Palace from the Ottoman era, the Yalova Archaeological Museum, or the Yalova City Museum to learn about the city’s history and culture.
4. Hiking in the mountains: Yalova is surrounded by stunning mountains and forests, and there are several hiking and excursion opportunities. You can hike to the top of the mountain and Suduşen Falls, or thrilling waterfalls, where tourists can visit the waterfalls and take a walk in the forest, which is only 30 minutes from the city center.
5. Visit Çınarcık : Çınarcık is a charming coastal town located on the south coast of Yalova. It is famous for its picturesque port, beautiful beaches, and vibrant markets. Spend a day exploring the city, shopping at the bazaar, and trying local seafood dishes.
6. Take a Day Trip to Istanbul: Yalova is just a short ferry ride away from Istanbul, making it an easy day trip to Turkey’s largest city. Explore famous landmarks such as the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, or the Grand Bazaar, or simply enjoy the bustling atmosphere of the city at any time you wish, with the ease of catching either of the ferries to both the Asian and European sides of Yenikapı and Pendik.
7. Take a one-day trip to Bursa: You can also visit Bursa in one day by riding intercity buses from Yalova Terminal or the bus station next to Ido port, and this trip enables you to shop and enjoy Bursa’s landmarks and many restaurants in it.
8. Take a one-day trip to Izmit: You can visit the city of Izmit by riding buses from the same previous station and enjoying a unique experience among the many museums and ancient mosques that the city contains. With a lot of commercial centers and popular markets, historical museums, the submarine museum, and fairgrounds.
9. Visit the Paper Museum in Yalova: The Brahim Müteferrika Paper Museum was the Ottoman Empire’s first paper museum. It was founded in the Yalova village of Elmalk and has turned the paper into a local product, although it was previously entirely imported.
The museum exhibits the history of paper and its production and preservation methods, the skills of paper manufacturing, and the history of books with the evolution of paper production processes, in addition to artworks and ancient manuscripts. Visitors can produce their own papers in the visitor-only production workshop. The museum has an extensive document library and is supported by paper museums all over the world. It is at Yalova’s Raif Dinçkök Cultural Center (RDKM), close to the city center.
10. Visiting Sapanca Lake: Between Sakarya and Yalova, Sapanca Lake is an important lake with an area of 45 square kilometers and a depth of 50 meters. Due to its wonderful surroundings, which include mountains and forests, it attracts millions of tourists every year. Lake Sapanca is one of the most picturesque tourist destinations in Turkey, and it is characterized by the different types of birds that live near it. It provides a mixture of natural beauty and recreational opportunities, as there are many waterfalls around it, as well as health resorts, tourist restaurants, and protected parks.
11. Visit Iznik Lake: Iznik Lake is located in the western part of Turkey, between Bursa and Yalova, and is 25 minutes away from the Yalova city center. It covers an area of 300 square kilometers and is famous for its natural beauty and readiness in terms of services, parks, barbecue designated areas, and children’s playgrounds.
Visitors can also enjoy activities such as swimming, boating, and fishing, and there are many historical sites and monuments around the lake, including the ancient city of Iznik. In recent years, the municipality of Iznik has made a lot of efforts to preserve the natural ecosystem of the lake and protect its biodiversity, as well as renovating and developing the park that serves the lake. All in all, Lake Iznik is a beautiful and significant destination that offers a unique combination of natural beauty and recreational opportunities.
12. Visit Hersk Lake: It is a small freshwater lake located on the Sea of Marmara near Altinova and adjacent to the Osman Ghazi Bridge that connects Yalova to Istanbul. The lake covers an area of 12 square kilometers and is known for its scenic beauty and ecological importance, as it provides a habitat for a variety of bird and fish species. Visitors can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, such as birdwatching, hiking, and fishing, as well as the picnic areas and restaurants around the lake. One of the unique features of Lake Herzegovina is its floating islands, which provide habitat for different species of birds and fish.
13. Camping in Yalova: There are a number of camps and recreational parks in Yalova that provide camping opportunities for visitors. Harmenkaya Nature Park, Erekli Waterfall Camp, and Delmece Plateau Camping Area are among the most popular and most visited camps. Visitors who camp in Yalova can take advantage of the area’s natural beauty and engage in a variety of outdoor activities such as hiking, swimming, and fishing. However, camping rules and restrictions may vary based on the region and season, so it is essential to check with local authorities and the planned camping site before making any arrangements.
14. Visit the Princess Islands: Off the coast of Yalova and in the Sea of Marmara, there is a group of nine small islands known as the Princess Islands. It is famous for its stunning scenery and peaceful atmosphere, which makes it a popular tourist destination. Four of the nine islands – Buyukada, Heybeliada, Burgazada, and Kanalada – are accessible to the general public. Walking, cycling, or horse-drawn carriages are the only modes of transport, giving it a calm and healthy environment. Visitors can explore the historical structures of the islands, such as ancient buildings and palaces dating back to the Ottoman era as well as Greek and Armenian architecture.
15. Try the local cuisine: Yalova has a unique and tasty gastronomic culture, with numerous local delicacies to enjoy. Popular delicacies include manti (Turkish dumplings), pide (Turkish pizza), lahmacun (Turkish flatbread with meat and vegetables), and, most notably, Yalova sütlüsü, one of the most famous sweets in Yalova.
16. Attend seasonal festivals: Yalova hosts many festivals throughout the summer, such as the Yalova International Jazz Festival and the Yalova Cherry Festival, which celebrate the city’s culture, music, and food. It also hosts many show teams in the summer to perform their performance marches along the coast of the city and even to the central stadium, and over the course of a week or more, these teams continue to display historical dances of various civilizations such as Circassian, Ottoman, Azerbaijani, Russian, and others.
17. Explore Yalova Parks and Nature Reserves: Yalova has many beautiful parks and nature reserves, such as Atatürk Arboretum and Karaca Arboretum, where you can enjoy a peaceful stroll, a picnic, or the stunning views of the arboretums. You can also visit the Atatürk Horticultural Research Institute, also known as Geofit Garden, which is a research center in Yalova dedicated to agricultural and horticultural research. It provides guided tours to learn about the different types of plants on display. The Foundation also offers seminars and workshops on topics including organic farming and more.
18. Paintball Match: In Yalova, there is a paintball facility where visitors can participate in game scenarios such as group games and competitions. Games can be customized to suit the level of experience and preferences of the players. The stadium provides all the necessary equipment and trained staff to ensure the safety and enjoyment of racing. It provides an opportunity to spend the best time with friends or family, but it can also be physically demanding, so players must be ready to engage in running, hiding, and shooting throughout the game, given the hot weather and the waiting period.
19. Horse Riding in Yalova: Yalova Horse Farm is a popular location for horse riding and other outdoor sports. It is located about 30 minutes from the city center. The facility offers a range of activities suitable for its guests, including horse riding, pony rides, carriage rides and horse-drawn tours in the area’s countryside. The property features a large outdoor arena where guests can learn the basics of horseback riding as well as trails to explore. On-site amenities include a restaurant, playgrounds, and picnic spots for families with children.
20. Enjoying walking on the coast: Yalova has a very long coastline that extends from the Shaftalkoy area, passing through the Yoroyan Keshk Park and to the end of the city center with a length of 8 km, attached to the coast and the sea. It is better to appreciate the path with suitable walking shoes and plenty of water and snacks, as well It is required to check the weather forecast in advance. The trail takes about 2-3 hours, depending on your walking pace and fitness level. The walkway also includes a path designated for bicycles, and many places to sit and relax.
All in all, Yalova provides perfect summer vacation spots with a variety of activities and attractions to enjoy. Whether you want to relax on the beach or explore the city’s history and culture, Yalova has something for everyone. Considering that Yalova is one of the fastest developing and growing cities in Turkey, OmranTrk has taken this picturesque city as a place to build its projects and residential complexes, through which it contributes to the development and growth of this city, and provides the best opportunities for those wishing to settle in Yalova.