Kocaeli Province, Administrative province in northwestern Turkey
Kocaeli Province is an administrative region in northwestern Turkey, located between the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara, with Izmit as its center. The province consists of twelve districts spread across a coastline and rolling interior, where industrial zones sit alongside residential neighborhoods and smaller towns.
The area passed from Byzantine control to the Ottoman Empire in the 14th century and became an important trade and defense point on the strait. After the foundation of the modern Turkish republic, the region developed into an industrial center.
The name Kocaeli comes from a Turkish principality that once ruled this area, and locals often use the older name Izmit for the capital city. In the neighborhoods around the bay and along the coast, you see teahouses next to modern cafes, where workers from nearby factories gather after their shifts.
The province sits on major transport routes between Istanbul and Ankara, so many travelers pass through on their way elsewhere. Visitors who explore the coastal towns find small beaches and fish restaurants, while the inland areas are less oriented toward tourism.
In this province, the capital carries a different name from the administrative unit itself, a rarity in Turkey. The area also sits on two continents, with a small portion east of the Bosporus in Asia, while the main part lies in Europe.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
Osmangazi Bridge
36.1 km
Istanbul Park
50 km
Faruk Yalçın Zoo
48.6 km
İzmit Clock Tower
2.1 km
USS Gudgeon / TCG Hızırreis
2.4 km
Kocaeli Stadium
6.2 km
SEKA Paper Museum
3 km
USS Eversole
2.4 km
Eskihisar Castle
43.2 km
Çoban Mustafa Paşa Külliyesi
43.4 km
Orhan Mosque
2.2 km
Hannibal Memorial
42.5 km
Sultan Abdülaziz Imperial Lodge
2.1 km
Pertev Paşa Mosque
1.2 km
Kocaeli Museum
2.5 km
Fevziye Mosque
1.7 km
Hereke Kalesi
28.1 km
Osman Hamdi Bey Museum
43.7 km
Kaiser II. Wilhelm Mansion
27.9 km
Silicon Valley of Turkey
37.1 km
Selim Sırrı Pasha Mansion
2.1 km
Ballıkayalar Nature Park
36.8 kmCharax
28.1 km
Seka Park
3.5 km
Bağırganlı Plajı
41.7 km
Tahtalı Göleti
16.4 kmHarikalar Sahili
11.9 kmSabancı Performing Arts Center
50.1 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes