Fall Routes | Bolu and Surroundings

This time our fall route is Bolu and its surroundings.
Bolu, located in the western part of the Black Sea Region, is one of our rare cities where green and blue embrace. It is a city that reflects the Black Sea climate and weather, as well as its nature, and exhibits all the blessings of nature. It is one of the most well-known vacation cities of the Black Sea. Moreover, it offers a different vacation option in four seasons.

When we think of Bolu, one of the first things that comes to mind is Abant Lake, Yedigöller, and Kartalkaya, which transform into completely different beauties and colors in the fall and winter months alongside summer tourism. Located at the foothills of the Köroğlu Mountains, Kartalkaya offers a romantic and enchanting experience in every season, while Abant Lake, another gem of Bolu, is visited by many tourists throughout the year.

Another beauty of Bolu is its lush green plateaus, which are among the first things that come to mind when we think of the Black Sea. There are almost 300 plateaus in Bolu, making it rich in potential. Each plateau has its own clean air and green nature. It's also very suitable for camping and picnicking.

While Bolu might not come to mind first for summer tourism, it's more in the spotlight with autumn and winter tourism. Kartalkaya gets crowded as soon as it starts snowing. There are 12 ski slopes in Kartalkaya, making it suitable for enjoyable skiing. When it comes to accommodation facilities, there are very nice boutique hotels and facilities in Kartalkaya. When you stay at these facilities, which are suitable for everyone's budget, you don't have to ski. You can take a beautiful nature walk in the forest and take photos of the snowy landscape.

In addition to ski tourism, Bolu is also one of the first holiday destinations that come to mind in the fall and winter months with Abant Lake. As September begins to show the face of autumn, Abant Lake turns into a riot of colors. Walking hand in hand with your loved one in Abant, where you can see every shade of yellow and red, will be an unforgettable romance. There are many quality and comfortable boutique and small hotels around Abant Lake. You can stay in these hotels, which are open all year round. The price options are set to suit the budget of tourists from all walks of life.

You can go hiking, take a bike tour, take a boat trip on the lake, or eat fish in the restaurants by the lake around Abant Lake. Don't forget to listen to the rustle of the leaves and the sound of the lake. If you want, you can sip your wine by the fireplace with your loved one at your hotel.

Apart from its historical and touristic features, Bolu is also known for its fame among Turkish and international chefs. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that the world's most skilled chefs come from Bolu's Mengen. During the time of Fatih Sultan Mehmet, Bolulu chefs also used to cook for the palace kitchen. Their reputation has continued to grow ever since. In addition to chefs, today you can find many historical and touristic structures dating back to the Ottoman period in Bolu. You can visit Göynük and Mudurnu districts, which are quite close to the center. Almost every district of Bolu is prominent with its historical or touristic features. Therefore, you have a lot to do and see.

When you come to Bolu, don't forget to take a food break to taste the local dishes. Bolu's cream and butter are very famous. You can have a local butter and cream feast for breakfast. Other than that, Mudurnu palace halva and foam halva are also very delicious and famous. You can taste them and buy them for your loved ones. In Mengen, the most famous thing is cheese. Mengen cheese has a very delicious and beautiful taste and aroma.

You can buy fruits and vegetables, local flavors, or winter preparation products at neighborhood markets set up in the center or districts of Bolu. You can find textile products, embroidered covers, and fabrics. You can buy souvenirs specific to Bolu. You can also find Bolu's famous pine cologne and hazelnut candies and give them as gifts to your loved ones.

The most important things you need to bring when you come to Bolu are hiking shoes and your camera. Because you must see and immortalize Bolu's beauties and history up close.
With its autumn scenery, one of the most beautiful places in our homeland is Bolu, Yedigöller... 🍁🍂☘️🌿

Now is the perfect time to explore Bolu and its surroundings. However, try to avoid weekends if possible. The last two weeks are very suitable for those planning to go. Hurry before the leaves fall. #yapikrediadiosilegeziyos #adiosrotalari #yedigöller #yedigöllermilliparkı #autumn 

To-Do List in and Around Bolu

🍂 When you come to Bolu, no matter what the season, there are plenty of activities to do. 

🍂 You can visit Abant and Yedigöller. For the Abant Guide, click on this link Abant Travel Guide. You can take a walk by the lake, ride a bike, or have a picnic. You can also do bird watching in Yedigöller National Park and its surroundings.

You can visit the plateaus in the highlands of Bolu. You can plan nature walks or picnics here. There are many historical inns, baths, and mosques in Bolu. You can visit these places. You can see the old houses in Mudurnu and Göynük, which are authentic and historical with their architecture. 

🍂 You can go to Mengen and taste the most delicious dishes in the world. If it's winter, you can go to Kartalkaya and enjoy the white. You can see the Köroğlu Statue in Bolu. You can see Keçi Castle, Seben Rock Houses. You can go hunting in the plateaus and fishing with a fishing rod in the lakes. You can paraglide in the Abant Mountains. 

🍂 You can taste freshwater fish in fish restaurants by the lakes. You can go to the thermal springs in Karacasu and have a healthy day. You can go to the historical Cyprus Houses in Kıbrısçık to see.
Places to Visit in Bolu 

You can wander around the streets and bazaars in Bolu. There are many inns, baths, and mosques dating back to the Ottoman period. You can visit historical places such as Kadı Mosque, Yıldırım Bayezid Complex, Taş Inn, Orta Bath, Saraçhane Mosque. You can also see historical baths such as Orta Bath, Tabaklar Bath, Sultan Bath. You can see Seben Rock Houses in Seben district. You can see houses carved into the rocks along the valleys, even the ones with multiple floors. You can see Asar Castle in Gerede. You can ski in Gerede in winter, there is a small slope and the nature is magnificent. You can visit the Genoese Castle in Akçakoca district of Düzce province nearby, Akçakoca Bey Mausoleum in Akçakoca, Mudurnu Castle in Mudurnu district, and the tomb of Akşemseddin, the teacher of Fatih Sultan Mehmet, in Göynük district. You can go to Abant Lake, which is about half an hour away from Bolu city center. Abant Lake, which is beautiful in every season, will enchant you too. You can go to Yedigöller National Park. It's really worth seeing with its seven lakes of various sizes and rich plant diversity. You can go to the place known as Şehriman Hill in Mudurnu. You can visit Mudurnu Houses and Göynük Houses. You can go to the thermal springs in Karacasu. You can go up to the plateaus in Mengen. You can go to Kartalkaya.

 What to Buy from Bolu? 

Almost every district and town in Bolu is famous for its unique products. You can buy pine cologne, hazelnut candy, Bolu chocolate, pine honey, cream, butter, and pumpkin pastry from Bolu. You can buy palace halva, foam halva, and hand-embroidered silk lace from Mudurnu. You can buy leather and copper items from Gerede, sugar beans, and hand-woven items from Göynük. You can buy apples and grapes from Seben, and cheese from Mengen.
In addition to local flavors, you can buy souvenirs, decorations, jewelry, and region-specific figurines from stores and shops in Bolu city center.

🏡 Where to Stay in Bolu For our accommodation recommendations, check out our Bolu Hotels page, where you can find both mountain houses and hotels.

What to Eat in Bolu 

Bolu, which hosts many different cultures, also has a rich culinary culture. The Mengen district has also gained worldwide fame with its chefs. So during your time in Bolu, you may taste some of the most delicious dishes in the world. Bolu's hazelnut candy, pine honey, chocolate, cream, and butter are famous. You can eat plenty of them. Butter is already used in many dishes. Some of Bolu's traditional dishes are pumpkin pastry, shepherd's stew, Mengen pilaf, katık, coş, gırma börek, pasha pilaf, palize, kedi batmaz, çantıklı pide, and grape pumpkin compote. In addition to local flavors, you can find fast food products, grilled varieties, kebabs, pide, and lahmacun in Bolu. You can also taste fish varieties and seafood by the lakeside.

Where to stay in Bolu: Click here for Bolu Hotels.