Experience an unforgettable vacation amidst the green and blue beauty. Find inner tranquility through the breathtaking view of the lake and forest, and refresh yourself with a range of massage and therapy options.
Sapanca is the backyard of Istanbul. It is a location frequently visited by the residents of Istanbul when they long for the green and wish to get away from the crowd. Thanks to the Kartepe Ski Center near Sapanca, the region is very popular also in winter. If you are planning to visit Sapanca, you should definitely try these activities that can be done just in one day!
Start the day with a nice breakfast!
You must visit the neighborhood of Kırkpınar when you are in Sapanca. Have a Circassian breakfast in this Circassian neighborhood. This breakfast isn’t much different from our breakfast. However, it is surely very delicious. It include varieties such as mushrooms, Circassian cheese, crepe, herb butter, olives, flap cake and sliced tomato and cucumber. Of course, limitless tea is offered! Moreover, if you dine at a restaurant here, don’t forget to try other delicacies such as smoked Circassian cheese, Circassian chicken, Circassian cake with eggs, acuka (paprika and walnut spread), cornbread casserole and vegetable pickles!
Go for cycling around the Lake Sapanca
One of the best activities in Sapanca you can try is cycling. You can enjoy riding a bike on this straight and even road around the Lake Sapanca. If you get tired while cycling, you can rest at the pavilions, have a picnic in picnic areas, catch your breath in the parks and buy something from kiosks. You can even catch a fish here if you have your fishing rod with you. Although this 3 km-track is a little short, you shouldn’t miss out on this lovely experience!
Canoeing in Lake Sapanca
If you cannot make do with just looking at the Lake Sapanca at a distance, you should definitely try canoeing. You can rent canoe, pedalo or rowboat from the facilities around this lake where Turkish Rowing National Team practices. By hiring one of these, you can experience peaceful moments in the lake and witness the beauty of Sapanca.
Fill yourself with adrenaline by riding an ATV
Sapanca stands out with its outdoor activities. Lucky you if the weather is not pleasant during your visit to Sapanca! Alternatively, you can ride an ATV in the wetland and the woods! You should definitely try at least one of the options including paragliding, mountain climbing, off-road driving or lake viewing. If you are going to stay there for a few days, join the ATV camping tours.
Enjoy paintball
If you have visited Sapanca as a group, done all the activities offered and are looking for something fun, here is a fantastic suggestion for you: Paintball! You can have joyful moments with this outdoor activity that can be played with two separate teams.
Take photos and go for a hike
Sapanca has a different beauty in every season. Thus, it is a frequent destination for photographers. Particularly Maşukiye and Kırkpınar are favorite places among nature hikers and photographers. You can take beautiful photos while enjoying all the shades of green in Sapanca which has walking tracks.
Discover places to visit in Sapanca
There are many places to see in and around Sapanca. During your trip to Sapanca, you can visit Maşukiye which is famous for its freshness and the sounds of its waterfall, turning into a different color every season. Here you can visit the Rüstem Paşa Mosque, a work of Sinan the Architect. You can also see the Vecihi Gate on the Silk Way, which has survived since the Ottoman era and is known as one of the works of Sinan the Architect. Apart form these, you can also visit important landmarks and works of art such as the Hasan Fehmi Paşa Mosque, Kırkpınar, Cami Cedid Mosque, Rahime Sultan Mosque and Kartepe.
