Discover Bolu

In Bolu, reasons to visit range from skiing in Kartalkaya to cultural history, regional specialties and traditions. When planning a hotel stay, it is therefore helpful to start by asking which experience matters most to you. The places and topics described here offer specific points of reference for deciding where to focus your trip.

Kartalkaya: three types of skiing

Kartalkaya is in Bolu Province, southeast of the city of Bolu and west of the district of Dörtdivan, in the Köroğlu Mountains. The ski area lies at an altitude of 1,850 to 2,200 meters. The climate there is semi-temperate, and the ski center and its surroundings are covered in forest. Kartalkaya Ski Center offers suitable conditions for alpine skiing, cross-country skiing and ski touring. If you are exploring the winter sports options, you can distinguish between these three different disciplines rather than grouping them under a single term.

Cultural history in Bolu, Göynük and Mudurnu

Bolu city center has a designated culture and history route. It starts at the Bolu Museum and runs along İzzet Baysal Street to the Bolu Government House and Valilik Square. Allow approximately three to four hours for the visit—a useful time estimate if you plan to make this walk a separate part of your itinerary.

Göynük has largely preserved the appearance of an Ottoman town. Traditional houses, the oldest of which are about 175 years old, are still in use. A single monument adds to the view of the historic townscape: the tomb of Akşemsettin is in the courtyard of the Gazi Süleyman Pasha Mosque. Fatih Sultan Mehmet had it built in 1464. The structure has a hexagonal floor plan, and its walnut-wood sarcophagus is considered a valuable example of wood art.

In Mudurnu, a tradition passed down through generations is intertwined with the town’s historical heritage. The Ahi prayer has been held there every Friday for 700 years. The historic Ahi town of Mudurnu is also on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List. This gives you two distinct aspects of cultural history to consider when planning your trip: a regularly held prayer and the historic town’s UNESCO status.

Regional cuisine and traditional production

Bolu Patatesli Ekmeği is a traditional bread from the region. It is made with potatoes grown in Bolu, and the traditional method of making it is passed down from mother to daughter. Bolu Fındık Şekeri is a sweet typical of Bolu. It has been made there since the 1920s and is popular with both local and international visitors. The culinary tradition of the chefs from Mengen also has a long history, tracing its roots back to the palace kitchens. Bread, confectionery and the tradition of cooking each show a different side of the region’s food culture.

Woodlands, viewpoints and access

The area around Yedigöller, near Bolu, offers opportunities for birdwatching. The Yedigöller Basin was protected as a national park in 1965. From the Kapankaya viewpoint in Yedigöller National Park, you can see the lakes and the park’s landscape.

To reach Abant Gölü National Park, leave the D-100 highway at the turnoff near the village of Ömerler and follow a 22-kilometer paved road. If you are planning this drive, check winter conditions and local route information before setting out.

Choose your hotel stay based on your travel interests

When choosing a hotel, it can help to decide on your main focus first and then check how the location of each option fits your plans. The cultural route in the city center takes approximately three to four hours to visit, while Kartalkaya caters to several winter sports interests, including alpine skiing, cross-country skiing and ski touring.

Discover more destinations: Kındıra, Sünnet, Elmalık, Seben, Demirciler, Göynük, Kaşbıyıklar, Bolu, Mudurnu, Örencik Köyü, Çamlıca Köyü, Dokumacılar Köyü, Bölücekova Köyü, Ömerler Köyü, Akçabey Köyü, Kürkçüler Köyü, Gerede, Mengen, Yumrukaya, Dereceören.

For the broader travel overview: Turkey’s Black Sea Coast.