Things to Do in Sapanca: Lakeside, Villages and Nature Parks

Sapanca is close enough to Istanbul that most guests come for one or two nights. That is not long enough to see everything. We put this list together from the places we recommend most often, with rough distances from Sapanca town centre. Feel & Live Hotel sits by a stream in İkramiye, about 9 km from the centre.

Sapanca Lake shore and Uzunkum

The lake is about 16 km long. A long path for walking and cycling follows the shore. Come early in the morning or near sunset and the shore is quiet. On weekend afternoons, parking in the centre gets difficult.

Families like the Uzunkum side for picnics and walks. Bike hire stands open by season. The lake supplies drinking water to Sakarya and Kocaeli, so swimming and motorboats are banned. For the same reason, please leave the shore clean.

Kırkpınar

About 5 km from the centre, Kırkpınar is one of the old lakeside settlements. Gardens serving village breakfast, cafés facing the lake and short walking paths are all here. At weekends, arrive before 10 am if you want a table for breakfast.

Natürköy (Mahmudiye)

Natürköy is a nature and breakfast spot in a wooded valley in Mahmudiye. Leave the motorway at the Sapanca Arifiye exit and follow the signs. The last stretch is a narrow village road. It can be slippery after rain, so drive slowly. Families with children often spend the whole day here.

Ormanya

Ormanya is a wildlife park in the Kartepe district of Kocaeli. It is 17 to 20 km from Sapanca centre depending on the route, which takes 20 to 30 minutes with traffic. You can see wild animals in large enclosures and walk for hours. Opening hours and ticket prices change by season, so check the park's official page before you go.

Maşukiye

Maşukiye is known for its trout restaurants by the stream, small waterfalls and cool air. It is about 12 km from Sapanca, roughly 20 minutes by car. If you want to combine Maşukiye and Kartepe in one day, we describe the route in our Maşukiye and Kartepe guide.

Inside the hotel

A stream runs through the middle of the grounds and forms small waterfalls along the garden. On a day when you would rather stay in, you can sit at the garden café by the water or read by the fire in the wooden lounge. See our rooms page for room types. Larger groups are usually more comfortable in one of our villas.

For a sample two-day plan, read our Sapanca weekend plan.