Sakarya's provincial capital Adapazarı sits in the fertile Sakarya River plain, a transition zone between the Istanbul metropolitan area and the forested Black Sea coast. The province is one of Turkey's main hazelnut-producing regions and a strategic crossroads since antiquity.
The WWI Battle of Sakarya (1921) memorial and battlefield attract history enthusiasts, while the Hendek Forest and Karasu coast offer nature escapes within easy reach of Istanbul.
Known for: Sakarya River · Hendek Forest · Battle of Sakarya · Hazelnut country · Adapazarı
- Region
- Marmara
- Famous for
- Hazelnut & river plains
- Best seasons
- May–Sep
- City
- Adapazarı
Sakarya on the live map
Explore Sakarya and all of Turkey on the live intelligence map — tap a city node to fly in.
What Sakarya is known for
The Sakarya River and its surrounding plains are the province's identity; the river gave its name to the decisive 1921 battle that turned the tide of the Turkish War of Independence. The Acarlar Longos Forest — a rare surviving floodplain forest — and the Karasu beach coast are the main natural draws.
- Battle of Sakarya (1921) — decisive WWI Independence battle memorial.
- Acarlar Longos — rare floodplain forest, walking trails.
- Karasu — Black Sea beach resort.
- Hazelnut orchards and Sakarya River scenery.
Getting around
Adapazarı is 1.5 hours from Istanbul by bus or suburban rail (via Gebze). A car is helpful for the countryside, Acarlar and the coast.
On the platform
Sakarya is joining Türkiye Gez as we expand into a Turkey-wide city intelligence platform. This guide is the launch foundation — live transport data, an interactive map and deeper neighborhood content roll out city by city, on the same architecture that powers Istanbul today.
Frequently asked questions
About Sakarya
1The Battle of Sakarya WWI memorial, hazelnut farming, the Acarlar Longos floodplain forest and the Karasu Black Sea coast.