Izmit is a city of 196,571 people in Kocaeli, Turkey. It sits about 87 km from Istanbul. Known for producing pişmaniye, a traditional pulled-sugar floss confectionery, and for its dense concentration of automotive and petrochemical plants ringing the eastern head of the Gulf of İzmit.
Tell us what interests you and we'll write the full guide — what to see, do and eat, stop by stop. It takes a few seconds.
This field guide to Izmit, Kocaeli turns your own interests — food and seafood, history, architecture, markets, beaches, nature trails, wine and day trips — into a timed itinerary. Choose up to four lenses and the plan is written around them, stop by stop, with the local context behind every recommendation.
One day in Izmit works best with one or two lenses: a morning walk through the old centre, a long local lunch, and a single evening stop, planned so you never cross town twice.
Two days in Izmit separates the place itself from what surrounds it — a second theme on day two, plus time for a slower meal and one trip beyond the centre.
Three days is where Izmit opens up: day trips, coastline or countryside, and the experiences that only work when you are not rushing. Blend up to four interests and the three-day itinerary spreads them so no day repeats itself.