Fall Routes | Bolu and Surroundings

Bolu, located in the western part of the Black Sea Region, is one of our rare cities where green and blue embrace. It is a city that reflects the Black Sea climate and weather, as well as its nature, and exhibits all the blessings of nature. It is one of the most well-known vacation cities of the Black Sea. Moreover, it offers a different vacation option in four seasons. When we think of Bolu, one of the first things that comes to mind is Abant Lake, Yedigöller, and Kartalkaya, which transform into completely different beauties and colors in the fall and winter months alongside summer tourism. Located at the foothills of the Köroğlu Mountains, Kartalkaya offers a romantic and enchanting experience in every season, while Abant Lake, another gem of Bolu, is visited by many tourists throughout the year.

Another beauty of Bolu is its lush green plateaus, which are among the first things that come to mind when we think of the Black Sea. There are almost 300 plateaus in Bolu, making it rich in potential. Each plateau has its own clean air and green nature. It's also very suitable for camping and picnicking. While Bolu might not come to mind first for summer tourism, it's more in the spotlight with autumn and winter tourism. Kartalkaya gets crowded as soon as it starts snowing. There are 12 ski slopes in Kartalkaya, making it suitable for enjoyable skiing. When it comes to accommodation facilities, there are very nice boutique hotels and facilities in Kartalkaya. When you stay at these facilities, which are suitable for everyone's budget, you don't have to ski. You can take a beautiful nature walk in the forest and take photos of the snowy landscape. In addition to ski tourism, Bolu is also one of the first holiday destinations that come to mind in the fall and winter months with Abant Lake. As September begins to show the face of autumn, Abant Lake turns into a riot of colors. Walking hand in hand with your loved one in Abant, where you can see every shade of yellow and red, will be an unforgettable romance. There are many quality and comfortable boutique and small hotels around Abant Lake. You can stay in these hotels, which are open all year round. The price options are set to suit the budget of tourists from all walks of life. You can go hiking, take a bike tour, take a boat trip on the lake, or eat fish in the restaurants by the lake around Abant Lake. Don't forget to listen to the rustle of the leaves and the sound of the lake. If you want, you can sip your wine by the fireplace with your loved one at your hotel. 

Where to Eat in Bolu?

Bolu is home to a rich culinary culture, shaped by the many civilizations that once lived here. Its Mengen district, in particular, has gained worldwide fame for producing some of the most talented chefs. Spending time in Bolu means you’ll have the chance to taste what could easily be among the most delicious dishes in the world.

The city is also known for its hazelnut candy, pine honey, chocolate, clotted cream, and butter—you’ll find them everywhere, and they’re used generously in many local recipes.

Some of Bolu’s traditional specialties include pumpkin gözleme, shepherd’s sauté (çoban kavurma), Mengen pilaf, katık, coş, gırma börek, pasha pilaf, palize, kedi batmaz, çantıklı pide, and pumpkin compote with raisins. Beyond its culinary side, Bolu is also famous as the land of chefs. In fact, many of the Ottoman palace’s meals during the reign of Mehmed the Conqueror were prepared by chefs from Bolu—a tradition that has carried their fame through the centuries.

Today, alongside great food, you can explore countless historic and cultural landmarks across the city. Towns like Göynük and Mudurnu, both close to the center, offer charming Ottoman architecture and tranquil streets to wander.

Of course, no trip to Bolu would be complete without sampling its local flavors. Start your day with a hearty breakfast of local butter and clotted cream, a true delicacy. Don’t miss Mudurnu’s famous helva varieties, such as saray helvası and köpük helvası, which also make great souvenirs. In Mengen, you’ll want to try the region’s distinctive cheese, known for its rich taste and aroma.

For a deeper taste of the region, explore local markets in Bolu’s center and surrounding districts, where you’ll find everything from seasonal fruits and vegetables to handmade delicacies and pantry staples to take home.

To-Do List in and Around Bolu

• You can visit Abant and Yedigöller.  You can take a walk by the lake, ride a bike, or have a picnic. You can also do bird watching in Yedigöller National Park and its surroundings.
• You can visit the plateaus in the highlands of Bolu. You can plan nature walks or picnics here. There are many historical inns, baths, and mosques in Bolu. You can visit these places. You can see the old houses in Mudurnu and Göynük, which are authentic and historical with their architecture.
• You can go to Mengen and taste the most delicious dishes in the world. If it's winter, you can go to Kartalkaya and enjoy the white. You can see the Köroğlu Statue in Bolu. You can see Keçi Castle, Seben Rock Houses. You can go hunting in the plateaus and fishing with a fishing rod in the lakes. You can paraglide in the Abant Mountains.
• You can taste freshwater fish in fish restaurants by the lakes. You can go to the thermal springs in Karacasu and have a healthy day. You can go to the historical Cyprus Houses in Kıbrısçık to see.

• You can walk around the streets and bazaars of Bolu. There are many inns, baths, and mosques dating back to the Ottoman period. You can visit historical sites such as Kadı Mosque, Yıldırım Bayezid Complex, Taş Han, Orta Hamam, and Saraçhane Mosque. You can also see historical baths such as Orta Hamam, Tabaklar Hamamı, and Sultan Hamamı.

   

• You can see the Asar Castle in Gerede. You can go skiing in Gerede in the winter; there is a small ski slope, and the nature is magnificent.
• Nearby, in the Akçakoca district of Düzce province, you can visit the Genoese Castle, the Akçakoca Bey Tomb in Akçakoca, the Mudurnu Castle in the Mudurnu district, and the tomb of Akşemseddin, the teacher of Fatih Sultan Mehmet, in the Göynük district.
• You can go to the place known as Şehriman Tepesi in Mudurnu. You can visit the Mudurnu Houses and Göynük Houses. You can go to the hot springs in Karacasu. You can go to the Mengen highlands. You can go to Kartalkaya.

 What to Buy from Bolu? 

Almost every district and town in Bolu is famous for its unique products. You can buy pine cologne, hazelnut candy, Bolu chocolate, pine honey, cream, butter, and pumpkin pastry from Bolu. You can buy palace halva, foam halva, and hand-embroidered silk lace from Mudurnu. You can buy leather and copper items from Gerede, sugar beans, and hand-woven items from Göynük. You can buy apples and grapes from Seben, and cheese from Mengen.
In addition to local flavors, you can buy souvenirs, decorations, jewelry, and region-specific figurines from stores and shops in Bolu city center.

Where to Stay in Bolu For our accommodation recommendations, check out our Bolu Hotels page, where you can find both mountain houses and hotels.