Small and Boutique Hotels in Bolu Mengen

Known as the hometown of the cooks who make the most beautiful dishes in the world, Mengen is a district of Bolu in the west of the Black Sea Region. Mengen is located about 55 km. away from the center of Bolu. When Fatih Sultan Mehmet conquered Istanbul, he had the palace kitchen established by Yakup Aga from Mengen. Together with Yakup Pasha, who worked in the palace kitchen with his own relatives, the fame of Mengen cooks spread all over the world and reached to the present day. Today, the Cooks Festival is organized in Mengen every year on the first weekend of August. In addition to its cooks, Mengen is also at the forefront with its lush green plateaus and the clean air of the Black Sea climate. Mengen is a region that is mostly forested and is covered with many plateaus and promenades. In Mengen, plateaus such as Soğucak, Akçakoca, Bürnük, Sırıklı, Civcivler and important promenades such as Ödek, Şirinyazı, Hızarderesi Ponds are natural beauties worth seeing. Bolu Mengen, which is close to metropolitan cities such as Ankara and Istanbul, can be a nice getaway for those who are tired of the noise of the metropolis. Bolu Mengen hotels, which provide service in all seasons, are located intertwined with lush green nature. The fresh air of the Black Sea, forests covered with lush green trees and the historical texture of Mengen are enough to relax you even on a small weekend getaway.

When to Visit Mengen, Bolu?

The best time to visit Mengen, Bolu, is during the spring months. During this period, the weather is usually mild, and the awakening of nature creates a vibrant atmosphere with lush greenery and blooming flowers. It’s the perfect time for nature walks, picnics, and outdoor sports. In the summer, Bolu experiences warm and sunny weather, making it ideal to visit the lakes and natural areas for cooling off. Activities like hiking, cycling, and swimming can be enjoyed, along with savoring the beauty of nature. In autumn, the weather starts to cool down, and the landscape becomes colorful with fallen leaves, making it a great time for nature walks and exploring Bolu's historical and cultural sites. Winter months are cold and snowy, which are perfect for winter sports at Kartalkaya Ski Resort. Additionally, the city's thermal hotels and hot springs are preferred during the winter season.

How to Get to Mengen, Bolu?

Mengen is about 55 kilometers from Bolu center. You can easily find bus services from many cities to Bolu. From Zonguldak, Bartın, and other nearby cities, buses run frequently. Once you reach Bolu, minibuses depart every hour to Mengen.

If you are driving, take the Ankara-Istanbul highway, and you’ll find Mengen approximately 20 kilometers away from the highway. Here’s some driving information:

• İstanbul to Mengen: Around 330 kilometers, about 3.5 hours.
• Bursa to Mengen: Around 350 kilometers, about 4 hours.
• Ankara to Mengen: Around 175 kilometers, about 2 hours.
• Eskişehir to Mengen: Around 355 kilometers, about 4 hours.
• Bolu to Mengen: Around 55 kilometers, about 50 minutes.

Must-Visit Places in Mengen

Mengen, known for its historical and natural beauty, offers several great places to explore. First, you can visit Gelin Kayası (Bride Rock), located near the town center. From afar, it resembles a bride wearing a veil, and many legends surround this rock, which you can learn from the locals.

Mengen has numerous plateaus and picnic areas, such as Soğucak, Akçakoca, Bürnük, and Sırıklı Plateau, where you can enjoy a day surrounded by nature. You can also visit picnic areas like Ödek, Şirinyazı, and Hızarderesi. These spots are perfect for enjoying a picnic.

The Şirinyazı Pond is another beautiful place to visit. You can also check out Ağalar Lake, located near Mengen, which is surrounded by lush greenery and colorful flowers, offering a picturesque view.

For those seeking a longer vacation, Kartalkaya is a great choice, especially in winter, where you can enjoy skiing and snowboarding. Additionally, you can visit Yedigöller (Seven Lakes) National Park, which is perfect for hiking and enjoying the outdoors.

Explore Mengen's town center, where you can visit Balkayası and Oyukkaya, as well as the Yanık Değirmen Caves in Teberrikler Village. If you're interested in history, you can visit the remains of historical churches in Kisecik Mevkii and Çayören Village.

For more cultural exploration, head to Bolu city center to visit its historical landmarks, museums, and the famous local markets.

Shopping Recommendations in Mengen

Mengen Pişmaniyesi: One of Mengen’s most famous products, pişmaniye is a traditional Turkish sweet, known for its fine threads and soft texture. Don’t miss tasting it before you leave.

Mengen Sucuk: Mengen is also famous for its sausages, made with local and natural ingredients. These can be a great snack or a thoughtful gift.

Mengen Honey: The region’s natural environment is ideal for honey production. You can taste various flower and chestnut honeys, all rich in flavor.

Local Cheeses: Bolu and the surrounding region have a rich cheese culture. While in Mengen, you can try a variety of local cheeses and discover new flavors.

Mengen Knives: Known for high-quality craftsmanship, Mengen knives are a great souvenir option. The region is famous for its artisanal production of these knives, which feature excellent workmanship.

Handicrafts: Mengen is also known for its wooden crafts and weaving. You can explore the local markets and purchase unique handcrafted items.

Bolu Mengen Entertainment Suggestions

Hiking and Nature Activities: Hiking in the natural areas around Mengen or participating in nature activities is a pleasant option. It is a great opportunity to explore the plateaus, forests and lakes among the natural beauties of Bolu.

Gastronomic Tour: Mengen is one of the important centers of Turkish cuisine. You can organize a gastronomic tour to taste local flavors and see the production process of local products. You can visit sausage factories to see the production of sausage and honey producers to see the production of honey.

Cultural Excursions:You can visit historical houses, mosques and museums to discover the historical and cultural heritage of Mengen. The historical houses and streets in Mengen attract attention with their architectural features from the Ottoman period.

Participating in Local Events: You can get to know the local culture and traditions closely by participating in local events organized in Mengen. Local festivals, concerts, shows and other events allow you to discover the cultural texture of the region.

Photography: Mengen's natural beauties and historical texture offer a magnificent shooting environment for photographers. The lush green nature, historical houses and streets, lakes and other natural areas allow you to take great photos.

History of Bolu Mengen 

Mengen and its surroundings were under the influence of the Kingdom of Bithynia in ancient times. During the archaeological excavations in the region, some remains of the ancient period were found, but there is no more detailed information about this period. After Mengen came under the rule of the Roman Empire, it became part of the Byzantine Empire. During this period, the region had a strategic location on trade routes and continued its existence as an important settlement center during the Byzantine period.  Mengen came under the control of the Seljuk Turks after the Turks entered Anatolia in the 11th and 12th centuries. During this period, the region experienced a period of increased cultural and commercial interaction. Mengen became an important settlement after it came under the rule of the Ottoman Empire. During the Ottoman period, the region became a center where trade and handicrafts developed. Especially woodworking and culinary culture are important features of Mengen during the Ottoman period. After the establishment of the Republic of Turkey, Mengen maintained its cultural and economic importance. Today, Mengen, which is famous for its local cuisine and handicrafts, has become an important destination in terms of tourism.

What is Bolu Mengen Famous for?

Mengen Food:Mengen cuisine is known for its rich and delicious dishes. It is especially famous for its local dishes such as kömbe, highland soup, mengen pilaf, evliya soup, rounding, palace halva, pear dessert. These dishes are prepared with traditional methods and made using natural ingredients.

Mengen Pişmaniyesi: Mengen pişmaniye is one of the most famous desserts in Turkey. Famous for its fine stranded texture and unique taste, pişmaniye is one of the symbols of Mengen.

Sausage and Pastrami: Mengen is one of the important centers where Turkey's highest quality sausage and pastrami are produced. Produced using natural ingredients and prepared with traditional methods, sausage and pastrami are famous for their taste.

Mengen Knives: Mengen is also famous for handicrafts and craftsmanship. Especially the craftsmen who specialize in knife making produce high quality and durable knives. Mengen knives are in demand from all over Turkey.

Local Bazaars and Festival: Local bazaars and festivals organized in Mengen are organized to introduce the famous tastes of the region and to keep the local culture alive. These events offer visitors the opportunity to try and buy local products.

Where to Go to the Sea in Bolu Mengen?

Bolu is a city located in the Central Anatolia region of Turkey and has no direct coastline. Bolu is located inland and the water resources around it are usually rivers and lakes. Therefore, there is no direct beach to swim in Bolu.

Best Things to Do in Bolu Mengen

When you come to Mengen, you should first take a nice morning walk in the lush green plateaus with plenty of oxygen. You will be refreshed with nature and plenty of oxygen. Afterwards, you can start the day with a nice breakfast at the Mengen hotel where you stay. You can spend time on the streets of Mengen and in the bazaar, you can shop and take lots of photos.
During the day, you can see the natural beauty known as Gelin Kayasi. You can take a nice walk on the shore of the lake in places such as Şirinyazı Pond and Agalar Lake and photograph these beauties.
You can take a nature walk in Mengen plateaus and promenades and plan a nice picnic afterwards. You can see historical church ruins and caves.
If you have time, you can go to nearby tourist attractions such as Yedigöller and Kartalkaya. You can spend time in Bolu center and bazaar.

If you arrive in time, you can attend the Culinary Festival held every year in August. Exhibitions, competitions, concerts and tasting the food organized within the scope of the festival can be quite fun.
In Pazarköy town of Mengen, you can participate in the highland festivals organized in July.
In the center of Mengen, you can walk the streets, take photos and shop in the bazaar.

Eating and Drinking Suggestions in Bolu Mengen

It would be impossible to come to a place like Mengen, where the talents of its cooks exceed the borders of the country, and not to taste the food and make our stomachs happy. Mengen cooks can skillfully cook many dishes you can think of.
When it comes to the local dishes of Mengen, you can taste home-cooked dishes such as kedibatmaz, stuffed kerbal, Mengen pilaf, höşmerim, cincile pastry, halışka in many places in the district. If you come to the festival period, the dishes you can taste are countless. Because every year there is a different feast of flavor during the festival period.
Apart from local dishes, you can also find various fast food products, grill varieties, pita bread and kebabs in Mengen. In addition, you can eat any food anywhere in Mengen with peace of mind. Know that it was prepared by the most talented masters of the country.