Sapanca Lake

What is known as Sapanca Gölü and Sapanca Lake in English is a rather large, 45-square-kilometer fresh water lake in Northwestern Turkey. Wedged between the Gulf of Izmit and the Adapazari Meadow, the lake is surrounded by forest-covered mountains on its northern side; because of its outstanding natural beauty, the area has become one of the top weekend getaways destinations for Istanbulites and even international visitors. There are several hotels and holiday villas on the lakeshore. A popular way to explore the Sapanca Lake and region is by bike; many tour operators in the area offer pre-made itineraries and bike rentals for day-trippers. There are several buildings of interest in the region as well, including wonders of the Ottoman and Byzantine eras. Due to the proximity of the Black Sea, the Sapanca area benefits from an oceanic climate with warm summers and cool winters. Part of what makes Sapanca so special is the fact that it gets covered in snow in the wintertime, making it an ideal ski resort close to Istanbul.

Practical Info

Lake Sapanca is located in the Sakarya Province in the Marmara region of in northwestern Turkey. It can be reached in two hours from Istanbul by car via route E80.