"Pişmaniye" which is the local dessert of kocaeli is made by giving the sugar the shape of fibre.
Hereke, which is a district at the east side of Kocaeli is a very important carpet production center. The carpets of Hereke are very famous all around the world for their beauty and high quality. These carpets are the most expensive carpets of the Istanbul Carpet Markets.
Kerpe, Kefken and Kovanağzı, at the north of Kocaeli near Black Sea, are places that ecstatic places with their sores and small and comfortable hotels.
SITES OF INTEREST: Kuzuyayla and Fındıklıtepe forest recreation areas, Bayramoğlu, Karamürsel, Kefken and Kerpe coasts, Ballıkayalar, Eskihisar Castle, Hannibal's Grave, Pertev Mehmed Pasha and Çoban Mustafa Pasha mosque complexes, Orhan Gazi, Mehmed Bey (Fevziye) and İmaret mosques, Sultan Süleyman Bridge, Yalı and Mehmed Bey baths and Yenihamam and Küçükhamam, Canfeda Kethüda Kadın and Mısıroğlu fountains, Sultan's mansion, İzmit Watch Tower, İzmit, Yarımca and Osman Hamdi Bey Museums.
MUSEUMS: Kocaeli (İzmit) Museum Address: Tepecik Mah. Saray Yokuşu Saat Kulesi Yanı Kocaeli Tel: (262) 321 22 74
Ethnography Museum Address: Veli Ahmet Mah. Kocaeli Tel: (262) 224 25 38
Floating Museum - Open hours to visit : 08.30-16.30
Open days to visit: Everyday except Mondays
Saatçi Ali Efendi Mansion - Museum Tel : ( + 90 - 262 ) 324 25 38
Open hours to visit : 08.30-16.30
Open days to visit : Everyday except Mondays.
HISTORICAL SITES AND RUINS: Archeology Museum
Kerpe - Kandıra
Anibal - Gebze
Çenedere - İzmit / Derince
Ancient Cities : Gültepe Necropolis Area
Mosques and Theological Schools : Orhan Mosque, Fevziye Mosque,
Pertevpaşa Theological School, Çoban Mustafa Paşa Theological School
Historical Mansions : İzmit Palace, Kaiser Wilhelm Mansion, Pembe Mansion,
Demirciler Mansion, Sırrıpaşa Mansion, İzmit Train Station
Castles and Towers : Eskihisar Castle, Watch Tower
Bridges : Mimar (Architecture) Sinan Bridge
Promenade : Kuzuyayla
Beaches : Kerpe, Kefken, Cebeci
Thermal Springs : Süleyman Pasha Thermal Bath
Süleyman Pasha Thermal Bath : Beşkayalar Natural Park, Ballıkayalar Natural Park
Ornithology Areas : Darıca - Bayramoğlu Bird Heaven, Sapanca Gölü
SIGNIFICANT DAYS:
Local Days of Celebration:Yarımca Golden Cherry Culture and Art Festival Körfez
6-19 July
ENVIRONMENT '93 Spring and Environment Celebrations and Culture and Art Festival
Gölcük 24-30 May
Ahilik and Advertisement 13 October / KOCAELİ
Kadırga Celebrations 18-20 August / KOCAELİ
Genesuyu Celebrations 28-30 July / KOCAELİ
Traditional Football Tournaments 1 July-31 August / KOCAELİ
Liberty Celebrations 4 July / KOCAELİ
Culture, Art and Commerce Fair 15 July-15 August / KOCAELİ
Turan Turkish Folklore General Assembly 16 July / KOCAELİ
Traditional Shooting Race 23 July / KOCAELİ
Traditional Bards Night 1 -31 August / KOCAELİ
International Folk Dances Feast 2 August / KOCAELİ
2nd Culture, Art and Sports Celebrations 25-27 August / KOCAELİ
Atatürk's Commemoration 10 November / KOCAELİ
Children and Youths and Sports Celebrations 19 May / KOCAELİ
Hereke 2nd Spring Celebrations 21-25 May / KOCAELİ
Traditional Ramadan Programs 16 November-15 December / KOCAELİ
Mehmet Akif Ersoy and Literature 27 December / KOCAELİ
Life of Mimar Sinan 9 April / KOCAELİ
Traditional Knowledge General-Culture Competitions 1 April-31 May / KOCAELİ
Nuts and Culture and Art Festival Değirmendere Last week of July
Pear Festival Maşukiye August
Quince Festival Eşme October
Foundation of Ottoman State (1299) 27 January / KOCAELİ
Expositions: Kocaeli Industry Exposition İzmit 28 June-15 July
Kocaeli Entertainment Fair İzmit 15 July - 15 August
Festivals : April 23 Children's Festival 23 April / KOCAELİ
Cherry Festival 10 June / KOCAELİ
International Zühtü Müridoğlu Wooden Sculpture Symposium and Hazelnut, Culture Art Festival 1 -31 July / KOCAELİ
Yogurt Circumcision-Bicycle Festival 28-30 August / KOCAELİ
Yeşil İhsaniye Apple Festival 1 -30 September / KOCAELİ
Kocaeli Fair 4th International Street Theater Festival 1 -30 September / KOCAELİ
Festivities: Children's Celebrations Değirmendere 21-23 April
Traditional Circumcision Feast 1 -31 July / KOCAELİ
Youths Feast 1 -5 June / KOCAELİ
Circumcision Feast 6 -12 August / KOCAELİ