Things to Know About Sakarya

The famous Turkish region of Sakarya is a reservoir of Ottoman civilization and a storehouse of its rich history, nestled in an oasis of lovely beauty and a great environment. The city’s name, “Sakarya,” has become very popular among tourists and travel enthusiasts, owing to the unique and distinct beauty that distinguishes it from the rest of the Turkish provinces.

Sakarya has been home to various cultures throughout history, including the Hittites, Lydians, the Kingdom of Bithynia, the Roman Empire, and the Ottoman Empire. It was a district when the Turkish Republic was built in 1923 and it became a province in 1954.

Sakarya, which was designated a metropolitan city in 2000, has a population of one million people. Sakarya, located in the east of the Marmara Region, has long drawn interest due to its logistical location and economic and social structure. The capital of Sakarya is Adapazari. 

Sakarya is the second most habitable city in Turkey, according to data from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TSI). Simultaneously, in the province where people live, Sakarya has a top place in civil participation, allowing people to declare their requests, and wishes affecting their everyday lives and contribute to management.

Sakarya is a calm city with easy access to natural food and a diverse transportation system, continues its efforts to become a more beautiful and living city with its units that govern the city.

Where is Sakarya?

Sakarya is a province in Turkey located on the coast of the Black Sea in the Marmara Region. Its adjacent provinces are Kocaeli to the west, Bilecik to the south, Bolu to the southeast, and Duzce to the east. 

How Many Districts Does Sakarya Have?

Sakarya has 16 districts spread across the lush countryside and welcomes visitors to experience its coasts, beaches, lakes, rivers, plateaus, hot springs, and other natural wonders. These districts can be found below.

• Adapazari
• Akyazi
• Arifiye
• Erenler
• Ferizli
• Geyve
• Hendek
• Karapurcek
• Karasu
• Kaynarca
• Kocaali
• Pamukova
• Sapanca
• Serdivan
• Sogutlu
• Tarakli

What is Sakarya’s Population?

The total population of Sakarya is 1,056,551 as of 2021 with a male to female ratio of 50.1% – 49.9%.

What is Sakarya Surface Area?

The overall land area is 482,109.70 hectares.

What are the seasonal characteristics of Sakarya?

In Sakarya, the summers are warm, humid, and clear, and the winters are frigid and partly cloudy. Throughout the year, the temperature typically varies from 1°C to 29°C and rarely falls below -3°C or above 32°C. 

May, June, July, August, and September have a warm climate. The hottest months in Sakarya are July and August with 28°C. On average, the coldest month is January at 5°C and the maximum temperature is 12°C.

What are the Most Famous Meals of Sakarya?

Here are some of the most popular dishes to try in Sakarya.

• Karniyarik, a classic Turkish meal made with eggplants, ground meat (usually beef), tomatoes, and onions, is naturally, the filling is seasoned merely with salt and pepper. However, garlic and parsley can add extra flavor.
• Sekerpare, after baklava, these semolina biscuits are baked till golden brown and then bathed in a rich, lemon-infused syrup, making them exceptionally moist and soft.
• Yuvarlama corbasi, one of Gaziantep’s favorite Turkish soups, is cooked with spicy meatballs, chickpeas, yogurt broth, olive oil, and other optional additions. Although typically made with lean beef mince and rice or bulgur flour, these spicy meatballs can easily be prepared without meat.
• Cacik is a refreshing sauce made with strained or diluted yogurt, finely diced cucumbers, and minced garlic that can be found in many forms throughout Turkey and the former Ottoman nations. It is typically seasoned with olive oil, dill weed, mint, lemon juice or vinegar, and occasionally oregano, thyme, sumac, and paprika.
• Eksili kofte, often known as Turkish kofte, is a typical Turkish kofte dish. Beef, rice, eggs, cumin, black pepper, and salt are used to make the meatballs. They are boiled in water and beef stock once they have been created. The sauce is made of flour, egg yolks, lemon juice, and water, with a garnish of red pepper. It’s poured over the meatballs and served alongside bread or salad.
• Midye Tava is a tasty street meal served as an appetizer or snack. It consists of deep-fried mussels on a stick. Hot oil is poured into the middle of the cauldron, which has a broad rim to allow mussels to cling to it and drain all of the extra oil.

Which Hotels Are In Sakarya?

There is an extensive collection and options when it comes to choosing a hotel in Sakarya. Here is a list of the best hotels in Sakarya.

• Balturk Hotel Sakarya
• Radisson Blu Hotel, Sakarya
• Seckin Hotel
• Arya Hotel Sakarya

Sakarya History

Sakarya, previously Adapazari, is a city in northern Turkey. It is located in a decadent plain west of the Sakarya River, along the ancient military route leading west from Istanbul. The Ottomans conquered the area in the early 14th century, and the city received its current name towards the end of the 18th century.

Sakarya was a commercial and industrial center. It is linked to Anatolia’s central railway system by a branch line, and its wheat, tobacco, fruits, and vegetables are carried to Istanbul markets. In addition, a significant sugar beet processing facility is located in the city. The sole remaining historical monument is a stone bridge constructed during the time of Byzantine Emperor Justinian I.

Sakarya is a one-of-a-kind city with vibrant cultures and a varied social structure. Traditions from Bosnia, Thessaloniki, Batum, and Aleppo may be seen in the town where various ethnicities from the Middle East, the Balkans, and the Caucasus coexist.

With its long-standing historical and cultural aggregation, Sakarya is a place of coexistence and brotherhood, where people continue to pass on historical and cultural information to future generations. Sakarya is regarded as a model of peace, solidarity, and coexistence because of its unique character.

Ancient Civilizations Lived in Sakarya

Sakarya and Adapazari cities grew in importance during the Ottoman Empire era due to their strategic location on the historical Silk Road, not to mention their Byzantine monuments that are still standing today. Ancient civilizations who lived in Sakarya can be found below.

1. Sakarya’s recorded history begins with the Hittites. The Hittites, who founded Anatolia’s first governmental union, retained this territory inside their borders.
2. The region has a long history with the Roman Empire and Byzantine Empire that dates back to 378 BC.
3. In the early 14th century, the territory was conquered by the Ottomans, and the city was given its current name at the end of the 18th century.

What is Sakarya Known For?

Sakarya province, located in the Marmara region of Turkey, is famous for its clean air, nature, and historical monuments like all other small cities in Turkey. This city has earned the title of bicycle city with the award it received in Denmark in 2021. In the field of agriculture, it is famous for hazelnut cultivation.

The most important historical monuments of the city are listed below.

Justinian Bridge: Built over the Sakarya River 1,500 years ago during the Byzantine period, this bridge is a gateway that brings the richness of the east to Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire.

Orhan Mosque: It is the oldest Ottoman structure in Sakarya, one of the cities where the Ottomans first resided, and in the region. Orhan Mosque was built in 1325 from wood as the main material and renovated later.

The Second Bayezid Bridge: It is a bridge built on the Sakarya River, made of large cut stones. Its date of construction dates back to 1495, that is, during the reign of Bayezid I.

What are the Features of Sakarya?

Sakarya offers a diverse range of attractions and characteristics, including well-known ancient monuments, interests, and natural sites, as well as abundant natural resources like the Black Sea coast, valleys, lakes, woods, and valleys.

Sakarya is distinguished for its natural hot springs. Because of its position as a geothermal power station has a Turkish spa, which is excellent for leisure. In addition, the city offers a natural beach with rheumatic and healing sands that mix fresh odors and pure water. Sakarya has the following features.

• Sapanca Lake is one of the Turkish lakes worldwide since it is one of the most significant natural lakes globally, with a beautiful perspective and various colored birds. The lake is 16 kilometers long and 5 kilometers wide, and it has numerous hotels on its banks where visitors may ride boats and enjoy the beautiful water and scenery.
• The Sakarya River is 428 kilometers long and 60 to 150 meters wide. After the Euphrates and the Izmir River, it is Turkey’s third-longest river. The river is characterized by its rich, beautiful, and varied nature. 
• Orman Park is an 18-acre park that debuted in 2006 with a diversity of trees, flora, and wildlife.
• Kent Park has been changed from a vast factory producing agricultural gear to a large garden that enables visitors to relax, forget the city noise, and enjoy the magnificence of nature surrounding them.

What Should You Know About Sapanca Lake?

Sapanca, with its clean air and magnificent nature, is considered one of the most famous regions of Sakarya, where visitors come from all over Turkey. It is also considered among the most important touristic areas for both locals and foreigners, offering a wonderful experience to escape to nature and get away from the chaos for those living near Istanbul.

• Surrounded by a green belt with a nature feast of lakes, hills, and orchards, this magnificent freshwater river has exceptionally clean air.
• Incredibly preserved near the city, this nature map is a great place for stress relief.
• Sakarya River, surrounded by mountains and plains of breathtaking beauty, and hot water baths.
• The lake includes the waterfalls of Maashouga, which is named after its beautiful beauty.

Historical Places of Sakarya

Sakarya is filled with historical places as listed below.

• The Second Bayezid Bridge is a significant cut stone bridge that connects Alifuatpasa and Geyve. The bridge was constructed based on the familiar arch style similar to other Ottoman bridges. Its construction dates back to Sultan Bayezid, the First’s rule in 901 AH or 1495 AD.
• Justinianos Bridge was built by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian (558-560 AD). It is now about 15 centuries old, making it one of the oldest and longest historic bridges in the vicinity. It was made of cut stone and was built on an arch bridge structure. This bridge is still in use today. The bridge is more than 365 meters long and comprises 12 arches with seven stone belts. It was constructed with a massive stone foundation that can withstand the flow of water and the loads that travel over it. The Sakarya River runs beneath the bridge, where it flows from the Afyon Mountains into the Black Sea.
• Harmantepe Castle is a Byzantine fortification from the 12th century AD built by the Byzantines above the Sakarya River to repel Turk conquests. The castle’s ruins stand tall, with five doorways, towers, and walls roughly two meters thick and 8 to 10 meters high.
• Sakarya Museum was created in 1993 to showcase the city’s Byzantine and RRoman-structures. A cultural record of the human races who have resided in this area throughout history.
• Acarlar Lake is one of Turkey’s most magnificent natural reserves, covering 15,62 km2 of land and providing a unique natural scenery and an environment suited for numerous flora and living species. The lake dries up in the summer, converting its soil into fertile agricultural land, and then re-forms in the winter.
• Dikmen Plateau is located in the Hendek Area. The plateau is roughly an hour and a half by driving from Hendek and has the highest hill in Sakarya at 1722 meters above sea level, where summer season festivals are conducted every year. The plateau is notable for its breathtaking views and breathtaking rural surroundings.

What Are The Museums In Sakarya?

Sakarya is rich in ancient historical places and as a result, Sakarya has plenty of famous museums which are listed below.

• Serdivan Planetarium. Admission is free.
• Earthquake & Cultural Museum. Admission is free.
• Arka Plan Art Gallery. Admission is free.
• Sakarya Museum. Admission is free.

How Many Tourists Come to Sakarya annually?

Around 10,000 tourists visit Sakarya every year.

How to Get to the City Center from Sakarya Airport?

The closest airport to Sakarya is Sabiha Gokcen Airport located in Istanbul. A bus company called Havasak provides transportation between Sakarya city center and the airport. The cost is US$2.92 and the trip takes about one and a half hours.

To get from Istanbul Airport (IST) to Sakarya, you can take a private transfer or taxi. The price ranges between US$170 and US$260 and takes about 2 hours.

How to Provide Transportation in Sakarya?

Sakarya is easily accessible via highways, trains, and airlines. The city is crossed by the trans-European motorway (E-5) and the D-100 state road. Other options include the high-speed train, which runs between Istanbul and Ankara, and the ancient Adapazar Express, between Sakarya and Istanbul.

Cengiz Topel Airport in the neighboring city of Kocaeli is 33 km away, Sabiha Gokcen Airport in Istanbul on the Anatolian side is 110 km away, and on the European side, the new Istanbul Airport is 180 kilometers away.

The public bus and taxis can be used to get around in Sakarya.

Taxi Prices in Sakarya

In Sakarya, the taxi base fee starts from US$0.65, charging US$0.47 per kilometer.

Sakarya Bus Ticket Prices

A single bus ride costs 0.29 USD.

What are the House Rental Prices in Sakarya?

The house rental prices differ due to the location of the apartment and it depends on the site near or far from Business, school, or work. A typical apartment with a one-bedroom costs about US$350 a month., a two-bedroom apartment costs US$525 a month, and a three-bedroom apartment costs US$700 a month in Sakarya.

How to Buy a House in Sakarya?

Taking legal advice is strongly advised that you seek the advice of an independent lawyer before agreeing to the purchase of property or paying a deposit or the total cost of the property in Sakarya. An “independent lawyer” has no ties to either the seller or an agent of the seller: an agent can be an estate agent or anyone operating on the seller’s behalf.

Several Turkish banks offer mortgages to foreign people looking to purchase property in Turkey. Individual banks’ loan proportions, interest rates, and conditions may differ. Before making a decision, it’s better to call various banks.

When a property is transferred in Turkey, both parties (buyer and seller) must pay a 2% property transfer tax (Emlak Alim/Satim Vergisi). These fees (a total of 4%) are based on an expert’s property evaluation report. Local professionals and businesses are accessible, and the buyer usually bears the expense.

The evaluation report should be filed to the title deed office, as it is only valid for three months. This value will subsequently be the property’s declared value. However, the claimed value of the property cannot be less than the ‘tax value’ defined by the local municipality, which also serves as the basis for the local property tax.

A residence permit is not required for a foreigner who desires to purchase property in Turkey. Similarly, buying a property does not entitle a foreigner to a residency or work permit in Turkey. If you believe home for at least US$400,000 or the equivalent in other currencies, including Turkish Lira, the buyer, wife/husband, and children under 18 are granted Turkish nationality.

Anyone who wishes to buy property in Turkey but does not have a residency permit must receive their Foreigner Identity number (Yabanci Kimlik No.) from the TNP Foreigners’ Department in the nearby city (not the local town) before proceeding with the property acquisition. This service is provided at no cost.

Transferring ownership of a property is only feasible at the Land Registry Directorates in Turkey, according to the current laws and regulations (tapu dairesi). In Turkey, you can get land deeds and title deeds once you have your residence certificate.

Obtaining a property certificate is a time-consuming and challenging process. As a result, potential buyers should examine the obstacles that may arise before purchasing a house that lacks a habitation certificate. Local municipalities issue property certificates.

What are the Reliable Real Estate Sites to Buy a House in Sakarya?

Some of the most reliable real estate companies to buy a house in Sakarya include Turyap, Re/Max, Centruy21, Coldwell Banker, and Realty Group.

Realty Group has been the most professional real estate industry leader established in Turkey since 2009. The company has the experience, knowledge, and most importantly, passion for guiding you through the appropriate decision of your property, whether you are buying, selling, investing, property management, finance, after-sale services, or acquiring Turkish Citizenship.

With over 11 years of expertise and a reputation for customer satisfaction, the agency is delighted to announce that over 73 percent of our new clients are referrals from happy clients who have purchased the property in Turkey without difficulty or worry.

What are the Points to Consider While Buying a House in Sakarya?

Purchasing a new home or apartment is one of the most important decisions to make in a lifetime. As a result, it’s best to consider all possible outcomes before making a decision. Because purchasing a home may also include taking out a large loan, followed by monthly payments deducted from your salary, you must exercise extreme caution. Although the location, possession date, and price are important aspects to consider when purchasing a new apartment or house, there are a few other parameters listed below.

1. Property price is the first step in choosing a house or apartment is to set a budget. Knowing how much you are willing to spend on a home makes it easier to narrow down your options.
2. Next, compare the property’s price in question to the costs of nearby properties from various builders to determine whether the builder has provided you with a valid quotation. There are numerous methods for obtaining a comparison of properties in the region you are interested in checking. Such sources include portal listings, local brokers, and newspaper listings.
3. Confirm that the property is legally permitted to be built on the plot on which it sits. The landlord must obtain approval from the water supply and sewage boards, the electricity boards, and the Municipal Corporation. However, if you are applying for a home loan, the bank will validate your property paperwork before loan approval.
4. You should be informed of which banks are ready or unwilling to finance specific houses. Some banks refuse to lend to confident buyers due to a negative reputation. As a result, you must check with banks to see if they are willing to support the project you intend to invest in at a specific time.
5. Builder-Buyer Agreement. When you’ve decided on a house, you can reserve it by paying a small fee and receiving an allotment letter in return. The buyer, the bank, and the builder then sign a tripartite agreement for the remaining money. This agreement should be thoroughly read and understood before signing. All clauses must be simply understood, and any uncertainties should be voiced at this point.
6. The location of the house is critical. The facilities, physical infrastructure, and accessibility to all essential areas must all be considered. These characteristics will contribute to a more calm living environment in your home.