Bolu is a mid-sized city in the forested mountains of northwestern Turkey, positioned on the historic Istanbul–Ankara corridor. Surrounded by dense forests, mountain lakes, and the Köroğlu range, it is nationally celebrated as Turkey's culinary heartland — chefs from the nearby Mengen district staffed Ottoman palace kitchens for centuries. Today visitors come for Yedigöller National Park, Abant Lake, Kartalkaya ski resort, and the well-preserved Ottoman towns of Mudurnu and Göynük.
Family activities
Engaging experiences for travellers of every age.
Abant Lake Boat Rides & Lakeside Walk
Duration: 2–4 hours
Yedigöller National Park Family Walk
Duration: 2–4 hours
Gölcük Nature Park Exploration
Duration: 2–3 hours
Bolu Museum Archaeological Discovery
Duration: 1–2 hours
Mengen Chefs' Culture Museum
Duration: 1 hour
Kartalkaya Ski School (Kids' Programme)
Duration: Half day or full day
Mudurnu Ottoman Town Walk
Duration: 2 hours
Abant Lake Trout Lunch Experience
Duration: 1–2 hours
Bolu Botanical Park Picnic
Duration: 1–2 hours
Sünnet Lake Picnic & Nature Discovery
Duration: 2–3 hours
Family-friendly hotels
Accommodation designed with families in mind.
Kaya Palazzo Ski & Mountain Resort
Büyük Abant Hotel
Abant Palace Hotel
Hampton by Hilton Bolu
Gölcük Orman Hotel
Dining with kids
Eating out as a family.
Lokantas along İzzet Baysal Caddesi serve filling lunches (₺200–400 per person, approx $6–12) in a casual, child-friendly environment — no reservations needed
Abant Alabalık Restaurant at the lakeside serves fresh trout that children usually love; outdoor terrace seating with views of the lake
Most Bolu restaurants do not have printed children's menus but will gladly offer half portions; pide (flatbread) and soups are universally available and easy for young eaters
Mengen Köftecisi in Mengen serves grilled köfte portions that are popular with children; the trip (47 km) doubles as a day trip
Supermarkets for self-catering and picnic supplies: Migros and BİM on İzzet Baysal Caddesi; Özdilek Market near Bolu otogar
Family travel tips
Practical advice for stress-free family trips.
A rental car is essential for families — dolmuş services are limited and cannot reach Yedigöller, Kartalkaya, or remote lakes with luggage and young children
The best family base is Bolu city centre or Abant Lake; city hotels offer convenience while lakeside lodges give children immediate outdoor access
Supermarkets stocking nappies, formula, baby food, and children's medicines: Migros (İzzet Baysal Cad., Bolu city, open daily 08:00–22:00) and CarrefourSA (Bolu Shopping Centre, daily 09:00–22:00)
Nature parks charge half-price for children under 12 and are free for those under 6 — always carry ID or passports to claim child discounts
Visit Yedigöller in October, but arrive before 10:00; after that, tour buses fill the car park and the boardwalk becomes crowded
The ski season at Kartalkaya is excellent for family skiing; children aged 5–15 can join group ski school while parents ski independently
Dolmuş from Bolu otogar to Gölcük Nature Park (₺20–30) is the cheapest family day out and runs approximately every 30 minutes in summer