Kocaeli is a dynamic industrial province in northwestern Turkey, straddling the eastern shore of the Marmara Sea and the Gulf of İzmit. Known historically as Nicomedia, it served as capital of the Eastern Roman Empire. Today it balances heavy industry with natural beauty—dense beech forests in Kartepe, pristine Black Sea coves, and a rich layered history from Byzantine to Ottoman eras. Visitors find a city largely bypassed by mass tourism yet rich in genuine Turkish urban life, affordable food, and easy access to Istanbul.
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
İzmit Cumartesi Pazarı (Saturday Market)
Fresh produce, olives, cheese, spices, seasonal fruit
Where: İzmit, 2 km east of center
Hours: Saturday 07:00–14:00
Körfez Balık Pazarı (Fish Market)
Daily fresh catch from the Gulf of İzmit
Where: İzmit harbor
Hours: Daily 06:00–13:00
Gebze Salı Pazarı (Tuesday Market)
Textiles, household goods, fresh produce, street food
Where: Gebze town center
Hours: Tuesday 07:00–15:00