Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Discovering Yalova

Welcome to Yalova, a hidden gem of the Sea of Marmara. Yalova city has flourished into a thriving tourism city with a 105-kilometer-long coastline. As a year-round destination, Yalova welcomes visitors with open arms, offering joyous experiences ranging from exploring its rich history and cultural heritage to indulging in the ultimate relaxation at its renowned hot springs.

Let’s embark upon a new journey through Yalova's vibrant landscapes and picturesque waterfalls. We invite you to discover why Yalova is an attractive spot for seasonal tourists, holidaymakers, and foreign property buyers. This is your ultimate travel guide to Yalova.

Where is Yalova?

Yalova is strategically situated in northwestern Turkey. The city is perfectly nestled on the eastern shores of the Sea of Marmara and surrounded by the sea on the northern and western parts. Its prime position in the Marmara Region allows easy access to the cultural capital of Turkey, Istanbul. It is also within a short distance from a major industry city, Kocaeli on the east and Bursa city on the south.

Until June 6, 1995, Yalova was a big part of Istanbul city. At this significant date, it was separated from Istanbul and declared a province. Today it is a boasting tourism city in the heart of Marmara with a 105-kilometer-long coastline.

How to Travel to Yalova Turkey?

There are three main ways to travel to Yalova by road, sea route, and airways.

Airways: Even though Yalova doesn’t have any airports yet, it is easily accessible via airways. If you fly to Yalova from abroad, the best arrival destination will be the Sabiha Gökçen Airport in Istanbul, which is well-connected to major cities worldwide. Once you land at the airport, there are direct transfers to Yalova from the airport via;

• Private Transfer: You can arrange a private transfer service for your travel from İstanbul to Yalova for a hassle-free journey. This option provides comfort and convenience, allowing you to relax after your flight. However, the expenses might be higher in comparison to the other options.

• Rental Car: Renting a car at the airport gives you the freedom to explore the region at your own pace. The drive from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport to Yalova takes approximately 1 hour, offering scenic views along the way.

• Public Transportation: The most common option is the public transportation to Yalova. Buses and shuttles operate from the airport to Yalova at regular intervals.

Sea Route: Taking a ferry ride is best for a more leisurely and scenic approach to traveling to Yalova. It is also a more convenient option rather than the road trip if you are already in Istanbul.

You can get on an IDO ferry ride from two different terminals in Istanbul: Yenikapi and Pendik. The ferry ride offers stunning views of the Sea of Marmara and takes approximately 1.5 hours. In addition to public sea transportation, you can also consider chartering a private yacht to Yalova.

Road: If you prefer a road trip, Yalova is easily accessible by car from various cities in Turkey. The road conditions have been improved to offer more comfortable and faster access to Yalova from both Bursa and Istanbul.

Take the O-4 highway from Istanbul, heading towards the Osmangazi Bridge. Continue on the E881, and you'll reach Yalova in approximately 1 hour, depending on traffic conditions.

From Bursa, you have two options: Follow D575/E881 main road or take the O-5 highway and change the route to D575 at Orhangazi.

From Kocaeli, follow D100 first. Then connect to the E80 highway, pass the Osmangazi Bridge, and continue with E881 to reach Yalova.

Best Time to Visit Yalova

The best time to visit Yalova depends on your vacation plans. Yalova being a four-season destination allows visitors to schedule their travels according to their own calendar.

The autumn season arrives in Yalova in October and lasts until the end of November. If you want a snowy winter holiday, you should visit Yalova between January and February. Meanwhile, the best time to witness mother nature waking up from a long rest is the spring season. It begins in April and lasts until June. The best summer months are July, and August, while hot summer days become mildly cooler around September.

What to Do in Yalova: The Ultimate Guide for Your Yalova Trip

Yalova offers all kinds of vacation experiences, from nature-themed trips to endless fun attractions. The city boasts a well-preserved green environment and thankfully, the most common activities in Yalova include beautiful landscapes of flora and fauna. Here are the best things to do and places to visit in Yalova Turkey:

Ultimate Relaxation at the Hot Springs

Yalova city is famous for its thermal waters and hot springs. It is a well-known fact that Yalova thermal baths benefit human health in general, and Yalova is the best place for it. You can start by visiting the most high-rated hot spring establishments in the city. Most of them are situated in the heart of nature, offering a solvent retreat away from the hustle and bustle. With their heated pools and various types of baths, visiting Yalova’s hot springs is the most popular thing to do.

Discover the Local Culture

Yalova is home to numerous museums and historical sites to visit. You can explore the remarkable history of the city and the former civilizations that lived there for centuries. The most famous historical building in Yalova is Yürüyen Köşk, which once belonged to Atatürk. It is a well-known landmark famous for its relocation story after being already built to preserve and safeguard a gorgeous tree.

Yalova City Museum is a good option to get to know the city’s historical background better which traces back to about 6000 years ago. After a short visit to the city museum, we suggest you take a half-day trip to Yalova’s Open Air Museum. There you can take a look at the most precious artifacts and hand-crafted marble archaeological findings. You can also come across the remains of a former Byzantine Church called Kara Kilise in Çiftlikköy. Termal Sinema building dated 19th century is also another precious Yalova attraction that will charm you with its stunning architecture.

Enjoy the Scenic Views of Waterfalls

Yalova is a gem for nature lovers, famous for especially with its waterfalls. Even though the most famous one is the Sudüşen Waterfall, many others like Erikli Waterfall and Çaldere Waterfall are also easily accessible. There are some hidden ones also which are only accessible via a hiking parkour, like Yatakkaya Waterfall. However, the breathtaking landscapes these waterfalls offer definitely worth the effort.

Best Way to Appreciate Nature’s Wonders: Yalova’s Arboretums and City Forest

Yalova is home to two remarkable arboretums, a specially designed area to preserve the city’s flora. One, Karaca Arboretum, is like an open-air museum for nature lovers. It consists of nearly 7,000 different species of plants and showcases the most breathtaking scenery. It is the first private arboretum in Turkey, first established by the founder of the TEMA foundation.

Meanwhile, there is another spectacular arboretum in Yalova known as the Atatürk Arboretum. It is the first-ever arboretum of Turkey, founded in 1929 by the Atatürk himself. The arboretum sits on a 125,000 sqm plot, consisting of thousands of different species.

In Çınarcık, there is also a city forest where you can explore the city’s unique fauna and flora. From various types of animal species to tree-escorted picturesque trails, Yalova City Forest has a lot to offer for green enthusiasts.

Pro Tip: The best season to fully appreciate Yalova’s incredible natural beauties containing every shade of green is spring. However, the visits in the fall season would be more romantic with yellow and brown leaves, surrounding you.

Want Beach Holidays? Yalova Got You Covered

Here’s another tip for summer lovers: Yalova is a low-cost destination to spend your summers by the beach, sipping your cocktail, and sunbathing. May seem surprising but Yalova’s climatic conditions allow you to turn your ultimate summer dreams into reality. The summers are hot and sunny in Yalova with an average temperature during the summer season reaching 30 °C.

There are countless numbers of Yalova beaches all across the city, from private establishments to municipality-owned ones. The most famous beaches in Yalova are Çınarcık Beach, Fıstıklı Beach and Altınova Hersek Beach. Meanwhile, Armutlu is also another district in Yalova that is famous for its shallow waters and sandy shore.

Explore the Exquisite Life in Yalova Yourself!

Yalova has a lot to offer for everyone of every interest. Not only visiting but living in Yalova enhances your comfort scale and lifestyle quality. Considering living in Yalova? Take a look at the most unique properties in the city on our website. You can easily contact us to start your own journey and invest in Yalova property today.

RELATED PAGES

Healthcare System and Medical Tourism in Turkey

Yalova: An Attractive Hub for Exporters and Investors

No Limit for Residence Permit in Turkey

Christmas Cheer in Turkey: A Guide for Foreign Visitors

Real Estate Financing in Turkey