- Lake Abant and Yedigöller are famous for autumn colours
- Kartalkaya is a ski resort with ski-in hotels
- Mudurnu and Göynük are well-kept Ottoman towns
- Halfway between Istanbul and Ankara
- Airports
- Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen (SAW), about 2.5-3 hours, or Ankara Esenboğa (ESB), about 2 hours
- Best time to go
- May-June and late September-October; December-March for skiing
- Type
- Province
Bolu sits roughly halfway between Istanbul and Ankara, in a belt of mountains covered with beech, pine and fir. For Turks it is shorthand for fresh air: lakes ringed by forest, ski slopes in winter and some of the best cooks in the country, many of whom come from the Mengen district.
For UK visitors it is an easy add-on to an Istanbul trip, or a winter ski alternative to the Alps. Bolu belongs to the western Black Sea region; see our Turkey guide for wider planning.
Things to do
- Lake Abant – a mountain lake in a nature park with a walking path around the shore, horse-drawn carriages and a couple of large hotels.
- Yedigöller National Park – seven small lakes linked by streams in deep forest; it is spectacular in October when the leaves turn.
- Gölcük Nature Park – a smaller lake close to Bolu city, popular for picnics and short walks.
- Kartalkaya – a ski resort on the Köroğlu mountains with a handful of hotels at the foot of the slopes.
- Mudurnu – an Ottoman town with timber houses, an old bath house and a Cittaslow listing.
- Göynük – another well-preserved small town of wooden houses, also a Cittaslow member.
- Sünnet Lake – a quiet lake near Göynük surrounded by forest.
- Food – Mengen's chefs are celebrated across Turkey; try local trout and dishes in roadside restaurants.
Where to stay
| Area | Why stay there |
|---|---|
| Lake Abant | Lakeside hotels and forest walks right outside |
| Kartalkaya | Ski hotels at the foot of the slopes in winter |
| Mudurnu or Göynük | Small guesthouses in restored Ottoman houses |
| Bolu city | Practical hotels, good base for Gölcük and Yedigöller |
Getting there
Fly to Istanbul; from Sabiha Gökçen it is roughly 2.5 to 3 hours by road to Bolu on the motorway. From Ankara it is about two hours. Coaches between Istanbul and Ankara stop at Bolu frequently. A car is the easiest way to reach the lakes and small towns, as public transport to them is limited.
Best time to visit
Late September to October is the highlight, with autumn colour at Yedigöller and Abant. May and June are green and mild. Ski season at Kartalkaya usually runs from around December to March. Summers are pleasantly cooler than Istanbul.
The road into Yedigöller is partly unsurfaced and can close in winter, so check conditions before you go.
Top attractions in Bolu
Bolu on the map
Frequently asked questions
Is Bolu good for skiing?
Kartalkaya is one of Turkey's main ski resorts, with slopes suited to beginners and intermediates and hotels at the base. It is popular with Istanbul skiers at weekends.
When is the best time to see autumn colours in Bolu?
Usually from mid-October into early November, depending on the year.
Can you visit Bolu from Istanbul?
Yes. At around three hours by road, it suits a weekend away from Istanbul, ideally with one or two nights.
Written by
Emma City breaks & deals editor
Emma plans city breaks the way other people plan the weekly shop: on a budget, with a spreadsheet and a backup plan. She covers city guides and deal-hunting.
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