Adapazari
Introduction
Adapazarı is the capital district of Sakarya Province in Turkey, and it forms the core of a wider urban area that spreads across the central and northern parts of the agglomeration, with countryside lying alongside the built-up zone. The district itself covers a compact area, so you can move between its urban centre and the surrounding rural edges without travelling far.
Before you go
Adapazarı is an industrial city with roots going back to 378 BC, when it was known as Agrilion. Because it has been vigorously built upon over the centuries, you'll find few ancient remains, so plan your visit around the modern city rather than expecting archaeological sights. Its economy has long been industrial, first based on agriculture and today on businesses such as automobile parts.
Before you go, it's worth knowing that the area was devastated on 17 Aug 1999 by a 7.6 magnitude earthquake along the North Anatolian fault line, which runs east-west just south of the city, through Lake Sapanca and on through Izmit into the Sea of Marmara. Adapazarı, like all the affected cities, has been rebuilt since, but fault movement continues and quake centres are migrating west.
Getting there
To reach Adapazarı by air, fly into one of the Istanbul airports and continue overland. From Sabiha Gökçen on the Asian side, take Metro line M4 to Pendik for eastbound trains; from the main airport on the European side, take Metro M11 downtown.
- YHT fast trains run several times a day from Ankara and from Konya via Eskişehir to Arifiye, continuing west to Izmit, Gebze and the Istanbul stations of Pendik, Bostancı and Söğütlüçeşme, with one daily service out to Halkalı.
- The overnight Ankara Express links Ankara with Arifiye and central Istanbul in both directions.
- Regional trains run daily from Gebze via Izmit, Sapanca, Arifiye and Mithatpaşa into Adapazarı; Gebze is the eastern terminus of the Marmaray suburban line, with frequent trains from downtown Istanbul.
- Check TCDD for timetables and tickets.
Arifiye station lies southwest of the town centre, while Adapazarı station is central; Mithatpaşa serves the southwest side of the city. By car, follow O-7 east out of Istanbul (a toll road), or from Ankara take E89 north then E80 west. Metroturizm buses run hourly from Istanbul's Samandira station, a journey of about 90 minutes, arriving at Sakarya bus terminal, from where you'll need a taxi or dolmuş to get into town.
Getting around
Adapazarı is a sprawling city, so getting around on foot alone won't cover everything you'll want to see. Walking works well for the city centre itself, where you'll find the central railway station and the main urban amenities, but beyond that the city spreads out considerably — plan on combining walks in the centre with taxis or dolmuş minibuses for longer hops. Dolmuş and taxis are the two workhorse modes for visitors within the city, and a taxi is also the natural choice for the transfer from the Sakarya bus terminal into town, since the terminal is not within easy walking distance of the centre.
- Rail: The local commuter service, Adaray, connects Adapazarı with Arifiye, with four intermediate stations — the handiest rail option for moving between the city centre and the Arifiye area to the southwest. Adapazarı also sits on Turkey's mainline rail network: YHT high-speed trains link Arifiye with Ankara, Konya and Eskişehir to the east, and continue west toward Izmit, Gebze and the Istanbul stations at Pendik, Bostancı and Söğütlüçeşme, with one service a day running out to Halkalı. An overnight Ankara Express also calls at Arifiye in both directions, and regional trains run from Gebze via Izmit, Sapanca, Arifiye and Mithatpaşa into Adapazarı. Note that Arifiye station sits some distance southwest of the town centre, while Adapazarı station is right in the centre; Mithatpaşa station is a useful alternative if you're heading to or from the southwest side of the city. Check TCDD for timetables and tickets.
- Buses and dolmuş: Long-distance buses are the main intercity option and all use the Sakarya bus terminal, from which you'll need a taxi or dolmuş to reach the town centre.
- Arriving by car: From Istanbul, the usual approach is to follow the O-7 east (a toll road); from Ankara, the route runs north on the E89 and then west on the E80.
Where to stay
Adapazarı's hotels cluster along a few main streets, with the largest concentration in the centre. On Ankara Caddesi you'll find the Hotel Balturk, a clean central option with spacious rooms, and further up the same street is Aksu Otel. South of the centre, the Palmada Hotel is a simple but well-run place. If you're arriving by car, the Ramada by Wyndham sits away from the centre on Adnan Menderes Caddesi, at the corner of Zübeyde Hanım Caddesi, and offers free parking; note that the Sakarya Grand Hotel next to it gets poor reviews.
Near the transport facilities in Arifiye, the Radisson Blu is a smart mid-price choice. On the western edge of the city, the Limapark Hotel in Istiklal is comfortable. All of these are bookable as bed and breakfast doubles.
Food & drink
For traditional Turkish cooking, head to Köfteci Hacıbekir on Karaağaç Bulvarı, a short walk north of the railway station, and save room for the desserts. The strip near the station is thick with köfte specialists, among them Ardalıoğlu Islama Köfte, Reisoglu Kofte Salonu, Hakiki Rumeli Koftecisi, Köfteci İsmail, Islama Köfte and Meşhur Meriç. Near the bus station you'll find Pehlivan Et Lokantası, a good option by day but not one for late arrivals, and Kınalı Yemek just to its north. In Arifiye, a strip along Atatürk Caddesi east of the railway station offers Çavuşoğlu Lahmacun Pide Salonu, Şemsi Babanın Yeri and Köfteci Sabri. For drinks, the block just north of Adapazarı railway station holds several bars, including ZiBar, Taş Ocak Dürüm Izgara, Leman Kültür, Tiesto Cafe, Hülyam and Dostlar Birahanesi.What to see and do
In Adapazarı, the sights cluster close to the railway station. On its south side, Sait Faik Sk, the Sakarya Museum is a small museum of local history, and 100 m north of the station on Kavaklar Cd you'll find the Earthquake Museum, which gathers pictures and memories of the 1999 disaster. Both are free to enter. Orhan Mosque, founded in the 13th century though the present building dates from the 19th, stands 200 m north of the station on Atatürk Cd, and the Sakarya Art Gallery lies 1 km west on Maliye Cd; both remained closed in 2022, so check before setting out. Further afield, the Waterwheel (Tarihi Çark) once lifted water from the Çark river into the town supply and kept working until 1955; it now forms the centrepiece of a pleasant park. The Sangarius Bridge, also called the Justinianus Bridge, was completed around 553 AD to carry the military road east from Constantinople across the Sakarya River. The river has since shifted its course to flow 3 km east, leaving only a small stream beneath the 430 m limestone structure, and the bridge is continually under repair, so you can't walk across it. For sport, Sakaryaspor play soccer at the New Sakarya Ataturk Stadium, 3 km east of the city centre. If you want to soak rather than spectate, Kuzuluk is a thermal spa resort about 30 km southeast, at the foot of the forested Kapıorman Mountains.When to go
Adapazarı has a humid subtropical climate, so plan around two fairly distinct seasons. Summers are hot and sometimes oppressively humid, and rain remains possible even in the driest-feeling stretches, since precipitation is spread fairly evenly through the year. If you handle heat and humidity well, this is the season for long days outdoors; if not, expect to pace yourself and seek shade and water often.
Winters are cool and wet, with precipitation at its most frequent. Snowfall is somewhat common in these months, falling for a week or two and sometimes heavily, so pack for cold, damp conditions and possible snow if you visit between late autumn and early spring. Because rain can arrive in any month, a waterproof layer is worth carrying whenever you come.
Three days in Adapazari
Day one: Arrive in Adapazarı, the city at the centre of Sakarya Province, and get your bearings. The city sits on the North Anatolian fault line and takes its name from Adapazar, the market that grew here. Use the centre as your base and walk its main streets before heading out to Lake Sapanca, a short trip away. In the evening, eat locally and rest — you will want an early start.
Day two: Give the day to Lake Sapanca and the surrounding area. The lake lies between Adapazarı and İzmit, with the Sea of Marmara beyond it to the south. Sapanca is the obvious base for the lake, and Mithatpaşa is a neighbourhood worth knowing in the city itself. Return to Adapazarı for the night.
Day three: Use Adapazarı's transport links for a wider loop. Arifiye, Gebze, Bostancı, Söğütlüçeşme and Halkalı are stops you may pass through, and the Marmaray and Metro systems connect onward. From Sabiha Gökçen you can reach Istanbul, while the YHT and the Ankara Express run towards Ankara, Konya and Eskişehir. Check TCDD for times. Buses such as Metroturizm also serve the region, with Samandıra among the points on the Asian side.