The Sea of Marmara is located in the Northwest region of Turkey, between the European and Asian borders, and connects to the Black Sea.
Bordering the Sea of Marmara are the cities of Istanbul, Bursa, Canakkale, Gelibolu, and Edirne (a little more inland), to name a few.
Bordering Greece and Bulgaria, the Marmara Region is full of history and culture, and a simple stop during a Euro/Turkey Trip.
Marmara is full of some of Turkey’s most popular cities – including Istanbul.
Although Istanbul is at the top of our must-see list, you definitely shouldn’t overlook the other beautiful locations in this region.
Here are some of the best places to travel to in the Marmara Region of Turkey.
Istanbul is Turkey’s vibrant capital city, filled with world-class restaurants, music, breathtaking architecture, and a diverse population – which also means diverse food for all diets and appetites!
The Sultanahmet district is where you want to be as it is in the heart of the city and close to everything you’d want to explore.
The city is full of beautiful architecture and daytime attractions like Ayia Sofia, the Blue Mosque, and The Archaeology Museum.
As far as food goes, you want to try traditional Raki, Turkey’s national drink. Known as Lions Milk, it is said to open the heart and calm the mind and body – sounds like just what you need, right?
As far as getting there, Istanbul is home to Turkeys International Airport, which will likely make this city your first stop on your Turkey holiday.
If you’re looking for history, Bursa is the perfect city for you.
Bursa served as the first capital of the Ottoman Empire from 1326 to 1365 and is home to the Green Tomb – a mausoleum of Mehmet I, the Ottoman Sultan.
The medieval architecture, silk market, clock tower, cable cars, and the Great Mosque are must-see locations.
The city is full of universities giving it a youthful atmosphere and some delicious local cuisine like the Iskender kebap, which was invented in Bursa.
Many travelers make their way to this port side city to see the ancient ruins of Troy.
Located in Hisarlik, the ancient ruins are one of the most spectacular sights in the region.
Some of the things to do in Canakkale include enjoying fresh seaside restaurants, visiting archeological museums, and the Cimenlik Castle.
Be sure to visit the boardwalk for an up-close and personal look at the Trojan Horse used in the film Troy – donated to the city after the film wrapped.
Tekirdag is located on the coast of the Sea of Marmara and is a prime destination for vineyard tours and beach layouts.
Known for its wine festivals, Tekridag is a significant winemaking center in Turkey and hosts a wine festival in Sarkoy every year.
Be sure to visit the Rustem Pasha Mosque and the Valuable Goods Bazaar during your visit, as well as the beautiful beaches and wineries.
Being the bridge between Asia & Europe, it has always been a strategical point since early centuries up to the present day.
For the same reason, as the role of Marmara is more of a junction, it hosts an integral part of the country’s industry, both with its highway to Europe and seaports of the Black Sea and the Aegean Sea.
It is a perfect blend of east and west considering its rich history, especially in Istanbul, where you can find almost anything you are looking for due to its grand population.
Bursa is an excellent spot for Islamic art and the old malls, especially for textiles (we all know the famous Turkish towels) and silk trade. If you are interested in skiing, Uludag is an excellent alternative to Kartalkaya preferred by many Istanbulites.
The cuisine is enriched with lots of vegetables and fresh herbs, as the area is well irrigated with the rainfall. Both coming from the Black Sea and being close enough to the Aegean Sea, the fresh fish is another source and good olive from Bursa all the down and along the entire coast till Antakya.
The majority of sunflowers are also grown in the Marmara Region, where it is also rich with some other crops such as corn, rice, sugar beads, and vineyards from Thrace to coast.
Now that you have a better idea of what the Marmara Reagon of Turkey has to offer, we know you can’t wait to book your trip around the Sea of Marmara.
Check out our blog and tour information to learn more about how you can make the most out of your Turkey vacation!
In addition to the must-see places listed above, if interested in ancient history, you will love driving down Troy till you get to Ephesus, where there are numerous stops such as Ayvalik, Mt. Ida (Kazdaglari), Assos and Pergamon.
Another must-see visit would be Iznik, known where one of the earliest councils was held, and also known for its beautiful tiles decorating the jaw-dropping Topkapi Palace today.
