Kocaeli Province (Turkish: Kocaeli ili, pronounced [koˈdʒaeli]) is a province and metropolitan municipality of Turkey and one of only three not to have the same official name as its capital, İzmit, which is thus also sometimes called Kocaeli.
THE 15 BEST Things to Do in Kocaeli Province (2026) - Tripadvisor
Kocaeli, il (province), northwestern Turkey. It is bounded to the north by the Black Sea and to the west by the Sea of Marmara. The province is drained by the lower course of the Sakarya River. İzmit, lying on the Gulf of İzmit, is the capital and chief city.
Kocaeli is one of the cities of the Marmara region located in the north of Turkey. It is an important industrial and tourist center in Turkey. It is bordered to the north by the Black Sea, to the south by Bursa, to the east by Sakarya, and to the west by Istanbul, Yalova, Marmara Sea and Izmit Gulf. The city has many villages of picturesque nature.
Nestled between the bustling metropolis of Istanbul and the serene landscapes of the Black Sea, Kocaeli is an underrated treasure in Turkey. Often overshadowed by its more famous neighbors, this province offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, historical richness, and modern attractions.
Kocaeli, the third largest city in the Marmara Region, dates back to the 8th century BC. In the period of the Kingdom of Bitinia, it was transformed into a city and was the capital of the Roman Empire.
With its natural beauties, beaches, plateaus, Kartepe Ski Center and historical monuments, as well as its coasts to the Black Sea and the Marmara Sea, Kocaeli is a "Hidden Gem" in terms of tourism. FEEL THE NATURE!