SAPANCA

Halal-friendly holidays

As Sapanca is in Türkiye, where over 99% of the population is Muslim, it is naturally a very Muslim-friendly place. With its halal-friendly holiday resorts and hotels offering unforgettable holidays surrounded by lush vegetation, as well as its beautiful mosques, Sapanca is a popular holiday destination for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.

Most hotels, restaurants and cafeterias in Sapanca and surrounding towns are alcohol-free and serve halal certified products. In addition to local delicacies, there are numerous kebab restaurants, branches of chain restaurants from all over the world and restaurants with a variety of dishes from different countries.

All hotels in Sapanca serve halal food and most hotels are alcohol-free. There is a wide range of halal-friendly accommodation in Sapanca, with fully-secluded pools and massage parlours, saunas, spa centres and Turkish baths, separate for women and men.

In addition to its natural wonders, Sapanca has a number of attractions worth seeing.

Justinian Bridge - Built in 580 AD and also known as Beskopru, it is alluring with its 429-metre-long structure located on 12 arches. It is on the Tentative List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Vecihi Gate - In many historical texts the architect of this gate is referred to as Mimar Sinan. It is one of the most important stops on the Silk Road and, like many historic buildings in the region, shows traces of the Ottoman period.

Sapanca Lake - This freshwater lake is surrounded by high plateaus and lush forests. With its oxygen-rich atmosphere, it offers great opportunities for a leisurely walk along the lake promenade, cycling or pedal boating or for a picnic.

Sogucak Plateau- Located just 15 minutes from the centre of Sapanca, the Sogucak Plateau is home to large and small streams with ice-cold water, pristine natural beauty and freshwater. Fun festivals take place here in spring and summer.

Kırkpınar Botanical Park - Located just 5 kilometres from Sapanca, the Botanical Park is decorated with hundreds of species of flowers, plants and trees sourced from many parts of the world and offers walking paths, rural gardens and viewing terraces.

Sapanca is home to many historic mosques from the Ottoman Empire period. Here are a couple of renowned ones:

Rustem Pasha Mosque - The mosque was built by Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent on behalf of Rustem Pasha – a leading grand vizier – and is one of the most distinguished works of the Ottoman chief architect Mimar Sinan. It is open for your daily prayers.

Hasan Fehmi Pasha Mosque - With its dome made of ornate tiles, the mosque is popular with both guests and photographers and is one of the city's most valuable and special historical sites. It is open for your daily prayers.