Kocaeli or İzmit? Understanding the Names, Districts and Best Places to Explore

Tell someone you are travelling to Kocaeli, and they may ask, “Do you mean İzmit?” Open a map, and Gebze, Kartepe, Kandıra and several other districts appear. Understanding why the names are used interchangeably is a useful first step towards discovering the province.

Kocaeli is the province; İzmit is the district containing its administrative centre. History, everyday usage and the familiarity of the central city have kept the two names closely connected.

How many districts does Kocaeli have? Which ranks highest for development? And where should you begin exploring? These four questions help explain.

Why Is Kocaeli Called İzmit?

İzmit is a district within Kocaeli and its administrative centre. In everyday conversation, people sometimes use the central city’s name when referring more broadly to the province.

Someone saying “I’m going to İzmit” may mean the city centre itself. A journey to Gebze, Kandıra or Karamürsel is also a journey to Kocaeli, but these are separate districts rather than parts of İzmit district.

The names have different origins, too. İzmit developed from the ancient name Nikomedia through forms including İznikmid and İzmid. Kocaeli takes its name from Akça Koca, who participated in the regional conquests during the early Ottoman period.

Two different histories therefore remain present in the names: one preserves traces of an ancient city, while the other recalls the region’s Ottoman past.

What Are Kocaeli’s Districts?

Kocaeli has 12 districts:

1. Başiskele
2. Çayırova
3. Darıca
4. Derince
5. Dilovası
6. Gebze
7. Gölcük
8. İzmit
9. Kandıra
10. Karamürsel
11. Kartepe
12. Körfez

For travellers, their variety is what makes this list interesting.

İzmit offers historic streets and urban life, while Kandıra opens onto the Black Sea coast. Başiskele has woodland and highland routes, and Kartepe offers outdoor excursions. Gebze brings together Eskihisar’s waterfront and historic buildings, while Gölcük adds coastal neighbourhoods and the surroundings of Nüzhetiye.

When planning a trip, check which district each attraction belongs to. That simple detail makes it easier to organise your journey.

Which Is Kocaeli’s Wealthiest District?

Gebze leads Kocaeli in the SEGE-2022 socioeconomic development ranking. It placed first within the province and 34th nationally. In the same study, İzmit ranked second within Kocaeli, followed by Başiskele.

However, socioeconomic development and personal wealth are different measures. The ranking combines several economic and social indicators; it does not measure residents’ income or assets alone.

We can therefore say that Gebze was Kocaeli’s highest-ranked district in this development study. It does not follow that everyone living there earns more, or that the province’s most expensive homes must be located there.

A meaningful answer to “wealthiest” depends on the measure: industrial activity, household income, personal assets or property prices. Each requires a different comparison.

Which Is Kocaeli’s Most Beautiful District?

For nature excursions, I would suggest Kartepe; for time beside the sea, Kandıra. The best choice depends on the kind of day you want.

Kartepe for Woodland and Nature

Ormanya, wooded surroundings and mountain scenery make Kartepe an appealing choice for spending time outdoors.

Choose this direction if you enjoy walking among trees, pausing for photographs and seeing how the landscape changes with the seasons.

Kandıra for the Black Sea Coast

Kandıra includes coastal destinations such as Kerpe, Kefken, Sardala and Bağırganlı. Beaches, rock formations and open sea views offer several ways to enjoy the shoreline.

For a day of coastal walks, sea views and a leisurely meal by the water, Kandıra is a rewarding option.

Başiskele for Highlands and Walking

Menekşe Plateau and the Yuvacık area appeal to visitors interested in Başiskele’s natural surroundings. Woodland routes, rural settlements and highland scenery are among its attractions.

İzmit for History and City Walks

With its clock tower, historic streets and walking areas beside the gulf, İzmit makes a good starting point for an urban visit.

Before choosing where to go, picture the day you would most enjoy. A morning beside the sea leads in one direction; a walk among trees takes you elsewhere. Kocaeli gives you room for both, across different visits.