Things to Do in the Yalova Region: From the Shade of a Plane Tree into the Forest

In a city where a house was moved to prevent a tree branch from being cut, exploring the area begins with paying a little closer attention to your surroundings.

This is one of Yalova’s best-known stories. Yet if you take a few photos and leave the waterfront, much of the city remains unexplored. Inland, roads wind through the trees. A little farther on, you will find waterfalls, thermal springs, and birds worth waiting quietly to observe.

When planning things to do in the Yalova region, start by asking yourself one question: How active do you want to be today? Would you rather take a leisurely walk along the coast or get your shoes a little muddy in the forest? There is room for both here. Just do not try to squeeze the entire region into a single day.

At the Walking Mansion, Look at the Tree Before the Building

When you arrive at the Walking Mansion (Yürüyen Köşk), your eyes may immediately be drawn to the building. Instead, look at the plane tree beside it first. Observe the direction of its branches and the distance between the tree and the mansion.

In 1930, when the idea of cutting a branch extending toward the mansion was raised, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk ordered that the building be moved instead. The mansion was shifted approximately 4.80 metres along tram rails placed beneath its foundation. The building takes its name from this remarkable event.

Reading about this story and standing beside the tree are two different experiences. Once you see the distance with your own eyes, the scale of the operation becomes much easier to appreciate.

As you explore the mansion, do not focus solely on its rooms. Pay attention to how the building relates to the shoreline, the sea visible through its windows, and the space occupied by the plane tree. Spending a little time here offers far more than simply reading a sign and moving on.

Make Time for a Walk in Termal, Too

You do not have to visit Termal just to enjoy the thermal baths and leave. The walking areas among the trees can become a highlight of your day in their own right. If you prefer a shorter, more relaxed stroll, the paths around the thermal facilities are worth considering.

Do not rush. Slow down enough to notice the difference in temperature between shaded and sunlit sections of the path, or the light filtering through the leaves and falling onto the ground. If you are used to rushing from one place to another throughout the day, slowing your pace for even the first few minutes may feel more difficult than you expect.

If you are interested in history, add Termal Atatürk Mansion (Termal Atatürk Köşkü) to your itinerary. Built in 1929, it is a separate building from the Walking Mansion on the coast. Visiting both allows you to explore Atatürk’s connection with Yalova through two different settings.

If you plan to use the thermal baths, check the reservation requirements and usage conditions of your chosen facility in advance. Leave enough time for this part of your trip without tying your entire day to a strict schedule.

Listen for the Water on Your Way to Sudüşen Waterfall

One of the pleasures of walking to a waterfall is trying to hear the water before you see it. Sometimes, you need to stop talking to distinguish its sound from the leaves crunching beneath your feet.

Sudüşen Waterfall is one of the natural attractions you can plan to visit via Üvezpınar, in the Termal area. You can easily consider it as part of a wider trip around Termal.

When deciding how much time to spend here, do not plan your visit solely around the spot where you want to take photographs. The walk, short breaks, and return journey are all part of the experience. Water levels can vary depending on the season and recent rainfall, so do not expect the waterfall to look exactly as it does in a photograph you have seen online.

Wear shoes with good grip. Wet rocks and damp ground can easily escape your attention when you are absorbed in the scenery. Rather than climbing onto every rock near the water for a photograph, find a stable spot and spend a few minutes taking in your surroundings. You may leave with a much better memory that way.

Do Not Turn the Hike to Erikli into a Race to Reach the Waterfall

The Erikli Twin Waterfalls (Erikli Çifte Şelale) route, near Teşvikiye, is an option worth considering if you want to go hiking in the forests of Yalova. The area is also among the region’s nature-walking destinations.

Do not keep your eyes fixed only on the path ahead. Exposed tree roots, moss growing across stones, or water collected beneath a leaf may become some of the most memorable details of your walk, sometimes even before you reach the waterfall.

Stop from time to time. Once your breathing settles, you will hear the surrounding sounds more clearly. If you are taking photographs, put your phone away for a while and try to notice the details that never make it into the frame.

Do not prepare for this trip in the same way you would for a coastal walk. Check the length and terrain of your chosen route, along with current access conditions. Rain can change both the duration and difficulty of a hike. Make sure you also leave enough daylight for the return journey.

At Hersek Lagoon, Spend Some Time Going Nowhere

Hersek Lagoon, in Altınova, is a different kind of destination for those who want to spend time birdwatching. Located along the Europe–Africa migratory bird route, this wetland is home to birdlife that varies with the seasons.

At first, you may not notice much movement. Give it some time. Gradually, you might spot a small shape moving across the water, a bird turning its head along the shore, or a distant group suddenly taking flight together.

Bring binoculars if you have them. Even without them, your visit can still be worthwhile; you do not need to know the name of every bird. Observing how they feed, where they settle, and how closely they approach one another is a good place to start.

Do not arrive expecting to see a particular species for certain. Observe the birds from designated viewing areas and do not feed them to encourage them to come closer. You cannot decide when the most beautiful moment will happen here. You simply have to be willing to wait.

Take a Closer Look at the Trees at Karaca Arboretum

Founded by Hayrettin Karaca, Karaca Arboretum is a collection of trees and plants from different parts of the world. Its location along the Yalova–Termal road makes it convenient to consider alongside a visit to Termal, provided the current visiting arrangements allow it.

As you walk around, do not look only for plants in bloom. Compare the bark of two trees. Notice the deep grooves on one trunk and the smoother surface of another. Even the shapes of their leaves, the direction in which their branches grow, and the density of their shade can be remarkably different.

In spring, your attention may be drawn to the flowers. In autumn, it may be the leaves that catch your eye. This is part of what makes the same place worth revisiting in different seasons.

Do not plan a visit to the arboretum as though it were an ordinary public park that you can enter at any time. Before setting out, confirm the current visiting days and hours, and check whether an appointment or reservation is required.

How Should You Divide Your Trip?

If this is your first visit, consider dedicating one day to the Walking Mansion and the Termal area. Plan your walks and meal breaks around the visiting hours of the mansions to make the day more comfortable.

If you want a more active day, choose either Erikli or Sudüşen as your main destination. Adding both forest excursions and several museums to the same day will increase the amount of time you spend travelling.

Leave Hersek Lagoon for a time when you can genuinely dedicate a few hours to birdwatching. If your plan involves stopping for just ten minutes before moving on, you may miss the very thing that makes this place special.

It is difficult to know in advance which moment will stay with you on the journey home. Perhaps it will be the trunk of the plane tree beside the Walking Mansion. Perhaps it will be the moment you first distinguish the sound of the waterfall. Or perhaps it will be the birds suddenly taking flight after you have waited motionless at the lagoon for a long time.

That is why it is worth leaving a few gaps in your itinerary. When you find somewhere you want to stay a little longer, give yourself the freedom to do so.