Tekirdag City Guide

Tekirdag City Guide

Surrounded by Silivri and Çatalca districst of İstanbul from the east; Vize, Lüleburgaz, Babaeski and Pehlivanköy districts of Kırklareli from the north, and Marmara Sea and Gelibolu district of Çanakkale from the south; Tekirdağ has a 1.5 kilometer shore to the Black Sea. The metropolitan population of the city is approximately 142 thousand. Numerous festivals are organized in the city and its surrounding districts during the first week of June every year.

Tourist Attractions

Şarköy is reached through the road that bears south at the 48th kilometer of the Tekirdağ Malkara highway. Eriklice, Mürefte, and Hoşköy come right after. Approximately 30 vineyards –including five large scale ones- are located around Mürefte. Grape harvest, when grapes are picked from the vineyards, is between August and October. Some vineyards organize wine tours around this time. The Wine Museum is also worth a visit. Shopping during the tour is an option, however if you are organizing the tour yourself rather than participating in one, it is advisable to look up all the stops in advance.

Hoşköy; The beach which stretches from Eriklice, Kalamış, Mürefte, Hoşköy, Gaziköy, and Uçmakdere is known as the “wine beach”. It used to be a Byzantine metropolitan with numerous monasteries. The wine and olive produce of the area used to be transported via ships. It is approximately 100 kilometers away from Tekirdağ. Hoşköy is a town on the shore that is famous for Melen wines.
Kastro; Located north of Tekirdağ, it is very interesting with its 2.5 kilometer long beach. In this little bay where Bahçeköy river flows into the Black Sea, you can set up tents during summer time. There is also a restaurant on the river bank.

Uçmakdere; an old Greek villlage where refugees from Thessaloniki and surrounding areas settled during the population exchange. Companies organizing trekking trips include this area for its wooden houses and mesmerizing nature. You can reach Uçmakdere by turning from the Tekirdağ Şarköy highway past Barbaros and Kumbağ. Yeniköy, Hoşköy, and Mürefte are also located on this road.

The historical Hora Lighthouse was built under the orders of Sultan Abdülmecit in the Hoşköy district of Şarköy in 1861. It has been operated by the same family since then. 

Culture & Entertainment

Tekirdağ Museum is located downtown. In the museum; stone pieces such as steles, commemorative steles, statues, and figurines from Perinthos (Marmara Ereğlisi), Heraion (Karaevlialtı), Byzanthe (Barbaros), Apri (Kermeyan) and other ruin sites within the borders of Tekirdağ and findings from Naip Tumulus are on display. In addition, pieces from prehistoric times to the Byzantine era are on display. The front yard of the museum is adorned with Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman architectural pieces, sarcophagi, tombstones, tablets, pillars, statues, milestones, and reliefs.

Rakoczi Museum is the house where the Hungarian Prince Francis II Rakoczi lived between 1720 and 1735. It was restored into its original state in 1932 by the Hungarian government and made into a museum. Historical pieces from the era and the prince’s personal items are on display here.

Namık Kemal House was built in 1840 using the same model as old Tekirdağ houses in commemoration of the poet’s memory. His poems and ethnographical items are on display.

Rüstem Pasha Mosque, located in Ertuğrul neighborhood, was built under the orders of Rüstem Pasha who was the son-in-law of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent.The marble fountain in the courtyard is covered by pentagonic roof coated with lead.

The Old Mosque, another mosque located in Ertuğrul neighborhood, was built in 1830 under the order of Ahmet Ağa of Tekirdağ who was the minister of agriculture at the time.

The octagonal fountain in front of the mosque is adorned with curtain motifs. The hexagonal altar-niche has an oyster motif. 

Food & Drink

Tekirdağ meatballs, without a doubt, is at the top of the list of tastes to try. You can find it on Hüseyin Pehlivan Street, very close to where the Museum of Archeology is located. Seafood restaurants are another spot to try the other specialty food of the area. The sea coast definitely is the right place for this experience. The downtown area, on the other hand, is great for some snacks or fast food.

Desserts that Balkan immigrants have brought with them; cheese halva –also known as höşmerim- should be tried. Kemalpasha dessert, also known as Hayrabolu dessert in the area, is another recommendation.

Tekirdag is know as home of famous Turkish Drink Raki.Tekirdağ Rakisi is famous for its characteristic flavor, believed to be due to the artesian waters of Çorlu used in its production. Tekirdağ Rakısı is 45% ABV and has 1.7 grams of anise per liter.

Shopping

Handcrafted rugs and bag are available in the town of Karacakılavuz, located approximately 20 km northeast of Tekirdağ. Locals of the area continue to keep these Yörük (nomadic) traditions alive through making these beautiful items. Outlets around Çorlu are another spot for shopping. These areas welcome visitors from not only Tekirdağ but also neighboring cities.