Kerpe Kartal Kayalar: sunsets on the rocks in Kandıra

Kerpe, in the Kandıra district of Kocaeli, is one of the coastal villages that has managed to stay quiet despite being close to Istanbul. And Kerpe's most striking spot is Kartal Kayalar, with its rocks stretching out into the sea.

Where is it?

On the coast of Kerpe village, Kandıra, Kocaeli. About 2 hours by car from the Asian side of Istanbul.

How to get there

By car, go to Kerpe via Kandıra. By public transport, first take a bus from the bus station to Kandıra, then a minibus to Kerpe. According to sources, the "Kerpe Merkez Sahil 1" stop on the KM82 line is about a 9-minute walk from the rocks.

Camping conditions

• There's no official campsite on the rocks. People report camping for free in the area.
• There's no toilet, water or any other facility. Cafés and restaurants are within walking distance.
• Don't pitch your tent right on top of the rocks. Set it up a bit further back, on flat ground sheltered from the wind. The ground is hard, so a thick mat comes in handy.

When to go

The sunset is beautiful in every season. For camping, June to September. Camping on the rocks gets tricky in windy weather.

Good to know

The rocks are high and the edges have no barriers. Be careful, especially at night and with children. In the summer months, check the bans on lighting fires.

Sources

• Kerpe'de Denize Sıfır 5 Kamp Alanı (Geziyoo)
• Kerpe Kayalıkları Nerede, Nasıl Gidilir (Yerel Rehber)
• Kerpe Hakkında Bilmen Gerekenler (Enuygun)