Things To Do
in Orhangazi

A variety of vegetables and legumes cooked in cold‑pressed olive oil (e.g., beans, artichokes). Common at home and in local restaurants; try these at small lokantas or family eateries.

Must-Try!

Fresh fish from the Marmara Sea, grilled or pan‑fried and served with seasonal salads—best found along the coast and in harbor restaurants.

Grilled meatballs and slow‑cooked stews are common; eaten in more traditional restaurants or local kebab houses.

Orhangazi is known for its olives and oil; you can taste and buy local olive varieties and artisanal olive oil at markets and mills.

The weekly market offers seasonal fruits, vegetables, olives, cheeses, pastries and stalls selling spices and nuts. Great for sampling simit, borek and fresh seasonal produce.

Small fishmongers and waterfront lokantas near the coast sell the day’s catch; try grilled small fish with a side of local salad.

Polite greetings and a friendly 'Merhaba' (hello) go a long way. Use formal address (Mr/Mrs) with older people unless invited to use first names.

Dress modestly when visiting mosques—cover shoulders and legs, and women may need a headscarf. Outside religious sites, casual clothing is fine but avoid overly revealing clothes in conservative villages.

If invited into a Turkish home, it’s customary to remove shoes; bringing a small gift such as sweets or pastries is appreciated.

Always ask permission before photographing people, especially inside houses or during private moments; many locals are happy to be photographed if asked politely.

Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory. In restaurants leave around 5–10% for good service, round up taxi fares or add a small amount, and give a small tip (a few TL) to porters or helpful hotel staff. For very small purchases or markets tipping is not expected.

Turkish lira is the local currency; cash is useful for markets and small vendors. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in restaurants and hotels in town but smaller shops may be cash‑only. Contactless payments are increasingly common in urban spots.

Mild temperatures, blooming wildflowers and olive trees; a pleasant time for hiking, visiting markets and enjoying outdoor cafés. Spring can be rainy in some weeks, so bring a light waterproof layer.

Warm to hot weather with sunny days—good for swimming along the Marmara coast and lakeside outings. Expect higher humidity and more local weekend visitors in July and August; book accommodation earlier if visiting then.

Harvest season for olives and a beautiful time to visit for festivals and agricultural activities; cooler evenings and comfortable daytime temperatures. Great for photography of harvest scenes.

Cool and wet, with occasional frost inland; coastal areas are milder but windy. Some rural attractions and seasonal services may have reduced hours; nearby Bursa offers winter sports on Uludağ if you want snow activities.