Elmadağ – Swimming, Nature and History

Elmadağ combines a long history of settlement with opportunities for culture, recreation and exercise. In the district centre are the Kargalı area and Belediye Parkı, which are considered recreational areas for Elmadağ and its surroundings because of their natural beauty. Nearby, Elmadağ Ski Centre offers a separate focus on winter sports and mountaineering. When choosing where to spend your holiday, you can therefore consider whether you are most interested in the town’s history, recreation in the centre or activities in the wider area.

Swimming with specific dimensions

Elmadağ’s semi-Olympic swimming pool opened to the public in May 2023. Its pool is 25 metres long and 12.5 metres wide, with five lanes. There is also a separate children’s pool, measuring 16 metres in length. The water depth in the children’s pool varies: 60, 90 and 120 centimetres. A telephone appointment is required for public swimming sessions; you can reach the pool on 0 312 863 06 75.

Local history and cultural heritage

The earliest recorded settlement dates cited for Elmadağ span the period from 20 November 1558 to 11 July 1590. At the time, the settlement was known as Yozgat or Asi Yozgat. Its first settlement areas were in what are now the Yenipınar, Yenimahalle and Yenidoğan neighbourhoods. The area’s historical role is also notable: the village of Yozgat at the time was considered a Derbent village, where caravans spent the night. Aşağı Cami in the Yenipınar neighbourhood is cited as a remnant of the Ottoman era. Those interested in Elmadağ’s history can use these place names and historical references as starting points for learning more about the area.

Recreation in the centre, winter sports nearby

Elmadağ Ski Centre, in the village of Yakup Abdal in Elmadağ District, is considered a centre for winter sports and mountaineering. The facilities include a 650-metre ski run and two drag lifts, measuring 300 and 650 metres respectively. This clearly distinguishes the focus of this destination from that of the recreational areas in the district centre. The stated distances can help you assess the facilities according to your interests; they do not provide information about snow conditions or current opening hours.

Festivals and events in the municipality

Events in Yeşildere and Hasanoğlan were part of the cultural life of the municipality. The traditional Höşmerim Festival in Yeşildere featured a Höşmerim competition, folk dances, performances by a Seymen ensemble and a concert. The fourth traditional Çekme Helva and Tandır Gömbesi Festival in Hasanoğlan included demonstrations, competitions and concerts. These examples bring together regional foods, music, dance and community events.

Elmadağ Municipality’s summer programme also included concerts, theatre performances, exhibitions and workshops; afterwards, an open-air cinema was offered to residents. A performance at the municipality’s Culture and Arts Centre featured the comedy “George Dandin” at 20:00 on 19 July. The performance was free and open to the public. It was staged by the municipal theatre ensemble, and advance reservations were available.

Getting there and other places

Elmadağ is located on the Ankara–Samsun highway; road traffic to Elmadağ travels on a two-lane road. The area is also connected to the state railway network, which extends to Zonguldak and Kars. When choosing between holiday destinations, you can consider these transport connections alongside your interests in swimming, local history or recreation.

Other places in the same selection: Yıldırımbeyazıt Mahallesi, Akkaya, Ayaş, Karahisar, Örencik, Pursaklar, Akyurt/Ankara and Yukarıbağdere.

Go to the main travel overview: Ankara.