Keles: Highlands, Cuisine and Living Folklore

Keles combines a landscape shaped by mountain ranges and plateaus with a Friday market in the town centre and a culinary tradition maintained over generations. Kocayayla adds a highland picnic and recreation area to the surrounding area; folklore and historical remains offer further cultural themes. This lets you choose whether to focus your trip on local life, the landscape or culture.

Friday: Market and Keles güveci

One culinary landmark is Keles güveci: in Keles, the dish is prepared in güveç ovens every Friday. This draws on knowledge passed down over generations and artisanal experience. It is made with goat or Erkeç meat; served hot, it is brought to the table with bread and, if desired, onions. Depending on the season, locally grown Eksenaz or Pembe-Çavuş grapes are served for dessert. The Keles market is also held in the town centre on Fridays. Having both on the same day gives you a clear point of reference when planning to include the market and food culture in your trip.

Highlands and scenery in the district

Kocayayla, a highland picnic and recreation area, lies four kilometres southeast of Keles. The open meadow and pasture area covers about 400,000 m² and sits 1,200 m above sea level. Facilities there include sports areas, tables and benches, fire pits, a restaurant, a country café, a kiosk, a prayer room, a playground and toilets.

Two separate mountain ranges run from southeast to northwest across Keles District. Between them lie plateaus and hilly terrain. Forests cover 57 percent of the district, or about 364 km². Although the area is close to the Sea of Marmara, Uludağ prevents maritime influences from reaching far inland.

The Keles area has a transitional climate between temperate and continental conditions. Precipitation falls mainly in spring and winter, usually as snow in winter. The landscape and climate are therefore shaped not only by the area's proximity to the Sea of Marmara, but also by its inland location and mountain ranges.

Folklore and historical remains

Many shared folklore traditions are still practised in Keles and the surrounding area; Keles is considered a living expression of Yörük culture. A distinctive detail is the use of spoons in folk dances: they are carved from a single piece of maple wood and have unusual handles. Because of the pointed pendants on their stems, they are called “tonguraklı kaşık”. This brings the dance tradition to life through its craftsmanship as well.

Traditional clothing also carries cultural significance: embroidery, patterns, colours and embellishments in the Keles area reflect the cultural identity of the population.

In antiquity, Tazlak Hill, between Akçapınar and Belenören, was home to a temple dedicated to Zeus and an odeion for concerts and gatherings. Architectural materials from these structures and other buildings can be seen in the villages of Akçapınar and Belenören, at the foot of the hill.

Hikes in the wider region

A natural trail suitable for hiking runs through a canyon along the Kocasu. You can reach Gavur-İni Cave by hiking along the river, then taking a left-hand ascent that takes about 30 minutes.

Choose a suitable base

When looking for a holiday rental in Keles, you can use the town centre and Kocayayla as different points of reference. Consider whether the market and cuisine or the highlands fit your travel plans better, and compare the location of an accommodation with the experiences you want.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Karacabey, Iznik, Sarnıç Köyü, Bursa, Zeytinbağı Belediyesi, Orhangazi, Boyalıca Belediyesi, Yalıçiftlik

For the main travel overview: Bursa.