Düzce is a verdant province in northwestern Turkey's western Black Sea region, famed for its hazelnut orchards, rushing rivers, alpine forests, and the vast Efteni Lake wetland. Sandwiched between Istanbul and Ankara along the Trans-European Motorway (D-100), it offers whitewater rafting on the Melen River, mountain trekking toward Bolu's Yedigöller plateaus, and the culinary heritage of a region recognized as one of Turkey's great gastronomic belts.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Raw or roasted hazelnuts (fındık)
Price: 80–200 TRY/kg (~$2.40–6)
Where: Wednesday market, roadside stalls in Cumayeri
Hazelnut paste (fındık ezmesi)
Price: 120–300 TRY/jar (~$3.60–9)
Where: Pastry shops, markets
Local honey (kestane balı – chestnut honey)
Price: 200–500 TRY/jar (~$6–15)
Where: Wednesday market, specialty shops
Tulum cheese (aged goat/sheep cheese)
Price: 150–350 TRY/kg (~$4.50–10.50)
Where: Wednesday market
Nazar boncuğu (evil eye bead)
Price: 20–100 TRY (~$0.60–3)
Where: Tourist shops, markets
Handmade wooden items
Price: 100–500 TRY (~$3–15)
Where: Konuralp artisan shops
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Düzce Haftalık Pazar (Wednesday Market)
Fresh vegetables, local cheese (tulum, beyaz peynir), hazelnuts, honey, herbs
Where: City centre market grounds
Hours: Wednesday 07:00–15:00
Konuralp Köy Pazarı
Village produce, homemade jams, fresh eggs, local honey
Where: Konuralp historic district
Hours: Sunday mornings 08:00–13:00