Even if we had not planned a trip just for Göynük, it is a lovely place to add to a route. Our story started exactly that way. We first stopped on the way through for a small discovery, and later came back for a day trip for Göynük alone.
Where is Göynük and why is it a slow city?
Göynük is a district of Bolu, a historic town known for its Ottoman-era character and wooden houses. It has been placed on the Cittaslow list, the network of towns that value slow living, local culture and local production. We saw how well it deserves the title: quiet, calm and peaceful. Its sights and the natural beauty around it make it worth adding to any route.
What do you do in Göynük?
- Wander slowly through its streets and sights
- Discover the natural surroundings
- Try and buy local products
What should you buy?
Local products are the most important item on the list. They are genuinely handmade, organic and very affordable. We squeezed mountain thyme and pine-cone jam into the bike and brought them home.
Can you go by motorcycle?
We did. Göynük was also part of our Beypazarı and Nallıhan trip, where the landscape stays green up to Göynük and then the colour of the soil and the shape of the mountains change.
A riding note: slow down early on town approach roads, and remember that a load of jars shifts the bike’s balance, so enter the first bends gently. Rider Healthcare and Galata Healthcare sachets were in our bag, and Educated Moto Riders runs group tours for those who prefer company.
Read the full story in Turkish with photos and videos: Göynük Gezi Rehberi.