Sile is a pretty county depending on Istanbul. It is the northern window of this city looking at the blue through the green with its fascinating beauty. You can witness that 90% of the mountains in the country are covered by emerald green forests reflecting all shades of this color.

Sile coast welcomes its visitors with its clean, sandy, long beaches, its crystal clear water and with a great smile� Natural beaches where the forests meet the sea stretches away as the eye could see.

Sile means culture and arts thanks to its historical background. It fascinates the Istanbul people with its sea, forests, clean beaches, fishes, lighthouse, crying rocks, sunset and the desire to savour a glass of raki� Sile is a poem, a picture and a tale in itself with its mythology.

Sile means "Wild Flower" in Ancient Greek. It has acquired its name from Origanum. Its has been called as Aschill, Philee, Artene and Kilia in its history.

The region covering Kocaeli Peninsula was called Bithynia and Sile was founded by the Bithynians in 7th cent. BC. Today, numerous vestiges remain from various civilizations like Hittites, Phrygians, Romans, Byzantines and Ottomans. According to the legend, Nicomedes III, King of Bithynia, has bequeathed his land to Romans.

The most important cultural object which presented Sile to the world is "Sile Fabric". Sile Fabric is a value proper to Sile, woven with cotton yards on hand looms. Its authentic character allowed it to be named so. Various kinds of clothes are tailored by Sile Fabric and they are very healthy thanks to their ability to absorb the sweat.

The Lighthouse of Sile was constructed by French architects with the order of Sultan Aziz between 1858-1859. The Lighthouse of Sile which is a first class sea lighthouse conforming to international standards, continues to guide the vessels since 138 years by resisting to rigorous waves of Black Sea.

Sile Castle has an important place in the historical development. It has been originally constructed by Byzantines and used by the Ottomans in later centuries. The castle measures 10 meters by 10 meters and has a height of 12 meters; it was aimed to defeat the attacks coming from the sea.

The historical Heciz Castle is situated in Yesil Vadi (Green Valley) erected by Byzantines. Located on a dominating hill, it protected the Byzance against the raids coming from Anatolia.

Sarıkavak Castle is also a Byzantine period remnant. It is located near Hasanli Village, at a distance of 22 kms from Sile center.

Ocakliada Grotto (Castle Grotto). The Island on which Sile Castle was constructed is called Ocakliada. It was once connected to the coast and with the erosion of the water it became an island. Taking into account its volume and naturality, the grotto beneath it worths.

Magaraalti Grotto is in Mesrutiyet Village and is reputated with its natural beauty.

Sofular Village Grotto has been used by the Christians of Nicea as a church when they have escaped from Romans. There is an altar and a baptistery belonging to this period. A corridor leads to the direction of Yesil Vadi for 20 kms. Wide sandy beaches, forests and water spring stretch before it.

Aglayan Kayalar (Crying Rocks) is a water spring, 600 meters behind the Lighthouse of Sile. It is called so because the water flow reminds the eye drops. It constitutes also a screne for a legendarized love story.

Kumbaba Hill. It is located 2 kms from Sile and was used for sand baths in Byzantine era. The hill was named Kumbaba because somebody coming from Egypt has introduced here the cure with sand. His tomb is found on so called hill. The sand is good for the treatment of rheumatism diseases.

Hanim Suyu Fountain. It has been constructed by a woman from Egypt in 1871, in other wards in Ottoman times. The water is drinkable today and the fountain is also called "Tatli Su" (Sweet Water).

Fountain of Kabakoz Village. It has been constructed by Byzantines, 11 kms to the north of Sile. It has a history exstending over 600 years.

Baptistry and Kemer Bridge in Yenikoy situated at a distance of 9 kms from Sile. The baptistery is near the village. Dry fountains from the early periods as well as arched bridges from the Byzantine times are spread in the vineyards of Yenikoy, too.

Kizlar Hamami (Girls Bath) and Eski Hamam (Old Bath). Kizlar Hamami is located near the harbor of the city and belongs to Byzantine period. Eski Hamam from the Ottoman times is in Hamamdere Quarter at city center.

There are many historical monuments in the surroundings of Sile. Kumbaba in Sile Harbor, Goce, Goksu, Bozgaca and Kabakoz Villages are the places where the historical atmosphere is mostly felt.

Coast and natural beaches

Major beaches are located in Kumbaba, Ayazma, Aglayan Kaya, Imrendi, Sahilkoy, Agva and Kurfalli. It is also possible to swim near Buyuk and Iskele Yeri Beaches.

Picnic and camping areas

All kinds of picnic and camping areas are found in Sile and around.

Seafood and hunting

Sile is rich region for fishing and hunting. For this reason, it attracts people interested in these activities and who come from Istanbul and other nearest cities. Hare, wild pig and different birds can be hunted in Sile forests.

Sile Fabric Cultural Festival

Sile Fabric Cultural Festival is organized every year, between the last week of July and first week of August. This traditional festival associated and identified with Sile, has become a cultural and international character thanks to the participations from the countries all over the world. Sile Fabric Festival is a very colourful event consisting of concerts and shows realized by the famous artists of our country. Reputated writers, poets, cartoonists and journalists transform it is a festival of literature.

People going to Sile savour the history, nature, green, sea, sand and a spiritual dignity created by the sunset. Vendors on the beach, animation in the streets, pleasure to drink raki in the moonlight and the evoked feelings constitute the mosaic of a lovely holiday.

The climate of Black Sea region is dominant in Sile. Rainfalls are mostly in autumn and winter. September and October are quite dry. To the contrary, March and April pass usually rainy and foggy. The temperature reaches to its highest level in August and touches the lowest point in February. Between June, July and August it is possible to swim in Sile. It is a very suitable recreational place in the rest of the year.

Sile is a pretty town, looking at the blue through the green, a place where the dream and the reality coincide and the voice of the Black Sea in the life of Istanbul. International handball tournaments are organized in Sile every year. Countries such as Turkey, The Netherlands, Denmark, Ukraine, Russia, Bulgaria, Kazakhstan participates to this sports activity.