Darıca is a town and district of Kocaeli Province in the Marmara region of Turkey. It was ceded from Gebze district in 2008. The mayor is Şükrü Karabacak.
Darica takes its name from Darıca Castle, which has only one tower. The population of Darıca is approximately 150,000. With population density, Darıca is third district in Kocaeli Region. Darica hosts people of many cultures. It is located 38 km from İstanbul. Darıca is 10 km from Sabiha Gokcen Airport and only 50 km away from Ataturk International Airport. Darica is also close to the D-100 highway and it is very close to the railway network. It is has a clean coast, social areas, festivals and zoo for the Marmara Region.
Bayramoglu, the natural beauty of the gulf Darica on the strip, is a peninsula consisting of three through the nose. It is known as the most modern holiday center in the Marmara Region. Its sun, sea, beach and modern recreation facilities are suitable for not only day tripper but also long trips.
Bayramoğlu is a peninsula having a-three-foreland over the Gulf strip included to Darıca and has a unique beauty. There are cafeterias, restaurants, picnic areas, children's play groups along the beach and also areas of fish can be hold.
Families will spend days within play areas, cafes, and walking areas. There is amphitheater and stands where the Fusion of Cultures and Cities festival was held. During the festival park visited from 300,000 people.
Denıze Sevgı Park
Within walking paths, cafes, restaurants, children's play groups, people have fun, you can do sports and enter the sea. They will relax with a beautiful sea view. Also there are integrated model of the ship and cruise balconies.
Sancaktepe has the highest hill of Darıca. The beautiful view of sunset can be seen. On 200 acres of land, with 15,000 trees planted to visit the places seeing is the beginning of worth. To spend time with family is one of the most beautiful areas with the picnic areas, walking paths and cafe. Also Sancaktepe Landscape design received two awards across the country.
Darıca is the old location, established 378 BC. It hosts many historic structures like historical houses, castle and lighthouse. The lighthouse was build in 1896.
Bogazıçı Zoo and Botanical Park
Darica bird paradise is unique as bird species in the world, which is introduced Turkey to the world and it has attention of local and foreign visitors. It is built into 200,000 m² area in Darıca. It contains 3000 animals. Park has 300 kinds of animals and 500 kinds of plants.