Car & Van Hire - Tekirdag

Tekirdag is on the shores of the Sea of Marmara, and its beautiful beaches make it a great destination for summer. Like many cities in Turkey, it has a long, interesting history. In particular, Tekirdag is known as a site of numerous battles over the centuries. Its strategic location means that it has changed hands many hands, with different civilisations and empires holding it. To learn more about its history, you can head to the Tekirdag Museum of Archaeology and Ethnography. This is a truly fascinating museum. Its earliest exhibits date back to the Early Bronze Age, while the later artefacts show Tekirdag during the Ancient Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman empires.

You might be surprised to hear Hungarian spoken in the streets of Tekirdag. This city is, in fact, extremely popular with Hungarian visitors. This is because of the Rakoczi House, in which Francis II Rakoczi lived for fifteen years in exile. He was a Hungarian hero who fought for his country's independence against the Austrian monarchy. His house has been preserved and contains a number of exhibits relating to his life. It's certainly an interesting place to visit, as it is a strikingly unusual sight.

In summer, you can take advantage of car hire in Tekirdag to explore the nearby Marmara Islands. Park your car at the harbour and hop on a boat. This small archipelago consists of 21 islands, of which just four are inhabited. A day trip to the islands is like taking a step back in time, leaving the city behind and returning to nature. There are some hotels and restaurants, particularly on the island of Avsa, but Marmara, Pasalimani and Ekinlik are quieter, with lush vegetation and beautiful, solitary beaches. They're great if you want to go for a hike in a unique, remarkable setting.

Beach lovers will find plenty to keep them busy with car or van hire in Tekirdag. The Sea of Marmara is wonderful in summer, with water that is perfect for swimming. It's a popular spot for Turkish holidaymakers, and an increasing number of adventurous international visitors come here each year, too. Sarkoy Beach is known for its length, with a vast expanse of sand and a seafront promenade to stroll along. Camlikoy Beach is a little wilder, while Kumbag Beach has stronger waves. This makes it unsuitable for families who want to swim – but if you're looking for peace and quiet, this is the place to go.

Tekirdag has well-controlled traffic and does not have a major rush hour. It is popular as a holiday destination, so you will often see more cars on the roads at weekends during the summer months.

When it comes to parking, the city has several large "Oto Parks", the Turkish term for large car parks. Many visitors head to the harbour area, which is well-served by Otopark Bekir and Otopark Gokeme Sk. When you bring your vehicle into one of these car parks, you'll be greeted by a parking attendant who offers to park it for you. This is often a good idea, as cars are crammed tightly together – something that requires an expert touch to get right!

You'll also find some on-street parking options around town, although the maximum amount of time that you can remain parked is often limited. There are no parking meters. Instead, a parking attendant will approach you as you pull into the slot, and you can pay him directly. You will need to carry cash to do this, as card payments are not available. Turkey does not currently have any special apps or other forms of mobile parking payment.

If you are visiting Tekirdag as part of a larger road trip, you will need to ensure your car is fitted with an HGS device. These small transponders usually take the form of little stickers with embedded microchips, and they are used to pay for tolls. There is a huge network of toll roads across Turkey, and prices can vary enormously. The only way to pay is with an HGS device. If your car is not fitted with one, you'll be fined – and the fine is 10 times the toll amount!

While tolls can be annoying, they do have a good side. Nowadays, Turkey's highways are extremely modern and well-maintained, and the government has invested in creating alternative routes to keep traffic jams at bay. You'll generally have an easy time driving between cities if you stick to highways. Veer off onto back roads, and things are a different story. You'll save money on tolls, but in exchange, you may have to deal with bad road conditions, potholes and delays. In some country areas, you can also find animals causing hazards, and you may end up sharing the road with a group of goats.