Tekirdağ

Tekirdağ (pronounced [teˈciɾdaː]) is a city in northwestern Turkey. It is the seat of Tekirdağ Province and Süleymanpaşa District. It is located on the north coast of the Sea of Marmara, in the region of East Thrace. The city forms the urban part of the Süleymanpaşa district, with a population of 186,421 in 2022. Tekirdağ is a commercial centre with a harbour for agricultural products (the harbour is being expanded to accommodate a new rail link to the main freight line through Thrace). It is also home to Martas and the BOTAŞ Terminal, both of them important for trade activities in the Marmara Region. The town's best known product remains Tekirdağ rakı although it is also known for its cherries, celebrated with a festival every June. The proximity of the Greek and Bulgarian borders means that there are honorary consulates for both countries in Tekirdağ. Ferries from Tekirdağ sail to the nearby Marmara Islands during the summer. The nearest airport is Tekirdağ Çorlu Airport (TEQ) although there are many more flights to Istanbul Airport (IST).