Sazova Science, Art and Culture Park: Fairytale Castle, Pirate Ship and Zoo

Located six kilometres west of central Eskişehir along the Kütahya road (reached in 15 to 20 minutes from Odunpazarı or Köprübaşı on Municipal Bus 11, 16, 17 or 38, or a 12-minute metered taxi), the 400,000-square-metre Sazova Science, Art and Culture Park (Sazova Bilim Kültür ve Sanat Parkı) is the largest and most imaginative public park in Central Anatolia. Entering the park grounds and walking around the central lake is completely free, while each individual attraction inside charges a tiny symbolic municipal admission ticket (a few lira).

Five Highlights Around the Sazova Park Lake

1. The Fairytale Castle (Masal Şatosu): rising 50 metres above the water at the centre of the park, this blue-and-white castle is often nicknamed "Turkey's Disneyland", yet every one of its eight main towers and eighteen turrets is actually an architectural tribute to a real historic tower in Turkey: Istanbul's Galata Tower and Maiden's Tower (Kız Kulesi), Antalya's Yivli Minaret, Topkapı Palace's Tower of Justice, Mardin's Ulu Cami Minaret, Diyarbakır's Çan Kulesi, Amasya's Burgundy Tower and Bayburt's Clock Tower. Inside, browse interactive storybook galleries of Nasreddin Hodja, Dede Korkut and Keloğlan, and step out onto the upper terrace for a panoramic view over the park.
2. The Full-Scale Galleon Ship (Korsan Gemisi / Santa María): moored right in the lake opposite the castle is a wooden replica of Christopher Columbus's 1492 flagship Santa María, where you can walk the plank onto the main deck and inspect the captain's cabin and lower hold.

3. The Free Miniature Park Train: hop onto the colourful trackless/rail park locomotives that circle the 1.2-kilometre lake perimeter between the main gate and the science zone.
4. ETİ Underwater World Aquarium & Eskişehir Zoo (Hayvanat Bahçesi): located at the southern edge of the park, featuring a walk-through glass shark tunnel, penguin house, tropical rainforest biome and a serene Japanese Garden.
5. Sabancı Space House (Planetarium), Science Experiment Centre & Esminyatürk: at the western end of the lake, walk among 32 scale models of Turkic world monuments (including the Taj Mahal, Mostar Bridge and Selimiye Mosque) at Esminyatürk and catch a 360-degree dome screening at the Sabancı Planetarium.