Istanbul is a huge megapolis, cozily located on both sides of the magnificent Bosphorus Strait. Most tourists come to Istanbul for its cultural heritage or for shopping. But if you visit the city in summertime, between June and September, you get a great chance to explore the nearby beaches!
Even though Antalya is far away, no need to take a flight! Istanbul has a well-developed infrastructure for a beach holiday, easily accessible for exploration in one day.
Black Sea Beaches in Istanbul
The Black Sea coast near Istanbul rarely appears in travel guides, but it deserves your attention. Even if you have only one free day in Istanbul, you can have a wonderful beach rest here.
Kilyos
Kilyos is the main beach area on the European side of Istanbul, famous for its clean sandy beaches and seafood restaurants. If you’re here, you can’t miss Ūzūm Kızı Balık Restorant with the catch of the day. Besides, Kilyos is easily accessible by public transport, even without a car. You can take the M2 metro line to the Hacıosman station + bus №151 to the Kilyos Merkez stop.
Dedicate a full day to Kilyos, so on your way to the coast, you can visit the ruins of an old fortress in the nearby Marmaracık National Park.
There are a few beach areas in Kylios with beach clubs. Uzunya Beach Club can be a good choice if you’re looking for a clean and well-maintained resting area with good infrastructure.
Kisirka Village Beach (Hidden Gem)
This picturesque free beach is located near a small village with golden sand and azure water. It’s a challenge to get there by public transport, so an option is suitable for those who have rented a car.
Travel tip: It’s best to bring your own umbrellas, food and everything you need for a full-day getaway.
The Marmara Coast in Istanbul
The most popular beaches on the Sea of Marmara are located in the districts of Florya, Fenerbahçe, and Caddebostan.
Florya
Florya Beach shore is almost 1 km long and is more popular among locals than tourists. There are numerous opportunities for comfortable rest and active stay, various cafes for any budget, and water sports.
How to get there: The beach is easily accessible by the BN2 bus from the New Mosque in the Eminönü district. Or you can take a metro from Sirkeci Station.
Special highlight: If you come with kids, don’t miss the opportunity to visit Florya Aquarium with a mini-amphitheater next to a glass wall.
Caddebostan
Caddebostan on the Asian side is the main destination for a beach holiday in Istanbul, almost 1 km long. Basically, it is divided into three small beaches, each with all the necessary amenities and cafes. Two large public beaches are free to enter, and for a more secluded experience, there’s a private, paid beach with a pool, bar, and live music.
How to get there: you can take a ferry and a bus from the pier in the Eminonu district (but always check up-to-date schedules and routes(Ferryhopper app), because there are constant seasonal changes).
Menekşe
Menekşe is a swimming spot beyond the guidebook, mostly visited by residents of Istanbul’s southwestern districts.
You can spend the whole day here, as the beach is part of Menekşe Göl Ağzı Parkı, which occupies the entire area between two bodies of water, but bring a mat or arrive early to secure a spot in the shade.
How to get there: The beach is easily accessible by Marmaray.
Princes’ Islands
Princes’ Islands are a unique getaway near Istanbul. The place creates a feeling of being transported back in time, rather than in bustling Istanbul with horse-drawn transport and slow-paced rural life.
Four of the nine islands are inhabited:
- Büyükada
- Heybeliada
- Burgazada
- Kinalıada
You can reach the Princes’ Islands by ferry from the Asian side of the city from Bostancı, Kadıköy, and Kartal, or from the Eminönü and Kabataş piers on the European side of Istanbul.
Special highlight: Istanbul’s water transport service runs from 6:30-7:00 AM until 10:00 PM. The ferry ride is an additional water adventure, which takes about an hour and a half. Start your trip early in the morning, so you can be one of the first visitors to feel the vibe of a place.
The most popular beaches, Nakibey Beach and Prenses Koyu Beach, are located on Büyükada Island.
Burgazada and Kınalıada Islands are perfect for island hopping. You can spend a few hours in each, relaxing in one of the picturesque restaurants, enjoying fish and mussel dishes. There’s the small but cozy Kalpazankaya Beach with a nearby restaurant of the same name on Burgazada Island.
On Heybeliada Island, you can visit the Green Beach Club with umbrellas, sun loungers, and a beach bar, or the Ada Beach Club in Çam Limanı Bay, also with good infrastructure.
Aqua Club Dolphin water park
A vacation is meant to be fun, interesting, and varied, especially if you’re traveling with children. A visit to the Istanbul Aquapark can add variety to your Istanbul excursion program. Also, the waterpark features a large dolphinarium!
How to get there: You can easily get here by public transportation from anywhere in Istanbul.
Takeaways
Istanbul offers a surprising variety of places to enjoy the summer by the water, even if at first glance it seems to you that this city is suitable exclusively for a city break with its rich cultural heritage and extensive opportunities for shopping.
From the Black Sea coast and the Sea of Marmara to the picturesque Princes’ Islands, there’s a beach for every travel style and budget. A huge plus is the fact that Istanbul has a very well-developed public transport system, so you can easily get to the beach even without a rented car within one day.
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Read more about Turkey here in Dispatches’ archives.
Galyna Rogovska is a travel expert with extensive experience in content creation. She is an enthusiastic globetrotter who has visited 25-plus countries, and an explorer with a passion for adventure.
