People come to the Turkish city to look at ancient temples and monasteries. A common question - is Istanbul suitable for a beach holiday? Suitable! Learn about the beaches on the Bosphorus, Marmara and Black Seas, where it is pleasant to swim.
Is it possible to relax by the sea in Istanbul
Relaxing on the beach in a crowded city seems impossible, but it is not! The metropolis is washed by the waters of two seas, which means there are good places for a beach holiday.
Especially for a beach holiday, you should not go to Istanbul. However, if you want to freshen up and take a break from excursions, then you can easily find equipped beaches. Where can you swim in Istanbul? There are excellent sandy and pebble beaches on the shores of the Sea of Marmara, in the Bosphorus and in the bays of the Princes' Islands. Wide sandy beaches can be found on the Black Sea coast - in Quillos, Riva, Agva and Sile. Learn about the best resorts in Turkey on the Black Sea.
Keep in mind that the Istanbulites themselves do not like beaches within the city limits. They believe that because of the huge number of housing and ships, the sea water is not too clean, so only tourists and migrants rest on the Istanbul beaches. Locals are happy to go to the coast to breathe fresh air, drink coffee or tea, and go for a swim out of town.
Most of the equipped beaches near Istanbul are paid and open from 9:00 to 19:00. Prices depend on the day of the week - on weekdays from 25 liras, and on weekends - from 50 liras. In cheap places there are only toilets, showers, a restaurant or a cafe, in more expensive places, tourists are offered water slides, swimming pools and sports grounds. Almost everywhere it is forbidden to bring food and drinks to the beach. Single men are never allowed on family beaches.
Advice... If you want to relax on the beaches of Istanbul without crowds, come on weekdays.
When to go
The beach season on the Marmara, let alone the Black Sea, is not as long as on the Mediterranean. They start swimming in early June, when the water warms up to +21 ... + 22 ° С. The warmest sea is in August + 25 ° С. The velvet season is limited to September. In October, swimming in Istanbul is already cool - the average air temperature during the day is + 20 ° С, and sea water is + 19 ° С.
Istanbul hotels with beach
Heybeli Hotel 3 * - a hotel on the Heybeliada island.
Eskibağ Butik Hotel 3 * - a hotel on the island of Buyukada with a private beach
Buyukada Anastasia Meziki Hotel is a historic 200-year-old mansion on the island. Buyukada near the beach.
The Marmara Suadiye Residence 4 * - at the Jaddebostan beach.
Crowne Plaza Istanbul 5 * is an excellent hotel near Floria beach.
Eser Premium Hotel & Spa 5 * - by the beach of Buyukcekmece.
Jaddebostan beach
If you want to relax in the Asian side of the city, head to the beaches in the Caddebostan area for wonderful views of the Bosphorus. The coast with golden sand stretches for 1 km. The entrance to the water is shallow, the water is clean, but sometimes jellyfish swim to the shore.
All three beaches have good recreational infrastructure. Two beaches are free, and the entrance fee is 25 liras. You will pay 10 liras for a sun lounger.
Floria beach
On the coast of the Sea of Marmara, the beach in the Floria region is popular. The locals call it Güneşli Plaj, which means "sunny". Florya Beach is located near the large park and the Aqua Florya shopping center. A great opportunity to sunbathe, swim in the sea and visit a large modern aquarium!
The spacious coastline, 800 m long, is covered with gray sand, but there is a lot of algae in the water. The beach has sun loungers, parasols, cafes, changing cabins, showers and toilets. Admission is paid, for adults - 25 liras.
Menekshe
A lesser-known free beach is located next to Florya Beach. Trees grow along a 600 m long strip of sand. Entry into the water is gentle, and shallow water stretches far from the coast. You can grab a bite to eat at a summer café or buy food from vendors.
Yesilkoy
In the Bakirkoy district of Istanbul, there are two bays fenced with breakwaters 260 and 160 m long. Vacationers sunbathe on the sand and grass under the shade of trees. The swimming area is marked with buoys. The free municipal beach is served by lifeguards and fast food vendors. It is a 5-minute walk from the bus stop of the bus number 72T Boğaziçi Yönetim Aş to the beach.
Kyuchuksu
On the Anatolian side of the Bosphorus, not far from the famous Kucuksu Palace, there is a good municipal beach with fine sand. On the coast, 300 meters long, there are sun loungers, toilets and always a lot of people.
Princes' islands
In the Sea of Marmara, 20 km from the coast, there is an archipelago of 9 islands, which are considered one of the provinces of Istanbul. There are no industrial plants on Adalar and the use of motor vehicles is prohibited. The nature is protected, so the sea water is very clean. Picturesque sandy and pebble beaches occupy small bays. Some of them cost 50-70 liras to enter.
Four islands are open to tourists. Ferries run from Istanbul's marinas to Adalar. Comfortable ships reach the farthest island in 95 minutes, and high-speed catamarans - in just an hour.
Poyrazkei
One of the best beaches on the Bosphorus in Istanbul is the fishing village in the Beykoz region. Sandy bay 300 m long is surrounded by green hills and separated from the water area of the strait by a concrete breakwater. The water is calm, but not as clear as on the open sea. The entrance is free. Bus number 135 runs from the city to Poyrazkei.
Altinkum
The strip of sandy beaches on the European coast of the Bosphorus is famous for its good infrastructure and services. From the south, the coast is wider - up to 40 m. The water is clean, but there are algae in the shallow waters. On private beaches the entrance costs 40-50 liras. Bus number 25A runs from Istanbul's Haciosman metro station to Altinkum.
Quillos
For a free vacation on the Black Sea in Istanbul, the municipal beach of the resort of Kilyos is suitable. It stretches for 500 m near the center of the village. There is more sand on the left side of Kilyos Halk Plajı, while the ebb and flow of the tide is stronger on the right. In windy weather, large waves rise on the sea.
Getting to the center of Quillos is easy. Go to Hacıosman Metro Station and change to bus no. 151.
Burch beach club
This is one of the most popular club beaches in Istanbul on the Black Sea and is located in Quilos. Many consider Burç - in Turkish "Zodiac" - the best place for a beach holiday in the vicinity of the city. The resort area is covered with clean sand and is divided into private and municipal areas. In addition to sun loungers, sun umbrellas, bars and restaurants, you will find a lot of entertainment: windsurfing, catamaran riding, beach volleyball and football courts, sports competitions and discos.
Bus 59RK runs from Boğaziçi Üniversitesi Station to the beach. The entrance costs 50-80 liras. They do not charge money for parking.
Solar beach
Quillos' beautiful club beach adjoins the municipal beach. Tourists like the wide strip of soft yellow sand, smooth entry into the sea and the pool. There is a cafe on the shore. If you want to relax without loud music, choose the sun loungers on the outskirts of the beach. The entrance costs 50-100 liras. Parking is also paid - 20 liras.
Tırmata Beach
Tymarta beach is a quiet coast with soft sand and clean well-groomed territory, which stretches for 400 m. It is located between the beaches of Burch and Solar. The specialty of Tyrmata is kitesurfing. If you're a beginner, take a lesson at the nearby kite school. Admission for adults costs 50-70 liras, and for children from 7-12 years old - 30 liras.
Uzunya Beach
Families with children prefer this sandy beach east of Quillos. In a small bay 140 m long, a quiet rest on the Black Sea coast is guaranteed. You can sit on sun loungers and large pillows in the shade of the trees. There is an excellent fish restaurant on the beach, where delicious seafood dishes are prepared. The entrance to Uzunya costs 40-60 liras.
Milyon Beach
Another bay to the east of the resort of Quillos has changed its name several times. Previously, this beach in the vicinity of Istanbul was called Babylon, and then - Dalia. The smooth arc of sand 180 m long is perfectly complemented by low green hills and blue sea. In the surf, sand is mixed with pebbles.
Milyon Beach has everything you need for a comfortable stay.You can only get to the beach by taxi or rented car.
