After spending days exploring Istanbul’s major attractions, it might be worth carving out some relaxing days by the sea. Turkey’s most beautiful beaches are along the Aegean or Mediterranean coasts, so they’re quite far from Istanbul given the travel time required. However, if you’re looking for a seaside getaway closer to Istanbul, you’ll find plenty of beaches here with facilities and comprehensive amenities.
The area around Istanbul, whilst not renowned as a famous beach destination, does offer several stretches of sand (both free and paid) where you can unwind, sunbathe and swim in refreshing waters. Istanbul’s beaches are hugely popular with locals wanting to escape the summer heat and tourists who particularly enjoy its beach clubs.
Caddebostan is the closest beach to Istanbul’s city centre, located within the metropolitan area on the Asian side. Thanks to its proximity and facilities, it’s popular with locals in summer keen to escape Istanbul’s hectic pace. The beach boasts a strip of sand almost a kilometre long equipped with facilities offering sun lounger and parasol hire, changing rooms, toilets and showers. The shallow seabed and gradual slope are appreciated by families with children who can swim safely here.
This stretch of coast features several quality hotels, bars, restaurants, shops and numerous venues creating a lively nightlife scene. The waterfront area has cycling and walking paths, plus children’s play areas set among greenery. Caddebostan is reachable by public transport (bus or ferry) in less than an hour from Istanbul’s centre.
The Princes’ Islands, an archipelago of nine islets in the Sea of Marmara, make an ideal day excursion from Istanbul. These islands offer fascinating historical heritage, stunning landscapes and a timeless atmosphere, as they can only be explored on foot, by bicycle or on horseback since cars aren’t permitted. Büyük Adası (Büyük Island) is the largest of the nine islands, boasting a charming centre with shops, craft workshops and a seafront where you can sunbathe. There are both public and private beaches, generally equipped with sun lounger and parasol hire and all necessary facilities.
Some beaches are particularly family-friendly, such as Nakli Bay Beach, with a small equipped sandy strip alongside a large sunbathing platform, and Yörükali beach, smaller but equally well-equipped. Both are washed by intensely blue, clear and calm waters, though often quite cool. Other beaches, like Büyükada or Aya Nikola, are packed with facilities and venues but better suited to those seeking nightlife and entertainment alongside seaside relaxation.
Among the Princes’ Islands, the charming Burgaz Adası (Burgaz Island) is also known for its beaches, being the third largest in the archipelago. Burgaz is typically the second ferry stop connecting Istanbul to the Princes’ Islands, and small beaches dot the coastline. Burgaz boasts a quieter, calmer and arguably more romantic atmosphere than Büyük. In the mid-twentieth century, many Jewish families built beautiful residences and villas along the island’s coast, some converted into hotels, making Burgaz a chic, exclusive destination.
To relax in the sun, there are several beaches, most composed of pebbles or shingle, so water shoes might be necessary. Among the best-known is Burgaz Halk Beach, a fully equipped stretch on the eastern shore near the ferry terminal; here the shore is mixed shingle and sand with intensely blue waters and rocky seabeds. Those seeking quieter areas should venture from the pier towards small coves and bays, including Madam Marta Cove near the island’s north-western point and Kalpazankaya, a rocky beach surrounded by towering cliffs offering spectacular sunsets.
Easy to reach and well-equipped, Florya beach overlooks the Sea of Marmara in Bakırköy district, near the former Atatürk International Airport. The area became famous in the twentieth century as the favourite beach of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder and first president of the Turkish Republic. This is one of Istanbul’s most celebrated municipal beaches, comprising two distinct zones: Güneş and Menekş.
Güneş stretches roughly 800 metres and is a private beach requiring an entrance fee that guarantees access to high-quality amenities. Here you’ll find sun lounger and parasol hire, toilets, changing rooms, showers, lockers and ample car parking. Water activities, children’s play areas, beach volleyball, bars and several restaurants are all available.
The second section, Menekşe, extends about 600 metres with free entry, though it can get very crowded. Sun loungers and parasols are available for hire, plus showers, facilities, several bars, free beach areas and a picnic zone near Lake Kuchukchekmeje.
Throughout this coastal stretch, the waters are fairly clear, calm and the seabed slopes gently. Florya is popular because it’s accessible by underground from Istanbul, with the beach just steps from Metrobüsten Cennet Mahallesi station or reachable by tram to Florya Akvaryum station.
Another popular beach for its facilities and clear waters is Yeşilköy, also overlooking the Sea of Marmara near Florya Beach. Yeşilköy means “green village” in Turkish, a name derived from the area’s origins as a small coastal village surrounded by abundant vegetation. In recent years the area has expanded significantly and seen substantial population growth, partly due to improved public transport links.
The sandy beach offers both free beach areas and equipped zones with all facilities, plus various bars, restaurants and shops, as well as water sports hire points. The shoreline is surrounded by lush greenery and popular with jogging, walking and cycling enthusiasts thanks to pedestrian and cycle paths. The beach is accessible via M1A metro to Atatürk Havalımanı station or tram line to Yeşilköy station.
Along the Black Sea coast, approximately 30 km from Istanbul’s centre, lies Kilyos-Kumköy where an extensive sandy beach with soft sand and fresh, clear waters awaits. This well-equipped beach also hosts a campsite and numerous venues that come alive after sunset with music and DJ sets. You can enjoy many water activities including kitesurfing, catamaran sailing, SUP, windsurfing and beach sports such as volleyball and beach soccer. There are several hotels, bars, numerous restaurants serving typical Turkish cuisine with sea views and various beach clubs offering private beaches with comfort and amenities. It’s particularly popular with those seeking nightlife, beach parties, live entertainment and themed events.
Nearly 10 km from Kilyos is Burç Beach, an extensive sandy beach on the Black Sea renowned for excellent facilities and popularity with water sports enthusiasts. Several resorts, beach clubs and facilities offer private beaches with high-level services, characteristics making this a chic, refined destination. Prices are consequently higher than other Istanbul beaches; the offering includes various cafés and beachfront venues plus seafront restaurants serving excellent fish specialities. Evening entertainment, particularly in July and August, features parties, shows and live DJ sets highly popular with younger visitors and nightlife lovers.
Küçüksu Beach lies in Beykoz district and was renowned in Ottoman times as the favourite of Ottoman Sultan Murad IV; along the coast stands the Küçüksu Pavilion, a building used by imperial rulers for stays in the area. The shoreline features a narrow strip of golden sand directly overlooking the Bosphorus with marvellous city views.
The beach closed in the early nineties due to pollution but has since reopened offering visitors fresh, clean waters, though caution is advised regarding the strong currents characteristic of the Bosphorus. The area has facilities offering all necessary services (sun lounger hire, toilets, showers, sports equipment rental), bars, restaurants and numerous hotels right along the coast.
Those seeking a lesser-known, quieter beach might consider Sile Beach, located roughly 70 km from Istanbul’s centre on the city’s Asian side. Sile is a picturesque fishing village with a stretch of soft, golden sand for sunbathing, whilst the sea waters are clean and fresh thanks to constant currents. As a fishing village, you’ll find small restaurants and tavernas serving fresh fish dishes and modest cafés. There’s a picnic area surrounded by a small maritime pine forest and remnants of a Genoese fortress.
In Demircikoy on the city’s Asian side sits a small beach known as Uzunya Beach, which many consider genuinely romantic, with weddings and events frequently held here. The shoreline has several facilities where you can hire sun loungers and parasols with all services available (toilets, showers, changing rooms), plus spaces for sports like beach volleyball and soccer.
The beach has several equipment hire points for various water sports including surfing, windsurfing, SUP and water skiing, plus snorkelling and diving. Near the beach are both a green area for picnicking and an extensive campground.
In the following map you can see the location of the main places of interest mentioned in this article.
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