Visiting the beach might not be the main reason to go to Istanbul, but it's good to know which ones are the best, especially if you're there in the summer heat.
The waters around Istanbul offer a cool break when temperatures rise from June to September. Locals often go to the Black Sea, the Bosphorus, and the Sea of Marmara.
Many beaches are private and linked to luxury hotels or exclusive clubs. However, Turkey's public beaches are great spots to have fun and learn about local culture.
Here are the top beaches in Istanbul:
Büyükçekmece Beach
In August, it seems like many people from Istanbul head to the nearby resort of Büyükçekmece. Located on the European side of the city by the Sea of Marmara, its population grows a lot in the summer. The main attraction is its 15 miles of coastline with a walking path. Behind it, some areas are still quite rural, although Büyükçekmece has become a large city with many holiday apartments.
Along the coastal path, you'll find tea gardens and restaurants known for fish sandwiches. These sandwiches come in a crusty bread roll with simple salad and a squeeze of lemon.
Another must-see is the Sultan Suleiman Bridge, built in 1567. It crosses the mouth of Lake Büyükçekmece with four stone arches. The bridge now sits in a culture park that includes a museum and an amphitheater for events. Several tea houses offer different regional Turkish foods.
Yeşilköy Çiroz Beach
Another resort by the Sea of Marmara, Yeşilköy Çiroz, is just 45 minutes from Istanbul. It has a sandy beach divided into two bays. The main swimming area is marked by buoys and watched over by lifeguards on towers, with a rescue boat ready to help. But being close to the busy Bosphorus, a commercial waterway, makes many people hesitant to swim, so sunbathing is more popular. Some people also enjoy playing beach volleyball or soccer.
During high season, people celebrate the beautiful sunsets with live music. There are lovely gardens to walk in, or you can rent electric bikes or scooters to explore. A busy marina is a main feature along the walking and cycling paths by the coast, providing easy access to the nearby town of Yeşilköy.
Yeşilköy means "Green Village," and the streets lined with trees keep this peaceful image. There are many fancy shops and restaurants with outdoor seating where you can watch people go by.
Places to visit include the beautiful Greek Orthodox Haghia Stefanos Church, built in 1845. The town was first settled by Greek fishermen and was originally called Ayastefanos after Saint Stephan.
Büyükada, Princes’ Islands
The nine peaceful, car-free Princes’ Islands are in the Sea of Marmara, about 15 miles southeast of the Bosphorus. These leafy islands, once home to the city’s elite and a favorite spot for locals, offer a calm escape from the city hustle. The beaches are nice and the sea is clean. It’s best to visit on weekdays because weekends are crowded.
Take a ferry to Büyükada, the largest island, and rent a bike or electric car, which replaced the old horse-drawn carriages. There are many things to see, like fancy Victorian-era houses and Trotsky’s old house, and charming stone streets covered in bougainvillea near the town center.
Walk through two nature parks, enjoy the smell of pine trees, then relax on one of the numerous beaches. Yorukali and Naki Bey are popular, but there are many options, from fancy private beach clubs to quiet coves with sandy shores. Before heading back, enjoy fresh fish at a waterfront restaurant.
Caddebostan Beach
Caddebostan is on the Anatolian side of Istanbul, just minutes from the western end of the fancy shopping street, Bagdat Caddesi. It overlooks the busy ferry routes and the beautiful Princes’ Islands.
There are three top beaches in Istanbul here. They are well-protected, but only one is public. Because it's the closest beach to central Istanbul, it can get crowded on holidays and weekends.
The beaches have lifeguards, showers, and changing areas, as you'd expect in this upscale area. There are also plenty of great restaurants, cafés, and shops nearby.
The shallow waters are safe for kids, making it popular with families. On weekends, Turkish pop music plays from speakers, adding to the lively vibe.
Caddebostan Dalyan Park connects all the beaches. It's a nice spot for a shaded, quieter walk. The wide coastal path is popular with walkers, cyclists, and joggers.
To get here, take a ferry to Bostancı on the eastern side of the park. It links to ferry terminals in Kabatas on the European side and Kadikoy on the Asian side.
Ormanli Beach
Ormanli Beach is a lovely, long beach on the Black Sea, about an hour from Istanbul. The last part of the drive is on quiet roads with trees, going through the green Turkish countryside. The beach has pebbles that turn to sand near the water. Behind it are sandy hills covered in greenery, popular for wild camping and family picnics. Some hills are high enough for paragliding, and winds attract kite-boarders. The wind keeps the sea rough, and the beach drops off quickly, so not many people swim. Most visitors have picnics or sunbathe with rented loungers and umbrellas. There's a beginner paragliding school as well. Joining an Istanbul paragliding school might be a great way to enjoy the beach, as they provide transport to and from the city. In high season, many families come from Istanbul, but the beach is long enough to find a quiet spot. There aren't many facilities, just a beach café and two restaurants ten minutes away. The nearest town is Ormanli, two miles back towards Istanbul.
Anadolufeneri Beach
Anadolufeneri is where you'll find a lighthouse on the Asian side of the Bosphorus. "Anadolu" means Anatolia, and "Feneri" means lighthouse in Turkish. This lighthouse was built in 1856 during the Crimean War, and it's paired with Rumeli Feneri on the European side, where "Rumeli" means land of the Romans.
The lighthouse offers great views over the entrance to the Bosphorus shipping channel. Next to it is a charming small mosque from around 1800. You can also see part of the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge, which opened in 2016 and is very tall. It carries both road and rail traffic.
Below the lighthouse, Anadolufeneri beach is in a small cove with views towards Europe. It's pebbly and local fishermen still use it for their boats. It's a quiet spot, but you might not stay long after taking photos and cooling off in the water. Still, it's a nice addition to a day spent enjoying views of the Bosphorus and nearby fish restaurants, and it's just over an hour from Istanbul.
Ayazma Beach, Şile
Ayazma Beach is part of Şile beach, which is five miles long. Ayazma itself is almost one mile long, and during the season, many lifeguards watch over the wide sands. In 2022, a big project added a boardwalk, fitness area, and bike path. Other facilities were also improved in this eco-friendly update. Şile is a small resort town with about 10,000 people, located in the Istanbul metropolitan area. Known for its beaches, it is on the Black Sea coast, about 90 minutes from Istanbul's European side. Besides beaches, Şile is famous for a fine cotton cloth. The see-through muslin, embroidered locally, is used to make cool summer shirts, blouses, or headscarves. Hand-made, it is washed in the Black Sea and dried on the salty sands. This process is said to keep you from sweating when wearing it. You can try this during high season when Ayazma Beach is full of people escaping Istanbul's heat. Its popularity means there are many restaurants, cafés, or ice-cream shops nearby. Recently, a small fee (a bit higher on weekends) was introduced to enter the beach, but it includes the cost of a sunbed and sunshade, which are necessary items.
Ağva Beach
Ağva is a small resort located where two rivers flow into the Black Sea. The name Ağva means "between the rivers." In front of the town is Ağva Beach, with well-organized sun loungers and umbrellas. Across the western river is a longer, wilder sandy beach, surrounded by a large forest. Just two hours from Istanbul, this natural area is popular with hikers and campers, and it's a great escape from the busier town beach.
The beach stretches almost a mile, offering plenty of space for sunbathing, picnicking, fishing, and other activities. Like many southern Black Sea resorts, the waves here are usually too rough for safe swimming, but there are many lifeguards. However, the shallow water is perfect for children to play in. Walking on the beach in the salty air is said to be good for rheumatic diseases.
Besides the beach, you can take boat or kayak trips on the Göksu River to cool off in the summer. All of this makes Ağva one of Istanbul’s most popular summer spots, especially crowded in August. The town has a history of nearly 3,000 years and several interesting historic sites, including three mosques. It's also famous for its fish restaurants.
The beaches in Istanbul provide a variety of experiences for relaxation and adventure. From lively beach clubs to the peaceful settings of Ağva, these spots offer a perfect break from city life. Each beach is unique with its scenic views, activities, and cultural significance, attracting families, solo travelers, and nature lovers. As summer comes, exploring these beaches offers leisure and a chance to connect with Istanbul's rich history and natural beauty. Whether you want to sunbathe, swim, or just enjoy the sea air, Istanbul's beaches have something for everyone.