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Istanbul Beaches – Our Pick Of The Best Beaches In Istanbul
There’s no better time to visit Istanbul than summer; it is the perfect time to discover the vibrance of the local culture and enjoy an unforgettable experience. However, another reason you should head to Istanbul in the summer is the opportunity to discover the gorgeous Istanbul beaches and heavenly coves.
Surrounded by water from three sides, Istanbul hosts many stunning beaches, hidden coves, and extraordinary natural wonders. And if you’ve finished exploring the monuments, historical landmarks, and crowded bazaars, it’s time to have some refreshing beach time. In this post, we’re going to guide you through the best beaches in Istanbul!
Here are the Istanbul beaches we suggest you start with:
Büyükada Beach
Welcome to Istanbul’s largest beach! Buyukada Beach is located on one of the Princes’ Islands of the same name and provides guests with an unforgettable adventure. The scenic beach overlooks the blue waters of Marmara and is close to other Princes Islands. Although the beach is a little rocky, the water is fantastic, and the beach is well worth a visit.
What Makes This Istanbul Beach Great?
- The natural beauty of Buyukada Island is breathtaking
- There are many facilities around the beach
- The water is ideal for swimming
- It’s one of the best places to watch the sunset in Istanbul
Best for: A tranquil getaway
How To Get There: Taking a ferry from Kabataş is the most convenient way to travel to Buyukada Beach. Ferry services from Beşiktaş, Maltepe, and Bostancı are also available
Uzunya Beach
If you want to spend your holiday on a picturesque beach, Uzunya Beach is one of the beaches in Istanbul that should be on top of your list. The beach is only an hour’s drive from Istanbul, making it ideal for a quick break from the city. Despite being in a small cove, the beach is rarely busy.
What Makes This Istanbul Beach Great?
- Uzunya Beach is the meeting point of golden, green, and turquoise colors.;
- It has a spectacular nature
- The beach is small but never crowded. As a result, you’ll have the opportunity to spend quality time alone
- Around the beach, there are many facilities and venues where you can enjoy delicious Turkish dishes
Best for: A quiet adventure
How to Get To The Beach: You can take a bus or shuttle towards Kilyos. Taking a taxi is another option
Burç Beach
Burç Beach is one of the beaches in Istanbul that is perfect for enjoying the sea, sand, and sun. Water sports, beach volleyball, football, windsurfing, and other exciting activities are available at the club. In addition, if you’re lucky, you might be able to visit the club during its annual kitesurfing event.
What Makes This Istanbul Beach Great?
- It’s far from the city and offers you a tranquil getaway
- The club features many facilities
- There are various water sports activities you can try at the club
- The beach is sandy, and the water is excellent for swimming
Best for: People who love water sports and activities
How to Get To The Beach: The club is 15 km from Istanbul, and taking a taxi is the best option. There are shuttles from Boğaziçi University to Burç Beach that run every weekend
Uzunkum Beach
Uzunkum Beach, located near the city, provides guests with a rejuvenating experience through many activities and luxury facilities. While soaking up the sun, you can shower, sunbathe, or sip a superb cocktail – rated the best beach in Istanbul by Chasing the Donkey.
What Makes This Istanbul Beach Great?
- Located in a peaceful location, Uzunkum Beach offers its visitors a relaxing experience.
- It hosts many facilities where you can enjoy great beverages and socialize
- The water is perfect for swimming
- There is a club named Aqua Beach Club that organizes beach parties and fun activities
Best for: People who love parties
How to Get To The Beach: The quickest method to go to the beach is to take the bus line 139 from Üsküdar
Suma Beach Club
Suma Beach Club is well-known for its vibrant nightlife and wide range of amenities. The beach club offers a variety of activities, including yoga and pilates sessions.
If you want to dance or have a fun evening, the nightclubs along the beach are ideal. Suma Beach Club will undoubtedly help you; unwind and get away from the monotony of city life.
What Makes This Istanbul Beach Great?
- The beach club offers you some of the best nightlife experiences in Istanbul
- It’s rich in facilities and full of activities
- The beach is sandy, and the water is ideal for swimming
- There are many venues and restaurants where you can taste the local cuisine
Best for: Discovering Istanbul’s nightlife
How to Get To The Beach: Unfortunately, it’s hard to get to Suma by public transportation, and you’ll need to take a taxi.
Kilyos Beach
Kilyos Beach, located near a picturesque Black Sea village, is the epitome of a hidden treasure. It’s over 50 kilometers from Istanbul and rarely crowded throughout the week. On weekends, however, it is the first choice of most beachgoers in the region. So, if you want to visit this beautiful beach, go on weekdays and avoid the weekends.
What Makes This Istanbul Beach Great?
- On the weekdays, the beach is never busy
- It has a scenic town nearby where you can explore the local culture and taste delicious dishes
- The beach is a meeting point of all colors! You have turquoise, golden, green, and white.
Best for: Exploring the local culture and lifestyle.
How to Get To The Beach: You can take bus line 151 from the Hacıosman Metro bus stop.
Burgaz Adası
Burgaz Adası, or Burgaz Island, is a small island between two other Princes’ Islands, Kınalı and Heybeli. Around the island, there are numerous little beaches and unspoiled coves. However, the beaches are mainly stony and pebbly, so don’t forget to pack a pair of beach shoes.
What Makes This Istanbul Beach Great?
- There are many secluded beaches on the island where you can spend quality time alone
- The island has stunning natural beauty
- Although the island is remote, there are few small venues and facilities to enjoy
Best for: Nature lovers!
How to Get To The Beach: The only way to get to the island is by taking the ferry from Kabatas Besiktas Adalar Seaport
Kilimli Cove
Ağva is another Black Sea village with picturesque nature and a secluded cove. Kilimli Cove offers travelers a lovely escape from the city beaches in Istanbul. The rock formations around the cove make the scenery even more dramatic and majestic. Plus, if you’re a camper, you can bring your tent and camping equipment because the cove is a popular camping destination.
What Makes This Istanbul Beach Great?
- The cove is rarely busy due to its distance from the city
- It’s an ideal destination for camping and discovering the local lifestyle
- Thanks to its spectacular nature, you can take lots of instagrammable pictures
Best for: Families and people who love camping, taking pictures, and discovering hidden coves
How to Get To The Beach: To get to Ağva, you need to take the bus line from Üsküdar to Ağva
Tirmata Beach
Another luxury beach club located in Kilyos is Tirmata Beach. The beach, with its many activities and beautiful environment, is a great place to spend your holiday. You can have a delicious Turkish breakfast at the beach’s cafeteria to start your day and sunbathe on the lounges provided by the beach. Plus, for dinner, you can have a delectable meal at the restaurant of Tirmata Beach.
What Makes This Istanbul Beach Great?
- Its facilities offer you high-quality services
- You can taste delicious food thanks to the cafeteria and restaurant the beach features
- The water is perfect for swimming
- The beach is sandy, and you don’t have to bring slippers to have a stroll
Best for: A classic beach holiday
How to Get To The Beach: The easiest way to get to the beach is by taking the bus line 151 from Hacı Osman Metro stop in Maslak
Teos Beach
Teos Beach, located on Kınalı Ada, the jewel of the Princes’ Islands, is a luxury beach club with superb beach service and a restaurant serving delicious meals. Teos Beach provides visitors with entertainment programs, outstanding facilities, and must-try restaurants. For those looking for a relaxing and luxurious getaway, Teos Beach in Istanbul is the way to go.
What Makes This Istanbul Beach Great?
- Teos Beach has high-quality facilities
- You can enjoy delicious seafood at the restaurants around the beach
- The water is ideal for swimming
- The beach is on one of the most spectacular islands of the Marmara Sea
Best for: People who love all-inclusive beach holidays
How to Get To The Beach: You can take a ferry from Kabataş, Bostancı, or Eminönü
Now that you know which Istanbul beaches you should swim at, tell us which one of these beaches near Istanbul you will head to first.
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