13 Istanbul Beaches – Our Pick Of The Best Beaches In Istanbul

Does Istanbul have a beach that is worth visiting? Yes! Here is a list of our picks of the best beaches in Istanbul that we think you will love. These Istanbul beaches are accessible and waiting for you. 

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.

In this post, we’re going to guide you through the best beaches in Istanbul! 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.

If you are short on time, here are the top beaches in Istanbul you will love.

1. Büyükada Beach
2. Uzunya Beach
3. Burç Beach
4. Uzunkum Beach
5. Karaburun Beach
6. Suma Beach Club
7. Sariyer Beaches
8. Teos Beach
9. Kilyos Beach
10. Tirmata Beach
11. Burgaz Adası
12. Kilimli Cove
13. Kadirga Bay

Keep reading for detail on these Istanbul beaches:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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

4. Uzunkum Beach

Uzunkum Beach, located near the city, offers guests 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

5. Karaburun Beach

White sands, turquoise waters, and natural cliff surrounds make this a favorite spot for locals living on the Anatolian side in the summer months. The beach is found in the village of Balaban. 

Since the beach is remote and natural, it’s rarely busy, making it a great escape from the city.

What Makes This Istanbul Beach Great?

• It’s the perfect location for a picnic.
• The sandy shores are soft and ready to sunbathe on.
• It’s off the beaten path, so it will never feel overcrowded.
• It is free to visit.
• There is parking on the road right by the beach.

Best for: People who love experiencing life like a local and want to get away from the crowds

How to Get To The Beach: The quickest method to go to the beach is to take a taxi, but public transport also runs to the area. Check local schedules, as this route sometimes changes. 

6. 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.

7. Sariyer Beaches

This coastal district in Istanbul is home to 3 beaches that are popular: Elmas Kum Beach, Altinkum Ladies Beach, and Altinkum Beach Club. 

What Makes These Istanbul Beaches Great?

• These beaches are all close to each other, so you can make a day of it.
• The area is known for incredible food – mussels, fish, and figs.
• The Altinkum Ladies Beach is for women only, making it an excellent spot for a girl’s trip.

Best for: Beach day with seafood

How to Get To The Beach: Both the 25A bus and the SRY-05 minibus pass near the Altinkum Beach Club.

8. 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 offers visitors 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

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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

13. Kadirga Bay

While in Ağva, consider a stop at Kadirga Bay. This stunning natural wonder is just 15 minutes from town.

This hidden bay is essentially a cove between the rocks and the sea. The rocks have been carved away by the waves over time and resemble an amphitheater. When visiting this stunning bay, swimming, sunbathing, and exploration are all on the menu. 

What Makes This Istanbul Beach Great?

• The cove is very sheltered, more so than Kilimli.
• You can easily swim in the calm waters of the bay.
• The natural beauty of the sea and rock is breathtaking.

Best for: Families and people who love exploring hidden coves

How to Get To The Beach: To get to Ağva, you need to take the bus line from Üsküdar to Ağva. Kadırga Bay is located to the east of the city and can be reached from Büyükbucaklı village by a road 1 km long that travels towards the sea.

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.