İstanbul is certainly one of the most famous cities in the whole world. Its centuries-old history as a capital city of different civilizations, rich cultural heritage, and unique architectural texture are some of the reasons that make Istanbul famous. However, there is more to İstanbul than that. İstanbul is also a coastal city that attracts millions of visitors with its impressive beaches, mesmerizing nature, and colorful lifestyle.
People who are torn between a beach holiday and a cultural trip can choose İstanbul without hesitation to experience both. It’s possible to enjoy the stunning view of the Bosphorus from the seafront houses in Istanbul, dip in the crystalline waters, lay down and sunbathe on the sandy beaches near Istanbul, and experience the diverse culture and colorful lifestyle in İstanbul at the same time.
Below, we have listed the best İstanbul swimming spots, surrounding amenities, how to get there, and accommodation options. Keep reading!
Finding Paradise in Istanbul: A Guide to the City’s Most Beautiful Beaches
İstanbul consists of two peninsulas, the European side and the Anatolian side, and is surrounded by both the Marmara Sea and the Black Sea. However, it’s not possible to dip into waters at every corner of İstanbul’s coastline. The Bosphorus, the waterway that splits two continents and the two sides of İstanbul, witnesses heavy marine traffic most of the time. As a result, swimming in Istanbul Bosphorus is almost impossible apart from a few coves.
However, there are still plenty of beautiful sandy beaches on the southern and northern shores of İstanbul to enjoy. Here are some of them;
The Best Beaches in Istanbul Europe
The European side of İstanbul has lovely beaches both on the shores of the Marmara Sea and the Black Sea. Here are some of the best beaches in Istanbul Europe;
• Florya
Florya is one of the best Istanbul beach neighborhoods and is located in the Bakırköy district, on the shores of the Marmara Sea. The neighborhood is one of the oldest and the most elite neighborhoods in İstanbul. Therefore, its popularity for Istanbul beachfront living and beachfront homes in Istanbul is undebatable. There are two sandy beaches in this neighborhood: Güneş and Menekşe beaches.
Both beaches have abundant amenities and offer a pleasant experience. You can swim in the warm waters of the Marmara Sea, lie down on the white sands and soak up in the sun, or enjoy beach volleyball with your friends. It’s possible to access these beaches easily with public transport including the subway.
• Kilyos
Kilyos, also known as Kumköy, is a neighborhood located within the borders of the Sarıyer district, on the shores of the Black Sea. Sarıyer district is one of the most popular districts when we talk about Istanbul waterfront properties. So it’s no wonder that the district has some of the best beaches in İstanbul Europe. There are a number of private beaches in Kilyos. To name a few; Tırmata Beach, Babylon Kilyos, Uzunya Beach, Suma Beach, Solar Beach...
Our advice would be the Solar Beach. Solar Beach is the largest private beach in Turkey. The beach attracts attention with its wide range of amenities such as cafes, restaurants, parking lot, and even an outdoor concert area in addition to its golden sands and crystalline waters. This beach can be accessed by busses, however, you may prefer renting a car for a more comfortable ride.
The Best Beaches in Istanbul Asia
Just like on the European side, it’s also possible to enjoy the waters of both the Marmara Sea and the Black Sea. However, our recommendation would be the beaches on the northern coast of İstanbul Asia for those looking for an away-from-the-crowd experience. Here are the best beaches in Istanbul Asia;
• Riva
Riva is a neighborhood located within the borders of the Beykoz district. This neighborhood is one of the most famous Istanbul beach directions in the Asian side and one of the most preferred locations for Istanbul beachfront properties. The beach in Riva is a wide but short beach with fine sand. The sea might look muddy on some days due to strong waves and fine sands, but otherwise, it’s crystal clear.
The beach can be accessed easily by busses and there are plenty of amenities like restaurants and cafes around. However, you should keep in mind that the beach might be more crowded than usual on weekends due to its popularity.
• Şile
Şile is a district that is located on the northeastern shores of İstanbul Asia. This popular district is also one of the first districts that come to mind when we talk about Istanbul's seaside homes. The district is known as one of the hubs for Istanbul's luxury beachfront properties.
Although Şile is rather far from the bustling business and shopping areas in İstanbul, it still offers all kinds of amenities. However, the real charm of Şile lies in its unspoiled nature. In Şile, you can enjoy all kinds of outdoor activities while being surrounded by evergreen forests, golden sandy beaches, and the crystalline waters of the Black Sea.
There are many beaches and coves in Şile where you can swim and sunbathe peacefully. Ayazma Beach, Uzunkum Beach, Ağlayankaya Beach, and Kumbaba Beach are only some of the beautiful places to dip in the refreshing waters of the Black Sea.
The Best Beaches in Prince’s Islands
The beaches in Prince’s Islands are the favorite of those who want to enjoy the warm waters of the Marmara Sea. Prince’s Islands are a cluster of 9 islands that are located in the southeast of İstanbul. The islands can be accessed both from the European and the Asian sides of İstanbul by scheduled ferries. Here are some of the most popular islands near İstanbul and the best beaches on them;
• Büyükada
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Büyükada, as its name suggests, is the largest one among the 9 islands. It’s also the most popular one among both locals and foreign visitors. Büyükada is one of the first places that come to mind when we talk about Istanbul's coastal properties and the places to swim in İstanbul. The island attracts attention with its historical seafront mansions, lush nature, and pristine beaches.
Our first piece of advice to those who want to swim is Aya Nikola Beach. This beach is known for its extremely calm waters and is preferred by families with kids. Our second beach recommendation in Büyükada is the Yada Beach Club.
• Kınalıada
Kınalıada is the smallest one among the 9 islands. Although it’s a small island, Kınalıada is also one of the most popular tourist spots. The island has several beaches. However, our advice for a more peaceful experience would be Teos Beach and Kumluk Beach. Teos Beach attracts attention with its sophisticated atmosphere and Kumluk Beach attracts attention with its shallow and crystal-clear waters.
• Heybeliada
Heybeliada is the second largest island in the Prince’s Islands and is also the greenest one. The island not only attracts attention with its beautiful nature but also with its cultural heritage as well. It attracts millions of visitors throughout the year. Camping, swimming, sightseeing, and cycling are some of the popular activities on the island.
There are several beaches on the island. Our advice for a more comfortable experience would be Değirmenburnu Nature Park and Beach and Akvaryum Cove.
Where to Stay to Explore Istanbul’s Beaches and Other Beautiful Places?
It’s important to check out the distances to the main points of interest in the city when deciding on a place to stay. İstanbul is a large city with countless beautiful places including churches, palaces, monasteries, mosques, museums, castles, botanic parks, beaches, nature parks, towers, historical mansions, and more.
So, it’s important to choose the right location for accommodation if you have a limited time to explore İstanbul. People who want to explore the city’s deep-rooted history and rich cultural background generally prefer Istanbul apartments with sea views in central locations.
On the other hand, those who want to spend a more comfortable and peaceful time generally prefer Istanbul beachfront holiday rentals. Istanbul properties within walking distance to beachare also among the preferred options.
Istanbul beach houses for sale not only offer a peaceful and comfortable lifestyle. They also present the opportunity to make a profitable investment opportunity. Since İstanbul is one of the most popular cities in the whole world, investing in real estate is a very reliable and profitable investment method.
If you’re also thinking of making an investment while owning a cozy sea view house, you can contact our experts without hesitation to get detailed information about Istanbul seafront investment opportunities.
