Visit a beach in Istanbul in summer to see the city like a resident. Surprised? Don’t be. Before the city’s great expansion in the 1950s, several inner neighborhoods were beach resorts where Istanbul aristocracy spent summers in their second houses. After decades of pollution, the Bosphorus has been cleaned up enough to swim in, and there are still a few public beaches in the city center where you can swim before the rest of the day.
More wild beaches may be found on the Black Sea, Sea of Marmara, and Princes Island, an archipelago accessible from the city center, which can be reached in a day. In the summer, fashionable beach clubs in Kilyos hold hedonistic parties on the golden beaches, but there are also many quieter places to tent and escape the city. Some lesser-known stretches are free, while the best ones need entrance fees.
Kilyos’ Uzunya beach
Istanbul’s most Instagrammable beach is this deep Black Sea natural harbor near the Bosphorus strait’s tip. In summer, golden sands and a deep blue sea make it seem like you’re on the Med, but the frigid water will bring you back to reality. You might see dolphins playing in the bay.
Solar Beach, Kilyos
Solar Beach, Istanbul’s most popular Black Sea beach club, hosts live music every weekend in summer, drawing youthful, party-loving crowds. Swimming is low on the list of attractions here, but the sea is calmer than elsewhere. The beach has volleyball courts, surfing courses, and an outdoor pool for serious swimming.
Sile’s Kumbaba beach
Since the Byzantine era, bathers have visited Sile’s vast sandy beach, Kumbaba, to treat their rheumatism. Today, its major draw is its campsite, where you can pitch your tent or park your camper meters from Istanbul’s purest water.
City center Florya Gunes Plaji
The biggest public beach in Istanbul’s center reminds us that this 16-million-person city was once a maritime city. Given its proximity to the city and the quantity of visitors, it’s remarkably clean. Come early, especially on weekends. Its European location makes it ideal for a few hours of relaxation before returning to city life.