Explore The Turkish Scenery With These Day Trips From Istanbul

From stunning beaches to culturally rich towns, these places to visit near Istanbul have it all.

Published On Jan 17, 2025 | Updated On Jan 19, 2025

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Istanbul offers a wide array of cultural experiences, thrilling sites, and delicious food options for all budgets. It's very hard to stay bored in this city because of the number of day trips from Istanbul!

However, you should definitely make time to explore the beaches, woods, and picturesque villages that are located just outside of the city boundaries, even if this metropolitan joy is hard to resist. When you look out over the Sea of Marmara, all the tension from the busy streets and marketplaces of Istanbul will suddenly go away. There are so many amazing day trips from Istanbul, Turkey!

Here are some of our favourite day trips from Istanbul that you may include in your Turkish vacation planning!

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Founded in the mid-1800s by Polish immigrants, Istanbul's "Polish village" is situated in a picturesquely forested natural park and is home to a tiny community of Polish speakers. A Polish church (Our Lady of Częstochowa) and cemetery are among the village's attractions, along with a mediaeval house that now houses a small museum showcasing local artefacts. Truly one of the best places to visit near Istanbul!

Most tourists stop at Polonezköy for a leisurely breakfast or afternoon picnic at one of the many restaurants in the area. In addition to Turkish cuisine, several of these restaurants also provide Polish specialities like pierogi. A wonderful approach to becoming hungry is to take a walk in the woods along the walking route (yürüyüş parkuru) that begins on the outskirts of town. Driving from downtown Istanbul to Polonezköy takes approximately an hour, depending on traffic conditions. Near the second bridge on the Asian side of the city, Kavacık is the nearest public transit hub. From here, a cab trip should take about twenty minutes. Your best day trip from Istanbul awaits!

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East of Istanbul, on the Black Sea coast, are the picturesque beach villages of Şile and Ağva, perfect for a quiet getaway. Standing vigil over a rocky coastline, close to the town centre with its bustling fishing harbour and beaches on each side, is Őile's unique striped lighthouse from the 19th century. It is one of the best day trips from Istanbul, Turkey! While Ağva does have a seashore, its two winding rivers—ideal for canoeing or fishing—are its main draw. Walking paths and waterfalls may be found in the verdant forests around Ağva. If you choose to extend your leisure beyond a day, you may choose from a choice of options in both cities, including pensions, hotels, cabins, and camping. One of the best beachy day trips from Istanbul! 
From Eminönü, Karaköy, Kabataş, or Beşiktaş, you may take a local boat to Üsküdar. From there, you can take either the 139 bus to Şile or the 139A to Ağva, with the former route going via Şile. Approximately every hour, buses depart. It takes about three hours to reach Şile from Istanbul and 3.25 hours to reach Ağva.

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What about taking a short diversion from the city to explore a forest? It seems fantastic, doesn't it? Yes, it is the Belgrad Ormani, which translates to "Belgrad forest," located on the outskirts of Istanbul. Over its massive 5,000 acres, Belgrad Ormani is home to picturesque forests, Ottoman-era dams, streams, and historical landmarks. Belgrad Ormani, with its peaceful natural areas, beautiful scenery, and great hiking opportunities, is a place you won't soon forget. One of the scenic day trips from Istanbul!

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Day trips from Istanbul that include a stop in Bursa are a must. Bursa, being one of the country's most historic towns, welcomes tourists from far and wide who come to see the magnificent architecture and old streets of the first capital of the Ottoman Empire. One of the top day excursions you can do from Istanbul by rail is this. Uludağ Mountain in Bursa is famous for its fantastic winter skiing and stunning summer city vistas. The centre markets are a must-visit if you are looking for authentic local goods.

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If you want unique day trips from Istanbul, one such unusual location is the Princess Islands, an archipelago in the Marmara Sea. The islands are a hodgepodge, but the Buyukada and Heybeliada are the two most prominent features. Except a few of historic country homes, the biggest inhabited island, Buyukada, is a huge expanse of woods that begs hikers to come and explore. Feel free to go up to the Greek Orthodox Monastery and bask in the embrace of nature. Heybeliada is the most relaxed of the group's islands, and it's strung throughout the course with a few beautiful beaches. A day excursion from Istanbul to this place is well worth your time.

 


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