If you are tired of the human traffic in Istanbul, wouldn’t you like to wake up to the chirping of birds instead of a car horn, eat a delicious barbecue instead of a hamburger, and go under the showerhead to cool off? We thought you would like it too, and we searched the nooks and crannies of Istanbul for you.
1. Aydos Hill
It is the highest point of Istanbul, with a peak height of 537 meters. Aydos Hill (Mountain), located in Kartal, Pendik, Sultanbeyli, and Sancak Tepe districts, took its name from Aydos Castle, which was within the borders of today’s Sultanbeyli District during the Roman and Byzantine periods.
Aydos comes from “Aetos,” which means “eagle” in Latin, and it is thought that the name of Kartal district, which overlooks the Marmara Sea, comes from this. Its use as a hunting ground during the Ottoman Empire reveals how rich its forest consists of pine trees.
Aydos Lake, on the other hand, is located in a forest in the opposite direction of Aydos Hill. Therefore, you also can see different lice covers in the lake and take lots of pictures.
2. Elmasburnu
Elmasburnu Recreation Area is a trendy place in the Riva village of Beykoz, famous for its sea, especially by people residing on the Anatolian Side of Istanbul.
Elmas Cape Recreation Area: With its long sandy beach, pine forests, and deep silence, Elmas Cape is a recreation center beyond even many holiday centers. Where you can watch dolphins while having a picnic, this place is 20 minutes away in the Kavacık-Riva direction.
To reach Riva, you need to travel for half an hour from Istanbul. Elmasburnu is the most preferred beach of Riva, which holidaymakers prefer in this respect. It has a long sandy be. However, people prefer Elmasburnu Beach because it is combined with more greenery. The view of Elmasburnu is excellent. Especially when you look at Elmasburnu Beach from above, you will see a beautiful view.
Elmasburnu Beach is a beach that can meet your enjoyment of swimming, walking on the beach, and picnicking. People who come here fish on the rocks. It is among the first choices of holidaymakers who do not like a boisterous environment because it is close to Istanbul. An exquisite cove formed by the protection of black rocks that divide the blue of the Black Sea. It is beyond many holiday centers with its long beach, pine forest, and silence. You can stay in a tent, spearfishing, discover the seabirds on Marti Island, smile at dolphins and walk along the Riva.
You can reach the region in 20 minutes by the highway connected to TEM, from Kavacık district to Riva. It can also be visited in connection with Beykoz Mahmut Sevket Pasa village.
3. Catalca İncegiz Village
İncegiz Village, a small settlement in Catalca, is one of the points that has managed to preserve its culture, history, and traditions until today.
İncegiz Caves; İncegiz Caves, also known as Kemal Sunal Caves, are one of the must-visit stops of Catalca. Old Tarkan movies and some of Kemal Sunal’s movies were shot here. Caves usually have a structure of 3-4 floors. Although it is possible to enter every part of the cave, it isn’t easy to get to the top floor.
A charming valley where history and nature are generous. The region where Catalca was first established about 2500 years ago, 3 large caves carved into high rocks by the Genoese in the 9th century, and trees reaching the sky with the soil fertility.
After turning left at the 3rd kilometer of the asphalt road from Çatalca to Subaşı and after approximately 6 kilometers, it can be easily reached.
4. Marmaracik Bay
It is one of the coves located along the Black Sea coast next to the Rumeli Feneri Village of Sarıyer district in Istanbul. It is the place where the fierce Black Sea rests and breathes, stretches out towards the pine trees with a small cove, whether you want to run and play, fish or swim, or listen to the silence of nature.
When all these activities are combined with the camping site, wooden houses, country cafe, restaurant, beach, mini-golf course, and sailing facilities, Marmaracık Bay in Sarıyer district is flooded with visitors every season of the year.
To briefly describe Marmaracık Bay, it is a quiet, quiet place about 500 m away from the settlement, where you can rest your head.
The use of wood and natural stone in all facilities is important in showing environmental sensitivity.
5. Anatolian Fortress Goksu-Kucuksu
Anadolu Fortress (Guzelce Fortress): It was built by Yildirim Beyazit, who is considered one of the most beautiful and advanced examples of Ottoman military architecture between 1391-1399 to control the Bosphorus and to prepare for the conquest of Istanbul.
Rumeli Fortress and Anadolu Fortress on the European side are located at the narrowest part of the strait. Anadolu Fortress district, which used to be a small fishing village, now draws attention with its colorful historical houses.
Along with the Rumeli Fortress, it played a vital role in controlling the Bosphorus for many years. However, losing its military importance over time, Anadolu Fortress is one of the structures that creates the most beautiful view of the Bosphorus today. The two most important regions of the Anadolu Fortress district are Goksu and Kucuksu recreation areas. With their natural beauties, they are places where Istanbulites spend their time intensively.
We see that Goksu District is very famous with two features. Beach and eggplant on the beach where the sea and green hills meet. Eggplant, which is very popular in the kitchen of Istanbul ladies, is grown in the wet valley soil of Goksu with its taste, soft and seedless feature. A beach is a picnic place for the people of Istanbul.
Kucuksu Pavilion, one of the pearls of the Anatolian fortress in Uskudar, has beautiful architecture that impresses with its fascinating structure.
