Best Parks in Istanbul for Nature, Picnics, and Seaside Walks
Istanbul is a huge, sprawling city with twice the population of New York City. When I first arrived ten years ago, I spent my time mostly on the European Side close to the historic center or maybe in Beyoglu or Karakoy. In my first few nights, I stayed near Taksim where it’s quite loud. There was so much to explore that, as an introvert, I truthfully became a bit overwhelmed!
After two nights of little sleep thanks to the club near my hostel, I moved over to Sultanahmet and I was instantly more at peace. My hotel there had a rooftop dining area where I could have my breakfast overlooking the Sea of Marmara every morning. The magnificent old trees of Gulhane Park were just a few steps away when I needed a break from all the people.
Later, I also discovered the best part of Istanbul’s public transportation network – the ferries! I took one to a different port each day and wandered a bit, before returning home happy and recharged. I always find it calming to be close to a body of water and Istanbul has miles and miles of coastline. Plus, did you know there are actually four species of dolphins that live in the Bosphorus?! It’s amazing!
It turns out the best parks in Istanbul were hiding in plain sight, and over the past decade I’ve made it my goal to visit as many as possible! Read on for a few of my favorite suggestions for places to find a bit of calm amidst the delicious chaos of one of the world’s best cities. There are green spaces, seaside parks and promenades, nature preserves and forest – many of them accessible by public transportation. Enjoy!
>> BONUS: Scroll to the bottom for a map to help you find your way there!
Table of Contents
Parks on the European Side of Istanbul
Gulhane Park
Gulhane Park just below Topkapi Palace is still one of my favorite places to stroll – in all seasons! It’s close to all the sites of old town, so I often build in a detour through the park for friends who come to visit, especially if I know they might be tired of crowds.
In April, when the Istanbul Tulip Festival (LINK) takes place, the park is full of families and people out to view some of the colorful displays of tulips planted all around the park. Emirgan may be the most famous for tulips, but Gulhane wins for the most easily accessible, for most visitors.
A bonus of Gulhane Park is Gulhane Cistern! While I love the more famous (and expensive!) Basilica Cistern up in Sultanahment, Gulhane Cistern is free. It’s often nearly empty when I visit and it can be a nice respite from the heat in the summer. It’s small, but there’s often artworks displayed inside as well!
If you’re hungry, the Beltur Cafe in the park is has a peaceful view and reasonable prices although the service can be a bit slow. Alternatively, my favorite kebap in the city is just steps away at Sehzade Cag Kebabi in Sirkeci.
>> Try out my free Istanbul Street Food Scavenger Hunt to walk (and eat!) from Karakoy to Sirkeci, where you can then continue to Gulhane Park.
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Emirgan Park
Emirgan Park is best known for the huge decorative patches of colorful tulips that bloom each April during the Istanbul Tulip Festival. Literally millions of bulbs are planted every year and it’s a joyful time when the city is emerging back into springtime weather from the winter.
If you visit, you might also consider bringing along a picnic, or I recommend having breakfast near Rumeli Hisari or in Bebek. There is a tulip museum as well that is small but often houses interesting exhibits and artifacts from the days of the Ottoman Empire.
The park is located up north on the coast past Rumeli Hisari. It’s easiest to reach by ferry if you’d like to avoid traffic – you can catch it from Eminonu or Besiktas. As a bonus, you get a bit of a Bosphorus tour on the way to/from if you do it this way!
>> Visiting Istanbul in the Spring? Read up on How to Visit the Istanbul Tulip Festival in 2025
Ataturk Kent Ormani
One of my favorite destinations during the pandemic was Ataturk Kent Ormani. It’s also one of the most convenient to visit by public transportation – you can exit the M1 Metro line at either Haciosman metro station (the terminal stop) or Darussafaka metro station, just before it. The park spans from one to the next and there’s even a boardwalk between them to help those with mobility issues or who want a shorter path.
If you are up for a walk, you can loop around the nicely packed walking areas that surround a pond. There’s a cafe as well, but many people bring their own snacks and find a shady bench for a picnic.
Honorable Mention (European Side)
Yildiz Park
Yildiz Park has a bit of a steep path but you’re rewarded with nice areas for sitting or picnics. It’s very close to Besiktas and has play areas for families.
Besiktas Meydan (Square)
The seaside near the ferry port in Besiktas is popular with the college crowd hanging out eating or having a beer sitting near the water. It’s easily accessible by ferry and the historic pier (one of two in Besiktas) has a beautiful library and cafe on the second floor, look for the stairs to the left of the ferry turnstiles.
Batalimani Japon Bahcesi (Japanese Garden)
As the name implies, this Japanese Garden has a beautiful collection of cherry blossom trees that bloom in the spring around a collection of Japanese buildings.
Parks on the Asian Side of Istanbul
Goztepe Park
Goztepe 60. Yil Parki is the full name of this well-manicured park on the Asian side. During the tulip festival in April, this is one of the best places to see them and you are close to both the Caddebostan seaside and Bagdat Caddesi shopping street.
Kadikoy seaside – Moda / Yogurtcu Park
I love the Asian side and Kadikoy and Moda are the seaside parks where I love to come for a walk, or to watch the sunset. There is a newly renovated historic pier with a library upstairs and coffe shop downstairs in Moda where you can arrive/depart, but check the ferry times as they come less frequently than Kadikoy.
Caddebostan / Suadiye / Bostanci
Further down the coast on the Asian side you can actually run or bike all the way down and it’s popular to see groups of runners or cyclists doing so, especially on weekends. The seaside in Caddebostan is a popular spot for sunset picnicking or afternoons hanging out near the water, good for people watching as well!
Uskudar Seaside
The sunsets on the Asian side are so beautiful because the sun sets over the water with the European side skyline on the other side. From this walkway and park you can see the sun set with a view behind the famous Kiz Kulesi just off the coast. Easily accessible by ferry or by the Marmaray.
Within the city, but better by car
Belgrad Ormani (European Side)
Belgrade Forest is a huge, protected forest area with picnic areas (although during the summer they may be closed or picnics prohibited to avoid forest fires) and a popular spot for trail running. It’s easiest to reach by car, or you can try to use the bus, or catch a dolmus or taxi from the Haciosman metro station.
Polonezkoy (Asian Side)
Another spot that I’ve only visited when catching a ride with a friend with a car is Polonezkoy, which means “Polish Village”, this is also located further up north but on the Asian Side. The huge trees lining the walking paths are shady in summer and the fall foliage is lovely in the autumn. We encountered friendly stray dogs that accompanied us the entire walk as well. You can stop for lunch in the village and there is also a small artisan glass workshop where you can visit and shop, though hours may be limited in the winter.
Map of the Best Istanbul Parks & Green Spaces
I truly believe that Istanbul is one of the best cities in the world! I hope you’ve enjoyed some of these parks, green spaces and seaside promenades. Please feel free to tag me on social media @MaliaYoshioka if you’ve found your way to a great new one!
