As a city surrounded by Marmara and Black Sea; divided by the Bosphorus and hosting a number of islands, when it comes to swim and relax under the sun, Istanbul have a number of options.
There are numerous public and private beaches by Marmara and Black Sea. Public beaches are mostly has no entrance fee. There are showers, changing rooms and small facilities providing food and drinks at the beaches and most of them have lifeguards.
Marmara Sea is mostly calm and clear at summer season. At Black Sea, the beaches are quite long. At both Marmara and Black Sea, you can find sandy or pebble stone beaches. Unlike Marmara Sea, Black Sea is known for being unpredictable. When its wavy, Black Sea may be dangerous. Also there is undercurrent both at Marmara, mostly by the Bosporus and Black Sea. It is advisable not to go off to the sea alone and swim at the public or private beaches.
Public beaches can be found at Caddebostan neighborhood of the Asian side, Florya at the European side and Kilyos, at the Black Sea coast of Istanbul. Besides public beaches, there are a number of private beaches which are less crowded, more comfortable and providing some activities and services.
Burç Beach
T: +90 212 203 02 36
Burç Beach, which belongs to Boğaziçi University is located at Gümüşdere, Kilyos. This sandy beach hosts kinds of water sports such as surf, kite board and waterskiing. Only 30 minutes away from the city, Burç Beach offers cafe, bar and a fish restaurant. There are sunbeds, parasols, showers and changing rooms for the guests. Burç Beach hosts many events such as concerts, sunset beach parties and beach volleyball championships.
The beach is open from 09:00 to 21:30.
Caddebostan Beach
Opened at 2005, Caddebostan Beach consists of three separate beaches. Run by the İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality, the first beach is located behind the Büyük Kulüp (Cercle d’Orient). The other two beaches are also located on the coastal walk. All beaches here are sandy, has sunbed and parasols. Showers, changing rooms and snack bars can be founded. The security crew has an ambulance and a zodiac boat.
Dalia Beach Club
T: +90 212 204 01 69
www.clubdalia.com
Located at Kilyos, Dalia Beach Club is open since 2002. A Mediterranean atmosphere for at Black Sea, Dalia Beach Club has green areas, bars, a restaurant, private security and a parking lot with the capacity of one thousand cars. Trekking, beach volleyball and surfing are some of the activities offered in Dalia Beach Club. Dalia Beach Club’s restaurant is famous with its fish and sea food dishes. The beach is open in every season.
Fenerbahçe Beach
One of the oldest beaches in Istanbul, Fenerbahçe Beach was popular around 1970’s. Renewed recently, this sandy beach offers sunbeds, parasols, cafe and a bar.
Florya Beach
One of the oldest beaches in the city, Florya Beach is a popular destination among Istanbulites. Renewed recently, Florya Beach is a good option for those who doesn’t have time to travel to other beaches around Istanbul. Florya Beach is also historically famous by hosting Atatürk.
Golden Beach Club
T: +90 212 228 10 25
www.goldenbeachclub.com
Located on the Black Sea shores of Istanbul, at Marmaracık cove in Rumeli Feneri district, Golden Beach Club is open for daily visits or overnight stays. Golden Beach Club has a hotel section which consists 26 bungalows and 6 suits. Only 15 km away from the city center, Golden Beach Club has a restaurant, cafe, snack bar, beach bar. Trekking, paint ball and beach volleyball are some of the activities besides swimming.
Dodo Istanbul Sea Club
Ankara Mercan Çınarlı Sok. No:1, Tuzla
T: +90 216 446 87 37
Located at the Asian side of Istanbul, by the Tuzla shores, Dodo Istanbul Sea Club is running since 2004. With a green area under the trees Dodo Istanbul Beach Club is a perfect place to relax. Some water sports like surf is available at the beach. You can lie down by the beach, read at a hammock, have a cold drink by the bar or participate activities. There are three different cuisines serving inside Dodo Istanbul Beach Club: A traditional Greek tavern with a menu of appetizers and sea food, El Greko; a Mexican kitchen with snacks and tropical cocktails, Escobar and Dodo Fish, open at all seasons, a fish restaurant with a quite large menu.
Kilyos Beach
Kilyos Turban Yolu No:4, Kilyos
T: +90 212 219 22 93
Kilyos Beach is located on the European side of the Black Sea coast. One of the top destinations of the weekends and hot summer days, Kilyos Beach is ideal for day trips. This broad sandy beach is mostly preferred for sea activities. Kilyos is 60 kilometers away from İstanbul and can be reached via Maslak, Sarıyer. The car ride takes around 45 minutes. There are frequent bus service between Sarıyer and Kilyos.
Solar Beach
Kilyos Mah. Turban Caddesi 4, Kumköy
T: +90 212 201 20 86
www.solarbeach.com.tr
Located at Black Sea shores of Kilyos, Solar Beach opened in 2002. The largest beach club in Istanbul with an area of 60.000 square meters, Solar Beach is a popular get away destinations. Hosted various festivals, concert, parties and other organizations, the beach club is ideal for such events.
Solar Beach has a medical clinic, helicopter ambulance and a lifeguard crew. Besides swimming, relaxing or partying the club offers a wide range of sports facilities such as kite boarding, jet skiing, go-carting, wind surfing, beach volleyball and soccer.
Open for 7 days a week, Solar Beach has parking lots, restaurants, cafés and performance centers. It is an ideal place for swimming, relaxing or joining the activities during the day and attending parties and concerts at night.
There are shuttle services to and from the beach during the day, works with reservation.
Şile Beach
On the Black Sea shores, Şile is 70 km away from Üsküdar. Hosts many sandy beaches, Şile is a popular weekend and summer destinations. Famous with its unique cotton clothing Şile has a wide range of fish restaurants and hotels.
