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In this article you will find everything you need to know about Istanbul picnic areas. These picnic spots in Istanbul are in the middle of the city, while others are on the edge. We can see that everyone in Istanbul, from age seven to age seventy, spends their weekends going to the nearest park, eating breakfast there, and starting their barbecues at noon. Some of these picnic spots are in the middle of the city, while others are on the edge. We can see that everyone in Istanbul spends their weekends going to the nearest park, eating breakfast there, and starting their barbecues at noon.
In this article, we talk about places on both sides of Istanbul where you can go on a picnic or barbecue with your family or friends. You can find useful information, like the address and amenities of paid and free places to have a barbecue, and read all the details.
Istanbul Picnic Areas: Anatolian Side
1. Mihrabat Recreation Area
The Mihrabat Recreation Area is on the ridge of Beykoz on the Anatolian side. From there, you can see the Bosphorus from a bird’s eye view. We can say that this is one of the city’s most unusual spots. Mihrabat is the best place in Istanbul to have a barbecue. It’s a great way to relax after a long week, and you can enjoy the sweet smell of dozens of plant species and the coolness of the Bosphorus.
It takes up about 200 acres of land. It is a nice place that is good for the whole family. There are picnic and promenade areas with picnic tables, a cafeteria, walking and jogging paths, and a park where kids can play while the adults are making a barbecue. You can buy everything you need for your barbecue before you come, and you can get drinks at the buffet on the promenade.
- Entry Fee: Free
- Facilities: WC, fountain, picnic tables, garbage containers, walking tracks, ready barbecue and samovar, restaurant, cafe, children’s playground, parking lot.
- Phone: 0216 425 86 16
- Website: https://www.mihrabatkorusu.com/
- Address: Kanlıca Mah., Mihrabat Cad., No:50 Kanlıca/Beykoz
- View on Map >
2. Waterfall Picnic Place
Explore more of Cumhuriyet Village… There are quiet, empty places with greenery as far as the eye can see in the north of Istanbul. Beykoz and its ridges are nice places to walk, ride a bike, or have a picnic. Cumhuriyet Village has a lot of choices and is easy to get to from anywhere in Istanbul. We also thought you might like Selale Picnic/Recreational Place, which we didn’t talk about above.
On the way to Polonezkoy Nature Park, as soon as you leave Cumhuriyet Village and turn left, there is a picnic area on the left where you can have a clean breakfast and a barbecue. This area is good for families with kids. If your work schedule is flexible, you can go to this place during the week and have a barbecue while birds sing. It’s a popular place, so it makes sense that it’s busy on the weekend.
Covered pergolas make up the picnic area. There is also a parking lot for people who have cars in the area. Each person pays a small service fee of 15 TL. There is also a fee for the barbecue. If you didn’t bring your own meat, you can buy portions of the meat you want here. There are also drinks and salads for sale. There are also nice walking paths where you can enjoy the lush nature after the barbecue.
- Facilities: WC, picnic tables, garbage containers, children’s playground, ready barbecue, breakfast service and parking lot.
- Phone: 0532 660 19 97 – 0532 402 57 34
- Address: Cumhuriyet Village, Beykoz Cad., No:36, Beykoz
- View on Map
3. Aydos Recreation Area
We can say that the Aydos Recreation Area, which is one of the places that many Istanbul residents have heard of and like to visit, is a great place for both picnics and walks through nature. In this area, which is near the entrance to the Kartal district, you can have a peaceful picnic in a very large forest, away from the crowds of the city.
To get into the Aydos Recreation Area, you have to pay a fee. Both the car and the person on foot have to pay these fees. You can have a good time with your family in this area, which has many places to stay and things to do. The air is clean, so you can enjoy it to the fullest.
- Facilities: WC, fountain, prayer room, picnic tables, ready-made barbecue and samovar, tent camping areas, hiking trails, pond area, pedalo, garbage containers, walking tracks and parking lot.
- Address: Yakacık Yeni, Poyraz Sok., No: 8, Kartal
- View on Map >
4. Green Valley Cottage
If you want to feel like you’re in a village in the city and spend the day surrounded by nature, these cottages are perfect for you. It has been set up and is well taken care of so that you can enjoy your barbecue with its covered gazebos, lush green grass, and areas with wooden tables for grilling. You can come here as long as you bring your own food.
Other than that, the facility sets up the barbecue and tables, so all you have to do is have fun. The Green Valley Country House has a large, free parking lot. Aside from that, there are places inside and outside where children can play and do many other things.
- Entry Fee: Free
- Facilities: WC, fountain, electricity, Wi-Fi, restaurant, barbecue and samovar, picnic tables, children’s playground, indoor area and parking lot.
- Phone: 0216 309 93 61
- Website: http://www.yesilvadikirevi.com/
- Address: Sadabat Cad., No: 26, Aydos/Yakacık
- View on Map >
Also read: Best Breakfast Places in Istanbul
5. Salih Solman Picnic Area
Salih Solman Picnic Area, which is in Kskl Mahallesi in Üsküdar, one of Istanbul’s most beautiful neighborhoods, is a great place to have a picnic without having to deal with traffic. There are tables and barbecues in this area, which has a great view of the city and the islands. On the weekends, people of all ages have a great time in the picnic area, which is one of the most important places in Istanbul.
On the weekends, it can be hard to find a place to stay because there are so many people around. There is no charge to get into the picnic area. You can use the restrooms and water fountains all day long. There is also a playground for kids.
- Entry Fee: Free
- Facilities: WC, fountain, picnic tables, children’s playground, prayer room, parking lot and garbage containers.
- Address: Kısıklı, Ocean Street, No: 10, Üsküdar
- View on Map >
Istanbul Picnic Areas: European Side
1. Marmaracik Recreation Area
People who want to have a picnic with a view of the sea should go to Marmarack Recreation Area. This well-kept natural paradise in Saryer is a great way to get out of Istanbul. We think you should visit, especially in the summer. After having a barbecue, it’s fun to go swimming in the cool waters of Saryer. The sea is smooth and clean because the beach is in a cove.
We can say that there is nothing in this park, which has a lot of different things to do and costs money to get in. It has toilets, prayer rooms, camellias, picnic tables, a beach, houses for watching birds, and a lot more. There are cottages inside if you want to stay longer.
You can use the cottage if you book it ahead of time. The only way to get to this beautiful paradise cove is in a private car. IETT buses do not have any departures.
- Facilities: WC, children’s playground, arbours, pier, country restaurant, covered picnic tables, access control point, beach, accommodation facility and parking lot.
- Website: http://marmaracikkoyu.tabiat.gov.tr/
- Address: Rumelifeneri, Sariyer
- View on Map >
2. Belgrad Forest (Neşet Suyu)
When people in Istanbul think of picnics, forests, and peace and quiet, Belgrad Forest is the first place that comes to mind. So, even though it says it’s quiet, it’s usually pretty busy on weekends. It has a nature park, a pond, walking parks, and bike paths, so everyone can enjoy it. You don’t have to pay to get into the forest, but you do have to pay to use the picnic areas in the nature parks.
If you don’t like the nature park, you can go somewhere else. You can’t have a barbecue here, and there are no toilets or mosques. Because of this, Belgrad Forest is a good place to walk and have a picnic. Private vehicles are usually used to get around. IETT vehicles, though, can get you to this green paradise.
- Facilities: WC, access control point, children’s playground, country restaurant, buffet, sports field, country coffee, walking and cycling track, picnic tables and garbage containers.
- Phone: 0212 226 13 14
- Address: Bahçeköy Forest Nursery, Bahçeköy/Sarıyer
- View on Map >
3. Ayvat Bendi Recreation Area
Ayvat Bendi is a recreation area in the Belgrad Forest that has kept its natural beauty. This nature park, whose name comes from the banks in the Belgrade forest, is a feast for the eyes of those who come to see it. It has a play area, a restaurant, a bathroom, a buffet, and a masjid. Ayvat Bendi is a large area for walking and is also a great place to do sports.
People who want to ride their bikes deep into Belgrad Forest can come here. This is the place to go if you want to take beautiful pictures on long walks through nature after a picnic. Because it protects wildlife, it’s a great place for people who want to take pictures. People get around using their own cars or IETT buses. There is an extra charge just to get in. If you want to get away from the crowds in Istanbul, this is the place to go.
- Facilities: WC, fountain, children’s playground, arbours, picnic tables, walking and cycling tracks, access control point, country restaurant, kiosk and parking lot.
- Address: Mithatpaşa, Ayvad Bendi Recreation Area, Eyüpsultan
- View on Map >
4. Sultangazi Urban Forest
People who want to get away from the city often go to Sultangazi City Forest, which has a unique view of a dam that draws the attention of photographers. If you want to take photos that look great, you should come here. The Sultangazi Municipality takes care of the Sultangazi City Forest, which has beautiful scenery and clean air that makes people happy.
Entrance fee if you drive your own car. Also, there is a market at the entrance to the picnic area where you can buy what you need. This picnic area does not have any grills. Also, it is against the law to burn a samovar. So, people who want to visit this place should think about what kind of picnic they want to have. This is the place to be if you want to enjoy the view while drinking tea or coffee from your thermos.
- Facilities: WC, fountain, picnic tables, football field, walking tracks, children’s playground, cafeteria and parking lot.
- Phone: 0212 449 55 00
- Address: Mimarsinan, Kemerburgaz-Cendere Road, Eyüpsultan
- View on Map >
5. Locksmith Recreation Area
The Çilingoz Recreation Area is good for all kinds of people because it has different kinds of activity areas inside. In reality, this protected area is on the coast of atalca. It is part of a nature park. It has a beach, a place to ride horses, a picnic area, sports fields, a bathroom, and a mosque. You can have breakfast at the picnic area in the morning if you want, and then go to the beach to enjoy the sea.
There is a fee to get into the Locksmith Recreation Area. The fare changes based on whether you have a car or not. Private vehicles are the only way to get around. You can’t get here by public transportation. The Çilingoz Recreation Area is a great place to go swimming because its beach is clean and made of fine yellow sand.
- Facilities: WC, indoor picnic tables, country restaurant, children’s playground, prayer room, sports fields, arbors, pier, beach, accommodation facility, bicycle and walking tracks and car parking lot.
- Website: http://cilingoz.tabiat.gov.tr/
- Address: Atatürk Mah., Çatalca
- View on Map >