Culture & Travel
3 July 2024Mihrabat Grove
One of the most beautiful natural areas on the Asian side, Mihrabat Grove offers a stunning view for a picnic with your loved ones. Besides picnicking, you can also take photos, go for a walk, or ride a bike. Known as Mihrabat Nature Park or Mihrabat Picnic Area, it is easily accessible for residents of the Asian side. If you prefer to go by minibus, you can take the Üsküdar-Beykoz line to reach the grove. There are also several bus options. IETT buses numbered 121A, 121B, 11H, 15, 15A, 15BK, 15F, 15P, and 15T pass close to Mihrabat Grove.
Polonezköy National Park
Located in Beykoz, Istanbul, Polonezköy Nature Park is a beautiful place with a lush, refreshing atmosphere where you can spend the weekend with your family or loved ones. Declared a nature park in 1994, you can picnic, camp, join trekking tours, and engage in sports like cycling, running, and horse riding. There are also many cafes and restaurants around Polonezköy Nature Park, so even if you don't bring food, you can sit and enjoy the view while fulfilling your needs.
Aydos Forest
Aydos Forest in Istanbul’s Kartal district spans approximately 6,620 hectares, offering an expansive, green natural wonder. Every detail for a picnic is considered in the forest, including seating areas, barbecue spots, camping areas, fountains, and waterfalls. There are also walking and cycling paths, an observation tower, springs, and picnic areas available for public use. Aydos Forest, which is open 24 hours a day, offers free entrance, allowing you to visit and enjoy nature anytime.
Riva Beach
Riva Beach, located in the Riva neighborhood of Beykoz district, Istanbul, is an ideal spot for those who want to swim and picnic. The beach, which gets quite crowded in summer, offers sunbed and umbrella services. You can swim, sunbathe, engage in water sports, go for nature walks, and have a picnic at Riva Beach. You can reach the beach by motorboats departing from Üsküdar or by buses 4M, 4MS, 14EK, E9, E11, and E14 from Kartal.
Emirgan Grove
Emirgan Grove, located in the Sarıyer district on the European side of Istanbul, is one of the best picnic areas. This beautiful grove, which captivates with its natural beauty and makes you feel at the heart of nature, has picnic areas, barbecue spots, seating areas, and cafes. For families with children, there are playgrounds for kids to enjoy. At Emirgan Grove, you can picnic, visit historic pavilions and gardens, ride a bike, and enjoy the Bosphorus view.
Florya Atatürk Forest
Located in the Bakırköy district on the European side of Istanbul, Florya Atatürk Forest is another popular picnic and recreation area. It is frequently used for activities such as nature walks, horse riding, safari tours, and running. Surrounding the picnic and barbecue areas, there are also cafes and restaurants. The forest facilities, which offer free entrance, are open 24 hours a day.
Maslak Park
Maslak Park, located in the Sarıyer district, is one of the most modern park areas in Istanbul. Spanning 15,478 hectares, families can enjoy a pleasant picnic in the park. It is also suitable for activities like nature walks, cycling, skating, skateboarding, tennis, football, and volleyball. Maslak Park occasionally hosts open-air concerts during nice weather. The park, which has free entrance, is open every day of the week.
Halkalı City Forest
Located in Küçükçekmece, Istanbul, Halkalı City Forest is home to many plants and animals. Besides picnicking, you can take long nature walks, ride a bike, take photos, fish, bird watch, and play football or volleyball. Among the plant species in the park are pine, oak, linden, beech, elm, maple, ash, hornbeam, chestnut, hazel, laurel, and rosemary. For those who love camping, there is a designated camping area. The park, used for various purposes since the Ottoman period, also features many historical structures. Being a central point in Istanbul, it attracts countless tourists every year.
