Updated Date : 08.04.2022
With the rising temperatures and humidity, in summer, everyone is looking to cool off. In general, there is an opinion that it is not allowed to swim in Istanbul. However, the seawater cleanless measurements made by the Ministry of Health. That shows that swimming is possible at many points in Istanbul. There are many points and activities from Buyukcekmece to the Islands beaches. We tried to prepare a careful list of calm and clean places to swim in Istanbul.
Rumeli Kavagi
Rumeli Kavagi, one of the most beautiful areas of Sariyer, is among the places where you can swim in Istanbul. Rumeli Kavagi is famous for its mussels and figs, as well as for its scenery and beaches. There are also many mussels and fish restaurants in Rumeli Kavagi. Military beach, Altinkum Beach, Elmaskum Beach, and Ladies Beach are located in area. Don't forget to eat mussels at the Midyeciler Bazaar, right at the entrance of Rumeli Kavagi!
Rumeli Kavagi is located 25 kms from Istanbul Old city center. Public bus transportation is available. With taxi it may take around 1 hour.
Poyrazkoy
Located at the point where the Bosphorus opens to the Black Sea, Poyrazkoy has a sandy Poyraz beach on its coast. Poyrazkoy, is one of the villages located at the norhest of the Bosphorus. There is also another beach at the area just for ladies name Poyrazkoy Ladies Beach.
Poyrazkoy is located in Asian Side of Istanbul. It is 45 kms from Istanbul Old City Center. Public transportation is available but with couple connections. With taxi it may take around 1 hour.
Kilyos
Kilyos is located on the European side of Istanbul. There is public beach serves cheaper. Additionaly there are private beaches as well. Kilyos is suitable sea surfers. Solar Beach Therapy Kilyos, Burc Beach, Tirmata Beach Kilyos, Uzunya Beach are popular private beaches.
Kilyos is located 60 kms from Istanbul Old city center. Public bus transportation is available but with couple connections . With taxi it may take around 1 hour.
Florya Beach
Florya Sun Beach is located opposite the old Florya train station. The length of the coast is 800 meters. You can rent sunbeds and umbrellas and find sections where you can park your car. It is one the most beautiful places to swim in Istanbul.
Florya is located 25 kms from Istanbul Old city center. Public bus transportation is available and very easy to reach. With taxi it may take around 30 minutes
Arnavutkoy Yenikoy Beach
Arnavutkoy is a district of Istanbul, and located in the northe at shore of Black Sea. Arnavutkoy has a 400-meter-long beautiful sandy beach, and the quiet places to swim. Arnavutkoy Yenikoy Beach, which is open to the public, is the most beautiful place to swim in the region. Although the entrance to this beach is free. A fee is charged for extra services such as umbrellas, sun loungers, and changing rooms.
Arnavutkoy Yenikoy Beach is located 60 kms from Istanbul Old City Center. Public transportation is available but with couple connections. With taxi it may take around 1,5 hour.
Buyukcekmece Albatros Beach
Buyukcekmece Albatros Beach, is one of the best place to swim with its sandy and shallow structure. It offers a great daily alternative. At Albatros Beach, there are also services such as sun loungers and umbrellas for a fee.
Albatros Beach is located 50 kms from Istanbul Old City Center. Public transportation is available but with couple connections. With taxi it may take around 1 hour.
Sile
Sile, located on the Black Sea coast of Istanbul, draws attention with its long and wide sandy beach. In Sile, generaly there is as wavy sea. Buyuk Beach or Iskeleyeri Beach in the center and most crowded beaches. Sile's Akcakese Akkaya Beach is one of the cleanest place to swim in Istanbul. Crying Kaya, Kumbaba, Ayazma, Imrenli, Sahilkoy, Agva, and Kurfalli beaches are other beaches in Sile. Sile has land and sea caves. Also the biggest lighthouse in Turkey and the second largest in the world is in Sile.
Sile is located in Asian Side of Istanbul. It is 80 kms from Istanbul Old City Center. Public transportation is available but with couple connections. With taxi it may take around 1,5 hour.
Riva
Riva is located between Anadolu Feneri and Sile. Riva is one of the suitable places to spend time in nature. Riva has long sandy beach and its creek flowing into the sea through the beach. There is also a facility where you can rent sun loungers and umbrellas on Elmasburnu Beach of Riva.
Riva is located in Asian Side of Istanbul. It is 40 kms from Istanbul Old City Center. Public transportation is available but with couple connections. With taxi it may take around 1 hour.
Princes’ Islands
There are 4 main islands out of 9 that can be visited for swimming. Buyukada, Heybeliada, Burgazada and Kinaliada. There are ferries departing for Kabatas and Eminonu Ports. Ferry takes around 1 hour. Istanbul E-pass includes roundtrip ferry to Princes' Islands from Kabatas and Eminonu ports.
Buyukada
Buyukada Aya Nikola Public Beach, Halik Bay, Eskibag Recreation Area Beach, Yorukali Beach are clean beaches.
Heybeliada
Heybeliada, which is the most popular island after Buyukkada, has many beaches. Ada Beach Club, located in Cam Harbor Bay, also provides free transportation by boat. In Degirmenburnu, which is covered with pine forest. The area around Heybeliada Sadikbey Beach and Water Sports Club Beach are the other clean spots to swim. There is also one more called Aquarium Beach, which is more isolated than the others.
Burgazada
Kalpazankaya and Camakya stand out as the main beaches of Burgazada. You can reach Kalpazankaya Beach with a 40-minutes walk. It is located in a stony cove. Kalpazankaya has a calm environment, has the most famous restaurant of the island. Camakya Beach, a free public beach, is located at the back of Burgazada. To get to Camakya Beach, you may need to take a 45-minutes walk from Burgazada Pier. You can enjoy this small beach by renting sun loungers and umbrellas.
Kinaliada
Kumluk Beach has been in service since 1993 in Kinaliada, the smallest of the Prince Islands. You can reach Kumluk Beach by boat or on foot. Ayazma Kamo's Beach Club has a small but quiet beach. Also, admission to Ulker Public Beach is free.
The Final Word
Istanbul is surrounded by the sea from the north and south so there are many beaches to enjoy! If you are looking to spend your time with sand, sun and sea, you can visit any of these beaches that we have listed for you!