14 day trips from Istanbul

Are you in Istanbul and would like to explore the region for a day? Here are the 14 excursions from Istanbul that we recommend!

Visiting Istanbul is plunging into 2,000 years of history, passing through Byzance and Constantinople. The only city in the world to be located on two continents, Istanbul is undoubtedly one of the leading attractions of global tourism.

This exceptional character of the city sometimes leaves the surroundings. Yet there are many excursions from Istanbul. Some even take place in its huge municipality!

Here are the 14 day trips from Istanbul that Wanderlix has selected for you!

1. Cruise on the Bosphore

Here is the most famous trip from Istanbul: the Bosphore cruise. It is advisable to take the journey as long as possible to enjoy it. The Bosphorus welcomes many Ottoman palaces, such as the Dolmabahçe.

There is also the fortress built by Mehmet II a few days before the take of Constantinople in 1453. The more you get away from Istanbul, the more the buildings leave room for nature. If you have the option, stop at a village on the shore to spend some time there before leaving to Istanbul.

2. Cruise on the Golden Horn

The cruise is a day trip from Istanbul quite classic. The one on the Golden Horn is the least known of them. Yet it is a major historical passage, an estuary to enlivened history. This is where the Byzantins had installed their shipyards and the famous chain protecting the city and bypassed by the Ottomans.

On the programme, a day to admire the shores of the Golden Horn, with its mosques, the Galata Tower, its more or less ancient houses. A little break for a few hours.

3. Kadıköy

So close to Üsküdar and yet so far... Kadıköy is also a trip from Istanbul on the Asian shore of the city. If Üsküdar is quite traditional and conservative, it is all the opposite with regard to Kadıköy. Very lively neighborhood, many cafes and bars, Kadıköy is like a small village always awake.

When you swing, you go to meet beautiful mosques. If time allows, visit the toy museum for a fun time. But it is especially for its festive atmosphere that we come to Kadıköy. Thus, those who love the good animated moments will be delighted to go there.

Baylan Pastry, more than a hundred years old, will delight your taste buds in case of small hollow. Finally, for those who seek calm, know that Kadıköy is always lively and noisy.

4. Üsküdar

The old Constantinople is a huge city and some day trips from Istanbul can take place in the city! This is particularly the case on the side of the Asian bank, which is very different from the European bank. Üsküdar is a good example.

The ancient Chrysopolis is symbolized by the tower of Leandre, located on the Bosphorus a few meters from the farmland. Having become a tourist attraction, you can eat or have a coffee.

Even in Üsküdar, don’t miss the Nakkaştepe Park, where you can see the bridge that can pass from one bank to another, or the beautiful mosques.

5. Discovery of the forest of Belgrad

A sublime location, the Belgrade Forest is the favourite excursion from Istanbul of the premises. The green lung of the large stambouliot agglomeration is an immense expanse of foliage. It is therefore the ideal place for beautiful hikes by breathing a pure air.

For Sunday athletes, the forest of Belgrad is also perfect for a soccer game, since it is never really hot thanks to the protection offered by trees.

6. Princes Islands

A day trip from Istanbul recommended, the Princes Islands are too numerous to visit them all in one day. So we have to make choices! First, if you arrive early enough and the belly empty, each island offers an idyllic setting for breakfast.

For the rest, the largest island is Büyükada, which offers the most places to visit and a beautiful cyclos hike. The other islands, including Heybeliada and Burgazada, are smaller, less frequented and quieter. Always with the bike as a physical activity!

7. Kumköy

Decently, the shores of the Black Sea offer beautiful day trips from Istanbul. Kumköy is one of them. On the programme, little effort: beach, relaxation, terrace! This is for the beautiful season.

For the rest of the year, Kumköy is a very pleasant city, far from the urban tumult that is the Istanbul megalopolis. A moment of escape and silence that we appreciate very much!

8. Anadolu Kavağı

This trip from Istanbul takes you to the banks of the Bosphorus. Anadolu Kavağı is known to be close to Joshua Hill. For some Muslims, the hill houses the tomb of Prophet Joshua. A mausoleum is dedicated to him. What is certain is that it offers a fabulous panorama and that the mausoleum and its mosque are superb.

On the other side of the city, do not miss the visit of Yoros Castle, a well preserved Byzantine building. Finally, from Anadolu Kavağı, you can enjoy a small cruise on the Bosphore.

9. Şile

A day trip from Istanbul on weekends, Şile enjoys an exceptional situation. Located on the edges of the Black Sea, Şile enjoys a huge and beautiful beach, close to the old lighthouse of the city. In addition to swimming, it is an ideal place for a walk, a coffee or a cocktail.

In addition to its lighthouse, Şile offers some architectural riches, including its castle, or rather what remains, a tower planted on a rock! An exceptional view awaits you from the building. Bourgeois city, Şile also houses beautiful houses, which definitively confirms that it is a pleasant city to walk.

10. Izmit

Little known, Izmit took advantage of a seaside situation to build an important port. Great town, Izmit enjoys its walks in the large Seka Park and the visit of the Gayret Gemi Museum, dedicated to a former warship.

Finally, take a walk in the city centre to immerse yourself in a Turkish city atmosphere, which is not frequented by foreigners. This day trip from Istanbul is therefore perfect for a stay in authenticity.

11. Ağva Merkez

Here is a relaxing trip from Istanbul. Ağva Merkez’s seaside resort allows you to relax and spend a day in peace. On the programme, walks by the sea and swimming in the Black Sea, discover a charming city center with cafes and terraces.

Ağva Merkez is also the place where the Koca River flows, which can be covered in pedalo. Its shores are also a perfect place to sip a cocktail in the beautiful season.

12. Iznik

Formerly known as Nicaea, Iznik is often the forgotten day trips from Istanbul. Yet Iznik has preserved some jewels like the mosque of St.Sophia, formerly a church, as well as its castle. The city museum allows us to learn more about the city, especially during the time of Nicaea.

The gate of Istanbul, former entrance of the fortified city, is well preserved. It allows you to start a walk in the city centre in which you enjoy the local atmosphere. We can also see many ruins, some dating from the Roman Empire.

Finally, located on the edge of a lake, Iznik allows you to stroll along the water or swim!

13. Bursa

Another ancient Ottoman capital! Here too, we admire the genius of the Ottoman architects of the time, with the great mosque, as well as what is commonly called the green mausoleum and its mosque, in a complex dedicated to the mausoleum, Muradiye. This building welcomes the remains of the Sultan Mehmet I .

The city is also to be close to Cumalikizik. Classified at Unesco’s World Heritage, it is a village that has remained 500 years behind. Everything is intact and remarkably preserved. Bursa is also known to be close to Uludağ Mountain and its ski resort that can be reached by one of the longest cable cars in the world, almost 9 kilometers!

14. Edirne

This trip from Istanbul takes us to the ancient capital of the Ottoman Empire, Edirne. Once known as Andrinople, Edirne is full of many Ottoman architectural riches. These include the Selimiye and Burmese mosques, as well as the Méric bridge.

The most impressive building is the complex of sultan Bayezid II, now transformed into a health museum. A masterpiece of the 15th century. Edirne also houses the most beautiful synagogue in Turkey. Finally, don’t hesitate to shop in one of the three bazaars in the city.