10 Parks to Visit in Istanbul

Istanbul has more green space than many visitors expect. These ten parks, groves and gardens on both sides of the city offer a break from the traffic and noise.

• Yıldız Park — Beşiktaş, European side
• Rone Park — Yeşilköy, European side
• Emirgan Grove — Sarıyer, European side
• Atatürk Arboretum — Bahçeköy, Sarıyer
• Ulus Park — Etiler, European side
• Göktürk Pond Nature Park — Eyüp, European side
• Japanese Garden — Baltalimanı, Sarıyer
• Gülhane Park — historic peninsula
• Nezahat Gökyiğit Botanical Park — Ataşehir, Asian side
• ParkAda — Bayrampaşa, European side

1. Yıldız Park

Located between Beşiktaş and Ortaköy, with an area of about 46 hectares, Yıldız Park is the largest grove in the city. It can be reached by the coast road on the European side (Eminönü–Beşiktaş or Sarıyer–Beşiktaş). From the Asian side, cross the Bosphorus Bridge and follow the Yıldız Park signs from the Beşiktaş exit.

2. Rone Park

Arguably the most beautiful park in Yeşilköy, with cafés, breakfast spots, playgrounds and animals along the seafront. It can be hard to find a spot at weekends, so go early in the morning. By car, take the coastal road and follow the signs to Florya and then Yeşilköy; buses and minibuses also serve Yeşilköy.

3. Emirgan Grove

Any İETT bus heading to Sarıyer along the coastal road will take you to the Emirgan stop, a five-minute walk from the grove. By car from Beşiktaş, follow the signs on the left at Sakıp Sabancı Street; from İstinye, continue straight past the bay and follow the signs on the right. From the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, take the Küçükarmutlu exit to reach the coast road.

4. Atatürk Arboretum

Southeast of the Belgrad Forest, the arboretum covers 345 hectares and holds over 1,500 plant species, including a notable collection of bulbous plants. The lake is a lovely spot for photos. By car, head along Büyükdere Caddesi towards Sarıyer, follow the signs at Hacıosman and take the Bahçeköy road; the arboretum is on the left of the Kemerburgaz road. By public transport, take bus 42HM from Hacıosman metro to Bahçeköy, then walk about 450 metres along the Kemerburgaz road.

5. Ulus Park

Ulus Park, on Adnan Saygun Caddesi in Etiler, is admired above all for its Bosphorus view, framed by lush trees. Bus DT2 from Taksim stops at "Ulus Mahallesi"; by car, follow Adnan Saygun Caddesi from Akmerkez towards Ulus.

6. Göktürk Pond Nature Park

A recreation area around a dam lake managed by İSKİ, Göktürk Pond is a place to breathe and get away from the noise, and it becomes more valuable as the area grows. It is close to Göktürk centre (Eyüp), reached via Hasdal–Kemerburgaz, on the right at the start of the İhsaniye road.

7. Japanese Garden

A little-known garden in Baltalimanı, Sarıyer (Çayır Caddesi), with Japanese motifs, varied plant species, an artificial lake and a calm atmosphere that feels far from Istanbul. Keep expectations modest, but it is well worth a visit.

8. Gülhane Park

Gülhane is linked to a well-known story about the poet Nazım Hikmet: wanted by the police, he is said to have hidden in a walnut tree in the park and watched his pursuers pass beneath him. His poem about the walnut tree in Gülhane was later popularised in song by Cem Karaca. The nearest tram stop is Gülhane and the nearest ferry pier is Sirkeci; drivers can use the open car park opposite the park on the coastal road, just before Sirkeci.

9. Nezahat Gökyiğit Botanical Park

In Ataşehir, at the junction of the TEM and Anatolian highways, the park has a rock garden, water features, bulb collections, Ertuğrul Island, Istanbul Island, an arid garden and an overhead gazebo with a wide view. Several İETT buses stop at Ataşehir Sedef, including the 256 from Taksim and connections from the Uzunçayır metrobus station, Kadıköy, Üsküdar and Ümraniye.

10. ParkAda

Known locally as AdaPark, ParkAda in Kocatepe, Bayrampaşa, packs in an amusement park, picnic areas, a lake, restaurants, cafés, a bowling alley, an amphitheatre, a bazaar, artificial bridges and a waterfall, a zoo and parking. It is within walking distance of the Bayrampaşa metro stop; by car, follow the bus station road from the Bayrampaşa turn-off.