Who would have imagined that parks could be so attractive and interesting that they are listed as spots for tourists? If you are shocked to read that, Istanbul is the place that will woo you with its serene and lush beauty. There are many parks in Istanbul, which are not just famous among the locals but tourists count on them too. Housing a huge diversity of flora and an incredible wilderness, this city of Turkey is the epitome of natural and man-made wonders. Do not forget to carry a camera and get some cool pictures as a memory of your holiday.
Top Parks In Istanbul To Enjoy The Surreal Beauty of Nature
- Yıldız Park
- Gülhane Park
- Emirgan Park
- Otağtepe-Fatih Park
- Sultanahmet Park
- Nezahat Gökyiğit Botanical Garden
- Hıdiv Korusu
- Maçka Park
Sprawling with crowds and hustle, Istanbul is an urbanized hub, but the parks here are some of the best attractions that will take you on a nature tour. We have listed some of the best parks in the city where you can rest, relax and rejuvenate.
1. Yıldız Park
The private hunting ground of Sultan Abdülhamid II (reigned 1876-1909), Yıldız Park is one of the most serene and wild parks in Istanbul to explore. You will find a certain area dominated by oak, pine, yew, and ash trees, which added more to its panoramic beauty. To make it fit for public use, there are pathways, restaurants, cafes, and an artificial lake which makes it a perfect spot to get the best photographs from the vacation.
Tourists and locals do visit Yıldız Park for a family picnic, or spend a day close to nature. Kids can enjoy the best of their time as the park has a well-maintained playground with games and rides. This is the place where you'll be able to find a secluded spot away from all of the hustle if you want to.
Location: off Çırağan Caddesi, Beşiktaş
Opening Hours: 9:00 am - 10:00 pm
2. Gülhane Park
The Gulhane Park is an exclusive attraction in Turkey, which is known for its beauty and vibrancy. Once part of the grounds of Topkapi Palace, this park in Istanbul has a regal aura with its formal design, winding walks, and kaleidoscopic flowerbeds. Today it feels like a restful retreat from the busy streets surrounding it and its colorful flower beds provide a beautiful contrast to the ornate buildings nearby. With its peaceful haven in the bustling Sultanahmet neighborhood, this Istanbul Park is home to many of Istanbul's main attractions.
Taking a glimpse of the past, the main route is flanked by the 3rd- or 4th-century Column of the Goths and Alay Köşkü (Parade Kiosk), where Turkish Sultans once watched parades from their docks. It is a peaceful haven in the bustling district that's home to many of Istanbul's main attractions.
Location: Alemdar Mah. Alemdar Cad. Eminonu/Cagaloglu, Fatih, Istanbul
Opening Hours: 6:00 am - 10:30 pm
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3. Emirgan Park
Get stuck by the beauty of Tulips in Emirgan Park, which surely is one of the most beautiful parks in Istanbul. The Emirgan Park is located outside of the city, on the European side of the Bosphorus. The park is dominated by a long green stretch comprising both woodland and formal gardens that provide a pleasant relief from the city's bustle. The park was previously owned by Egypt's Khedive Ismail, who was overthrown by the British and Ottomans but allowed to live out his life in exile here.
Today the Emirgan Park is one of the biggest parks in Istanbul, Turkey, but it was first established in 1851 by Khedive Ismail Pasha on forested land and named after his wife. There are a variety of facilities available, including a playground, and a central lake which makes it a tourist attraction in Istanbul. The park has a variety of facilities, including a playground and restaurants.
Location: Emirgan Korusu, Istanbul 34467
Opening Hours: 6:00 am - 11:00 pm
4. Otağtepe-Fatih Park
Otağtepe -Fatih Park is a wonderful place to sit back and take in the breathtaking Turkey that makes it a Middle Eastern attraction to admire. The word OTAĞ means Ottoman army forces, and tepe stands for the hill. With no facilities or shops, the park provides a truly natural experience and an opportunity to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.
This small park in Istanbul has beautiful views over the Bosphorus region and offers a variety of walking trails. Visitors can enjoy natural scenery within the tranquil environment as they walk through the pathways. The abundance of tree cover and grassy lawns provides the perfect place to escape the crowds, with multiple walking trails through quiet picturesque gardens, ponds, and meadows. An evening here can be wonderful, offering the best views of the skyline.
- Location: Beykoz village, Istanbul
- Opening Hours: 08:00 AM to 12:00 AM
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5. Sultanahmet Park
What makes the Sultanahmet Park, the most beautiful park in Turkey, is its perfect location, perched between the two most famous landmarks, the Sultanahmet Mosque and the Hippodrome on the southern end and the Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya) on the northern end. It is the bustling beauty of the park that makes it one of the most famous parks in Istanbul to visit with family. You can witness the charm of the Blue Mosque's and Hagia Sophia's domes and minarets.
Talking about the beauty, an evening here can be quite fascinating as you can observe the monuments illuminated with dazzling lights. When it comes to facilities, the park has few cafes but visitors are advised to bring food or snacks from outside vendors. The seating options include a fountain at the park's center, small formal gardens, and paved plazas.
Location: Binbirdirek Mah. Klodfarer Cad. No:19 Sultanahmet Fatih, Fatih, 34400 Istanbul
Opening Hours: 24x7
6. Nezahat Gökyiğit Botanical Garden
The Asian side of Istanbul is home to the Nezahat Gökyiit Botanical Garden, offering you some interesting things to do in Turkey. This is an educational botanical garden more than just being one of the parks in Istanbul, which promotes scientific study and education on plant life around the world, as well as the rich flora of Turkey. Universities in Turkey and Botanic Gardens from across the world are among the collaborators at Nezahat Gökyiit Botanical Garden. They have a library that is mostly comprised of English and Turkish books.
This botanical garden can be referred to as an institution in Turkey too. It's home to an array of plant species and is committed to education, research, and conservation. Whether you want to learn more about nature or play with your children, this park is a great place to visit.
Location: Ataturk Mahallesi Fatih Sultan Mehmet Caddesi TEM Otoyolu Anadolu Otoyol Kavsagi/Istanbul
Opening Hours: Monday To Sunday: 09:00 - 17:00
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7. Hıdiv Korusu
Hıdiv Korusu, being one of the historic and magnificent Istanbul Parks, is the right place to spend a leisurely evening. The park is built over a space of 1000 square meters, with luscious flowers, waterfalls, and beautiful fountains. It's enjoyable in the spring and autumn.
The architecture of this old garden was designed by Italian Architect Delfo Seminati, the Hidiv (Khedive), and was created by Khedive Abbas II in the late 19th century. It stands as one of several parks on the European side of Istanbul. This is a great place for bird-watching where you can also enjoy the breathtaking vistas from the gardens, or just sit back and relax on the benches experiencing the best leisure activities in Turkey.
Location: Hidiv Yolu 32 Cubuklu-Beykoz, Istanbul
Opening Hours: Monday To Sunday: 09:00 am to 12:00
8. Maçka Park
On your Turkey family tour, do visit the Maçka Prak. Located in the heart of Istanbul's Dolmabahçe neighborhood, Maçka Park is one of the most popular Istanbul parks for locals and tourists in the city. The park is well-kept and has views of the Bosphorus just across the water in addition to its green spaces, there are beautiful gardens and many sports facilities too. It also has formal gardens and playgrounds where kids can play, picnic lawns, and man-made ponds.
During the week, the paths here are filled with joggers and strollers; weekends see it bustling with picnickers and dog walkers. As you explore the corners of this park in Istanbul, enjoy the sights and sounds of nature in this beautiful park on a sunny day. The park is also famous as Maçka Demokrasi Park, housing a dense thicket of trees including Linden, Chestnut, Oak, Sycamore, Ash, Alder, and Walnut.
Location: Harbiye Mahallesi Macka Vadisi/Istanbul
Opening Hours: 24 hours
A vacation not only means exploring the best historical monuments or the famous city sites but discovering each nook and corner of the destination. These parks in Istanbul are the perfect example of places where you can spend some leisure time with family or friends. The serenity and sublime vibes of these family parks will make you stunned and mesmerized. Dating back ages, many of these parks are well established and offer every facility for the visitors. And now as you have some of the best parks listed, it will save some time to enjoy more. Avail of the best Istanbul tour packages to spend a perfect vacation with your loved ones.
Parks In Istanbul - FAQ’s
Yes, there are many parks in Istanbul, housing a great diversity of flora and an untouched wilderness. The parks here will take you on a nature tour where you can rest, relax and rejuvenate. Many parks also offer picnic facilities and open playing areas.
Yıldız Park is located off Çırağan Caddesi, Beşiktaş, in Istanbul. It was once a private hunting ground of the Sultan Abdülhamid II and today it is dominated by oak, pine, yew, and ash trees, which added more to its panoramic beauty.
Emirgan Park is one of the biggest parks in Istanbul, Turkey. It was established in 1851 by Khedive Ismail Pasha on forested land and today is quite famous for its public facilities like a playground, a central lake, and restaurants.
Nezahat Gökyiit Botanical Garden is famous for being an educational botanical garden, which promotes scientific study and education on plants. Universities in Turkey and Botanic Gardens from across the world are among the collaborators at Nezahat Gökyiit Botanical Garden.
Although Otağtepe-Fatih Park is quite small it has beautiful views over the Bosphorus region. One can enjoy natural scenery within the tranquil environment as one walks through the pathways. There are tree covers, grassy lawns, multiple walking trails, picturesque gardens, ponds, and meadows.
Maçka Prak is located in the heart of Istanbul's Dolmabahçe neighborhood and is the most popular park for locals and tourists in the city. It also has formal gardens and playgrounds where kids can play, picnic lawns, and man-made ponds.
The Sultanahmet Park is perched between two most famous highlights, the Sultanahmet Mosque and the Hippodrome on the southern end and the Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya) on the northern end. You can also witness the charm of the Blue Mosque's and Hagia Sophia's domes and minarets.
Some of the best public parks in Istanbul are:
- Sultanahmet Park
- Maçka Park
- Gülhane Park
- Yıldız Park
