To Forest and Beach Without Leaving the City

Enter from the reservoirs section, where Ottoman aqueducts and dams stand within the forest and the walking paths link them. The trail between Neset Suyu and the reservoirs is waymarked, about six kilometres and fairly level. The running track is separate and the paths suit cycling. In the picnic areas the sections where barbecues are allowed are marked, so check the signs. At weekends the car park fills early, so arrive before nine. There are stretches with no phone signal, so download the route in advance.

Head north from the forest, half an hour. These beaches on the Black Sea are the nearest open sea to the city, with wide sand and waves. Most beaches are run as businesses with an entrance fee that includes a sunbed. The current can be strong at times, so watch the lifeguard flag and do not swim when it is red, a warning to take seriously here. The remains of Kilyos Castle on the slope are visible from the shore. The wind sharpens in the late afternoon, which is when the kite flyers arrive.

On the Beykoz ridge, a village founded by Polish immigrants in the nineteenth century. The walking trails inside the nature park are waymarked and the forest road is shaded; there is an entrance fee. The guesthouses and restaurants in the village are known for breakfast and grilled meat, and weekend lunches need a booking. The village museum is small but tells the story of the migration and half an hour is enough. In spring the cherry and apple trees are in blossom, and in high summer it is a good choice for those seeking shade.

A district town on the Black Sea coast, about two hours from the city. The headland with the lighthouse and the beach below it are the known stop. The sea here too has waves and currents, so heed the flag warning. There are shops in the town selling Sile cloth, where you can buy shirts and cloths with prices moving by negotiation. Fish restaurants line the area around the castle ruin and the pier. Weekend road traffic is heavy, and leaving early or going on a weekday makes a real difference.

Half an hour east of Sile, a small town set where two streams meet the sea. Boat and canoe trips run along the Goksu and Yesilcay streams, with boatmen waiting at the landing and the duration settled by negotiation. The hotels and breakfast places along the stream are the town's main business. For walking there is a path along the stream, flat and shaded. The beach is within walking distance of the town but the current is strong. Weekends are full, so do not go without a booking.