There are many day trips from Istanbul you can take to break up your visit and give you the best overview of this stunning part of Turkey. Istanbul is loud, busy, packed with history, and full of great bars and many incredible things to see and do, but sometimes you just need a break from … Read more
The post 15 Best Day Trips From Istanbul (by Train, Bus, Boat & Car) appeared first on Goats On The Road.
There are many day trips from Istanbul you can take to break up your visit and give you the best overview of this stunning part of Turkey. Istanbul is loud, busy, packed with history, and full of great bars and many incredible things to see and do, but sometimes you just need a break from the madness and a day trip does just the trick.
I’ve stayed in Istanbul for long periods and visited on countless occasions—I love it, but a day out always provides a refreshing pause.
Anyone who knows me will tell you that Istanbul is not only my favorite place to visit in Turkey, but it’s my favorite city on the planet; I don’t think I’ll ever be able to visit enough times.
The city itself is incredible, but sometimes, you just need to stretch out without banging into someone, breathe in some fresh air, and just ‘be’ – taking a couple of Istanbul day trips is always a good idea.
The good news is that once you’ve left Istanbul for the day and returned, you’ll be raring to see even more of the city. It has that kind of effect on people; I think I’m addicted to it.
Best Day Trips From Istanbul
I previously lived in Turkey for several years, mostly on the south coast. However, my husband is Turkish, and he has family in Istanbul, so, every winter time we go and stay for around a month at a time. It’s one of the best times of year for me – I love this city, and it always surprises me in the best ways possible.
Having visited so many times, I’m still finding amazing, new things to see and do in Istanbul. However, I know how crazily busy this place can get, and sometimes, just one day out is the best way to recharge your batteries and dive back in.
So, to help you do just that, I’ve compiled a list of the best one-day trips from Istanbul you can enjoy without traveling too far.
1. Büyükada, Princes’ Islands
One of the most popular day trips from Istanbul, if not THE most popular, is the Princes’ Islands, and Büyükada in particular. This is the largest of these beautiful islands, which sit in the Sea of Marmara, 17.6km/10.9 miles away from Istanbul. You won’t see many cars on these islands, if any, as most people get around either by horse-drawn carriage, bicycle, or on foot.
You can see just how much of a refreshing change of pace this is from the hectic vibe in the city and it doesn’t hurt that it’s an easy trip from Istanbul. The ferry ride takes around 1.5 hours, depending on the service you choose, and the scenery is stunning.
Once in Büyükada, you can spend time on the beach, shop, go hiking, including the popular trail to Aya Yorgi Monastery, or simply enjoy a guided tour of the island, which is included when you book the day trip from Istanbul. Click here for tour details.
Looking for more beach time? See this article on the best beaches in and around Istanbul.
Distance from Istanbul: 17.6km/10.9 miles
Location: Adalar/İstanbul
Getting There: The public ferry runs year-round. Click here for ferry details.
Best Tour from Istanbul: this highly rated tour from Istanbul takes in Princes’ Islands, Büyükada, and Heybeliada.
Must-Do Activities: Hiking, walking, beach time, shopping.
Where to Eat: Fresh seafood is a must here, but you can find authentic Turkish cuisine very easily. Secret Garden Restaurant is one of my favorite spots.
2. Termal
Termal is another of the popular day tours from Istanbul, where you can immerse yourself in natural surroundings and completely relax. Located in Yalova, Termal is famous for its hot springs, which are said to offer fantastic health benefits. However, a walk around Termal Park can be just as healing for the soul, as you’re held in the arms of Mother Nature.
The Sultan’s Mansion is another top spot in this area, as well as Gökçedere Dam. However, most people visit Termal to enjoy the hot springs, and you can choose to extend your stay at one of the spa hotels if you choose; I stayed at Vital Thermal Hotel & Spa and it was a wonderfully peaceful experience. Click here to learn more.
Distance from Istanbul: 110.7km/68 miles
Location: Termal, Yalova
Getting There: Driving is the easiest option, by taking the Anadolu Otoyolu/O-4, however, you can also take the bus, which runs once per day and takes just over 2 hours.
Must-Do Activities: Spend some time in the hot springs, walk, and eat local food.
Where to Eat: I loved my visit to Gölova Et Mangal, which served the most delicious grilled meats, salads, and meze.
3. Bursa
One of the most popular day trips from Istanbul by car is to the huge city of Bursa. The former first capital of the Ottoman Empire, Bursa is a wonderful mix of old and new. It’s also a very green city, with huge mountains in the backdrop – the contrast in colors is beautiful. Bursa is also very close to Uludağ, which is one of the biggest and best ski resorts in Turkey.
The Grand Mosque of Bursa is one of the highlights of this huge city, as well as the Grand Bazaar, and the Bursa City Museum, where you can learn more about its rich and vibrant past. You’ll find that Bursa is a pretty modern city too, and there’s a large university here which gives it a modern-day vibe.
Out of all the Istanbul day trips, this is probably one of the easiest and most popular to take. While traffic may hold you up going in and out of Istanbul, if you set off early, you shouldn’t have many problems.
Distance from Istanbul: 157km/97 miles
Location: Bursa City
Getting There: You can drive easily by taking the Anadolu Otoyolu/O-4 and Gebze-Orhangazi-İzmir Otoyolu/O-5. Bus services are very regular. Click here for bus details.
Best Tour from Istanbul: The full-day trip from Istanbul to Bursa with a cable car ride is a fantastic choice, and you’ll get to see a lot during your visit. Click here to book. You can also take a trip that includes a visit to Mount Uludağ; click here for more details.
Must-Do Activities: Take a walking tour, eat local food, visit Uludağ, sightseeing.
Where to Eat: Bursa is famous for the delicious İskender kebab, and the best place to try this is Kebapçı İskender.
4. Florya
If you’re looking for places to go near Istanbul that don’t require you to drive, but allow you to still catch a break from the hustle and bustle, I’d highly recommend Recommended Story For You :
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