Best beaches near Istanbul accessible by public transport
Based on 2 discussions with 3 participants · Last activity: 2 days ago
Based on 2 discussions with 3 participants · Last activity: 2 days ago
TL;DR
Noya Beach on Kınalıada island (1000 TL entry, pool, uncrowded) and Florya private beach are both reachable options near Istanbul, each with trade-offs.
A visitor reported visiting Aya Nikola beach on Büyükada yesterday and paying 1200 TL per person entry — notably higher than the previously mentioned 600 TL.
Another beach was recommended (with a map link) as good for a calm day out: it has paid gazebos (price not specified, described as very expensive), a seawater pool, and the water is regularly cleaned of jellyfish and algae. Gazebos can reportedly be booked via WhatsApp.
On Büyükada, Family Beach Aya Nikola was recommended as a cheaper option: entry is about 600 TL, and both cash and card are accepted. Sunbeds and umbrellas are included. It suits visitors who do not want pontoon-style beaches, as it has a gentle sandy entry and a relatively small buoy-marked swimming area.
A free option on Büyükada was also mentioned: you can sit on the grass and swim using a ladder near the Fıstık Ahmet restaurant, about a 7-minute walk to the right from the pier when facing Istanbul.
Cevahir Beach on Heybeliada was recently reported at 1200 TL entry: it has plenty of sunbeds with umbrellas, clean changing rooms, toilets, showers, and lockers. The shore and sea are said to be cleaned; the water feels cool at first but is fine for swimming, and there are diving pontoons and slides.
Caddebostan on the Asian side was suggested as a city-beach option: you can reach it by ferry to the Asian side and then continue a short distance by local transport.
Heybeliada has a beach near the Cevahir aquapark — the water is cool but not crowded and generally decent. Accessible by ferry to the island.
The rocky-area beach near Florya is public: locals arrive in the evenings and sometimes leave litter and bottles. No sun loungers are provided or planned there, as it is a public beach.
Noya Beach on Kınalıada (the nearest Prince's Island) costs 1000 TL entry, no outside food or drinks allowed. The beach is terraced with a pool and is usually uncrowded. It closes at 18:00. Access is by ferry/water taxi transfer.
Florya private beach is kept clean with staff regularly tidying the water. Downsides: the toilets are very far from the beach, and bottled water isn't freely available near the main beach area — you have to ask at the bar. A self-serve fridge with water exists only in the 16+ zone. The public toilet opposite Palm Beach on the promenade is decent.