After being in Istanbul for two months now, I’ve done my fair share of walking. While most of the time, it’s in pursuit of a specific destination, I do thoroughly enjoy purposeful leisurely walks. Most days, it’s around the general vicinity of my home here, but often enough, the girls and I take a quick trip to an alternative park for a more scenic stroll. Following is a short list of a few of my favourite go-tos.

Emirgan Park

Emirgan/Sarıyer/ İstanbul, Türkiye

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istanbul’s Tulip festivaL: a spring must see

Emirgan Park is a historical urban park located in the Emirgan neighbourhood in the Sarıyer district of Istanbul. It is on the North End of the European coast of the Bosphorus, and is one of Istanbul’s most cherished green spaces. Spanning more than 450 thousand square meters, the expansive destination offers a blend of natural beauty and historical significance for a wonderously cultivated outdoor sanctuary. Every April, the park transforms into the iconic landmark celebrating Istanbul’s Tulip Festival. This April (2025), the festival showcased over 120 different types of tulips, creating a floral wonderland. The park is also a beautiful showcase of over 120 species of trees and plants.

Emirgan Park’s history dates all the way back to the Byzantine era, when the area was known as Kyparades or “Cypress Forest.” There are several historical buildings (mansions and houses) on site that exhibit Ottoman-style architecture and now run as cafes/restaurants.

Emirgan Park

free entrance
best Time to Visit: Spring, especially during the Tulip Festival
operating Hours: The park is open daily from 07:00 to 22:30
dining: The three pavilions house cafés and restaurants, providing a range of dining options within the park.
located in the Emirgan neighbourhood in the Sarıyer district of Istanbul.

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YıldıNakkaştepe National Garden

Üsküdar/İstanbul, Türkiye

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the most stunning view of the Bosphorus bridge

Located in the Kuzguncuk neighbourhood of Üsküdar, one of the most popular tourist districts on the Asian side of side. Also hugging the Bosphorus Strait, this district offers a peaceful alternative to its European counterparts. North of the Kadikoy area, Üsküdar is a tranquil retreat with panoramic views of the Bosphorus.

This expansive park offers a colourful array of attractions and possibilities to suit any need you may have. From the stunning views, lookout points, and picnic areas of the Bosphorus, to walking and jogging paths, to fitness zones, tennis courts, botanical displays, children’s playgrounds and a thrilling outdoor adventure park.

Nakkastepe National Garden

free entrance
Bosphorus-view, tennis courts, adventure park, walking paths, and more
cafe available
located in beautiful Kuzguncuk neighbourhood of Üsküdar on the Asian side

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Yıldız Park

Beşiktaş/İstanbul, Türkiye

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located conveniently in the heart of Beşiktaş

Beşiktaş is a large area of the city spanning along the Bosphorus Strait, separating Europe from Asia. Travelling East from the Karakoy/Galata/Taksim districts (two similarly touristy areas), Beskitas (in my opinion) gives a slight relief from the feeling of being bombarded by tourists and tourist attractions. However, while it may not be as crowded as the area surrounding Galata Tower or Taksim Square, it is still a busy area and toursity nevertheless. See my post on Beşiktaş for more details on this area. After staying in Istanbul for two months, we found ourselves in Beşiktaş at least once a week. Even as a tourist visiting for a couple of days, anyone is bound to visit something in the Beşiktaş area, perhaps stopping to see the famous Dolmabahçe Palace. Within short walking distance from the hustle of the attractions in the area, Yıldız is a quiet escape that feels like stepping into a secret garden. Right off a hilltop museum in an Ottoman palace dating from the 1880s, the vibrancy of this park never fails to take my breath away. From flowers, an assortment of greenery, to bridges, and waterfalls, this park has it all. Additionally, there is a little cafe near the north end of the park (Beltur Cafe), which is surprisingly (and amazingly) cheap, especially given the area. This makes Yıldız Park an easy choice for an afternoon picnic & reset after visiting a couple of attractions.