Weekend getaways near Istanbul

Leaving the hot and suffocating days behind, Istanbul welcomes the best season to find a nice weekend getaway. Istanbul's autumn begins around mid-September and lasts until mid-November. With temperatures around 23 degrees Celsius, it's a time that allows you to discover the beauty of the city amid a suitable atmosphere for outdoor dining and sightseeing along the Bosporus.

All holidaymakers who invade western touristic cities in summer start to return to the heart of the country, Istanbul, and revive the city's fancy streets when September says "hi."

Autumn is one of the busiest festival and event seasons for Istanbul, such as the Istanbul Biennial (held every September-November) and Contemporary Istanbul (in November) so the entire city embraces its dynamism again.

Even though most residents realize that autumn brings dynamism to the city, a weekend escape to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city is still necessary for those who live in this metropolis.

It does not matter if you are an expat or a local residing in Istanbul. If what you are looking for over the weekend is to find a quiet place to see the beauties surrounding Istanbul, you will find tranquil sanctuaries amid nature in this article.

It is the last call to discover the havens around Istanbul before winter starts to knock at our doors.

1. Abant, Seven Lakes in Northwestern Turkey: Located in the northwest of Turkey, Abant Yedigöller (seven lakes in Turkish) is one of the most renowned getaway spots both for those who live in Istanbul and those who reside in the capital, Ankara. Abant, which includes Yedigöller National Park, is almost like heaven on earth with its trees: beech, oak, mahogany, alder, elm and fir, which embrace the surface. You can find numerous hotels and camping sites in Abant to discover how summer's ever-green nature embraces the colors of autumn. Abant, offering pure tranquility to its visitors, makes you feel as though nature comes from a pastoral masterpiece by a painter. During your stay in Abant, you can try activities, such as nature photography, painting, hiking, angling and lake fishing. To better understand the language of nature, Yedigöller offers you amazing landmarks. If you want to enjoy silence and serenity during your stay, Yedigöller is ready to give you just that.

How to get there: Yedigöller National Park is 42 kilometers from the north of Bolu, and it can be reached via Yeniçağa Road, 152 kilometers off the Ankara-Istanbul highway.

2. Cunda Island: Even though it is along the Aegean cost of Turkey, Cunda Island is not a far-away destination for a weekend escape. Do not be fooled by the name. Despite being an "island," you can reach this fascinating venue by car. Cunda Island, which means "Fragrant Island" in Romaic thanks to the silverberry fragrance surrounding the entire island, is a place that should be on your travel itinerary. Welcoming you with its friendly locals and quiet cafes, the island in autumn offers a nice getaway for those who want to discover the hidden blue dream of the country. Staying on the once predominantly Greek island enables you to experience a mixture of cultures, as some islanders still speak Greek. You can taste the fine foods of Turkish cuisine in the friendly environment of cozy restaurants, filled with the warmth of the smiling faces of both locals and tourists. Streets covered with colorful flowers and typical island houses will help visitors escape the hustle and bustle of daily life.

How to get there: To reach the island, you can take İDO ferries heading to Bandırma.

3. Kerpe: This little village in İzmit, which is a small city near Istanbul, offers its visitors serenity. During the summer season, lots of local tourists from small cities in Turkey's Black Sea and Marmara regions prefer to take their holidays in Kerpe due to its perfect weather that is neither too hot nor too cold and its proximity to their cities; but when autumn arrives, those tourists return to their own cities and leave the real beauty of Kerpe to those coming from Istanbul for the weekend. The town is in the Kandıra district of İzmit, and it is renowned for its special yogurt. So if you are planning to visit, make sure you don't leave before you tasting it. Considering how small it is, Kerpe does not have much to offer its visitors, except the combination of nature and sea. Yet, it is still a nice alternative to discover new places around Istanbul.

4. Sapanca Lake in northwestern Turkey: Sapanca has become a popular destination, especially in recent years, with various shades of ever-green, close proximity to Istanbul, clean air and high-quality hotels offering spa and massage facilities for those who are tired of the daily rush. Accepted as a nice weekend getaway, Sapanca's lake is used as a beach during the summer and a nice spot to relax with cafes near the lake in the autumn and spring. Sapanca hides many fascinating nature spots, and Maşukiye is one of them. With its salmon restaurants and natural beauty, Maşukiye is a place you can visit throughout the year to spend a day immersed in nature. The best thing to do in Maşukiye is to climb up Alabalık Valley (Salmon Valley). The road at the end of the restaurants takes you to wherever you want to climb. You can see huge trees like chestnut trees or oaks. There is a nice surprise waiting for you at the beginning of the road: a waterfall! If you visit restaurants in Maşukiye, there are three things that you must try: cheese cooked on tile, fish cooked on tile and mushrooms cooked on tile. You can also spend time in country-style hotels around Maşukiye.

How to get there: You can easily reach Sapanca and Maşukiye by car via the TEM (Trans-European Motorway). You can also take a train from Haydarpaşa station going to Arifiye/Adapazarı station. Buses are also available from Istanbul every 30 minutes.