A serene walk in nature in Istanbul's parks

With the warming weather, Istanbul's parks and groves are becoming the most visited destination for families and other Istanbulites to get away from the city's busy life and to get some fresh air in lively Istanbul neighborhoods.

Yıldız Park

Yıldız Park in Beşiktaş was built by Sultan Selim III in memory of his mother. It was a part of the imperial garden of Yıldız Palace and it was reserved only for palace dwellers during the reign of Sultan Abdülhamid II. Today, Yıldız Park is a lovely park complex that includes a broad range of flowers, plants and trees that were collected from around the world. The park also offers panoramic views of the Bosporus. In the park, there are two old pavilions, the Çadır pavilion and the Malta pavilion, which are used to rest, drink tea, eat breakfast and have lunch. Located in Eminönü, Gülhane Park is among the most famous and visited parks in Istanbul. There are gardens, pools and recreation areas in Gülhane Park. It was once part of the outer garden of Topkapı Palace and built to grow roses, which is why it was named Gülhane, meaning rose house. The first statue of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in Turkey was erected in this park in 1926, sculpted by Heinrich Krippel.

Maçka Park

While many parks and green spaces are away from the city center in Istanbul, there is a notable exception: Maçka Park, also known as Demokrasi Park. The park is located near Nişantaşı, one of Istanbul's fanciest and ritziest districts, and it is a common walking trail for many who live in the Şişli, Beşiktaş and Beyoğlu districts. In Maçka Park you can see many people jogging and walking in the early hours of the morning. There are many entrances to the park from Nişantaşı, Taksim and Harbiye, as it is one of the largest parks in the city center. The park has wide roads, benches, jogging and walking trails and flower gardens, and this huge green space in the core of the city also offers facilities equipped for those looking to play sports and exercise. On the Nişantaşı side of the park, there is also a nice cafe that overlooks it where many people eat breakfast and enjoy the greenery.

Belgrade Forest

Lying 15 kilometers northwest of Istanbul on the Çatalca Peninsula, Belgrade Forest is a preferred location for jogging and walking. Even though it seems a bit far from the city center, that has not stopped it from becoming a hotspot for active people due to its nature and trees that include every shade of green. Walking, running and jogging trails in the forest begin at a fountain by Neşet Spring and continue for six-and-a-half kilometers on which there is exercise equipment for public use. Exercising may be difficult simply because you may be too busy taking photos of the natural beauty on the trail. There are many ruins and aqueducts in the forest from the Byzantine, Roman and Ottoman eras, so it also looks like a sporting adventure through history. Undeniably, it is a natural haven in the spring with blossoming flowers and green trees, but it is also a nice getaway for a walk in summer to get away from the heat. If you are looking for a walking trail in a wide-open, green space away from crowds, horns and busy traffic, then the Belgrade Forest is a perfect option.