Beaches Near Istanbul, Turkey

Turkey's sweltering summertime heat sends the population running -- for the icy air conditioning of the city's myriad shopping malls, the sweetly temporary relief of traditional dondurma ice cream and the miles of shoreline that cleave and surround the city along its multiple waterfronts. As a time-honored summer tradition, locals and visitors jostle for space on the sand, watching water sports athletes, families and the occasional dolphin play in Istanbul's history-steeped waterways.

Public Beaches

• Though many of the villages adjacent to Istanbul along the Bosporus have small, pebbly public beaches, most locals in search of a fee-free stretch of sand end up at Caddebostan Beach in the relatively central neighborhood of Kadikoy. Expect big crowds. All summer, the water teems with kitesurfers, windsurfers, surfers and sailboats staking out their territory on the Sea of Marmara. Long lines mill in wait for showers, restrooms and refreshment kiosks, especially on weekends and during school vacations. The beach's staff lifeguards keep a firm grip on the festivities, but the hordes can be overwhelming.

Private Clubs

• The fees can be steep at private clubs, but Istanbul's residents don't seem to mind. The city's private-beach scene defines the summer social season, inviting teeny bikinis and stiff drinks in a city where criticism of both remains something of a hot topic. The largest of these are True Blue, which hosts sun-worshipping scenesters all day and presents Grammy-level performers in its shorefront nightclub; Solar Beach, which caters to an active crowd keen to kite, windsurf and jet ski; and the Golden Beach Club, which draws a posh crowd to its upscale beachfront bungalow scene.

The Princes Islands

• In many ways, time stands still on the smattering of small islands off the Istanbul coast. Horse-drawn carriages traverse the hilly streets of the Princes Islands under the looming, ivy-draped Victorian mansions that overlook the water. Each of these islands is rimmed with beaches for swimming, sunning, fishing, boating and snorkeling. Some hotels own private beaches, providing a cleaner, quieter respite from the often-crowded public options. Ferry services depart for the Princes Islands from several piers in southern Istanbul. Because the boats are large and slow, the relatively short journey takes about an hour and a half each way.

Warning

• On June 5, 2013, the U.S. State Department issued a travel alert for Turkey, prompted by violent demonstrations in many major Turkish cities, including Istanbul. In general, the State Department advises that visitors to Turkey "exercise caution and good judgment, keep a low profile and remain vigilant with regard to personal security." The State Department further advises that U.S. citizens avoid demonstrations and large gatherings but notes there have been no direct attacks on Americans.