The cities around Istanbul are as beautiful and amazing as this city, but without a doubt, Istanbul is the most famous city in Turkey among the people of the world. This city annually receives millions of foreign tourists from around the world and is considered the tourist center of the vast country of Turkey.
Perhaps there are few people in this world who have not heard the name of the city of Istanbul and have not yet been to this historical city, most travel enthusiasts have traveled to Istanbul at least once to visit the historical sights of this city.
When traveling to Istanbul, tourists build their schedule only to visit the natural and historical attractions of this city and miss the opportunity during their trip to Turkey to visit the cities around Istanbul, which are just a few kilometers from this city.
Visiting these cities during a trip to Turkey is not without pleasure, and thus tourists can see the natural scenery and sights of the cities around Istanbul in a few hours drive. If you are going to Istanbul, be sure to read this Manolya Tour article to the end so that we can introduce you more to the cities around Istanbul.
The most famous cities around Istanbul
Istanbul is one of the historical cities in the world that dates back to the Byzantine era, this city has a rich history and culture, and most of Turkey’s historical and natural attractions are located in the heart of this city, so this is a good reason for foreign tourists to visit Istanbul. When traveling to Turkey, most tourists choose Istanbul as their destination and include a visit to this city in their travel plans.
Geographically, Istanbul is located at the crossroads of two continents, Asia and Europe, and it is one of the few cities in the world that is located on two different continents at the same time. The distance between some of the most famous cities around Istanbul is less than 100 km from the city center, so tourists have the opportunity to visit several cities around Istanbul for at least one day.
Bursa
Bursa is a historical and attractive city in the northwest of Turkey, located about 100 kilometers from Istanbul, and the variety of natural and historical attractions of this great city is very large, and tourists can drive from Istanbul to Bursa in 90 minutes. Visit various tourist attractions of this city.
Bursa is one of the best places to visit in Turkey with beautiful Ottoman architecture, mineral water springs, thriving local markets and untouched nature. Bursa is one of the largest cities in Istanbul. By visiting it, you can spend an unforgettable day in Turkey, and by staying in one of the famous hotels in Bursa, you can spend several days exploring and having fun in this city.
The pristine nature of the city of Bursa is considered the best place for hiking and camping in Turkey, and many tourists travel from Istanbul to Bursa in northwestern Turkey to enjoy the pristine nature of this city. The best time to travel to Bursa from Istanbul is early spring and summer times.
Edirne
If you have enough time to travel around the city of Istanbul, you can drive to Edirne in four hours and visit this historic city. Edirne is located about 213 kilometers from Istanbul and is considered one of the most famous cities in Istanbul. Edirne is one of the most famous cities in Turkey, which was the capital of the Ottoman Empire before the capture of Istanbul, and this great city was visited by many kings.
The variety of historical and tourist attractions in this city is very high, and in most of the historical buildings of this city one can closely observe works and signs of Ottoman architecture, which is an attractive combination of Western and Islamic architecture. Edirne can be reached by bus and train, and tourists who have enough time to travel can get to the historical city of Edirne in the Thrace region by private car and visit the historical sights of this city. The best time to travel to Edirne from Istanbul is late summer – early autumn.
Tekirdag
Tekirdag is located on the northern coast of the Sea of Marmara and is one of the areas with good weather near the city of Istanbul. Tekirdag is located about 135 kilometers from Istanbul and is considered one of the summer resorts of this big city. If you are looking for a cozy atmosphere near Istanbul for swimming and relaxing on the beach, Tekirdag beaches are the best option to spend an unforgettable day on the shores of the Marmara Sea.
This city is full of small and large villas that built for holidays, so that on the weekends you can go from the hustle and bustle of Istanbul to the beautiful and cozy city of Tekirdag with a mesmerizing view.
Tekirdag, one of the cities around Istanbul, is very easy to get to by bus or private car. The variety of places to stay in the city of Tekirdag is great and tourists interested in water sports such as water skiing, paragliding and diving can travel to this coastal city from Istanbul to have fun. The number of historical monuments and natural attractions in the city of Tekirdag is quite a lot, and the best time to visit this city is summer and early autumn.
Sapanca
Sapanca is a small tourist town in the north-east of Istanbul, which is located in a mountainous area and it is considered a district of the city of Kocaeli. Many local people and tourists go to this city to have fun on cold and snowy days, 116 kilometers from Istanbul. The untouched nature and attractive scenery of Sapanca have allowed this city to enter the list of the most famous cities of Istanbul and become one of the tourist attractions of Turkey.
The Sapanca Lake area is the best place for a family picnic near the city of Istanbul, the scenery around this lake is worth it to drive an hour from Istanbul to Sapanca and see the pristine nature of this climatically clean area up close. look. The mild and cool weather of Sapanca is a very good reason to travel to this region, and most tourists prefer the last days of summer and the beginning of autumn to visit this city.
Yalova
Yalova is one of the small cities of Turkey in the northwest of the country, which is located in the southeast of Istanbul. Due to its geographic location, Yalova is considered one of the nice weather areas near Istanbul, and many travelers of this city travel to Yalova by private car or bus after sightseeing and entertainment in Istanbul to see the pristine nature of this area up close.
Yalova is one of the most famous cities in Istanbul where most of the locals come to spend their weekends. Thanks to its peaceful atmosphere and beautiful nature, Yalova is an ideal place for those who seek to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city and relax in the heart of nature.
Polonezkoy
A few years ago, Polonezkoy was a small village 40 kilometers from Istanbul, and the inhabitants of this area lived in absolute peace. But with the development of city life and increased traffic from Istanbul to this area, Polonezkoy has developed into a small tourist town near Istanbul and is now considered one of the district of Istanbul.
The untouched nature of this village can be seen in few regions of Turkey. This green village is one of the best places in Turkey for hiking and cycling in the heart of nature, and most Istanbul residents seek refuge in the area when the weather is nice to relax and get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
During your trip to Polonezkoy, you can also visit the famous museum of this city, which contains historical works and objects related to the resettlement of the Poles. In recent years, with the increase in the number of tourists visiting this place, the number of restaurants and cafes in Polonezkoy has increased significantly, and many tourists travel to Polonezkoy to enjoy an organic breakfast.
Sile
If you are planning to visit the cities around Istanbul, be sure to add the beautiful city of Sile to the list of areas around this big city. This city is only 83 kilometers from Istanbul and is considered one of the good weather areas near Istanbul with breathtaking sea views and many tourists go to Sile just to see the sea view from the rocks of the area. The sandy beaches of this city are the best place for fun and swimming on hot summer days.
On the beaches of Sile, you can rent all kinds of leisure facilities such as surf and diving equipment and spend an unforgettable day with your fellow travelers in the area. The famous Sile Castle is one of the tourist attractions in this region, which you will have the opportunity to visit just an hour from Istanbul. If you want to walk in the bosom of nature, be sure to visit the Sile National Park and enjoy a walk in this pleasant place.
Canakkale
Canakkale is one of the most famous cities around Istanbul which is about 300 kilometers from this city and tourists can visit this historic city by driving 4 hours. According to many archaeologists, the city of Canakkale arose about 3500 years ago, that is, in the Bronze Age. This city is located in the west of Turkey and has witnessed many events in history such as the First World War.
The ancient city of Hierapolis is located in the area and is considered one of the tourist attractions of this historic city, this ancient city is several thousand years old. One of the main reasons for the creation of cities and villages in this region is the mild climate and the presence of hot springs with healing properties, which attracted tourists to this region with good weather.
Eskisehir
Eskisehir is one of the cities around Istanbul and tourists will have to drive around 3 and a half hours to visit this city. Eskisehir can also be considered the scientific center of Turkey, this big city is home to several well-known universities in Turkey, and many young people in Istanbul choose the universities of this city to continue their studies. Walking through the old town, the lively areas of Eskisehir are sure to grab your attention. The local markets of this old town are the best place to buy famous Turkish handicrafts and souvenirs.
Bolu
Bolu is one of the small cities of Turkey in the north-west of the country in the Marmara Sea region, which is only 27 kilometers from the beautiful city of Istanbul. The variety of natural attractions in the city of Bolu is very large, and most Istanbul residents go to this pleasant area to spend a quiet weekend with their family.
There are many natural healing springs near Bolu, and many tourists from far and near abroad travel to Bolu to take advantage of the properties of these mineral waters and spend a few days in the hotels of this resort area near Istanbul. The city of Bolu also has a very famous lake, which is considered a very suitable option for camping during spring and summer days in the suburbs of Istanbul. The national park around this lake is full of tourist groups most of the days of the year.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most famous cities around Istanbul?
The cities of Sapanca, Eskisehir, Canakkale, Sile, Bursa, Tekirdag and Edirne are among the most famous cities around Istanbul.
What are the most famous coastal cities near Istanbul?
Sile, Tekirdag and Canakkale are some of the most famous coastal cities near Istanbul, which are located on the coast of the Marmara and Black Seas, and tourists can go to the beaches of these cities for relaxation.
What are the most famous cities in Turkey?
Istanbul, Izmir, Bodrum, Alacati, Kusadası, Trabzon and Van are among the famous cities of Turkey that are located in different parts of this vast country.
When is the best season to travel to Istanbul?
If you don’t mind the cold weather, the best time to travel to Istanbul is the winter season, when the demand for travel decreases and the cost of staying in Istanbul is affordable. Of course, the time of holding auctions and shopping festivals in Istanbul is also considered a good opportunity to travel to this city.
As a Manolya Tour company, we would love to help you enjoy your trip while you are in Istanbul. We also have tours like Bosphorus tours by Boat, Bosphorus Lunch Cruise, Dolmabahce Palace Morning Tour, Canoeing in Istanbul, Istanbul Private Tour, Private Yacht Tour in İstanbul, Istanbul Old City Tour, Turkish Dinner Cruise, Cappadocia Horse Riding Tour, Hot Air Balloon Tour, Airport Transfer , Istanbul Tours, Cappadocia Tours, Bursa Tours, Pamukkale Tours, Antalya Tour and more.
