Best beaches near Istanbul accessible by public transport

An October 11 report says beaches on Kınalıada remain accessible when sun loungers are removed. However, the contributor could not confirm which island beach facilities were currently operating.

A recent report says Florya Beach in Istanbul has dirty seawater, making it a poor choice for swimming.

A recent visitor report on Caddebostan 2 confirms cold water (takes time to adjust); entry costs 300 TL, but the water has seaweed and litter — so-so quality.

At The Roof hotel on the islands, instead of a regular beach there are pontoons and a pier with loungers, with ladder access into the water; the seabed is sandy with some visible rocks, but the water is clear enough to easily avoid them. It's clean, with staff regularly tidying up. A boat from the pier to the hotel is included in the entry price.

If Florya is closed after rain, Menekşe Beach can be considered as an alternative.

There is a paid beach near Florya charging 750 TL; visitors are required to hand over water brought from outside at the entrance.

A free option is Yeşilköy Çiroz Beach: take the Marmaray and walk a short distance. It has two small coves with blue water and reportedly no seaweed. You can sit on the sand by the water or on shaded grass.

A visitor reported visiting Aya Nikola beach on Büyükada yesterday and paying 1200 TL per person entry — notably higher than the previously mentioned 600 TL.

Another beach was recommended (with a map link) as good for a calm day out: it has paid gazebos (price not specified, described as very expensive), a seawater pool, and the water is regularly cleaned of jellyfish and algae. Gazebos can reportedly be booked via WhatsApp.

On Büyükada, Family Beach Aya Nikola was recommended as a cheaper option: entry is about 600 TL, and both cash and card are accepted. Sunbeds and umbrellas are included. It suits visitors who do not want pontoon-style beaches, as it has a gentle sandy entry and a relatively small buoy-marked swimming area.

A free option on Büyükada was also mentioned: you can sit on the grass and swim using a ladder near the Fıstık Ahmet restaurant, about a 7-minute walk to the right from the pier when facing Istanbul.

Cevahir Beach on Heybeliada was recently reported at 1200 TL entry: it has plenty of sunbeds with umbrellas, clean changing rooms, toilets, showers, and lockers. The shore and sea are said to be cleaned; the water feels cool at first but is fine for swimming, and there are diving pontoons and slides.

Caddebostan on the Asian side was suggested as a city-beach option: you can reach it by ferry to the Asian side and then continue a short distance by local transport.

Heybeliada has a beach near the Cevahir aquapark — the water is cool but not crowded and generally decent. Accessible by ferry to the island.

The rocky-area beach near Florya is public: locals arrive in the evenings and sometimes leave litter and bottles. No sun loungers are provided or planned there, as it is a public beach.

Noya Beach on Kınalıada (the nearest Prince's Island) costs 1000 TL entry, no outside food or drinks allowed. The beach is terraced with a pool and is usually uncrowded. It closes at 18:00. Access is by ferry/water taxi transfer.

Florya private beach is kept clean with staff regularly tidying the water. Downsides: the toilets are very far from the beach, and bottled water isn't freely available near the main beach area — you have to ask at the bar. A self-serve fridge with water exists only in the 16+ zone. The public toilet opposite Palm Beach on the promenade is decent.