A Quick Stop in Kilyos (Istanbul, Turkey)

When I think about the word "suburb," I conjure up images of endless rows of cookie-cutter houses, bland big box stores, and about as much culture as the crumpled receipt currently loitering beside my computer. Being from midtown Toronto, I'm used to thinking about suburbia as little more than a residence which happens to be within driving distance of Canada's economic hub. Well, I realized that Istanbul is cause to re-consider what exactly a suburb could be.

Day Trip from Istanbul to the Beach in Kilyos

Kilyos, on the coast of the Black Sea, feels a world away from the chaos of central Istanbul, despite only being about a 45-minute drive from the heart of the city. The sun shines brightly, enveloping you in an almost tropical heat.

There were five of us who made the journey to Kilyos's Solar Beach Club. We all crammed into a petite cab in Taksim, where I was able to practice my Turkish language skills with some success. Evidently our cab driver was fond of us, as when he departed he stretched out for a group hug and said, "I love you all." Turkish people are simply wonderful.

 

The beach itself had no shortage of soft, brown sand to sink your toes into, if you could stand the sheer heat of it that is. The entrance fee was about 45 TL at the time, which, in retrospect, I can confidently say was worth it. The electronic beats bumped all day, making sure that we were able to relax, but not quite fall asleep and wake up with sunburns that might not even be classifiable by the current degree burn system. The water was warm, yet refreshing, and the bridge which led out to the cabana structure offshore certainly was a nice touch. It was all we could have asked for on this particular day.

To a large extent in life, it's not what you're doing, but who you are doing it with. Thus, while the beach was nice, and the water was a magical escape from the heat of Istanbul, it was who I was with that made all the difference. Of course, Bri was there, which always brings me joy, but also our newfound friends and colleagues Chantal, Anjali and Jamie were part of this day trip from Istanbul to Kilyos.

How to Get to Kilyos from Istanbul

Kilyos is about 30 kilometres from central Istanbul or 50 kilometres from Ataturk airport. By car, it’s about a 30-45 minute drive.

Go to Kilyos by Taxi

The taxi fare from central Istanbul to Kilyos is about 90 TL. If, like us, you have a group of people to split the cost, then it’s a really straightforward option to take a taxi directly to the beach.

Take Public Transit to Kilyos

Kilyos is accessible by bus. Bus #151 runs directly from Sariyer to Kilyos. This is the only bus that goes to Kilyos, so it’s necessary to travel to Sariyer first and transfer to the 151from there.

Several bus routes will take you to Sariyer, depending on what area you depart from. You can catch any of these bus routes to Sariyer: 25B, 25E, 25H, 25T, 40, 41, 59RS.

Shuttle Bus

One or two of the higher end beach clubs make your day trips from Istanbul even easier by offering a shuttle bus to the beach from Taksim. It’s worth checking ahead of time if the beach club you plan to visit offers this transport amenity.

Beach Clubs in Kilyos

There are several beach clubs in Kilyos. They all have a similar basic set of facilities, music, beverages and snacks, but each one has its own distinct character and there’s bound to be one that’s just right for your day out at the seaside. Clubs typically charge an admission fee per person for the day. If you will be staying in the region longer, most clubs also offer season passes.

Solar Beach Therapy

This is where we went and is depicted in the photos in this post. Its capacity is 2,000 people, but it is huge so it is nowhere near as crowded as that might sound. The admission price is different depending on whether you visit on a weekday or weekend. We had a great day at Solar and would recommend it.

Tirmata Beach & Restaurant

Tilmata as a large restaurant alongside its beach facilities. There is a kitesurfing school onsite for those who want to add a dash of adventure to their day at the beach. Kids under 12 are admitted free with a parent. A huge stage hosts a variety of concerts and DJs.

Uzunya Beach Kilyos

A more low-key vibe is on offer at Uzunya Beach. The beach is just as sandy and beautiful and there are loads of spots to lounge in the sun or laze under a thatched umbrella. Uzunya doesn’t have the level of variety of boisterous activities as the larger clubs, but that’s not everyone’s cup of tea. There are numerous restaurants at Uzunya, including several fine dining options. Tent and RV camping are also available onsite.

Burc Beach

Home to the World Kiteboard Championships every year, Burc beach is excellent for those who want to spend their time on the water. It’s also a good option for families. There are several snack bars that offer options like pizza, burgers, and pide. In the summer there are concerts and special activities organized on certain days.

I know what you're thinking. I agree, I am quite pale.

Hoşçakal

By the way, if you like Kilyos, you'll love Alanya. Check out my friend's post on 10 things to do in Alanya, Turkey!