15 Activities
Journey to the Countryside of Istanbul Through Traditional Turkish Villages
Starts from
Istanbul
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Activities
15
Duration
14 hours
Length
161 mi
Guide details
Starts from
Istanbul
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Duration
14 hours
Length
161 mi
Tugce Ertan Meric
Travel Expert
- Visit Şile Lighthouse to witness the jaw-dropping views and learn about the marine history of Türkiye.
- Swim in a lush waterfall and see how locals spend a weekend.
- Take photos of the century old traditional Turkish wooden houses.
- Have a romantic dinner by the river in an elegant restaurant.
Şile and Ağva are popular spots for residents of Istanbul to spend a day or two in the nature. In addition to the historic sights, the laid back seaside towns have peaceful trails to walk and beautiful restaurants to try the traditional Turkish cuisine. While driving between the main towns, the road passes by small villages that have wooden houses older than 100 years and hidden waterfalls.
This one day road trip from Istanbul will take you to peaceful spots by the seaside, where you'll explore the local culture of Türkiye while enjoying the natural and historical sights.
This one day road trip from Istanbul will take you to peaceful spots by the seaside, where you'll explore the local culture of Türkiye while enjoying the natural and historical sights.
Şile and Ağva are popular spots for residents of Istanbul to spend a day or two in the nature. In addition to the historic sights, the laid back seaside towns have peaceful trails to walk and beautiful restaurants to try the traditional Turkish cuisine. While driving between the main towns, the road passes by small villages that have wooden houses older than 100 years and hidden waterfalls.
This one day road trip from Istanbul will take you to peaceful spots by the seaside, where you'll explore the local culture of Türkiye while enjoying the natural and historical sights.
This one day road trip from Istanbul will take you to peaceful spots by the seaside, where you'll explore the local culture of Türkiye while enjoying the natural and historical sights.
Tugce Ertan Meric
Travel Expert
- Visit Şile Lighthouse to witness the jaw-dropping views and learn about the marine history of Türkiye.
- Swim in a lush waterfall and see how locals spend a weekend.
- Take photos of the century old traditional Turkish wooden houses.
- Have a romantic dinner by the river in an elegant restaurant.
Day Itinerary
15 Activities
Day 1
161 mi1 mi
Relaxing Day Trip to Explore the Surroundings of Istanbul
On this 1-day itinerary from Istanbul, your first stop will be for a big tasty Turkish breakfast in the heart of the forest, where locals gather to spend long Sundays. Then, a scenic drive brings you to the popular seaside town of Şile. Here, you will visit the historic Şile lighthouse and shop for the geographically marked Şile cloth. Passing through the lush small villages of Western Marmara, your next stop is a hidden waterfall, followed by Gökmaslı Village and its century old wooden houses. Finally, you'll arrive in Agva, one of the most romantic getaway destinations of Istanbulites, and have an exquisite dinner by the river listening to jazz tunes.
09:00
İstanbul
Start your trip from Istanbul, the most vibrant city of Türkiye and one of the most exotic destinations in Europe. Stay in a boutique hotel in one of the hip neighborhoods for a few nights, enjoy the historic sights of the city, taste the exquisite Turkish cuisine, and fall in love with the stunning Bosporus view. This is a real metropolitan city immersed in thousands of years of history.
44.2 mi
1 hr 10 min
10:151 hr
Ela Cafe&Gözleme&Kahvaltı
Restaurant
Open Details
Ela Cafe is a tranquil cafe with a wooden building in the forest, where you can enjoy a hearty Turkish breakfast. It's a popular stop for travelers and the owner Gulay always has freshly brewed Turkish tea. You can order the big breakfast to have a taste of the traditional cheese, homemade jams and omelette. If you are up for it, go ahead and order mıhlama as well, a traditional Northern Turkish specialty cooked with corn flour, butter and local cheese. There are hammocks and swings under the trees for a quick nap, too!
They are open every day from 8 am to 9 pm.
They are open every day from 8 am to 9 pm.
7.8 mi
15 min
11:3030 min
Şile Bezi El Sanatları merkezi
Clothing Store
Open Details
Stop by this local art center to do some shopping for the traditional Şile cloth on your way to your next stop. It is a cotton cloth with a soft texture, woven with a local specific technique. You can also ask to see the workshop if you want to see how Şile cloth is made.
3.7 mi
15 min
12:155 min
Paralı Otopark
Parking
Open Details
After a short drive, you'll arrive in Şile, a laid-back seaside town close to Istanbul. You can leave your car at this parking lot and then go for a short walk along the seaside.
0.6 mi
15 min
12:3510 min
Şile kalesi
Open Details
Şile Castle is on an island close to the promenade. It was built 2000 years ago by the Genoese. After its recent renovation, they say it resembles Sponge Bob. You can have a leisurely walk along the seaside while watching the castle.
0.6 mi
15 min
13:0030 min
Sile Lighthouse
Landmark
Open Details
This is one of the biggest lighthouses of the world, and it is still active, standing tall atop the shores of Şile. It was built by the French in 1859 during the Ottoman Empire era for showing the way to the ships that pass from the Bosporus. The lenses of the Şile Lighthouse were actually brought from Paris. The light of the lighthouse can be seen from as far as 35 miles.
There is a museum inside Şile Lighthouse, where you can learn about the history of maritime in Türkiye and see antique gaslights. The museum can be visited from Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am to 4 pm daily.
There is a museum inside Şile Lighthouse, where you can learn about the history of maritime in Türkiye and see antique gaslights. The museum can be visited from Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am to 4 pm daily.
0.1 mi
5 min
13:4530 min
Kavala Parkı
Park
Open Details
This park is right next to Şile Lighthouse and it has breathtaking sea views. Have a Turkish coffee here and enjoy the serenity.
0.9 mi
5 min
14:3015 min
Ağlayan Kayalar Şile
Landmark
Open Details
These rocks deserve to be visited because they genuinely constitute a beautiful and romantic scene. It's a natural attraction and there is a water resource between the rocks, hence the name. It's also possible to swim right next to this place, but the waves can be dangerous.
5.4 mi
15 min
15:0030 min
meşe kır gazinosu HRASTOVA
Restaurant
Open Details
It's time for an afternoon snack! Rest a little bit under the tree shades and try the homemade Turkish gozleme or Bosnian pastries. Meşe Kır Gazinosu is a family owned small place in the town of Yeniköy.
15.8 mi
40 min
16:155 min
Hacilli Waterfall Kamp Alani
Park
Open Details
After a scenic drive through the small villages and forest, you can leave your car for free at this camp site and walk to Hacıllı Waterfall easily.
0.1 mi
5 min
16:3045 min
Hacılı şelalesi
Open Details
Located next to the Koca River, this waterfall is a peaceful and quiet natural attraction. Hacıllı Waterfall offers a relatively easy 1.5 km trekking route inside the forest. You can also cool off in one of the small natural ponds on your way to the waterfall.
If you feel adventurous, there is a cave called Gurlek that you can climb. It is a 140 m deep cave, and it even has bats inside. Don't forget to take your flashlight if you plan to go inside the cave.
If you feel adventurous, there is a cave called Gurlek that you can climb. It is a 140 m deep cave, and it even has bats inside. Don't forget to take your flashlight if you plan to go inside the cave.
7.4 mi
25 min
17:4530 min
Gökmaslı Park
Park
Open Details
One of the hidden gems of Şile is Gökmaslı Village. It's a small, green village with 600 years of history. Admire the century old traditional wooden houses of the village and walk in the narrow streets. It's a great place to take photos and the village has an awesome view of Fakra Mountain.
6.5 mi
20 min
18:4545 min
Agva Coast Square
Park
Open Details
You'll reach Agva, the popular getaway spot of Istanbul residents, in the evening. This cute town is located at the confluence of the Koca and Göksu Rivers.
Take a walk starting at the small Agva Harbour overlooking the Black Sea. Then continue along the Koca river bank enjoying the green astonishing views of the area. This romantic path is also known as the Lovers' Path. You can take breaks on one of the small wooden docks on the river, which are used by the local fishermen.
Take a walk starting at the small Agva Harbour overlooking the Black Sea. Then continue along the Koca river bank enjoying the green astonishing views of the area. This romantic path is also known as the Lovers' Path. You can take breaks on one of the small wooden docks on the river, which are used by the local fishermen.
1.1 mi
5 min
19:451 hr 30 min
Tranquilla Nehir Evi
Lodging
Open Details
After exploring Agva town, head to the beautiful Tranquilla River Lodge in Agva, which is located on the side of Göksu River. Here, popular restaurants fill up quickly during sunset time and people have dinner enjoying the river views.
Tranquilla River Lodge has an extensive menu with a great selection of wines. If you are lucky, you can even listen to live jazz on some nights of the week. Relax and enjoy a tasty dinner before you head back to Istanbul.
Tranquilla River Lodge has an extensive menu with a great selection of wines. If you are lucky, you can even listen to live jazz on some nights of the week. Relax and enjoy a tasty dinner before you head back to Istanbul.
68.4 mi
2 hrs
23:15