Your guide picks you up at your hotel and we head to the north of Istanbul. In 40 minutes we reach Belgrade Forest, a 5,400-hectare green lung that supplied the city with water from Ottoman times. Its historic bentler (Ottoman dams and reservoirs) are scattered through the forest.
Read more about Pickup and drive to Belgrade Forest 45 minA 2-hour walk along the forest trails among oaks, beeches, chestnuts and pines. The route passes the Ottoman bentler (historic dams) such as Topuzlu Bent and Valide Bendi, part of the water system that supplied Istanbul for centuries. Your guide points out the tree species, the birds and the Ottoman water engineering.
Read more about Hiking in Belgrade Forest 120 minWe move on to Anadolu Kavağı, the last village on the Bosphorus before the Black Sea, on the Asian shore. A little fishing village with seaside restaurants and a peaceful atmosphere, in contrast to the megacity of 16 million to the south.
30 minA lunch break at one of the fish restaurants by the pier. Meze, salad and grilled catch of the day with views of the Bosphorus and the Black Sea on the horizon. Your guide recommends the best restaurants for the season.
60 minWe walk up (20 min) to Yoros Castle, of Byzantine origin and strengthened by the Genoese and the Ottomans, at the point where the Bosphorus opens into the Black Sea. From here you can see both seas, both continents and the whole length of the strait. A spectacular natural viewpoint that few people visit.
60 minA short walk in Emirgan Park by the Bosphorus, famous for its tulip gardens in April. We visit Emirgan Park with its restored Ottoman pavilions and views of the strait.
Read more about Emirgan Grove and the Bosphorus shore 45 minReturn to your hotel in a private vehicle. Your guide leaves you tips for city parks, gardens and nature walks you can explore on your own in Istanbul.
30 minIt includes: Licensed English-speaking guide; Private air-conditioned transport; Guided hike in Belgrade Forest (5,400 ha, easy to moderate); Visit to Yoros Castle (Anadolu Kavağı); Water and snacks during the hike. Not included: Lunch (your guide will recommend fish restaurants in Anadolu Kavağı); Tips; Hiking gear (wear comfortable shoes).
The tour starts at 09:00 and lasts about 7 hours. Meeting point: Pickup from your hotel lobby.
This is a private tour: just you and your group with the guide (maximum 8 people), never shared with other tourists. That means the pace can be adapted and we can go deeper into the topics that interest you most.
Yes, subject to availability. We recommend booking at least 24–48 hours in advance to secure your date, but we can often arrange last-minute tours.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour. The price is confirmed in a free, no-obligation quote before you book.
Of course. The guide adapts the pace and explanations for families. Young children get free or reduced entry at many sites in Türkiye; the age limit varies from one site to another.
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