Beykoz villages are one of the rare settlements where nature life continues in the abundant greenery that we miss in Istanbul.. We took the opportunity to be in Istanbul during the holiday and set off to visit Beykoz villages, which have been on our list for a long time.. We started from Öğümce in the morning and finished our tour by setting the sun in Poyrazköy.. We enjoyed it so much that there is nothing like feeling inside Istanbul but so far away.. If you are looking for a different alternative for Places to visit close to Istanbul, I would like to share the details of daily Beykoz villages tour.
Beykoz Villages Travel Guide
Beykoz is a very large district with 19 villages. We toured Öğümce, Göllü, Bozhane, Paşamandıra, Riva, We planned it as Anadolufeneri and Poyrazköy. Since we have seen Polonezköy before, we did not add it to our list this time.. If you haven’t been yet, I recommend you to see Polonezköy.. With a good planning, it is possible to see all the villages listed above on the same day.. They are all very close to each other anyway.
Well, what can you do in Beykoz villages? You can get plenty of fresh air, take beautiful nature photos, and go on a walking tour.. Most of the villages have riverside restaurants where you can have breakfast or eat meat and fish.. It is quite possible to spend a quiet and peaceful day, but please, when we come here, let’s not leave our garbage around and stay away from any behavior that may harm nature.
1- Ögümce Village
The first stop of our Beykoz villages tour Öğümce. “Is this Istanbul?” We can’t help ourselves to question. Öğümce, one of the most famous villages of Beykoz, which we reached by passing through dense forests.. I say famous because it often hosts TV series and movie sets.. Öğümce’s number of visitors increased considerably with the series Bir Başkadır.
Öğümce, which is adjacent to Polonezköy, Göllü and Bozhane villages, has a 600-year history.. It is possible to encounter historical houses while visiting the village.. Öğümce separates from Göllü and Bozhane with the Riva Creek, also known as Çayağzı Creek. The place is very quiet, the only sounds we can hear are the sounds of birds and roosters.
Unfortunately, there is an invisible side of the coin in Öğümce.. Since the pollution in Riva Creek is increasing day by day, the villagers are very troubled about it.. We had the opportunity to chat with Öğümce residents at the village cafe where we took a short break for tea.. They say that measures should be taken as soon as possible because of increasing fish deaths and bad smell.
When you come to Öğümce, Glass Furnace Foundation is one of the addresses you can stop by. This place is known as Turkey’s largest glass and art center.. At the Glass Furnace Foundation, where nature and art are intertwined, both daily and periodic workshops are organized.. There is also a shop inside where you can shop. There is an entrance fee.
2- Göllü
Gollu is our second stop in our list of Beykoz villages.. Located opposite Öğümce, Göllü village is a quiet and peaceful village surrounded by greenery.. Until recently, it was possible to go to the Göllü Dam, even camping.. But when we went they said that the dam is now closed. We took pictures at Göllü pier and took a walk around it.
While visiting Göllü, we noticed that there are many farmhouses.. Families with children can spend a pleasant day in Göllü, where equestrian centers are also located.
3- Bozhane
Bouzhane is another village by the Riva Stream.. 16 of the village’s past. It is said that it dates back to the 16th century and was founded by the Bozhanlı Turks, one of the Turkmen tribes.. Öğümce, Göllü and Bozhane are only a few minutes away from each other.. When you come, I recommend you to see all three villages together.
4- Villages of Istanbul: Paşamandıra
When you head towards Riva from Öğümce, you come across another village where you can get enough of green; Pasamandira. There are businesses where you can have breakfast by the creek.. If you wish, you can take a stroll on the creek by riding a pedalo, and spend a few pleasant hours away from the noise of the city.
5- Riva
Beykoz tour.. Located on the Black Sea coast of Istanbul, Riva is almost flooded by those who want to swim in the summer months.. While Riva Beach and Elmasburnu Beach are among the most preferred beaches, the sea is mostly choppy and unfortunately not clean.. There is an entrance fee to both beaches.
You can see Riva Castle on the side of Riva Beach. Located on the hill where the Riva Creek meets the Black Sea, the Riva Castle was built by the Genoese.. It is possible to watch Riva Beach and the fierce waves of the Black Sea from the castle.. After a short scenic break, we searched for a restaurant to fill our stomachs.. As you know, Riva is famous for its fish restaurants.. Riva Marina Fish by the Riva Stream caught our attention.. Since we came to Riva, we said we wouldn’t be able to go back without eating fish and appetizers.
We ordered hot sea bream with roasted herbs, stuffed zucchini flowers, appetizers with yoghurt, apple, chia seeds and salad.. Both fish and appetizers were delicious.. They also offered tea and coffee after the meal, we paid 420 TL for four people.. Although the atmosphere was very pleasant, we set off again because we wanted to set the sun at Anadolu Feneri.
6- Anadolu Feneri
Rumeli Lighthouse
Anadolu Feneri. Anadolu Feneri is located between Çakaltepe and Kabakoz bays, at the point where the Bosphorus meets the Black Sea.. This is also a cute village of Beykoz.. Anadolu Feneri, which gave its name to the village, was built in 1834 during the Crimean War so that French and British ships could easily see the entrances of the Bosphorus and the Black Sea.
Our visit to Anadolu Feneri this time was closed because it coincided with the holiday, but I had the opportunity to go up to the lighthouse when I came before.. There is another photo spot on the side of the lighthouse that sees the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge.. You can watch the sunset from here. I would like to remind you that there are many places where you can have breakfast or eat fish in Anadolu Feneri village.
7- Poyrazköy
We were able to visit Poyrazköy when it was close to dark. Poyrazköy with Garipçe village right across it, one of the lesser-known villages of Istanbul. Overlooking the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge. Poyrazköy also has a small beach.. It is possible to swim here in the summer months.
You can enjoy your time in the tea gardens and restaurants lined up by the coast of Poyrazköy.. If you wish, you can take your camping chairs and food and drink and sit by the sea.. Especially in the evening, when the lights of the bridge come on, the scenery becomes even more beautiful.
Our tour of Beykoz villages, which we started from Öğümce in the morning, ended in Poyrazköy in the evening.. When we set off on the way back, we agreed on how good it would be to get away from the noise and chaos of Istanbul, even for a day.
You can find more detailed information about Beykoz villages on my Instagram @seyahatimgeldi account and follow me for domestic and international travel suggestions.
