Kilyos & the Black Sea shore: the back story

About Kilyos & the Black Sea shore: the back story

By the ULTIMATE Istanbul Editorial Team

Editor-in-Chief: Jai Michael

Kilyos (officially Kumköy) is a seaside village on the Black Sea north of Sarıyer, with long sandy beaches and beach clubs, the closest real beaches to the European side of the city.

The beaches

Kilyos has wide sandy beaches backed by dunes and low hills, busy at summer weekends with Istanbul families and students. Beach clubs rent loungers and run cafés from late spring to early autumn.

Combine it

Kilyos pairs well with a Bosphorus day: take the ferry up to Sarıyer or Rumeli Kavağı, eat fish by the water, then head over the hill to the beach.

The Black Sea is beautiful but can be rough: swim only where there are lifeguards.

Safety

Currents on the Black Sea shore can be strong, and every summer there are accidents. Swim on supervised beaches only, heed the flags and stay out of the water when it is rough.

Our advice: go on a weekday, choose a beach club with lifeguards, and combine the beach with fish lunch on the upper Bosphorus.

Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Kilyos & the Black Sea shore: the back story before you go.