Belgrad Forest
Belgrad Forest
4.5
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On weekends, residents of Istanbul flock to this largest forest in the area to picnic and enjoy nature.
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Neighbourhood: Sirkeci
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4.5
206 reviews
Excellent
122
Very good
63
Average
16
Poor
3
Terrible
2
Hedikedi
Melbourne, Australia31 contributions
Sept 2018 • Friends
This enchanted place is probably the most virgin and beautifully preserved Oak-Hornbeam Forest/green space in Istanbul. You will find a 6km jogging/running/walking track that circles a pretty little dam lake and if you go there regularly (like i do) you will find that a few hours you spend walking under this oxygen pumping quiet green blanket gives you a week long refreshment and nourishment for good health and makes you immune to all the weird colds that people who -tend to stick around concrete/-never go to forests have. Although it is a predominantly oak forest, oak being a tree that sheds its leaves for winter, the scenery seems to stay green throughout the year because the crazy invasive ivy that decorates the trees all over the area and makes them look like fury giants is always last to shed its leaves and first to pop its greens which barely allows an interval of no green, Adding to this, all the moss jackets (lush green) that the trees wear during winter, compensate for the lost leaves and somehow provide a feeling of an evergreen forest. Gosh, i can go on talking about trees forever. You will also find extra little pathways to hidden pretty corners, parks with exercise equipment along the main track, packs of friendly dogs that might want to accompany you on your walk, or a lonely dog that might join you just to avoid a pack of dogs that wont give way to him in a certain area of the forest because of some old bad gone deal that happened between them that you'll try imagine/make up as you let him walk with you and watch him hide behind you as you walk past the pack together. Please do not mind the dogs, (for those who have dog or animal phobia: they are not dangerous- they always keep their distance us mindful of how dangerous humans can be) they are so friendly and part of the forest - and the management people know them.
In the warmer months of the year, If you come here right after the rain you will be accompanied by flies on your walk so make sure to bring along an Australian walkabout hat (a cowboy hat with corks dangling from the sides) just to keep them off your face. (The rain, hence the newly filled dam makes the climate quite swampy which encourages bug life) or if you have long hair, make a pony tail and use it like a pony to slap your face :) to shew the flies away.
This forest has its own climate. I have been here in the snow and in the burning heat of the summer but its always made me feel like it is warmer in the cold or cooler in the heat (very blankety indeed).
You will find a tap on the 3rd km of the track (And more of them along the car road) It is the spring water of the forest, so hold on to your empty bottles and fill them up with its H2O splendor. Even in one visit, this beautiful creature (because forest are like one big wise animal) will give you the most magically rejuvinating shinrin-yoku hug, and you will know you are addicted to her and must come again or go see another forest sister of hers as soon as possible.
In the warmer months of the year, If you come here right after the rain you will be accompanied by flies on your walk so make sure to bring along an Australian walkabout hat (a cowboy hat with corks dangling from the sides) just to keep them off your face. (The rain, hence the newly filled dam makes the climate quite swampy which encourages bug life) or if you have long hair, make a pony tail and use it like a pony to slap your face :) to shew the flies away.
This forest has its own climate. I have been here in the snow and in the burning heat of the summer but its always made me feel like it is warmer in the cold or cooler in the heat (very blankety indeed).
You will find a tap on the 3rd km of the track (And more of them along the car road) It is the spring water of the forest, so hold on to your empty bottles and fill them up with its H2O splendor. Even in one visit, this beautiful creature (because forest are like one big wise animal) will give you the most magically rejuvinating shinrin-yoku hug, and you will know you are addicted to her and must come again or go see another forest sister of hers as soon as possible.
Written 3 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ali Murtaza
Karachi, Pakistan50 contributions
June 2019 • Solo
I recently visited the Belgrad Forest Istanbul, a very serene, quite and peaceful place to spend your day. Very easily accessible place from main city of Istanbul. I was staying at Sultanahmet area from where I took the T1 tram to Laleli University stop walk to the metro station of Vezneciler station took metro to Darussafaka station walk to the nearest bus stop and took bus number 59RK leave the bus at Bahcekoy Marker stop. there is a bicycle and bikes rental shop named “Ilhan Yildirim AP” the young guy there know no English bus have a huge number of bicycles available starting from 10 TR to 30 TL per hour rental. From this shop the main entrance is just 1 minute ride.
The jungle is very well maintained and have some roman remains, the road is one way and will lead you to the Neset Suyu Tabiat park, where you can have frest fruits and juices on the small food kiosk and relax a bit to start your ride again the road will automatically lead you to the exit.
The jungle is very well maintained and have some roman remains, the road is one way and will lead you to the Neset Suyu Tabiat park, where you can have frest fruits and juices on the small food kiosk and relax a bit to start your ride again the road will automatically lead you to the exit.
Written 1 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Manoul
Beirut, Lebanon766 contributions
Oct 2016 • Friends
We took a long ride from taksim to this forest by bus, the forest is so huge and relaxing, but if you want to enjoy it try to have a bike or better a car, we weren't lucky at all, we walked 2 hours inside the forest, and we didn't reach any place for rest, or to do any activity or at least restrooms...
If you want to visit it rent a car or ask a taxi to bring you inside the forest the ataturk arboretum, or the New Dam at the Bentler Nature Park inside the Belgrad Forest.
Here I upload a photo of one of the many pathways in the forest, a favorite among Istanbulites for jogging and running.
Istanbulites, you are luck... we weren't
If you want to visit it rent a car or ask a taxi to bring you inside the forest the ataturk arboretum, or the New Dam at the Bentler Nature Park inside the Belgrad Forest.
Here I upload a photo of one of the many pathways in the forest, a favorite among Istanbulites for jogging and running.
Istanbulites, you are luck... we weren't
Written 13 February 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wanderlust Is Real
Istanbul316 contributions
Nov 2014 • Couples
Belgrade forest is an area to do many things. You can walk, run, ride a bike and explore.
There is a 6km running/walking path around a lake. Also you can see squirrels and even deer
wandering around. But if you wish to visit the forest on a weekend be sure to come and leave
early. When it gets near noon the place gets crowded and people start fires for their barbecues.
Transport is easiest via a number 42 bus to Bahçeköy or the metro up to Haciosman and then
a dolmuş minibus or short taxi ride from there.
There is a 6km running/walking path around a lake. Also you can see squirrels and even deer
wandering around. But if you wish to visit the forest on a weekend be sure to come and leave
early. When it gets near noon the place gets crowded and people start fires for their barbecues.
Transport is easiest via a number 42 bus to Bahçeköy or the metro up to Haciosman and then
a dolmuş minibus or short taxi ride from there.
Written 25 January 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ira I
14 contributions
Aug 2015 • Couples
I like to run so much. In Istanbul there are not so much places to do it but Belgrad forest is one of them. If you really want to run you have to come there very early and finish your job about 8.30 a.m. Because later it's impossible to do it. After that time all forest will be covered by smoke of barbecues and there will be lots of arabic and turkish non sports people staring at you like you are an alien when you are running especially on weekends. And it's very annoying to be charged 12 TL to enter forest. I went to many countries and first time in my life I'm paying for the forest. . . It's ridiculous
Written 12 August 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mrdom
8,147 contributions
Apr 2017 • Solo
I went out to the arboretum on a rainy day and walked through the forest almost alone. The dense trees and the bright green foliage are great. There aren't many signs or maps in the area and I had trouble finding hiking maps so I went to the arboretum (42-series buses go close, the 42T from Basiktas is best as it goes alongside the Bosphorus and passes Emirgan Park and Rumeli Fortress, but note you have to get off just after crossing the aqueduct, then go up the road opposite the uni sports ground). When you go up the hill on the main paths in the arboretum, you will be inside the forest and you can look for smaller paths into the valleys beyond, but they can get rough and have spiky undergrowth. I had three local dogs leading me around and eventually we got back to proper paths. The arboretum may be fenced all around so you shouldn't get lost.
Written 18 April 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gatortail
Jacksonville, FL64 contributions
Belgrat forest is full of trails, and is great for a nice walk and a run. Many mountain bikers also go to Belgrat for a trail ride.
There is an entrance fee. There are cafes and restrooms in the forest. You need to pay for the restrooms as well, which I don't like.
The area is full of trees. The air is fresh.
If the weather is nice, it gets very crowded. The traffic can be very heavy getting there and back.
During crowded days, smells of barbecue and grill around can bother people who are there for a good workout only.
Also there may be many dogs around. They usually cause no trouble.
Security staff is available.
There is an entrance fee. There are cafes and restrooms in the forest. You need to pay for the restrooms as well, which I don't like.
The area is full of trees. The air is fresh.
If the weather is nice, it gets very crowded. The traffic can be very heavy getting there and back.
During crowded days, smells of barbecue and grill around can bother people who are there for a good workout only.
Also there may be many dogs around. They usually cause no trouble.
Security staff is available.
Written 1 April 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fadi
Doha, Qatar13 contributions
Direction is wrong iwent to the direction trip advisor put ididnt found eny forest just busy street pls Ching the daarction
Written 10 December 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mahmoud H
4 contributions
Nov 2019
if anyone want to spend a long good day through green and natural zone should visit this place.
all of transportation reach this place.
all of transportation reach this place.
Written 10 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Malih D
San Diego, CA167 contributions
Oct 2014 • Family
We spent an awesome moments and beautiful adventure. hiking for two hours threw the beautiful nature and sound of trees.
Written 16 October 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Can you do horse riding in Belgrade Forest? How much does it cost?
Written 8 April 2023
Rit
Istanbul, Türkiye
Hi ! How can I get from Cekmekoy to Belgrad forest ? Thanks
Written 7 March 2023
Hi, could you please inform me how can i get Büyükada and
Heybeliada from Taksim?
Written 9 December 2019
Hello
Take the bus to Kabatas , which is about 2 kilometers and on the seaside , downhill from Taksim square
There are motor boats leaving for Buyukada , for Heybeli the frequency is less , you can find the schedule for departures over the internet
Written 10 December 2019
Rana M
Byblos, Lebanon
Hello, have bicycle rental in belgrad forest?
Thank you
Written 11 September 2019
Hi. Does anyone know if I can camp the night in this forest or it's only open for a set time?
Written 15 August 2018
I don’t think that camping is allowed, didn’t see signs to that at least.
Written 28 August 2018
Merhaba, bitki örtüsünde uyanış varmıydı acaba bir kaç gün önce :) yoksa kış kuru dallarımı halen.
Written 12 March 2018
Caner
Istanbul, Türkiye
36 contributions
15 gün önce oradaydım hala ağırlıklı kuru dallar hafiftende yeşillenmeye başlayan bir örtü mevcut.... fakat spor için Harika bir hava :)
Written 12 March 2018
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