The great news is that Istanbul is conveniently located near some of Turkey's most admirable destinations, which are ideal for getting away from city life.
The area surrounding the city is rich in culture and nature, with designed based sites, idyllic shorelines, and historical landmarks. Prepare for some rest time as you escape the city's hustle-bustle with the 5 best day journeys from Istanbul.
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Princes Islands
The Princes Islands, which are extremely popular among Istanbul residents, are the ideal spot for those wanting to pay for a quiet day away from the busy city center. You can get there by boat trip from Kabatas and be filled with beautiful beaches backed by forests on islands dotted with traditional Ottoman-style houses in less than half an hour. Heybeliada Island has the best sunbathing and swimming, and if you want to learn about the past –, go to Büyükada Island, which has the Museum of The Prince's Islands.
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Kilyos
In the often-sweltering Turkish summer, the beach resorts of Kilyos, a shoreline resort on Istanbul's north coast, become a popular haven for sunbathers and revelers. The long, golden sand bay is the ideal place to awesome off and relax, and the local image caters to a youthful and full of energy crowd, with beach parties enduring late into the night and narrated by international DJs. Kilyos is one of Istanbul's top coastal destinations, ideal for a soothing day trip to the beach or an overnight stay with some fun.
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Bursa
Bursa, being one of the country's most metropolises, attracts visitors from all over the world who come to walk down the streets of the Ottoman Empire's first capital and are amazed at its impressive architecture. Beautiful mosques and tombs such as the Ulu Camii and Yeşil Camii, both exceptionally attractive works of architecture and design ingenuity, are concentrated in the center.
The renowned central marketplaces are just around the corner, where you can spend many hours surfing traditional wares. Finally, if you want to venture outside of the city, Bursa's Uludağ Mountain is well-known for its awesome skiing in the cold season and breathtaking great views in the summer.
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Gallipoli Historical National Park
The Gallipoli Historical National Park, situated on the breathtakingly beautiful Gallipoli Peninsula with its greeneries shores and idyllic coastal vistas, is dedicated to memorializing and honoring soldiers from both edges of the First World War. The graveyards themselves, while sad, are beautiful to look at, and it's easy to lose track of time wandering around and being fascinated by them and the numerous other memorials. Anzac Cove, Chunuk Bair, and 57 Alay are the key points here, each with their own distinct but interesting historical significance.
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Troy
Troy has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site for over twenty years, and it is among the most iconic antiquity sites in the world, thanks to our attraction to its mythological background, which has been fueled by popular media and history learnings. The site contains ruins of outer walls, and a Temple of Athena, fortified towns, all of which, while leaving something to the fantasy, are fascinating to explore
