Discover the Florya neighborhood of Istanbul with our local guide. We’ll explore the secrets of this beautiful neighborhood of Bakirkoy along the costal road to Yesilkoy, including the best things to do, attractions, historical sites, places to see, eat, drink, stay, restaurants, and give you all the info you need to plan your visit.
About Florya
Florya is a neighborhood in Istanbul’s Bakırköy district, located on the coast of the Marmara Sea, known for its serene and prestigious atmosphere.
Throughout its history, this area has been home to high-ranking officials and wealthy families. It is famous for its elegant villas, extensive green areas, and parks with sea views. Florya offers a peaceful and spacious living environment for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of Istanbul’s busy city life.
Florya is also very advantageous in terms of transportation. With the metrobus, Marmaray, and various bus lines, it is easy to reach the city center and other important points. Its modern infrastructure, high living standards, and natural beauty make Florya an attractive neighborhood for both locals and tourists.
Things to Do, Places to See
Florya offers various places to visit and activities for its visitors. One of the most well-known historical buildings in Florya is the Atatürk Marine Mansion. Built in 1935 for Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, this mansion was constructed over the sea and impresses visitors with its historical texture. The mansion’s use as a museum allows visitors to gain insights into Atatürk’s life.
Florya Atatürk Forest and Park, located along the Florya coast, is an ideal place for nature lovers with its extensive green areas, walking, and cycling paths. You can have a picnic, participate in sports activities, or simply enjoy nature in the park.
Additionally, the Istanbul Aquarium is an excellent stop for those who want to see marine life up close. This aquarium, showcasing various marine creatures from around the world, offers a fun experience, especially for families with children.
Atatürk Marine Mansion
The Atatürk Marine Mansion is one of the iconic buildings in Florya. Built in 1935 for Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the mansion captivates visitors with its historical texture. The area where the mansion is located was Atatürk’s preferred place for resting and working during the summer months.
The mansion’s architectural design and interior decoration reflect Atatürk’s simple and elegant taste. Today, serving as a museum, the Atatürk Marine Mansion provides visitors with significant insights into Atatürk’s life.
Aqua Florya Shopping Mall
Aqua Florya Shopping Mall is a modern complex located on the coast of Florya, offering extensive shopping opportunities. Combining a sea view with shopping, the mall houses many options, from famous brand stores to various restaurants and cafes. Aqua Florya is also a popular venue for social and cultural events.
The Istanbul Aquarium, located within Aqua Florya, offers visitors an enjoyable and educational experience. Additionally, the shopping mall’s cinema halls allow visitors to watch the latest movies. The seaside restaurants provide a delightful dining experience with delicious food and stunning views. Aqua Florya is an ideal destination for those who want to combine shopping and entertainment.
Istanbul Aquarium
The Istanbul Aquarium is a massive aquarium housing marine creatures from around the world. With 17 thematic sections, the aquarium offers visitors the chance to explore different ecosystems and underwater life. The Istanbul Aquarium provides an educational and entertaining experience for both children and adults.
The aquarium features large marine creatures such as sharks, stingrays, and sea turtles, as well as various underwater life forms like colorful tropical fish and coral reefs. Additionally, the cinema halls and interactive exhibits within the aquarium offer visitors an unforgettable day. The Istanbul Aquarium is an ideal destination for marine enthusiasts and families.
Florya Atatürk Forest & Park
Florya Atatürk Forest is a perfect escape for those who want to get away from Istanbul’s chaos and be close to nature. Known for its extensive green areas, walking trails, and picnic spots, the forest offers visitors a peaceful and tranquil environment. Florya Atatürk Forest is an ideal place for activities that people of all ages can enjoy.
The walking and jogging paths within the forest provide excellent opportunities for those who enjoy sports. Florya Atatürk Forest is a popular spot for Istanbul residents, especially on weekends and holidays. Spending a day here amidst nature will refresh both your mind and body.
Florya Coast
Florya Coast is a coastal strip on the Marmara Sea in Istanbul, famous for its stunning views. The Florya Coast offers visitors a relaxing and enjoyable environment with walking paths, cycling tracks, and extensive green areas. Especially at sunset, the views the coast offers are enchanting and an ideal spot for photography enthusiasts.
The cafes and restaurants around the coast are perfect places to dine and relax with a sea view. Additionally, the children’s playgrounds and sports facilities on the coast offer various activities for families and young people.
İBB Florya Social Facilities
Istanbul Municipality IBB Florya Social Facilities are located in one of the most beautiful spots in Florya, providing quality services to Istanbul residents. The facilities, spread over a wide area by the sea, offer various amenities such as a restaurant, cafe, swimming pool, and sports areas. The social facilities are an ideal place for both individual visitors and families to relax and have fun.
The restaurant at the facility offers delicious dishes from Turkish and international cuisine, while the sea-view cafe section provides a pleasant coffee break. Additionally, the swimming pool and sports areas provide excellent opportunities for those who want to have an active day.
Florya Leroz Entertainment Center
Florya Leroz Entertainment Center, located in the heart of Florya, is an entertainment center that appeals to visitors of all ages. Leroz, which includes various game areas, cinema halls, and event spaces, is especially popular among families and young people.
The Leroz Entertainment Center features specially designed play areas and activities for children. Additionally, the center offers various entertainment options for adults, making it an ideal place for anyone looking to have a good time.
Florya Beaches
Florya is also famous for its clean beaches along the Marmara Sea. The beaches in Florya are ideal getaways for both Istanbul locals and tourists to cool off and enjoy the sea on hot summer days. The natural beauty and modern amenities offered by the coast make the beaches even more attractive. The main beach in Florya is Güneş Beach, and there is also Menekşe Beach near Küçükçekmece. These are among the most popular beaches operated by the Istanbul Municipality.
Florya Güneş Beach
Bakırköy Florya Güneş Beach is a beach on the European side of Istanbul, conveniently located near the city center. Managed by İBB, the beach operates with a full-service model. Facilities such as a gated turnstile system, fully functional restrooms, showers, changing cabins, and a café are available to beachgoers.
The wide sandy beach and clean sea provide a perfect environment to cool off and enjoy the sun on hot summer days. You can sunbathe comfortably with sunbeds and umbrellas provided by BELTUR, and spend an active day in the sports areas. Bakırköy Güneş Beach is an ideal holiday spot for families and groups of friends.
Küçükçekmece Menekşe Beach
Küçükçekmece Menekşe Beach is a popular beach on the European side of Istanbul, operating with a partial service model. Paid open showers and restroom services are provided by Boğaziçi Yönetim A.Ş., and BELTUR offers sunbed and umbrella rentals.
The wide sandy beach and tranquil atmosphere make it ideal for those looking to relax and have a peaceful day. Menekşe Beach is known for its clean sea and natural beauty. The nearby cafes offer refreshing drinks and tasty snacks to make your day more enjoyable. There are also suitable areas for sports enthusiasts.
Dining in Florya
Florya stands out with its rich dining options. The restaurants along the coastline offer delicious meals with stunning sea views. Especially the seafood and fish restaurants are famous for their fresh and high-quality seafood. In these restaurants, you can enjoy a delightful dinner with the exquisite view of the Istanbul Bosphorus.
Florya also hosts restaurants offering various international cuisines and chic cafes. You can experience different flavors such as Italian, French, Japanese, and Turkish cuisine, catering to every palate.
The cafes along the coast are perfect for enjoying a peaceful break while sipping your coffee.
Shopping in Florya – What to Buy?
Florya offers various options for shopping enthusiasts. One of the most important shopping destinations in Florya is Aqua Florya Shopping Mall, which provides a pleasant shopping experience with its wide range of stores and sea view. In the modern shopping center, you can find many different shops, from famous brand stores to local boutiques. You can shop in various categories such as clothing, accessories, electronics, and home decor.
In addition to Aqua Florya, small boutiques and local markets in Florya offer different shopping options for visitors.
Nightlife in Florya
Florya is a lively and vibrant neighborhood in terms of nightlife. The restaurants and bars along the coastline become lively in the evening, offering visitors an enjoyable nightlife experience. Especially the venues along the coast provide unforgettable moments with sea views and live music. Some venues in Florya further enliven the nightlife with DJ performances and live music events.
Another highlight of Florya’s nightlife is the entertainment venues in Aqua Florya. The bars and cafes in the shopping center are ideal for relaxing after shopping or enjoying night entertainment.
Additionally, some restaurants on Florya’s coast are preferred for romantic dinners and special events in the evening.
Accommodation in Florya – Where to Stay?
Florya offers various accommodation options. The luxury hotels along the coastline provide visitors with a comfortable and enjoyable stay. With sea-view rooms, modern amenities, and high-quality services, these hotels are ideal for both business trips and vacations. Many hotels in Florya also offer extra facilities such as spas, swimming pools, and fitness centers.
In addition to luxury hotels, Florya also has boutique hotels and apart-hotels, offering more intimate and economical accommodation options. Thanks to Florya’s central location, it is easy to reach other important points in Istanbul from the accommodation places.
How to Get to Florya?
Florya is a neighborhood in Istanbul’s Bakırköy district, which is very easy to access. You can reach Florya comfortably using various public transportation vehicles and private cars.
Marmaray: One of the fastest and most practical ways to reach Florya is by using the Marmaray line. By getting off at the Florya station on the Marmaray line, you can reach various points in the neighborhood with a short walk. The Marmaray line is especially ideal for those coming from the city center and other districts.
Metrobus: To reach Florya by metrobus, you can get off at the İncirli or Şirinevler station and transfer to Florya from there. From these stations, you can easily reach Florya by bus or taxi.
Bus and Minibus: It is also possible to reach Florya by various İETT bus lines and minibusses. Buses departing from central points such as Bakırköy, Eminönü, and Taksim regularly travel to Florya.
The 73B (Yenibosna Metro – Florya) and 81 (Yenikapı – Kocamustafapaşa – Florya) bus lines provide direct transportation to Florya.
Private Car: Reaching Florya by private car is also very easy. You can reach Florya via the E5 Highway. From the European side, you can follow the Bakırköy or Florya exits on the E5 highway to reach the neighborhood. Florya offers convenient access for visitors coming by private car with its wide roads and parking areas. You can also easily reach Florya via the D-100 highway.
You may see the public bus routes and timetables as well as make a route/station search from the Istanbul Municipality Public Busses website. Also check the Istanbul Railway Network Map for the Tram stops and Istanbul Ferry Lines Map for ferries.