Kilyos is what happens when Istanbul wants the sea without the commitment. Just 30 kilometers north of the city center, roughly a 45-minute drive, it sits on the Black Sea coast and delivers a full beach mood before you’ve even finished your coffee playlist.
This is not a quiet fishing town retreat. Kilyos is energetic, especially in summer. Soft sand beaches. Wind that keeps the heat manageable. Beach clubs that turn afternoons into long, music-filled evenings. Locals come here to swim, sunbathe, eat well, and stay out longer than they planned. It feels like a resort, but without leaving the city behind.
Kilyos also has layers people often miss. Its old name, Kumköy, comes from the sand dunes that still shape the landscape. Forests sit just behind the coast. Trails and viewpoints break up beach days. And tucked into the village is a 14th-century Genoese castle, a quiet reminder that this stretch of coast mattered long before DJs and deck chairs arrived.
We often see first-time visitors surprised by how complete the day feels here. Beach in the morning. Lunch by the sea. Music in the afternoon. Sunset drinks without rushing back into traffic.
Istanbeautiful Team insight:
“Kilyos works best when you treat it like a long afternoon, not a checklist. Arrive early, stay loose, and leave after sunset.”
If you want the fastest beach escape from Istanbul with real energy, Kilyos is usually the answer.
Kilyos at a glance
Kilyos is a seaside resort area in the Sarıyer district, facing the Black Sea. It is one of the closest and most popular beach destinations for Istanbul residents, especially between June and September.
The town is known for wide sandy beaches, steady wind that suits water sports, and a social atmosphere centered around beach clubs. During summer, Kilyos hosts music festivals, DJ events, and daytime parties that draw a young, local crowd. Outside peak season, it calms down and feels more open and nature-focused.
You’ll find:
- Long, soft sand beaches suitable for swimming and sunbathing
- Beach clubs with music, events, and full-day facilities
- Seafood restaurants and casual spots with sea views
- Windsurfing and kite-surfing thanks to Black Sea winds
- Forest edges, walking paths, and coastal viewpoints
- A small Genoese castle adding historical texture
Kilyos suits travelers who want beach energy without distance. It works for day trips, but staying nearby lets you enjoy early mornings and quieter evenings once the crowds thin.
It is not polished or quiet by default. It is lively, seasonal, and unapologetically summery. That is exactly why people keep coming back.
Attractions & Sights
Kilyos has a simple pull. People come to eat fish, sit by the sea, swim when the weather allows, and walk long stretches of sand without thinking too much. It works in summer, obviously. But it also holds up in quieter seasons, when the wind sharpens and the coast feels wide open rather than festive.
No Regrets Booking Advice
The approach road into Kilyos is part of the experience. Country-style restaurants line the way, known for grilled meat, trout cooked on tiles, and unhurried lunches. Many locals stop here before even reaching the beach. It sets the tone. Slow down first, then arrive.
In the village itself, the sights are compact and easy to combine. The small center, the castle, and a few historic details sit close together. You can wander without a plan and still feel like you have seen the place properly.
Beyond the obvious landmarks, there are quieter traces of Kilyos’ past. Old water structures linked to the Genoese period, a stone pier still used by fishermen since the 18th century, and modest boathouse and rescue buildings along the shore. None of these shout for attention, but they add texture if you notice them.
Kilyos Castle
Kilyos Castle stands above the village as a reminder that this coastline mattered long before beach clubs arrived. The earliest structure dates back to the Byzantine period, built for defense during the Eastern Roman era. When Byzantine influence weakened, the Genoese took control and used the site for an extended time.
Later, during the Ottoman period, the castle was rebuilt and reinforced in the late 18th and early 19th centuries under Sultan Abdülhamid I and Sultan Mahmud II. It saw repeated military use. Russian forces occupied it briefly in the 19th century. British cannons placed there are still visible today.
The castle also played unexpected roles. During the Crimean War, it served as a hospital. In the First World War, German artillery was positioned here to guard the strait. Standing inside the walls, you feel how often this quiet village sat at the edge of much larger conflicts.
The historic plane tree
Near the castle, a monumental plane tree quietly steals attention. It is estimated to be over 550 years old. Local stories say it was planted to mark the conquest of Istanbul. Whether that is legend or truth, the scale is undeniable.
The tree rises around 28 meters, with a trunk circumference of roughly 34 meters. People pause here naturally. Photos happen without effort.
Kilyos beaches and beach clubs
Beaches are the main draw. Kilyos is known for having one of the longest and cleanest sandy coastlines in Istanbul. On summer weekends, locals arrive early and stay late. The sand is soft. The space feels open.
Beach clubs define much of the summer scene. They combine sunbeds, grassy lounging areas, restaurants, bars, and water sports like kiteboarding, windsurfing, and catamaran sailing. Concerts and DJ sets turn afternoons into events. For many Istanbul residents, this is the default day-sea escape.
One thing always matters here. The Black Sea can be unpredictable. Waves and currents change quickly. Paying attention to conditions and warnings is part of enjoying Kilyos responsibly.
Dine & Wine
Food in Kilyos follows the sea. Fish comes first, and it stays central no matter the season. Beachfront restaurants and hotel kitchens keep menus flexible, changing with what arrives fresh that day. Grilled fish, simple meze, cold drinks, long tables facing the Black Sea. It is relaxed and unfussy, which suits the setting.
Prices vary, but the range works. You can sit down for a proper seafood lunch with a view or keep it simple with something casual near the beach clubs. In summer, meals stretch naturally into the afternoon. In cooler months, restaurants feel quieter but more focused.
The road into Kilyos deserves its own mention. Country-style places line the route, known for barbecue, grilled meat, and trout cooked on tiles. Many Istanbul locals stop here first, especially on weekends. It turns the drive into part of the day rather than something to rush through.
Wine lists tend to be modest. Beer and rakı appear more often, especially alongside seafood. The goal here is comfort, not ceremony.
Where to stay in Kilyos
Kilyos works well for short stays. A night or two is often enough to reset without feeling like you are leaving Istanbul behind.
Accommodation options are limited but well placed. Most hotels sit close to the sea and focus on views, outdoor space, and easy beach access. Some are small and intimate. Others feel more resort-like, especially near popular beach areas.
Staying overnight changes the experience. Early mornings are quiet. Evenings soften once day-trippers leave. If you want calm, this matters.
How to Get to Kilyos?
By car (recommended)
Driving is the fastest and most comfortable option. From central Istanbul, the trip usually takes 45 to 60 minutes, depending on traffic. A car also makes it easier to explore nearby beaches and quieter stretches of coast.
By bus
Public transport is possible. IETT Bus 151 runs from Hacıosman Metro Station to Kilyos. The ride takes longer, especially on busy weekends, but works for day trips.
If you want freedom to move between beaches and nearby villages, renting a car remains the easiest choice.
Nearby places worth adding to a Kilyos trip
One of the reasons Kilyos works so well is what sits around it. A short drive opens up quieter villages, viewpoints, and forest escapes that balance the beach energy.
Rumeli Feneri
Rumeli Feneri marks the northern edge of the Bosphorus where it meets the Black Sea. The lighthouse and surrounding cliffs feel exposed and dramatic, especially on windy days. Views stretch wide, and the sense of scale is immediate. It is a good stop for photos, fresh air, and a reminder of how close the city sits to open water.
Garipçe Village
Garipçe feels like a pause button. A small fishing village tucked beside the water, it is known for straightforward seafood restaurants and a slower pace. Lunch here tends to run long. Plates arrive simply. Conversations drift. It pairs well with a Rumeli Feneri visit and works best outside peak hours.
Gümüşdere
Gümüşdere sits close to Kilyos but feels quieter. The beach is calmer, the crowd thinner, and camping spots draw people who want space rather than music. It suits travelers looking to step away from beach clubs without leaving the coast.
Belgrad Forest
Belgrad Forest offers a full contrast to the shoreline. Dense greenery, walking paths, picnic areas, and cooler air make it a natural reset after beach time. Many locals pair a forest walk with a coastal meal, turning the day into a balance of movement and rest.