Kumköy: Nature and Discoveries

A distinctive starting point for exploring Kumköy is the natural environment of the Kumköy (Kilyos) area. The nature reserve is registered as a “Nitelikli Doğal Koruma Alanı” and has the status of a “Sustainable Protection and Controlled Use Area”. For anyone who considers nature and protected areas important travel themes when choosing a holiday apartment, this provides a concrete point of reference. The coast and historical sights of Kilyos also offer their own perspectives on the trip.

Coast and Activities in Kilyos

Kilyos lies on the Black Sea coast and has beaches and sandy shore areas. This gives travellers different options to focus on when planning their trip: beach days and activities on the water. The sea at Kilyos is suitable for water sports. Which of these interests you would like to pursue more can help shape your choice of destinations, without requiring a particular daily itinerary.

Solar Beach offers comfortable sun loungers and large parasols. This gives the beach experience a specific character for anyone who would like to spend time by the shore. The Bandit beach restaurant at Solar Beach serves food and refreshing drinks prepared with fresh, high-quality ingredients. When planning your trip, you can therefore choose between focusing on the sea and water sports or spending time with sun loungers, shade and a restaurant visit.

Natural Environment and Local History

Kilyos’s history is also reflected in several buildings and monuments. Kilyos Castle is believed to have been built during the Genoese period; it was restored during the reign of Sultan Mahmud II. It is currently located within a military site. Take its location into account before planning the castle as a specific sightseeing stop. Kilyos’s important historical monuments also include three water towers and two stone piers.

Another striking feature is the commemorative plane tree opposite the gate of Kilyos Castle. It is 26 metres tall and has a trunk circumference of 5.4 metres. These specific measurements give the plane tree a distinct place in local history; its location is also precisely defined: it stands opposite the castle gate. This allows the commemorative plane tree and the historic buildings to be appreciated as different points of cultural interest.

Getting There and Events

For navigating by public transport, IETT bus route 151 is relevant. It runs between Hacıosman Metro Station and Kilyos/Demirciköy. If you would like to combine different travel interests, you can take this connection into account when planning your journey and compare Kilyos’s coastal attractions with its nature and history.

Events have also been part of Kilyos’s cultural programme: As part of the 6th Kilyos Environment and Art Days, the 13th Kum Zambakları Festival and the 10th Emin Turan Sand Sculpture Festival were held on 6 and 7 September. Both festivals offer a glimpse into the events celebrating the environment and art.

Discover More Places

If you would like to add more local pages to your travel planning, you can also find Cumhuriyet, Şile, Gümüşdere Köyü, Kılıçlı, Örnekköy, Heybeliada Mahallesi, Seymen and Istanbul.

Go to the main travel overview: Istanbul.