Istanbul/Western Suburbs

[[file:Istanbul Western Suburbs banner.jpg|1280px|The suburb of Bahçeşehir at night|Halal Explorer to The Western Suburbs of Istanbul}} The Western Suburbs are a collection of Istanbul neighbourhoods, lying west of the Old City walls and sprawling across the Thracian (European) peninsula. They're residential, from rough slums to plush apartments but mostly bland burbs. The Marmara Sea coast has a string of resorts which the city has now engulfed; here and inland is commuter belt. The Black Sea coast has small resorts, lagoons and beaches and is less developed. Inland is rural, scarred here and there by quarries. In 2005 the city boundaries were extended to engulf "Istanbul Province" on both the European and Asian sides, so the "Western Suburbs" and scope of this page now reach 50 kilometers west to the edge of Tekirdağ Province.

Travel to Istanbul/Western Suburbs

These suburbs are the main ports of entry into the city, as the major airport and the main bus station (otogar) and (for the time being) the European mainline railway terminus are all here. By vehicle you cross this neighborhood on the way to central Istanbul from Gallipoli, Bulgaria or Greece.

Local transport radiates out from downtown, east-west. There are some north-south links near the centre, but not further out. Travelling between this area and the new airport will either mean doubling back via the centre, or a taxi ride across the peninsula.

Fly to Istanbul/Western Suburbs

Istanbul’s main airport, Atatürk International (IST), is near Yeşilköy out in the western suburbs. This airport wil close in March 2019. For transport to & from the downtown, see the Istanbul#By plane|main Istanbul eHalal Travel Guide. Although Yeşilköy is just south, you can't walk or otherwise reach the airport from there. So don't catch a bus or train to Yeşilköy if it's the airport you need, you must take transport for Havaalanı/Havalimanı as described in the main Istanbul eHalal Travel Guide.

• Istanbul New Airport (IATA Flight Code: ISL) is in Arnavutköy north of Atatürk. There are two areas of Istanbul called Arnavutköy: this hitherto rural area 40 kilometers west of downtown, and a neighborhood on the west bank of the Bosphorus between the two intercontinental bridges.

By Rail

• Istanbul Halkali is the terminus of overnight trains from Bucharest and Sofia. There's also a daily regional train: eastbound, it leaves Kapikule on the Bulgarian border around 07:30, passing Edirne at 07:43 and Çatalca in the western suburbs at 10:50 to reach Halkali for 11:30. The westbound train leaves Halkali at 18:00 passing Çatalca at 18:40 and Edirne at 21:55 to reach Kapikule by 22:10.

Halkali is the western terminus of the cross-city Marmaray train. This runs 06:00-23:00 every 15 mins via some three dozen stations, including Sirkeci in the heart of the Old City, under the Bosphorus to Kadıköy and then out east to Pendik (for SAW Airport) and Gebze.

Metro line M1 (red) runs from Aksaray downtown and runs northwest to Esenler bus station. It then divides: one branch goes west towards Kirazli, connecting with T1 (blue) from downtown and M3 north to Başakşehir. The other branch goes south to Zeytinburnu transport interchange via Bakırköy (though the station is 3 kilometers north of that township) and Ataköy to Atatürk Airport.

Tramline T1 runs from near Kirazli via Zeytinburnu to Aksaray then Sirkeci in the old city.

A crosstown bus runs from Beylikdüzü to the West via Zeytinburnu to Söğütlüçeşme on the Asian side.

There are no trains along the European Marmara coast west of Kazlıçeşme: these tracks were torn up as part of the Marmaray transport project.

Travel on a Bus in Istanbul/Western Suburbs

Buses from Europe, Thrace and Gallipoli terminate at GPS 41.0403,28.8946* Esenler bus station(Esenler Otogar). The most useful local bus lines are:

• 71T Istanbul/Galata|Taksim -Ataköy (via Aksaray in Istanbul/Sultanahmet-Old City|old city and Bakırköy)
• 72T Taksim-Yeşilköy (via Aksaray in Istanbul/Sultanahmet-Old City|old city and Bakırköy)
• 81 Istanbul/Sultanahmet-Old City|Eminönü -Yeşilköy (via the coast road)
• 94A Istanbul/Sultanahmet-Old City|Beyazıt -Bakırköy

The hybrid bendy Metrobüs runs up the centre strip of the main highway north of Bakırköy. These depart from Istanbul/New City|Mecidiyeköy and cut travel duration dramatically.

The main dolmuş routes, which run virtually round the clock, are from Istanbul/Galata|Taksim to Bakırköy, Ataköy and Yeşilköy

Book a Halal Cruise or Boat Tour in Istanbul/Western Suburbs

The IDO fast ferries no longer ply along the Marmara coast.

What to see in Istanbul/Western Suburbs

• Sea Life Istanbul - Turkuazoo | Aquarium where you walk through transparent tunnels underwater. It's small compared to Istanbul Aquarium in Yeşilköy, an hour will be plenty, and their combi-tickets with Madame Tussauds and Legoland indicate their target audience.

HouseOfSanStefanoTreaty - A wooden mansion in Yeşilköy. The Treaty of San Stefano which ended the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–78 was signed in this building.

• Yeşilköy (formerly San Stefano or Ayastefanos) is a mostly upscale suburb on the coast of the Sea of Marmara, just south of Atatürk Airport. It was a multicultural village during the Islamic Ottoman period — the legacy of which still lives on in numerous churches of different Christian denominations dotting its streets — and later a seaside resort. Town centre has colourful wooden houses with highly decorative exteriors from the turn of the 20th century, especially around the train station (itself a historic building) and the main street leading to it (which has some Halal restaurants and cafes.) The main sights are the aviation museum and Istanbul Aquarium (not related to Sea Life). Get here on Bus #72T from Taksim and Bakırköy, or #81 from Eminönü in the old city, or dolmuş from Taksim. The metro tracks are still dug up as part of the Marmaray project, with no date set for resumption of services. Traffic in Yeşilköy is often congested, and parking very hard to find - the suspension of metro trains exacerbates this.

• Aviation Museum - Hava Kuvvetleri Müzesi | A military-based museum with various warplanes, helicopters, and weapons used by Turkish Air Force, and also civilian air transport and examples of Turkish aeronautics from Ottoman perioid onward.

• Istanbul Akvaryum | Much bigger aquarium than Sea Life, with over 1500 species. 3 cafes and large parking lot.

• Two lagoons indent the Marmara coast west of Yeşilköy. The suburb of Küçükçekmece lies between the "little lagoon" of that name, and Ataturk airport. Its Halkali train station is the terminus of trains from Sofia and Bucharest. There are lakeside areas for strolling and cycling but you wouldn't make a special trip.
• Büyükçekmece and the "big lagoon" and township, has more to offer. The major tourist attraction is the small circular GPS 41.0223,28.5749 Kültür Park on the lakefront. Much of its content is modern, including the amphitheatre and sculpture. But behind the amphitheatre are the old baths, and on the park's southeast rim is the caravanserai: Büyükçekmece was traditionally the first overnight stop for caravans trekking west to Europe from Constantinople, or their last stop eastbound. Also known as Kurşunlu Han and the "lead inn" as that's what it was roofed with, it's now a cultural centre: see if there is an exhibition on, and in any case try to peek inside at the architecture supporting the roof. Next to it is Sokollu Mehmed Pasha Mosque, with its kerbside minaret artistically carved out of a single piece of rock, and a large fountain to provide water to the arriving caravans.

Stretching west from the park is the impressive 16th-century stone bridge, with four humps and 28 arches spanning the channel between lagoon and sea. It's worth walking across the entire (breezy!) span via the three islets to the quiet western end, even though beyond is industrial gap site, with the modern highway roaring to the south. In the park and the pillbox menacing the bridge was part of the "Çakmak Line" and the World War II fortifications stretching from here to Terkos which were Istanbul's last line of defence from the west. The pillbox exterior is colourfully decorated but the interior is closed.

There are lots of cafes around the park, and restaurants along the banks of the lagoon's outlet channel. There's nothing of note in modern downtown Büyükçekmece, which includes Mimarsinan the settlement west of the channel: coastal ferries call here. Buses and dolmuşes from Taksim in the downtown run along the modern highway, continuing west towards Silivri.

• Çatalca 41.145, 28.457 is a small town 40 kilometers west of central Istanbul and 15 kilometers north of Büyükçekmece that had a substantial Greek population until the 1920s transfers. Spared from destruction in the Balkan wars which foreshadowed the Great War and the old quarter has many historic wooden buildings and fountains in leafy squares. A short stretch of the old town walls still stand just north of the centre. The town's main sight is the Population Transfer Museum - Mübadele Müzesi | Housed in a red brick neoclassical building erected as a Greek tavern, this museum commemorates the forced population transfer of 1922–26, whereby Greeks living in Türkiye were expelled to Greece, while the Turks of Greece were expelled to Türkiye.

• İnceğiz Caves(İnceğiz Mağaraları) are actually a Byzantine monastery complex carved into a cliff, set in a lush valley. The site is free, but May-Sept there's a 20 TL toll for cars on the access roads. There's a picnic area, pity about all the trash, and a couple of restaurants nearby. Minibuses run from Çatalca to İnceğiz village 1 kilometers north of the monastery.
• There's a string of small resorts and beaches along the Black Sea coast. Those furthest east, Rumelifeneri and Kilyos, are described under Istanbul/Bosphorus. These continue west along the coast to Arnavutköy. This formerly quiet area (not to be confused with the downtown neighborhood of the same name) now hosts Istanbul's new airport, so it's likely to become rapidly industrialised.
• The Anastasian Wall (Anastasius Suru, Ἀναστάσειον Τεῖχος) was a defensive wall built in the 5th century to protect Byzantium - Roman Istanbul - from barbarian attack from the west. It ran for 56 kilometers from Evcik on the Black Sea coast right across the Thracian peninsula to Silivri on the Marmara coast. Unlike the better-known Hadrian's Wall in England, it was neither well-constructed nor well-garrisoned, so the barbarians gleefully overran it, and it was abandoned in the 7th century. Much of the stone was looted or recycled for later buildings, and little remains of its southern half. The northern half has lasted better, with little forts and substantial masonry, such as the section leading to GPS 41.4461,28.3752* Evcik beach (signposted "Evcik Plaji").
• Yalıköy (formerly Podima) is the most interesting of the resorts along this part of the coast. The beach has multi-coloured stones much used as garden mosaics in the city. (Modern quarries nearby still extract these for the Turkish glass industry.) The town has restaurants and lodging, and bus #404 runs here from Çatalca.
• Çilingoz Nature Park has a sandy beach backed by forest where a creek runs out. 110 TL/car daily use, 216 TL/car night stays, camping available April-Sept. This is as far as you can go in a standard car. With 4WD you can lurch and jolt further west along the forest dirt roads to GPS 41.5714,28.1761 Pirate Cove(Korsan Koyu), a small and very isolated beach surrounded by rock cliffs, and the relatively developed beach at Saray#Kastro|Kastro. The village of Binkılıç has lodging and old wooden houses: Bus #402 runs here from Çatalca. Past Binkılıç and the highway eventually reaches Saray in the neighbouring province of Tekirdağ.
• Silivri is a resort on the Marmara coast. It's the westernmost part of Istanbul, between Çatalca and the province of Tekirdağ. There are some remnants of the Anastasian wall here and the scrappy ruins of a castle, an ancient cistern and the Piri Paşa Mosque, and Uzunköprü the long aqueduct.

Top Muslim Travel Tips for Istanbul/Western Suburbs

• Swimming and beach activities in the series of little beach resorts, and middle-of-the-forest beaches with no facilities, along the Black Sea coast west of the Bosphorus. Beware of strong currents when swimming anywhere along this coast. The Marmara coast also has resorts which are much more built up.
• Forest hikes and cycling: best areas are in Çilingoz Nature Reserve.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Istanbul/Western Suburbs

• Galleria - The first modern shopping mall of Türkiye, opened in the 1980s.

• Carousel - Shopping mall in Bakırköy.

• Olivium Outlet Center - An outlet center.

Top Muslim Travel Tips for Istanbul/Western Suburbs

• Swimming and beach activities in the series of little beach resorts, and middle-of-the-forest beaches with no facilities, along the Black Sea coast west of the Bosphorus. Beware of strong currents when swimming anywhere along this coast. The Marmara coast also has resorts which are much more built up.
• Forest hikes and cycling: best areas are in Çilingoz Nature Reserve.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Istanbul/Western Suburbs

• Galleria - The first modern shopping mall of Türkiye, opened in the 1980s.

• Carousel - Shopping mall in Bakırköy.

• Olivium Outlet Center - An outlet center.

Halal Food & Restaurants

These are mostly near the transport hubs, set back from the beach front.

There's a string of places around the harbour/marina of all the resorts along the Marmara coast. The main concentrations are in Yeşilköy/Bakırköy south of the old airport, Büyükçekmece both sides of the lagoon, and away west to Silivri.

• Beyti - Expensive and a bit of a way out, but its Meat dishes draw consistently admiring reviews.

• Yüksel Balık Lokantası - Steep prices but great seafood. They'll advise on what is the best fish for the season and other dishes.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Istanbul/Western Suburbs

Istanbul/Western Suburbs - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Istanbul/Western Suburbs, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Istanbul/Western Suburbs. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Istanbul/Western Suburbs and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Istanbul/Western Suburbs. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Istanbul/Western Suburbs. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inIstanbul/Western Suburbs: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Istanbul/Western Suburbs.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Istanbul/Western Suburbs: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Istanbul/Western Suburbs, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Istanbul/Western Suburbs.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Istanbul/Western Suburbs, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Istanbul/Western Suburbs, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Istanbul/Western Suburbs and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Istanbul/Western Suburbs, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Istanbul/Western Suburbs, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Istanbul/Western Suburbs without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Istanbul/Western Suburbs is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Istanbul/Western Suburbs.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Istanbul/Western Suburbs is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Istanbul/Western Suburbs, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Istanbul/Western Suburbs Media: info@ehalal.io

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Muslim Friendly Hotels

Hotels in this neighborhood are mostly upmarket and get their business from the airport. But how many of them will remain open when the airport relocates in 2019?

• Çınar Hotel - 5-star hotel with indoor and outdoor swimming pools located on the waterfront of Yeşilköy, close to the airport. Rooms with en-suite bathrooms, air-con, balcony, internet connection, safebox, and cable TV.

• Radisson Blu Airport Hotel - 5-star hotel close to the airport. Free airport shuttles are provided.

• Grand Hotel Avcilar - Istanbul hotel 4 kilometers west of Ataturk Airport with 68 deluxe rooms.

Stay Safe

There are some sections of waterfront park between Bakırköy and Istanbul/Sultanahmet-Old City|old city walls, where you may feel uncomfortable due to the homeless people and inhalant abusers—best avoided at night.

Travel Next

• Bus and train terminal for long-distance destinations to the West are all in this neighborhood.
• Regional transport runs into Eastern Thrace, notably Saray, Vize, and Kiyikoy|Kıyıköy on the Black Sea, and Lake Terkos.
• Tekirdağ is the provincial capital to the West, a pleasant coastal town noted for its meatballs and raki.
• By car, continue west of Tekirdağ to Keşan and then either carry on west to the Greek border, or turn south down the Gallipoli peninsula.
• The beautiful city of Edirne is a former Ottoman capital near the Bulgarian border.

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