Must Visit Gardens of Istanbul and other parts of Turkey
Gardening as an art became famous in Turkey during the reign of the Turkish empire and till today modern Anatolia, constituting the Asian part of Turkey, is filled with glorious greens even amidst the busy city streets.
Gardening has been a well renowned art since the 14th century Ottoman Empire where the gardens were not just places of beauty but served multiple purposes of the times. Although a visit to this part of the Middle East might hardly involve a visit to these beautiful green surroundings, but for travelling with a difference, a glimpse of one of these Turkish gardens might transport the spectators to a green wonderland.
Best Time to Visit Turkish Gardens
April: Istanbul Tulip Festival, organized in Gülhane Park, and welcomes everyone with its colorful displays.
Spring and Early Summer: When it is the flower blooming season and the weather is comfortable.
Must-Visit Gardens in Istanbul
Here's a guide to the must-visit gardens in Istanbul:
Gülhane Park (Rose Garden)
Located by the Bosphorus strait, the great surroundings of Gulhane Park, make it one of the most beautiful parks of Istanbul. The city of Istanbul although is home to many parks both old and new but the some of the outdoors like that of Gulhane park are famous among travellers too, given their lush green cover which become an awesome place to cherish the experience of a visit to one of the busiest cities in Turkey. Being located on the grounds of 15th century Topkapi Palace, the park is also one of the oldest ones in Istanbul and usually never skips from guided tours of the city.
In April, the Istanbul Tulip Festival is organized here, showcasing millions of tulips. It welcomes everyone with its colorful displays.
Location: Near Topkapi Palace, Fatih District
Highlights: It is one of the oldest parks in Istanbul, and was once the imperial grounds of the Ottoman sultans. This park has walking paths, decorated fountains, colorful flower beds, seasonal tulips and a stunning rose garden.
Best Time: Spring (April) during the Istanbul Tulip Festival
Fethi Paşa Grove
Nestled on an Asian side of Istanbul in Üsküdar, this green hillside park overlooks the stunning Bosphorus. Not only that, but the views of the Bosphorus Bridge and the European shoreline. This park is a favorite of the public for quiet moments amidst nature.
Location: Üsküdar, facing the Bosphorus (Asian side)
Highlights: Bosphorus Bridge, European shoreline, tea gardens, and walking trails.
Emirgan Park
This breathtaking park is spread across 100 acres of land, located along the Bosphorus in the Sarıyer district. It is home to three Ottoman-era mansions, accompanied with gardens, colorful tulips, peaceful ponds, and serene walking trails.
Location: Along the Bosphorus in Sarıyer
Highlights: In April, the colorful displays of tulip make it enthralling. Its historic three Ottoman pavilions lure its visitors.
Ideal for: Peaceful stroll, picnics, and photography
Yıldız Park
The Yıldız Park is a private garden of the Yıldız Palace, offering a peaceful escape. Inside the park, you can explore the Ottoman-era pavilions now used as cafés, the popular Malta Köşkü and Çadır Köşkü cafes. As you walk around the wooded areas, cobbled paths, and flower-covered slopes, it soothes your senses.
Location: Between Beşiktaş and Ortaköy
Highlights: A private garden of the Yıldız Palace with walking trails, ponds, flowers, and cafés.
Tip: Visit the charming Malta Köşkü and Çadır Köşkü café inside the park.
Atatürk Arboretum
This botanical garden is spread across acres of land and is home to more than 2,000 plant species from around the world. This garden has walking paths, lakes, colorful flower beds, wooden bridges and well-labeled plant specimens.
Location: Sarıyer
Highlights: Home to more than 2,000 plant species from around the world.
Ideal for: Nature lovers, Botanist and photographers
Baltalimani Japanese Garden
Famous among tourists from within Turkey and around the world, the Japanese garden of Istanbul is the largest of that outside of the Japanese mainland. Quite hidden inside the busy city, the Baltalimani Japanese garden has all the good features of a traditional Japanese garden, including the pretty Sakura or cherry blossoms which make it a great visit to this little place mainly in the Sakura season while touring the city of Istanbul.
Dolmabahce Gardens
In the Besiktas district in Istanbul, the Dolmabahce gardens located by the European shore of the Bosphorus strait dates as far back as 1842. With huge complexes filled with intrinsic details, a visit to Dolmabahce palace itself might take a few hours to explore, along with a relaxed walk along its green covers while understanding the architecture from the times.
Beautiful Gardens in Other Parts of Turkey
Here's a guide to the must-visit gardens in Turkey:
Botanical Garden of Nezahat Gökyiğit (Istanbul – Asian Side)
It is spread over 50 hectares, home to a rare collection of trees and plants.
Karabük: Safranbolu City Gardens
Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site due to historic Ottoman-era mansions, accompanied with gardens, colorful flower beds and walking trails.
Konya Tropical Butterfly Garden
It is a large indoor stadium; inside the glass house are hundreds of different species of butterflies and plants.
Cumalıkızık Village Gardens (Bursa)
Get enthralled by the Ottoman-era village charm with its flower-laden houses and trails, and lush greenery.
Çamlık National Park (Aydın)
Located near Ephesus, this forest is covered with pine trees and Mediterranean flora. It offers a peaceful escape.
READ MORE: In addition to gardens Istanbul has plenty more to offer, learn about them at exploring tourist attractions of Istanbul.
Have a chance to Blend with Nature
The beginning of gardening custom in Turkey is rooted in the Ottoman gardening style which is still followed in modern gardening techniques. Instead of following rigid rules of creating a garden, a Turkish garden from the Ottoman style is something that would look as close to nature as possible, with very less artificial intervention.
A main feature of the Ottoman gardening style includes the natural streams and water sources within the area, where everything from fruits, vegetables to flower beds can be found to be growing at its helm.
When talking about the gardening style from the old Turkish empire, one thing that would catch maximum attention is the huge open garden pavilion which would seem to blend into the garden itself rather than looking far from just concrete structure.
Popular Flowers of Turkey: Tulips & Lavender
International Istanbul Tulip Festival
Although being associated with other regions for their origin, tulips were actually commercially most active during the 17th century in Turkey, with many even attributing Turkey as the origin of this gorgeous flower.
A spring visit to the city of Istanbul is one great way to spot the surroundings covered in tulip beds, considering that the city is also host to the International Istanbul Tulip Festival, the contemporary festival of the city usually held in months of April to early May.
And for an offbeat travel experience, escape the crowded side of Turkey and head to this little lavender village coloured in gorgeous purple fields. Kuyucak, a small Turkish village located in Isparta province, is a place that might not be on your travel itinerary because it is still much unknown to many tourists. But given the place’s gorgeous lavender farms and its rising popularity as lavender paradise of the country, this could be one of those places you could regret not knowing before.
READ MORE: Turkey is full of natural wonders and ancient secrets, find out more at Lakes and Beyond – Wonders of Turkey.
Don't Miss to Visit Ataturk Arboretum: A Tree Museum
Ataturk Arboretum, a 730 acre little forest located in the north of Istanbul, is home to thousands of tree species and several lakes, which is more than enough to get a respite from the bustling city life.
The Arboretum is used for various research purposes but is also open to visitors wanting to take a stroll along its dirt trails, including the giant oaks and the redwood trees. For spending a longer time with nature hiking trails are marked along various places within the arboretum.
Aborteums usually consist of trees of various kinds established for the purpose of botanical study. But for wanting a respite from the usually crowded streets of Istanbul a visit to this tree museum would make it all the more good and green!
While visiting a garden may not be the first priority of an international traveller, but where the good greens are as stunning as nature itself, it becomes an experience of its own to take a stroll through gardens made with practices from the old times of the kings. Consider a day off from the travels and visit these little paradises in the middle of the cities or even take a visit to the countryside to witness the amazing flower farms. Surely you too would be enchanted enough to come back for a visit again!
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