Beykoz Grove (Beykoz Korusu)

Beykoz Korusu is a 170-decare forest park on the slopes above the town of Beykoz, planted with old plane trees, cypress, and pine. The Ottomans used the site as a hunting ground; today it's a public park with marked walking paths, several restored 19th-century wooden pavilions (köşk), picnic areas, and a tea garden at the top with one of the best free views of the Bosphorus in the city.

The walk from the bottom entrance to the top is about 30 minutes of steady uphill through the trees. The tea garden at the top is the reward — order a çay and a simit from the kiosk, and look south across the Bosphorus toward Istanbul. On a clear day you can see the Bosphorus bridges, the Topkapı–Hagia Sophia skyline, and the Princes' Islands in the distance.

It's the kind of place locals bring out-of-town guests to show them a more contemplative side of Istanbul. Best on a weekday or early Sunday morning, before the weekend families arrive. There are basic toilets and a small café at the entrance; bring water and a light jacket for the upper terrace, which catches the wind.