Istanbul is a city that offers a unique blend of cultures, history and natural beauty. It is also a city that can be explored by caravan, thanks to the availability of campervan and motorhome rentals and campsites. In this blog post, I will share some tips on how to have a caravan holiday in Istanbul, and what to see and do along the way.
First of all, you need to rent a caravan that suits your needs and budget. You can find various options online, such as Campervan Turkey, which operates a fleet of campervans and motorhomes in Turkey. Their depot is in Antalya, which is about 700 kilometers from Istanbul, but they can arrange delivery and pick-up services for an extra fee.
Once you have your caravan, you need to find a place to park it. There are several campsites in and around Istanbul that offer facilities and services for caravans. Some of them are:
- Sahil Kamp: This campsite is located in Sile, a coastal town about 70 kilometers from Istanbul. It has a sandy beach, a restaurant, a market, showers and toilets. The price per night is 438 Turkish lira (about 40 euros) for a caravan with electricity and water.
- Atlitur Gumusdere Beach Camp: This campsite is situated in Gumusdere, a village in Sariyer district, about 40 kilometers from Istanbul. It has a pebbly beach, a cafe, showers and toilets. The price per night is 100 Turkish lira (about 9 euros) for a caravan with electricity and water.
- Kilyos Solar Beach Club: This campsite is part of a beach club in Kilyos, a seaside resort about 35 kilometers from Istanbul. It has a sandy beach, a pool, a bar, a restaurant, showers and toilets. The price per night is 150 Turkish lira (about 14 euros) for a caravan with electricity and water.
Of course, you can also park your caravan on the street or in public parking lots, but be aware of the traffic rules and regulations, and the safety and security issues.
Now that you have your caravan and your campsite, you can start exploring Istanbul. The city is divided into two continents by the Bosphorus Strait: Europe and Asia. You can cross between them by subway or ferry, or by driving over one of the bridges. There are many attractions to see on both sides of the city, such as:
- Topkapi Palace: This palace was the residence of the Ottoman sultans for over 400 years. It has stunning architecture, gardens and museums that display treasures and relics from the Ottoman era.
- Hagia Sophia: This building was originally a Byzantine church, then a mosque, and now a museum. It has a magnificent dome, mosaics and frescoes that showcase the artistic and religious heritage of Istanbul.
- Sultanahmet Mosque: This mosque is also known as the Blue Mosque because of its blue tiles that decorate its interior. It has six minarets, domes and courtyards that create an impressive sight.
- Suleymaniye Mosque: This mosque is one of the largest and most beautiful mosques in Istanbul. It was built by Suleiman the Magnificent, the most powerful Ottoman sultan. It has an elegant design, a library and a mausoleum.
- Istanbul Archaeology Museums: These museums consist of three buildings that house collections of artifacts from ancient civilizations that ruled or influenced Turkey. You can see statues, sarcophagi, coins and more from Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece and Rome.
- Chora Church: This church is famous for its exquisite Byzantine mosaics and frescoes that depict scenes from the life of Christ and the Virgin Mary. It was converted into a mosque by the Ottomans, and then into a museum by the Republic of Turkey.
- Bosphorus Bridge: This bridge connects Europe and Asia over the Bosphorus Strait. It offers panoramic views of the city skyline and the waterway. You can drive over it or walk on its pedestrian path.
These are just some of the highlights of Istanbul. There are many more things to see and do in this vibrant city that will make your caravan holiday unforgettable.