Places to Visit in Kanlıca, Istanbul
Nihan Uğurlu · Keyfi Yazılarım ·
Travel memories from 2014. Hours and prices may change; check official links before visiting.
Personal travel notes, discoveries along the way and photographs from the original story.
Travel notes
A charming house
Kanlıca feels like a quiet, green place hidden within Istanbul, beside the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, opposite Emirgan and within Beykoz. It is famous for waterfront mansions and, of course, yoghurt. At Çınaraltı by the shore, it is served topped with icing sugar. My original notes described milk powder and the sugar topping as distinctive features, with honey, jam and ice-cream variations too. I recommend trying it, especially at the well-known historic İsmailağa coffeehouse.
Kanlıca yoghurt at historic İsmailağa Kahvesi
As the photograph suggests, it is delicious—though you can think about the calories yourself 🙂 At the time, cards weren't accepted, so I advised bringing cash. Kanlıca is also known for Mihrabat Grove, one of the greenest spots on the Asian side, with wonderful views and fresh woodland air. Its tranquillity is surprising so close to the bridge.
Mihrabat Grove
Mihrabat Grove
Mihrabat Grove
Sezen Aksu's waterfront home is here. Her living here and mentioning Kanlıca in her songs helped bring renewed attention to the neighbourhood.
The original post includes a song excerpt about Kanlıca, heartbreak and the Bosphorus. The lyrics are not reproduced in this edition; the original article is linked below.
Surely everyone knows that song 🙂 It feels impossible not to find some peace here. I recommend a morning walk.