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Beykoz is a pleasant village on the Asian side of the Bosphorus in Istanbul, located in the district of the same name. It’s a nice place to spend some time.
Introduction to Beykoz
Beykoz was first settled by Thracians and Greeks, and the ancient name of the village was Amikós (Αμικός) or Amnicós (Αμνικός). During the Byzantine period, it was known as Dáphni (Δάφνη). Nothing remains from either of those periods.
During the Ottoman period, the area was used as a hunting ground by the Sultan. The village got its name during this time, and it’s thought to derive from the Turkish word Bey, meaning lord or gentleman, and Koz, which is the Persian word for village. Later, in 1854, British troops gathered in the area on their way to fight the Crimean War.
Today, Beykoz is a peaceful fishing village with a few attractions. It’s a nice place to visit if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of more populated areas of Istanbul. You’ll find small restaurants, cafés, and shops housed in old Ottoman buildings as well as a few cultural and historical attractions. It’s also a fantastic place to catch a sunset over the Bosphorus. It seems like the sunlight falls perfectly on the village at this time.
Getting to Beykoz
The easiest way to get to Beykoz is through Üsküdar. Take a ferry to Üsküdar and go to the Üsküdar Cami Önü stop (in front of the mosque across the street from the ferry terminal). Hop on a bus with the number 15 and get out at the square. You can also take a dolmuş heading to the village and ride it until the end – it’s much faster.
To get there by ferry, there’s service from Üsküdar but it isn’t frequent or convenient. Another option is to get to Sarıyer by taking the Metro on line M2 to Hacıosman. Hop on the 25A, 25G, or 25Y bus, and get off on the Sarıyer Merkez stop. From there, you can catch a ferry across to Beykoz.
Once you reach the village, you can catch buses to Anadolu Kavağı and Anadolu Feneri, two smaller villages to the north.
Beykoz Quay
If you take a ferry, your first experience in the village will be at Beykoz Quay (Beykoz İskelesi). It was originally built on wooden pillars by Şirket-i Hayriye in 1851 and restored by Kirkor Usta in 1890 and 1903. The wooden pillars and quay were replaced by concrete in 1989. It’s 30 meters wide juts 42 meters onto the Bosphorus.
The wooden terminal building was restored to its original form and reopened on May 5, 1989. It covers an area of 170 square meters and was restored again in October 2022.
Beykoz Shoreline
Along the shore to the west of the ferry terminal is a path along the Bosphorus with benches and a few fish stalls. The views of the Bosphorus are wonderful.
Beykoz Square
Life in the village centers around busy Beykoz Square (Beykoz Meydanı). There you’ll find Beykoz Mosque (Beykoz Camii).
İshak Ağa Fountain
The İshak Ağa Fountain (İshak Ağa Çeşmesi) is the most impressive feature of the square. It was completed in 1746 and is one of the best preserved Ottoman fountains in Istanbul.
The fountain was built on the site of an older fountain with an unknown construction date. The first fountain was in disrepair by the middle of the 18th century and the local residents petitioned Sultan Mahmud I to repair it. He gave the project to his Grand Vizier, Seyyid Hasan Pasha (d. 1748), who commissioned İshak Ağa, a customs officer, to build a new fountain.
The fountain is 4 meters high and measures 8 x 6 meters. The water flows constantly through 10 bronze nozzles along the base. The ceilings, arches, and walls are decorated with floral patterns.
Mehmet Akif Ersoy Poetry Museum
A few steps from the square is the Mehmet Akif Ersoy Poetry Museum (Mehmet Akif Ersoy Şiir Müzesi). It’s housed in the historic Mirzazade Benli Ahmet Efendi Mansion (Mirzazade Benli Ahmet Efendi Köşkü). Admission is free (as of April 2025) and it’s open daily except Mondays. All information is presented in Turkish.
Turkish poet Mehmet Akif Ersoy (1873-1936), the author of the Turkish National Anthem, lived in the mansion for a short time. It was restored by the Beykoz Municipality to keep the poet’s memory alive in the area. It opened on March 12, 2018.
The museum also presents poetry by Turkish poets throughout history. Visitors can listen to many poems aloud, and others are printed to read and take home. In addition, there’s a research center and library containing over 4,500 books, including rare works published in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Agia Paraskevi Greek Orthodox Church
A couple blocks inland from the square is Agia Paraskevi Greek Orthodox Church (Εκκλησία της Αγίας Παρασκευής / Aya Paraskevi Rum Ortodoks Kilisesi), built in 1852. The church is barely visible through a fence next to the house that serves as the entrance to the property.
The church was confiscated by the state and used as a warehouse from 1940 to 1945. It was then returned to the Greek community who restored it and reopened it to worship in 1947. The church suffered damage during the 1955 Istanbul pogrom. It’s still active today but rarely holds services.
Surp Nigoğayos Armenian Church
A bit further away is Surp Nigoğayos Armenian Church, which was originally built in 1776. It was rebuilt and opened to worship in 1834, but suffered damaged during an earthquake four years later. The church sat in disrepair for several years until it was restored and reopened in 1946. Further repairs took place in 1962, 1970, and 1982. It’s the only church in Istanbul with a Holy Table inlaid with mother-of-pearl.
Beykoz Grove
Beykoz Grove (Beykoz Korusu), also known as the Abraham Pasha Preserve (Abraham Paşa Korusu), dominates the south side of the village. The paths through the forest are well maintained and you’ll find a basketball court, fitness area, and five playgrounds. There’s also a city-run restaurant called the Beykoz Grove Social Facility (Beykoz Koru Sosyal Tesisi).
The grove covers an area of 27.9 hectares (68.96 acres) and is named for Abraham Pasha (1833-1918), an Ottoman Armenian diplomat. According to legend, he won the land after beating his close friend Sultan Abdülaziz in a game of backgammon. Abraham Pasha had gardens arranged in the French style and imported exotic plants and trees. He also had artificial caves, pools, and waterfalls added. A small theatre he built was destroyed by fire in 1937.
The main road along the Bosphorus in front of the grove is lined with trees. A bit further south, across the road from a small marina, is a monument to Turkish soldiers.
Beykoz Glass and Crystal Museum
The Beykoz Glass and Crystal Museum (Beykoz Cam ve Billur Müzesi) is a long walk east of the square. It takes its name from the Beykoz Imperial Glass and Crystal Factory (Beykoz Cam ve Billurat Fabrika-i Hümayun), which was built during the reign of Sultan Abdülmecid I. Admission for foreigners is 350₺ (as of July 2025) and it’s open daily except Mondays.
The museum is housed in the former stables of the Abraham Pasha Mansion (Abraham Paşa Köşkü), a U-shaped building constructed in the 19th century. It was restored by the Directorate of National Palaces and opened to the public on April 9, 2021.
In the museum itself, you’ll learn about the development of Turkish glass production. There’s also a unique collection of European glass works manufactured for Ottoman palaces. In all, there are around 1,500 pieces arranged throughout 12 thematic sections. Unfortunately, photos are forbidden inside the galleries.
In addition to the museum, the main building is surrounded by a beautiful garden containing 117 different species of trees. It’s a wonderful place to take a walk and enjoy the scenery. There are also two cafés and gift shop on the premises.
Beykoz Mecidiye Pavilion
Overlooking the Bosphorus on the west side of the village is the Beykoz Mecidiye Pavilion (Beykoz Mecidiye Kasrı). It’s a small mid-19th century Ottoman palace.
Admission for foreigners is 250₺ and admission to the grounds only is 40₺ (as of July 2025). Follow the long road past the entrance to reach the pavilion and the gardens. Once at the pavilion, visitors are given a complimentary audioguide with information on each room. Photography is forbidden inside. It’s open daily except Mondays.
History of the Mecidiye Pavilion
The Mecidiye Pavilion was the first masonry building on the shores of the Bosphorus. It was commissioned by Muhammad Ali (1769-1849) of Egypt as a gift for Sultan Abdülmecid I and construction began in 1845. After Muhammad Ali’s death, his son Said Pasha (1822-1863) oversaw completion in 1854 and presented it to the Sultan.
American military officer Jerome Napoleon Bonaparte II (1830-1893), the grandnephew of Napoleon, stayed in the pavilion in 1854 on his way to fight in the Crimean War. Sultan Abdülaziz frequently visited during the summer months. He watched the Bosphorus, organized wrestling competitions on the meadow, and hunted nearby.
On October 15, 1869, Abdülaziz held a banquet at the pavilion to honor Empress Eugénie (1826-1920) of France. Together, they watched a procession of the army.
After the establishment of the Turkish Republic in 1923, the Mecidiye Pavilion was converted into an orphanage (Dârü’l-eytâm) followed by a hospital for trachoma patients. In 1953, it served as a preventorium for tuberculosis patients. Finally, in 1963 it became the Beykoz Children’s Chest Diseases Hospital (Beykoz Çocuk Göğüs Hastalıkları Hastahanesi).
The pavilion came under the control of the Directorate of National Palaces on December 23, 1997. Restoration began in 2020 and was completed in 2016. It opened to the public as a museum on April 11, 2017.
Features of the Mecidiye Pavilion
The pavilion is a two-story building on a symmetrical plan. The Neoclassical façade is decorated with Italian and domestic marble. It was once richly decorated with gilded furniture, vases, crystal chandeliers, and Hereke carpets and curtains. Additional service areas, such as a hamam, kitchens, a reservoir, conservatory, chicken coop, aviary, and servants’ quarters, have not survived.
The Mecidiye Pavilion is situated in the middle of a beautiful terraced garden. The pavilion is on the uppermost terrace while the other terraces feature brick paths, pools with fountains, and tall shady trees.
On the second terrace you’ll find an Ottoman inscription up against the wall of the upper terrace. There’s also a restaurant.
Finally, on the lowest terrace you’ll find the sea gate as well as a wooden promenade along the Bosphorus. From there, you can enjoy excellent views down the Bosphorus.
Where to Eat in Beykoz
The only meal I’ve had in Beykoz was at the Mecidiye Pavilion.
Mecidiye Pavilion Cafeteria
The Mecidiye Pavilion Cafeteria (Mecidiye Kasrı Kafeterya) is a restaurant on the second terrace. If you don’t want to visit the pavilion, you can pay for a ticket to the grounds only and visit the restaurant. There’s seating indoors as well as outdoors on the terrace, where you can enjoy the Bosphorus views as you eat your meal. I had a typical Turkish breakfast. Service is fair and the prices are a little higher than normal.
