routesTürkiye
ENDERU

Loading the map… the list works already.

← Türkiye map

Şile & Ağva

6 places · 2 routes · Marmara

Where Istanbulites go for a weekend by the sea: sandy Black Sea beaches, a striped lighthouse and a river village with boats and breakfasts.

Today in Şile & Ağva: sunrise 07:21 · sunset 18:09 (calculated)

Where are you staying? The list is sorted by straight-line distance from there. “Near me” asks for your location only when you tap it; it stays in this browser.

Şile town and beaches1 day · 3 stops A weekend in Ağva1–2 days · 3 stops

Open / closed: Istanbul time, Fri 06:15. Ticket = foreign-visitor price. Visit times are our estimates.

  1. Culture · 500 m ~7 min walk

    Şile Lighthouse

    Open space Free ~15–30 min

  2. Culture · 650 m ~9 min walk

    Şile Castle (Ocaklı Island)

    Open space Free ~10–30 min

  3. Nature · 1000 m ~13 min walk

    Şile town beaches (Ayazma, Ağlayankaya, Kumbaba)

    Open space Free ~2–6 h

  4. Nature · 21 km ~38 min by road

    Hacıllı Waterfall

    Open space Free ~2–4 h

  5. Nature · 21 km ~38 min by road

    Ağva

    Open space Free ~4–10 h

  6. Nature · 21 km ~38 min by road

    Kilimli Bay

    Open space Free ~1–3 h

Also in this area

Caves, waterfalls, gorges, hidden gems and viewpoints within 50 km (straight line) of the places above.

Caves & waterfallsHidden gemsViewpointsAdventureRegional food

Climate: when to go

Monthly averages for İstanbul province: warmest in July (average high 29.7 °C), coldest in January (average low 4.2 °C). Averages hide heat waves and cold snaps — check the forecast before you travel.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Average high10°10°12°17°22°27°30°30°26°21°16°12°
Average low4°4°6°9°14°18°21°21°18°14°10°7°
Rainy days161413108534691116

Source: Turkish State Meteorological Service (MGM), 1950–2025 climate normals for İstanbul province (this month is highlighted). Values are averages for the whole province as MGM publishes them, not for one beach or hill.

About Şile

Şile is the far north-eastern corner of Istanbul province, where the city gives way to forest and a long Black Sea coastline. Its symbols are a striped nineteenth-century lighthouse and a little stone tower on an islet in the harbour; around them are wide sandy beaches, and inland the hand-woven cotton Şile cloth is still made — like Şile chestnut honey, it is a registered geographical indication.

Thirty kilometres further east, the village of Ağva lies between two streams at the edge of the sea, with small hotels on the river banks. Along the coast are rock formations such as the Boru Kayalar (pipe rocks) and the coves of Kilimli and Kadırga; on Fridays and Sundays the Şile Yeryüzü Pazarı market sells sourdough village bread and local produce.

Is Şile worth visiting?

Yes, if you want a few days by the sea without flying: this is where Istanbul itself goes for a beach weekend, and you will meet far more Turkish families than foreign tourists. Facilities are local rather than international, and the open Black Sea is rougher and cooler than the Aegean.

Come for the beaches and the lighthouse in Şile and for the river, boats and coves of Ağva; avoid summer weekends if you dislike crowds.

Best for
Beach-goers staying in Istanbul, couples and families, walkers and campers.
How long
1–2 days (a long day trip is possible, but traffic out of Istanbul is heavy on summer weekends).
Getting there
By road only — there is no rail or ferry link. Ağva is about 90 km from central Istanbul and 31 km beyond Şile town (municipality figures); most visitors drive. General directions, not checked against timetables.

Best time to go Jun–Sep (sea) · May, Oct (walks)

The swimming season is short, roughly June to September. Spring and autumn are good for the forest walks and quiet weekends in Ağva.

Part of Marmara — all destinations, when to go and more places in the region.