Not long ago, I published an article on my channel about a walk through some interesting places in the Asian part of Istanbul. One of the highlights of my route was Nakkaştepe Garden, and today I’d like to share a few vibrant photos of this place with you.
A Walk Through the Area
Nakkaştepe Garden can be considered one of Istanbul’s lesser-known, non-touristy walking areas. It’s located quite far from most of the city’s famous landmarks, but it's easy to reach if you're heading to the Kuzguncuk district or Beylerbeyi Palace, for example.
In many sources, including the official portal of the Üsküdar Municipality (where the park is located), the place is referred to as the “Nakkaştepe National Garden.” Unfortunately, I don’t know what makes a “national” garden different from any other type.
Online sources state that the park was opened quite recently, in 2018, although the name itself predates that. "Nakkaştepe" is also the name of a cemetery located to the east of Kuzguncuk. The word “Nakkaştepe” can be translated as “Hill of Artists” or “Hill of Embroiderers.”
The garden spans an area of 90,000 square meters. It features walking paths, picnic areas, playgrounds, a tennis court, cafés, and a mosque. The park’s viewing platforms deserve special mention, as they offer a great panoramic view of the Bosphorus Strait. Right next to the park rises the July 15 Martyrs Bridge (15 Temmuz Şehitler Köprüsü), one of three bridges that connect the European and Asian parts of the city.
One distinctive feature of Istanbul's parks is the abundance of suspension bridges or elevated walkways on stilts. Nakkaştepe Garden is no exception — visitors can enjoy walking several meters above the ground, weaving through the trees. One section of the park features a suspended rope course with obstacles.
One of the city guides mentions that tourists sometimes confuse the hill where the garden is located with Çamlıca Hill, although the latter is much farther from the shores of the Bosphorus. The main attraction of Çamlıca Hill is the mosque of the same name, the largest religious building in the country. If you enjoy long walks, you can combine a visit to that mosque with a stroll through Nakkaştepe Garden.
How to Get There
Nakkaştepe Garden is far from the metro. The nearest station, Fıstıkağacı, is more than a 30-minute walk away. So instead, you can take the metrobus or a bus. The closest metrobus stop is 15 Temmuz Şehitler Köprüsü, and for buses, get off at Abdullahağa Caddesi. You can plan your public transport route using the Moovit app.
Entrance to the park is free.
You can read about other walking areas in Istanbul on my blog: I’ve already written about the city’s Japanese Garden, as well as Emirgan, Yıldız, and Gülhane Parks.
Have a nice trip!
