Affordable Istanbul Sosyal Tesisleri: Council Run Social Facilities

Sharing is caring!

Where ever I’ve lived in Turkey (so far Istanbul, Kayseri and also Antalya for a while), there have been sosyal tesisleri. Roughly translating as social facilities, they’re designed to add value to the social life of the residents of the towns and cities where they’re located.

There are many Istanbul Sosyal Tesisleri providing green areas, hiking and sight-seeing trails, children’s parks and anything from basic canteen style cafés to restaurants serving full a la carte menus. What they all have in common are reasonable prices and the chance of enjoy yourself in gorgeous locations and historical buildings.

I recently went to one of the Istanbul sosyal tesisleri run by the Buyuksehir Belediye, set in Fethipaşa Korusu near Kuzguncuk. Entering from the top of the park, in easy walking distance of the Fistikağaç metro stop, a series of paths gently crisscross down a steep slope. As you descend all you can hear are the sounds of birds chirping, and we were lucky enough to see a colourful kingfisher sitting in a tree.

A café and a separate full restaurant are nestled at the base of this huge grove of trees cascading down the hillside to the shores of the Bosphorus. The canteen-like café offers basic foods like wraps, hamburgers and simits, as well as a typical Turkish breakfast. What makes it so appealing to me, apart from the wonderful views, is the fact that the large decking area covered in wisteria is completely non-smoking, and they mean it. There’s a smaller area for smokers one floor up, if you must. A buffet breakfast is available for a fixed price on weekends.

Just back from the café, a restaurant fans out from a restored konak house. Tables are arranged on three separate terraces, also all non-smoking. The menu is typically Turkish and well-priced.

Find out the full back story of this grove and how to get there and other lesser visited sites around the city in my alternative guide Istanbul 50 Unsung Places.

There’s a full list of council run Istanbul sosyal tesisleri listed here.  The details are only available in Turkish but the addresses are easy to understand. I’ve been to a number of these facilities so far and have thoroughly enjoyed myself, although the food and drink offerings at some are better than others. However, to borrow from the well-known Mastercard ad, being able to sit in an Ottoman konak, looking out over the fast running water of the Bosphorus for the cost of a glass of tea – priceless.

The entry at the top of the koru is a short walk from Fisitkağaç Metro stop. Alternatively catch a dolmuş or any of the buses in the number 15 series from Uskudar. Get off at the Paşalimanı stop and walk up to the lower entrance. The park is open 24 hours, seven days a week.

Here are some tips to help you make the most of your time in Turkey

Before you even buy your plane ticket, check whether you need an EVISA. Here’s my post on everything to know before you take off, including how to buy one from the government website so you don’t pay extra.

Even if I never claim on it, I always take out TRAVEL INSURANCE. I recommend Visitors Coverage.

eSIM are the way to stay connected wherever you travel. I recommend Truely, an eSIM provider working with local telcos. You can buy it before or after you arrive in Turkey, to use for 1 to as many days as you need. Truly eSIM are straightforward to install and activate but if you have any problems their responsive Whatsapp customer service is available 24/7.

Use my code: insideoutinistanbul and get 5% off when you order through the Truely website.

ACCOMMODATION: When I want to find a place to stay I use Booking.com.

For FLIGHTS I like to use Kiwi.com. Once you land the next decision you’ll have to make is how to get to your hotel. I’m a big advocate of public transport, but know it’s not suitable for everyone all the time. When I need to be picked up from or get to Istanbul Airport or Sabiha Gokcen Airport, I use one of these GetYourGuide AIRPORT TRANSFERS.

If you’re travelling alone, check out this post on useful solo travel tips Turkey for women (and men).

Now that’s all the practical stuff out of the way, here’s the fun stuff.

CITY TOURS & DAY TRIPS: Let me guide you around Kadikoy with my audio walking tour Stepping back through Chalcedon or venture further afield with Istanbul 50 Unsung Places, my bespoke guidebook. I know you’ll love visiting the lesser-known sites I’ve included. It’s based on using public transport as much as possible so you won’t be adding too much to your carbon footprint. Then read about what you’ve seen and experienced in my three essay collections and memoir about moving to Istanbul permanently.

Browse the GetYourGuide website or Viator to find even more ways to experience Istanbul and Turkey with food tours, visits to the old city, evening Bosphorus cruises and more!

However you travel, stay safe and have fun! Iyi yolculuklar.