Kilyos and the Black Sea |
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Kilyos is a small town, a pleasant retreat from the city, although windswept in winter, (and even in summer the Black Sea can produce dramatic storms). Kilyos is one place Istanbul people can still swim in the sea, although the coast is rocky and strong currents sometimes make swimming in the Black Sea dangerous here. The road to Kilyos leads through the Belgrade Forest with its system of viaducts and reservoirs going back to the Ottoman period. There are lovely cool spots to stop in the forest or go for a country walk, and the hilltops have marvellous views of the Bosphrous and the Black Sea. For many years this whole area has been a popular spot for picnics. In recent years many homes have been built in the forest and Kilyos has acquired a number of bars and cafes, including a couple of well-known private beach clubs and a rock festival in summer. There are still beaches though and plenty of spots for a picnic, so on Sundays long queues of cars snake through the forest honking their horns at each other. |
