Tuzla

Tuzla, a coastal district on Istanbul’s Asian side, invites visitors to explore its seafront lined with fish restaurants, the Istanbul Park Racing Circuit, and the sheltered waters of Mercan Cove. This area began as a Greek fishing village before becoming home to residential areas, industrial shipyards, and universities such as Sabancı and Piri Reis. Stroll along the Marmara Sea promenade where retirees walk daily, students commute to classes, and workers engage in shipbuilding. The district’s history includes population shifts in the 1920s and its current role in maritime industries. Ferries connect Tuzla to central Istanbul, and the growing marina reflects gradual development without overwhelming the local character.

Seafront Restaurants and Coastal Walks

Tuzla’s Marmara Sea coastline features family-run fish restaurants serving grilled sea bass, fried anchovies, and small plates like stuffed grape leaves or eggplant salads. Many restaurants buy fish directly from boats docked nearby, ensuring daily freshness. Tables set on wooden decks face the water, ideal for leisurely meals as the sun dips below the horizon. Vegetarian options focus on yogurt-based dips, roasted vegetables, and local cheeses. The paved walkway along the shore fills with couples and families in the evenings, passing benches that face small fishing vessels and the outline of the Princes’ Islands visible across the water.

Neighborhoods and Population Shifts

Seventeen neighborhoods make up Tuzla, including Akfırat and İçmeler, shaped by migration patterns after Greek residents left in 1923 and Turkish families from the Balkans settled here. Areas like Orhanlı and Evliya Çelebi attract Istanbul residents with single-story houses surrounded by gardens, offering space away from the city’s density. Old stone wells and olive trees from earlier eras still appear in some residential streets. The central Cami neighborhood maintains a tight-knit community feel, with small bakeries selling simit and tea houses where regulars gather. Aydınlı, near industrial zones, has newer apartment blocks housing workers from nearby factories.

Shipbuilding Industry and Employment

Eastern Tuzla’s coastline is dominated by shipyards responsible for constructing and repairing cargo ships, tankers, and yachts. These facilities employ thousands but face scrutiny over workplace safety standards following incidents involving inadequate protective measures. Massive cranes and dry docks create an industrial skyline visible from residential areas west of the port. While the shipyards restrict public entry, their scale becomes apparent from viewpoints along the coastal road. Housing demand from workers has led to apartment construction in Tepeören and Yayla, with buses shuttling employees to the docks each morning.

Universities and Student Life

Sabancı University’s campus stands out with modern architecture and a large library, while the Turkish Naval Academy trains future officers in maritime strategy and engineering. Istanbul Technical University’s Maritime Faculty near the coast specializes in ship design and navigation courses. Students gather at seafront cafes or attend the Sunday organic market in the district center to buy fresh produce and cheeses. Piri Reis University focuses on maritime history and cartography, with some campus facilities accessible to visitors during weekends. Affordable rental apartments near İstasyon neighborhood cater to students, creating a youthful energy in local shops and parks.

Mercan Cove and Swimming Areas

Mercan Cove, west of the shipyards, provides a sheltered spot for swimming with pine trees shading parts of the pebble beach. A small tea garden here lets visitors bring their own snacks while ordering drinks like Turkish tea or fresh-squeezed juice. Clear water around the cove’s rocky edges attracts snorkelers exploring underwater formations. Paid beaches nearby offer sun loungers and changing cabins, while free public beaches near İçmeler fill with families on hot weekends. Early mornings bring photographers capturing the cove’s still waters and sunrise colors reflecting off the Marmara Sea.

Getting to and Around Tuzla

Buses from Kadıköy take approximately one hour to reach Tuzla, passing through Pendik and industrial areas along the main highway. Shared dolmuş vans depart from Kadıköy’s terminal once full, reducing travel time by 15-20 minutes. A planned rail link to Istanbul’s metro system aims to ease road congestion, though construction remains ongoing. Ferries from Eminönü or Beşiktaş to Pendik take 90 minutes, followed by a 10-minute bus ride to Tuzla’s center. Walking covers most attractions, but local dolmuş routes connect distant neighborhoods like Şifa Mahallesi to the seafront.

Markets and Community Spaces

Tuzla’s Sunday organic market near the central mosque sells seasonal fruits, jars of honey, and cheeses from nearby farms. Vendors begin arranging stalls at sunrise, drawing early shoppers looking for the freshest items. Smaller neighborhood markets in Aydıntepe focus on household goods, textiles, and discounted clothing. Many residents shop here before visiting the port-area fish market for the day’s catch. Parks such as Şifa Mahallesi’s green space become social hubs in the evenings, with children playing soccer and adults chatting on benches under plane trees.

Istanbul Park Racing Circuit Events

The Istanbul Park Circuit northwest of Tuzla hosts Formula 1 races on its 5.3-kilometer track known for sharp turns like the steep uphill section at Turn 11. Check the official schedule before visiting, as access depends on whether races, testing sessions, or private events are underway. The visitor center displays race cars, driver uniforms, and trophies from past competitions. Cyclists and runners use the perimeter roads on non-event days, enjoying views of the track’s grandstands and surrounding wooded areas. Motorcycle clubs sometimes organize meetups here during open track days.