Polonezköy Nature Park

Polonezköy Nature Park can be described as a unique corner of paradise: home to all of Istanbul’s native plant species, far from the city, where nature and culture come together amid birdsong and lush greenery. Its trees include pines, chestnut, hornbeam, oak, beech and lime, with an understorey of bay laurel, strawberry tree, buckthorn, cotoneaster, Christ’s thorn and firethorn.

Inside Polonezköy Nature Park there is a pheasant and partridge breeding station and a red deer and roe deer breeding station. Polonezköy Nature Park is also home to many animal species, such as red deer, roe deer, wild boar, jackals, foxes, squirrels, martens, weasels, pheasants, partridges, sparrowhawks, buzzards, falcons, blackbirds, goldfinches, turtle doves and owls.

What Can You Do in Polonezköy Nature Park?

There are areas for picnics, camping, trekking and orienteering, paths for walking, running and cycling, and many tourist facilities in the village itself. As a village in Türkiye where mainly Poles live (its name means “Polish village”), it strikes people as intriguing, both sociologically and geographically. In

you can enjoy a weekend break, a day trip, a picnic or a barbecue, dinner in quality, upscale and peaceful restaurants, weddings and parties of all kinds, and spend some really good time.

In this village with its largely Polish population, you can also see the traces of a different culture and way of life. There are camping areas that are ideal for weekends in particular. The park was visited by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and has hosted Gustave Flaubert, Franz Liszt and many other famous names.

What Can You See in Polonezköy Nature Park?

In Polonezköy you will find the Memorial House of Aunt Zofia (Zofia Teyze), where the village’s history and old photographs are on display; it is the place to learn whatever you want to know about the village. You can also enjoy cultural events such as wood-carved sculptures, art exhibitions and recitals. The Historic Village Church and the Culture House are also well worth seeing.

How Much Is the Entrance Fee for Polonezköy Nature Park?

Entry to Polonezköy Nature Park is free

Where Is Polonezköy Nature Park and How Do You Get There?

As a popular spot it can be reached from many directions: follow the signs via Kavacık–Çavuşbaşı, or take the roads from the Beykoz–Riva and Alemdağ–Şile directions. It is about 34 km from central Istanbul and about 50 minutes by car.