Agva Day Trip from Istanbul tour is relaxing and culturel tour. We offer you a change of scenery for a day – change the streets of noisy Istanbul for a quiet and measured atmosphere of the small town of Agva. Enjoy the beauty of the original town, admire the nature and just breathe in the clean air – in Agva life is more measured – in such a contrast with Istanbul – you notice it in absolutely everything!
You will go to Agva in our comfortable car – in the company of our guide. In fact, you won’t even leave Istanbul. Agva is located in the Šile region, at the point where the Sea of Marmara meets the waters of the Black Sea. You will travel to the Asian side of Istanbul via one of the bridges across the Bosphorus – a very scenic drive awaits!
One of the most interesting places in Agva is the Hidden Lake. The place is so secluded that sometimes it is very difficult to find it. Even the Turks who come to rest in Agva – sometimes they cannot appreciate the beauty of this quiet place – they simply cannot find it. This fact gives the lake a special mystery and makes it so alluring. Here you will walk, enjoy the magnificent views of wildlife and be sure to take beautiful photos!
Agva is popular in tourist circles. They like to come here from Istanbul for the weekend and really appreciate the peace and solitude that Agva provides them. Today Agva is a small resort town dotted with private houses and small villas. Previously, Agva was a large port settlement. In view of its advantageous maritime location – at the junction of the Marmara and Black Seas – navigation and port trade were very developed here.
In Agva, not only Ottoman, but also Roman, Hittite motifs are easily visible. Despite the very modest size, Agva and its surroundings can surprise you with an abundance of sights and artifact finds. Here you can easily meet the ruins of churches and castles, mills and fragments of graves – all date back to different eras and have their own unique style.
To see Agva in all its details, we will make a short cruise along the Yesilchay River. Yesilchay flows along the Agva and allows you to see the life of Agva in all its inherent details. It is so calming to swim slowly along the shore and admire ordinary life – someone is drinking tea, someone is having an ardent discussion, and some are sitting on the shore with a fishing rod hoping for a small catch – this is especially delightful!
Since Agva is famous precisely as a seaside village – we will definitely look at the main beach of Agva – here you can taste all the delights of a beach holiday. Despite the variability of the weather, it is always possible to observe both people swimming in the sea and those who take sunbaths right on the shores of two seas!
You will take the last look at Agva from the Shili lighthouse – Agva’s calling card. It was built in the 19th century by order of Sultan Abdul Mecid I. Its significance is determined by its size – it holds the palm as the largest lighthouse in Turkey and is one of the largest operating lighthouses on the planet! After enjoying the magnificent views of the Black Sea, we will head back to Istanbul.
Agva Day Trip from Istanbul is an opportunity to be surprised how multifaceted life is near the eternal life of Istanbul. Here you will learn what peace and tranquility are. You will see a completely different side of the life of the Turkish people, which, we are sure, you will like no less than the views of the Bosphorus!
Istanbul Agva Day Trip price is 25 Euro for adults, 15 Euro for children from 4 to 7 years old and for children under 3 years old free.
Please note that we have ‘no hidden costs’
Tour days: Daily
Tour duration: From 08:00 to 20:00
Istanbul Hotels Transfer: Pick up from your hotel
On a comfortable transfer we will get to Şile and Agva through the Bosphorus bridge. On the way, you will have a stunning view of the Bosphorus, the Sea of Marmara and the surroundings of Istanbul.
The name itself speaks for itself. The lake is hidden from prying eyes, so peace and quiet reign here. Surrounded by greenery, the lake beckons with its beauty. All this is the merit of nature. You will have free time on the lake so that you can fully enjoy its excellence.
The blue color of the water in the lake and the greenery around is a great location for memorable photographs.
Not many tourists have heard about Agva, but among the residents of Istanbul, a small resort is very popular. You can see this for yourself when you see a large number of country houses.
Agva is also notable for the fact that it is washed by both the Sea of Marmara and the Black Sea.
In addition, the little-known resort is rich in historical part. The history of the city dates back to 7 BC. Different civilizations left their mark here: Hittites, Phrygians, Romans and Ottomans.
On the territory of Agva and its environs, the remains of churches and tombstones of the Roman era in the village of Kalem, Gyurlek cave in the village of Ajilli, discovered at the end of the 3rd-beginning of the 4th centuries, the ruins of a castle on Hissar hill and a mountain mill in the Sungurlu region, have been preserved.
One of the most exciting moments of your excursion in Şile, Agva from Istanbul will be a boat trip along the Yesilcay River along the city.
Floating along the river, you can enjoy not only the beautiful views of Turkish nature, but also watch the locals. Someone is fishing, drinking tea or feeding ducks on the river bank. Everyone has their own leisurely activity in Agva.
The banks of the river are rich in various living creatures. Herons, cormorants and thrushes, different types of fish – keep your eyes open so you don’t miss it!
Being on the coast of two seas at once, Agva boasts of its beaches. On one of them you will have free time. So, if the weather permits, you can even go swimming and catch the sun’s rays.
The Šile lighthouse is one of the most important symbols of the Šile resort. It is the largest lighthouse in Turkey and at the same time the second largest operating lighthouse in the world. The history of the Schiele lighthouse dates back to 1859. It was built in those years by Sultan Abdulmejit I.
Therefore, one of the last points of our route from Istanbul will be a visit to this lighthouse, which offers an excellent view of the Black Sea.
Excursion to Şile and Agva from Istanbul will reveal other amazing places near the metropolis for you. You can stay close to nature, enjoy the silence and take a break from the Istanbul rush.
You may like to take a look at our another Activities and Excursions in Istanbul
