Polonezkoy Travel and City Guide 2025

Hello everyone! In this content, we will share all the information and details we can provide about Polonezkoy.

In our Polonezköy Travel Guide, we will cover the basics such as Where is Polonezköy? How to Get There? and What to Do? In addition, we will explain everything from what activities you can enjoy to the types of food you can try.

Polonezköy is often thought of as an expensive place by many. Yes, we can agree that the prices are a bit high due to its boutique nature. However, it’s worth spending a little extra to enjoy such beauty!

That said, there are many hidden features of Polonezköy waiting to be discovered. In this article, we will share these features and details with you.

By the way, you can also share interesting information about Polonezköy with us in the comments section, helping us to receive a little acknowledgment for our effort. Let’s meet in the comments!

We have also answered Frequently Asked Questions about Polonezköy at the bottom of this article for your convenience.

Hello, Polonezkoyum.com is a site broadcasting in Turkish. You can visit our homepage and discover other information about Polonezköy with translation applications.

Polonezkoy History

Before diving fully into the Polonezköy Travel Guide, let’s first share some historical background. Did you know that the name Polonezköy is actually related to Poland? Would it surprise you to learn that it was established by Polish citizens? That’s why we wanted to inform you before your visit.

In the year 1775, when Russia and Austria invaded Poland, the country was divided. The Ottoman Empire, which was not pleased with this situation, welcomed Polish political refugees to the region where Polonezköy is now located. Over time, the village was initially called Polish Village, then renamed Polonez Karyesi, and today it is known as Polonezköy.

Currently, nearly 100 Polish immigrants still live in this village, striving to preserve the area that their ancestors nurtured through hardship.

Where is Polonezkoy?

NOTE: If the image does not appear, use the arrows to navigate forward and backward.

Polonezköy is located on the Asian side of Istanbul. To put it simply, it is situated right in the middle of the Asian side. To help you visualize its location, we are including a map above. You can also explore the street views from this map. However, just exploring it online is not enough—you need to visit it in person to truly experience it!

How to get to Polonezkoy?

One of the essential questions in our Polonezköy Travel Guide is: How to Get to Polonezköy? You can travel either by your own vehicle or by bus. Below, we have detailed how you can reach Polonezköy. If you’re driving, you’ll enjoy the journey even more, but even without a car, you’ll still have a great time as the beautiful forest accompanies you along the way.

For Those Traveling by Bus:

The D1 Polonezköy-Üsküdar/Kadıköy line has started offering public transportation services. The single trip duration is approximately 110 minutes, and it requires a single ticket. Additionally, there is a bus line that goes to Cumhuriyet Mahallesi:

• 137 Cumhuriyet Köyü-Kavacık

From there, you can continue the rest of the way by either taxi or walking.

For Those Traveling by Private Vehicle:

If you are driving, the first thing you need to do is get on the road to the 2nd Bridge.

• For those coming from the European side, take the first exit after the bridge.
• For those coming from the Asian side, take the first exit before the bridge.

Although the roads are scenic, they can be dangerous due to being single-lane. Be cautious not to get too distracted by the view.

Both European and Asian side travelers should follow the Kavacık sign, then proceed toward the Riva road and follow the Polonezköy sign. If this explanation seems confusing, you can always use the Route Directions link for clarity.

Polonezköy Bus Timetable (IETT):

The D1 Polonezköy-Üsküdar/Kadıköy line offers public transportation services. The single trip duration is approximately 110 minutes, and it requires a single ticket.

Departure from Kadıköy:

Saturday: 06:30, 10:00, 14:00, 18:00
Sunday: 06:30, 10:00, 14:00, 18:00

Departure from Polonezköy (Muhtarlık):

Saturday: 08:00, 12:00, 16:00, 20:00
Sunday: 08:00, 12:00, 16:00, 20:00

If you want to check the bus schedules for Polonezköy on the IETT website, we’ve included the link below.

Polonezkoy Weather

Polonezköy is beautiful in any weather, but if you are planning to visit for barbecuing or outdoor activities, rain or bad weather can be a significant obstacle. We recommend checking our Polonezköy Weather Page before heading out to ensure you have the best experience.

Is Polonezkoy Suitable for Children?

In short, Polonezköy is absolutely perfect for children. We can imagine that kids growing up in Istanbul often have little to do beyond staying between four walls or occasionally visiting a park in the summer. For a little time spent in nature and their mental development, you should definitely take your child to Polonezköy at regular intervals.

There are plenty of areas where your children can run freely and release their energy. You can be sure that it’s one of the most beautiful and special places for your kids.

Almost every facility has parks and playgrounds set up for children. And that’s not even mentioning the vast open spaces available. Even if it’s for nothing else, make it a point to go at least once a month for your child. This message is especially for those who only visit during spring for barbecues!

Is Polonezköy an Expensive Place?

Yes, Polonezköy is one of the more expensive places. But don’t get discouraged just yet! Every system and situation has its loopholes, and we’ve discovered one to share with you.

If you have money, no problem—you can visit any restaurant or venue you like and enjoy yourself. However, not having much money doesn’t mean you can’t explore and have fun.

Don’t think of Polonezköy as just a four-walled restaurant or hotel. Instead, see it as hills, slopes, forests, and open spaces—which it truly is. You don’t have to visit a restaurant or a barbecue area to buy pre-made fire, grills, and meat. Believe us, with the money you’d spend on one meal (grill + charcoal + meat + drinks), you can create this experience yourself. Plus, you can reuse the barbecue tools you purchase in the future.

Polonezköy Nature Park spans a large area. Load up your car, find a shady spot under a tree, and enjoy your meal. Afterwards, you can head to a nice spot to sip tea or coffee.

There are a couple of small but important things to keep in mind here:

1. Make sure you’re not on private property.
2. Be extremely CAREFUL with your barbecue fire and do not leave the area until you’ve extinguished it thoroughly with water.

Shopping in Polonezköy (What to Buy? Recommendations)

Polonezköy is not a very developed village or residential area. This is because it holds the status of a Nature Park, making it nearly impossible to build or open new places. Even for a renovation, dozens of procedures must be followed.

As a result, there are no large stores or shops where you can do your shopping. However, the handmade products and the fresh fruits and vegetables grown by the locals are quite delightful.

The region is particularly popular during the spring and summer months, attracting visitors from Istanbul and nearby provinces. In the village square, there are a small number of stalls and shops selling local products, textiles, and souvenirs.

Where to stay in Polonezkoy?

When we think of Polonezköy, it’s often associated with day trips for picnics or barbecues, the struggle of returning home in the evening, and feeling exhausted from all the fresh air. Many people assume there are no places to stay overnight and head back home. However, there are plenty of hotels and guesthouses, and the prices can be considered moderate. In particular, guesthouse prices are quite affordable.

To experience the peace of waking up in the fresh morning air, there are places where you can stay for 800 TL – 1000 TL for two people. On the other hand, there are also options available at 2000 TL and above.

Choose a hotel that suits your needs and make sure to stay overnight. We’re confident you’ll become addicted to this experience. To help you out, we’re including a link to Polonezköy Hotels here.

Polonezkoy Hotels and Polonezkoy Hostels

As mentioned earlier, Polonezköy is one of the places where the guesthouse culture has significantly developed. Over time, the local residents began renting out their homes on a daily basis to earn extra income and gradually turned this into a more professional and organized industry.

Polonezköy guesthouses and hotels feature numerous villas, both large and small, surrounded by trees and the village’s signature fences. With its lush greenery, smiling wooden houses, unique fences, and landscaping filled with flower- and fruit-laden trees, Polonezköy has brought the concept of a clean family guesthouse in a village house to Istanbul. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that Polonezköy is particularly famous for its guesthouses.

With its high-capacity hotels, Polonezköy is an excellent choice for accommodation. You can access the list below to find options.

• Hera Pansiyon, Tel: 0216 432 31 83
• Defne Pansiyon, Tel: 0216 432 30 80
• Ludwik Dohoda Pansiyon, Tel: 0216 432 31 31
• Helenarizi Pansyon, Tel: 0216 432 30 76
• Polina Pansiyon, Tel: 0216 432 31 53
• Melis Pansiyon, Tel: 0216 432 30 63
• Dohoda Pansiyon, Tel: 0216 432 30 56
• Kamilça Pansiyon, Tel: 0216 432 31 00
• Celal Pansiyon, Tel: 0216 432 31 47
• Fredi Pansiyon, Tel: 0216 432 30 47
• Samara Pansiyon, Tel: 0216 432 30 13
• Lavinya Pansiyon, Tel: 0216 432 33 21
• Stella Pansiyon Et Mangal, Tel: 0216 432 32 32
• Galaksi Pansiyon, Tel: 0216 432 32 87
• Berik Pansiyon, Tel: 0216 432 31 11
• Köşem Pansiyon, Tel: 0216 432 30 23
• Köyevi Pansiyon, Tel: 0216 432 32 38
• Lara Pansiyon, Tel: 0216 432 31 59
• Irena Pansiyon, Tel: 0216 432 33 02
• Reba Pansiyon, Tel: 0216 432 30 84
• Irena Pansiyon, Tel: 0216 432 33 02

Barbecue and Picnic Places in Polonezköy

Now we’ve arrived at the most exciting and delicious part of our article: barbecue. While it’s known as barbecue abroad, in Turkey, it’s referred to as mangal, and it’s truly a universal tradition.

Polonezköy is one of the best places to experience this culture. Without a doubt, most of us visit for either a barbecue or a picnic.

Since that’s the case, it’s our job to explain. Below, we’ve listed places where you can enjoy a barbecue.

Here are some of the most popular barbecue spots:

• Stella’s Place
• Polonezpark Picnic Area
• Cumhuriyet Park Picnic Area
• Picnic Park
• Polonez Garden
• Değirmen Park Picnic Area

Polonezkoy Breakfast Places to Visit

One of the charming corners of Istanbul for breakfast, this we can agree on. However, from personal experience, we can conclude that it may not be as extraordinary as it is often made out to be. Of course, this does not apply to every venue, but the fact remains that many establishments serve “village breakfast” using products purchased from supermarkets.

The prices are high, the portions are small, and the so-called “village breakfast” they serve often has little to do with an actual village breakfast. A breakfast made with store-bought eggs and jams is not a village breakfast.

If they simply called it breakfast, we might accept it. In short, we don’t recommend choosing Polonezköy for its breakfast options. However, for barbecue, nature walks, and children’s play areas, we do recommend it. If you still decide to have breakfast there, we suggest trying Leonardo’s Place.

We’ve been working on an in-depth guide for a long time, and we’ve finally completed it. You can explore the places for breakfast in Polonezköy in our content on Polonezköy Breakfast Venues and Prices.

Polonezköy Breakfast Venues:

1. Köşem Kahvaltı
2. Stella’s Place
3. Leonardo Restaurant
4. Polonezköy Country Club
5. Kulindağ Mountain Lodge
6. Mesa Country
7. Polina
8. Yeji Dohada
9. Karçma Kriha
10. Villa Polonez

Things to do in Polonezkoy

“There are many features waiting to be discovered.” If you remember, we wrote this sentence in the introduction paragraph. Now it’s time to explain what this truly means. You’ll see that this extraordinary nature park isn’t just about “barbecue-breakfast-nature-expensive.” Let’s dive right in.

1. Enjoy a Walk

Polonezköy is one of the best places for a walk in Istanbul. On its 5 km-long walking trail, you can enjoy a beautiful walk with your partner, family, or friends. You might even get a chance to spot Tarkan! The walking path is well-maintained and very clean, with benches where you can take short breaks. Don’t leave without walking on the trail.

As you walk along the path, you’ll notice various plants, animals, and the true beauty of nature. For more details, check out our Polonezköy Walking and Trekking guide.

2. Ride a Bike

Did you know that Polonezköy has the first world-standard bike trail in Turkey? This 7-kilometer-long bike trail is a favorite destination for cycling enthusiasts.

You can experience the joy of cycling on this world-famous trail. If you prefer a calmer ride, you can also use the walking path mentioned above.

Do you know how to rent a bike in Polonezköy? For all the details, check out our Polonezköy Bike Rental guide.

3. Relax in a Pool During Summer Heat

Many hotels and facilities in Polonezköy have pools where you can cool off and relax. Imagine enjoying a pool surrounded by greenery. Hungry? Follow it up with a barbecue—what more could you ask for?

Feeling tired? End your day with a peaceful nap. If you’re in Istanbul, having all this just an hour away feels extraordinary, don’t you think?

4. Participate in the Cherry Festival

You can join the Cherry Festival, held every June. Witness vibrant moments and enjoy this cultural celebration, which bridges Poland and Turkey. Don’t miss the performances of the Polish folklore team! You’ll also find many activities in the churchyard of the village.

Polonezkoy Attractions

We’ve reached the highlight of our Polonezköy Travel Guide: Places to Visit in Polonezköy. Let’s explore what Polonezköy has to offer!

If you’re looking for something beyond just nature, there are several places to visit, such as Zofia Rızı Memorial House, Wood Carving Sculpture Exhibition, Zoo, and Virgin Mary Church. Below, we’ll go over each of them in detail. Let’s dive in without further ado.

1. Zofia Rızı Memorial House

Located in the center of Polonezköy, this house was built in 1883 by Wincenty Rızı, Zofia Rızı’s father. It was one of the most beautiful and magnificent houses of its time. Still maintaining its original design, the house was converted into a memorial house in 1992. It is one of the most significant symbols of Polonezköy’s history. With its lush garden and Polish architecture, it will leave you in awe.

Here are the visiting hours:

• May 1 – October 31: Sundays and public holidays
• November 1 – April 30: Sundays

NOTE: If you wish to visit during weekdays, you need to notify in advance. For more details, check out our Zofia Rızı Memorial House guide.

2. Wood Carving Sculpture Exhibition

This small park is located on the left side of the road as you head toward Polonezköy. It features unique carved sculptures and is worth a quick visit. You can easily explore this open-air exhibition in about 10 minutes, so it won’t take up much of your time. For more details, visit our Wood Carving Sculpture Exhibition guide.

3. Polonezköy Zoo

One of the most desired spots for children recently, this medium-sized zoo has become a popular attraction. While we are generally against zoos, as seeing animals in their natural habitats is increasingly rare, it’s worth a visit.

For more information, check out our Polonezköy Zoo guide.

4. Virgin Mary Church

Built in 1846 by the Saint François Bosnian priests, this historic church was originally constructed of wood. After being destroyed in an earthquake, it was rebuilt in 1914. During World War I, it was also used as a headquarters by the Ottoman Empire. Situated right at the entrance of Polonezköy, this beautiful church is a must-see before concluding your visit. For more details, refer to our Virgin Mary Church guide.

5. Glass Art Center

Another place you can visit in Polonezköy is the Glass Art Center. You can shop for unique glass items or even experience making your own glass creations. For more detailed information, visit our Glass Art Center guide.

6. Polonezköy Beekeeping Museum

The Beekeeping Museum is another attraction in Polonezköy. Here, you can explore various items related to bees and beekeeping. It’s an educational and fascinating stop. For more details, check out our Polonezköy Beekeeping Museum guide.

7. Polonezköy Culture House

Located behind the Polonezköy center, along the main road, the Polonezköy Culture House also serves as the Polart Gallery and Polonezköy Library. It hosts many cultural and social events throughout the year. For more information, visit the Polonezköy Culture House.