Better known for its bustling bazaars and the silhouette of the Hagia Sophia which dominates the city’s skyline Istanbul has been transforming itself into a paradise for cyclists
The ferries that plough across the Bosphorus 24 hours a day may be the iconic form of transport in Istanbul, the local equivalent of London’s black cabs, but the Turkish Tourist Board is keen to stress the gateway between Europe and Asia’s cycling credentials.
A network of cycle routes has been set up across the dramatic coastline on both the European and Asian sides of the city. One highly favoured cyclists on the Asian Side is the 5-kilometer-long Caddebostan Coastline route which starts in Moda, giving an opportunity to move immediately alongside the sea against a view of the Princes’ Islands.
Istanbul is one of the most historically rich cities in the world with successive waves of conquerers from both East and West leaving their mark and it’s possible to get on your bike and cycle right through the monuments they left behind. Lycra not compulsory.
