Sport & Fitness

This is the only marathon in the world that crosses continents and one of the few chances you’ll get to take in the iconic Bosphorus Bridge on foot. Elite athletes and some 40,000 amateurs take part in the 42km-long race, which starts on the city’s European side and follows the coastline north before crossing the finish line in Asia. The whole city closes down for the morning (don’t plan on taking public transport), offering a rare chance to explore the city’s usually frenetic streets. maraton.istanbul

This once-unloved waterside plot along the Golden Horn, the inlet that cuts in from the Bosphorus, has become a centrepiece of renewal. Green spaces are rare to find in this cobbled city, so residents quickly adopted the park when it opened in 2023. The huge area incorporates tennis and basketball courts, running and cycling tracks, a skatepark and grassy knolls, as well as bases for the yachting, canoeing and rowing clubs. Grab a coffee and walk the waterfront for an impressive view of the city.