Forest Entry and Fire Ban in Istanbul (2025): Where Are Picnics Allowed?

With the arrival of the summer months, measures to prevent forest fires have also come into force across Istanbul. The Istanbul Governorship banned entry to forest areas and lighting fires (barbecues, gas stoves, hookahs, etc.) between 23 June 2025 and 15 October 2025.

This ban is applied to minimise the risk of forest fires. But don't worry! Many areas in Istanbul where you can still have a picnic and enjoy nature have been kept outside this ban. Here are the details 👇

---

Which Activities Does the Ban Cover?

🔴 Prohibited:

• Entering forest areas
• Lighting barbecues
• Cooking with gas stoves and similar heaters
• Hookahs, campfires and other open fires

🟢 Allowed:

• Picnics, walking, sports and relaxation at the picnic areas and nature parks listed below
• Fire-free picnics (bringing ready-made food is recommended)

---

Areas Outside the Fire Ban

The nature and picnic areas in Istanbul supervised by the 1st Regional Directorate and kept outside the ban are as follows:

✅ Nature Parks and Picnic Areas (By District):

Beykoz

• Polonezköy Nature Park
• Elmasburnu Nature Park
• Mihrabat Nature Park
• Göztepe Nature Park

Sarıyer

• Türkmenbaşı Nature Park
• Parkorman Nature Park
• Bentler Nature Park
• Falih Rıfkı Atay Nature Park
• Fatih Sultan Mehmet Nature Park
• Irmak, Kirazlıbent, Kömürcübent, Marmaracık Bay, Mehmet Akif Ersoy and Neşetsuyu Nature Parks

Eyüp

• Ayvatbendi Nature Park
• Fatih Çeşmesi Nature Park
• Göktürk Pond Nature Park

Adalar (Princes' Islands)

• Büyükada Nature Park
• Değirmenburnu Nature Park
• Dilburnu Nature Park

Çatalca

• Çilingoz Nature Park

Şile – Çekmeköy

• Avcıkoru Nature Park

Arnavutköy

• Şamlar Nature Park

Tuzla

• Hacet Deresi Nature Park

Silivri

• Danamandıra Nature Park

---

Recommendations and Warnings

🔸 Always follow the instructions of the staff in the area you visit.
🔸 If possible, take ready-made food with you and prepare so that you won't need to light a fire.
🔸 Don't leave your rubbish in nature; leave the area spotless.

---

Conclusion: For a Safe and Enjoyable Summer Close to Nature…

This measure taken to reduce the risk of fire is very important. Still, there are many alternatives in Istanbul where you can escape to nature and have a picnic. How about exploring the places above?