Located in the European part of Istanbul, Esenyurt is a sprawling district on the western outskirts of the city. It occupies land once owned by Ekrem Ömer Paşa and has recently undergone a construction boom. In addition to its residential dwellings and shopping malls, Esenyurt is home to cultural centres, landscaped parks and the Istanbul Esenyurt University.
Things to do in Esenyurt
One of Esenyurt’s most popular green spaces is Recep Tayyip Erdogan Park, which is named after the Turkish president. It has been beautifully landscaped with artificial ponds, waterfalls and fountains, as well as boasting children’s play areas. You can stroll along the leafy walking trails before grabbing a coffee at one of the nearby cafes.
On the northern edge of the park is City Center AVM, a multi-level shopping mall with international retail stores and casual eateries. In addition to its central ice-skating rink, there are two children’s playgrounds and a cinema complex screening international films. Once you’ve built up an appetite, you can feast at Saloon Burger, grab a pizza at Sbarro or dine on doner kebabs at Usta Dönerci.
If you’ve got a sweet tooth, plan a visit to the Pelit Chocolate Museum, which is located adjacent to the Pelit Chocolate Factory, north of Esenyurt. It’s home to hundreds of historical landmarks made from chocolate, including the Hagia Sophia and the Galata Tower. Kids can get hands-on in the chocolate workshop while both young and old will love the chocolate tastings.
Getting around Esenyurt
Esenyurt is around 40 minutes’ drive from Istanbul and 25 minutes from Istanbul Ataturk Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Regular buses connect to Esenyurt from the Turkish capital and travel throughout the district, connecting most of its attractions.