Things to Do in Silivri: 5 Places to Visit

Places to Visit in Silivri

• 3 Historic
• 1 Religious
• 1 Nature

1 🏛️ Historic

Silivri Castle

A Byzantine-era castle on a rocky hill on the shore of the Sea of Marmara. Panoramic views of the Sea of Marmara can be enjoyed from the castle walls.

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2 🌳 Nature

Silivri Coast

Silivri, which has the longest coastline of any district in Istanbul, is a holiday destination favoured by Istanbulites in the summer months, with its kilometres of sandy beaches.

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i Photo: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA) · Source

3 🕌 Religious

Piri Mehmed Paşa Mosque

Built by Mimar Sinan in the 16th century, the mosque is the most important example of classical Ottoman architecture in Silivri.

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4 🏛️ Historic

Uzunköprü Bridge

A 333-metre-long bridge with thirty-two arches over the Silivri stream.

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5 🏛️ Historic

Anastasius City Walls

Walls stretching about 56 km from the Black Sea coast to the Sea of Marmara, west of Silivri.

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While you are in Silivri, you can also see the highlights of Istanbul province. These places are in other districts; Silivri is about 75 km from the provincial centre.

• Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya-i Kebir Mosque) — Built by the Byzantine emperor Justinian between 532 and 537, this was the largest cathedral in the world for about a thousand years; it was converted into a mosque in 1453 and a museum in 1934, and reopened for worship as a mosque in 2020. With its dome 55 metres high and its Byzantine mosaics, it is one of the turning points in the history of architecture.
• Topkapı Palace — Built by Mehmed the Conqueror at Sarayburnu in the 1460s, the palace was the seat of government and residence of the Ottoman sultans for about 400 years; with its Harem, Treasury, Holy Relics and courtyards, it is now a museum.
• Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Blue Mosque) — A six-minaret mosque built for Ahmed I between 1609 and 1616 by the architect Sedefkâr Mehmed Ağa; it is also known as the Blue Mosque because of the more than 20,000 İznik tiles decorating its interior.
• Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnıcı) — A vast underground cistern built in the 6th century under Justinian and carried on 336 columns; the Medusa heads under two of the columns are its most famous corner.
• Süleymaniye Mosque — Built by Mimar Sinan for Suleiman the Magnificent between 1550 and 1557, the mosque stands at the centre of a large complex with madrasas, a hospital, a soup kitchen and tombs; its silhouette on the hill overlooking the Golden Horn is one of the symbols of the city.
• Grand Bazaar (Kapalıçarşı) — One of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world, made up of more than 60 streets and thousands of shops that grew up around the bedestens built under Mehmed the Conqueror; carpets, jewellery, copperware and leather goods are sold.

Practical Information for Visiting Silivri

Suggested time

1 day

Best time to visit

Summer months (June–September)

Places to visit

5 places

• 🥛

  Silivri Yoğurdu (Silivri yoghurt)

  Silivri's geographically indicated yoghurt is made from sheep's milk by traditional methods. With its thick consistency and slightly sour taste, it is one of the most famous yoghurts in Türkiye.

• 🐟

  Sahil Balığı (coastal fish)

  Fresh fish caught in the Sea of Marmara is served in Silivri's seaside restaurants.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Silivri

• 🌾

  Thrace Culture

  Silivri is the gateway from Istanbul to Thrace. Farming culture, the tradition of yoghurt making and seaside life form the cultural identity of the district.

Local Products

• Silivri Yoğurdu — Silivri Yoğurdu was registered as a protected geographical indication on 26 July 2022 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 1180). Product group: cheeses and dairy products other than butter. Registered by: Silivri Municipality.

Economy

Silivri's economy is based on agriculture, livestock farming, tourism and industry. Yoghurt production, sunflower and wheat farming are important sources of income. Summer tourism also contributes to the economy.

How to Get to Silivri

Silivri is 75 km from Istanbul city centre. It lies on the E-5 and TEM motorways. There are regular bus and minibus services to Istanbul.

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Silivri: Frequently Asked Questions

Continue Your Trip

• 🍽️ What to Eat in Silivri Famous dishes and local products →
• 🗺️ Things to Do in Istanbul The province's 22 best places and all its districts →

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