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A Polish Village in Istanbul: Polonezkoy

Istanbul is famous for its magnificent beauty and historical places. But if you drive a little away from the city center, you may come across also towns and villages with amazingly beautiful nature in Istanbul. In this article, we will have a look at one of the most popular small towns in Istanbul: Polonezkoy.

Ekim Erkan
Ekim Erkan
March 27, 2023 7 min
A Polish Village in Istanbul: Polonezkoy


Before we dig into the beautiful Polonezkoy, let’s have a look at the Istanbul Tourist Pass® which is created with long years of expertise and deep love for the city. There are more than 100+ attractions, experiences, guided tours, day trips, and more in Istanbul Tourist Pass®. For you to save time and money, we have gathered the best things to do for you and put a single price on them! Read the comments of previous customers, compare prices, and buy your pass today. Istanbul is waiting for you, don’t let it stand anymore!


About Polonezkoy Istanbul


You may experience both heavenly nature and culture in this special patch of paradise, Istanbul's back garden, for breathing outside the city in the company of nature and birds' chirps… Polonezkoy, formerly known as Adampol, is a charming Polish village that you should see while you're in Istanbul. It's situated in a natural park and protected region on the Asian side of Istanbul, around 25 kilometers from the city center.



Polonezkoy, which translates to "the village of the Poles," is a charming village that stands out as a Polish settlement inside Turkish territory. It is situated in Istanbul's Beykoz neighborhood on the Asian side. Adampol was the village's previous name. Prince Adam Czartoryski, who was living in exile following the 1830 Polish uprising and served as both the leader of a political emigration party and the chairman of the national uprising government, created the settlement in 1842.


Interesting facts about Polonezkoy's past include the fact that actually the village was formed after Poland was conquered by its neighbors Russia, Austria, and Prussia in 1775. Polish people came here and settled with the assistance of the Ottoman Empire. So long before even the name Adampol exist, there were Polish people living in the area.


With its culture, it nevertheless retains the appearance of a Polish village today. The village, which offers a variety of tourist attractions, is usually chosen by city dwellers who want to avoid the weekend crowds. Generally speaking, Polonezköy's mild climate begins in June and lasts all summer long.


Today, Polonezkoy is now one of the most popular locations in Istanbul for exciting weekend getaways, day trips, cycling, picnics, barbecues, dinners at high-end restaurants, weddings, and numerous parties.


What to Do in Polonezkoy


This distinctive town has grown to be one of the most sought-after getaways from Istanbul due to its reputation for conserving the surrounding greenery and ecology. Weekends see a large inflow of locals visiting the village to enjoy its top-notch hotels, pensions, restaurants, gardens, barbecues, village breakfasts, etc.


Polonezkoy is a celestial place, a unique village with success in protecting its green nature and environment around Istanbul. Even on the way to the village, traveling via a green woodland road, you’ll sense the peaceful surroundings. The village itself is a location where you may have respect for nature, and feel free from the crowd and noise of Istanbul.



The Mother Mary Church and the Catholic Polish Cemetery welcome you as you enter the village. Around 100 meters ahead, you’ll get to the village’s charming tiny plaza. The plazas serve as the central points of small towns, this is not an exception. Enjoy the daily life of a small village while you can, shop from local shops, and eat ice cream.


The most well-known tourist attractions in Polonezkoy include the House of the Memory of Zofia Ryży, where local history and old photographs are displayed, the historic Czestochowa's Mother Mary Church, which was constructed between 1900 and 1914, the Polish Cemetery, which also contains the tomb of Mehmet Sadik Pasha's wife, the residence where Ataturk (the founder of the Turkish Republic) stayed during his visit to the village, culture house, or the outdoor wooden arts exhibition.


The Polonezkoy open-air wood exhibition is a beautiful venue that should be included in the itinerary of things to visit in the hamlet. Wood and carved artwork came together to make a special and lovely display. One of the best places to see in Polonezkoy.



Here, in a green setting, you can relax and enjoy the various illustrations that have been painted on the trees. The wooden arts items are really fantastic and worth a visit and see. On the banks that run along the garden next to the exhibit space, you can also take a nap. The tree-carved sculpture display by art enthusiasts is worth viewing in the grassy space in front of the Cultural House, immediately beyond the town square.


Enjoy the Nature in Polonezkoy


You’ll discover a range of wonderful things to select from in Polonezkoy, from thrilling weekend vacations, and day trips, to nature, walks, cycling, picnics, BBQ, meals in opulent and quality restaurants, weddings, and other celebrations.


In Polonezkoy, start the day with a hearty village breakfast or brunch in this wonderful nature, then you can have a rest in hammocks or cushions in the gorgeous gardens, and then you can continue the day with a nature walk, trek, or bike trip.



When you need a break, you can take a nap, relax, rest, eat, and drink in the charming cafes and restaurants that offer delectable and unique alternatives, go on a picnic or have a barbecue in the gardens, or treat yourself to local cakes, donuts, and desserts at tea time. You may also visit the local businesses for souvenirs.


If you won’t want to travel back to Istanbul at the end of the day, you can stay at the range of charming hotels and pensions in the village and enjoy a wonderful stay in nature. There are plenty of options for you to stay.


Time to Go Back to Istanbul


After a great nature retreat, let’s go back to Istanbul, the city of the cities! For you to have the best experience in Istanbul, we have created Istanbul Tourist Pass® for your needs! This Pass is beyond a regular sightseeing pass but it includes many services and offers within great attractions, experiences, museum entrances, and more.



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FAQ


Is Polonezkoy worth visiting?


Polonezkoy is a small town in Istanbul. Polonezkoy has many popular attractions, including Polonezkoy Zoo, Polish houses, and Polonezkoy Nature Park, making this village well worth a visit.


How can I go to Polonezkoy from Istanbul?


The best way to go to Polonezkoy is by renting a car. Unfortunately, there are not many options to go there by public transportation vehicles. There is a public bus you can use, the bus number is 137 Kavacık -Beykoz-Riva-Cumhuriyet Köyü. To get that bus you first must go to Beykoz. After getting off, there is a 5km walk or you can take a taxi.


How is the weather in Polonezkoy?


Polonezkoy is a part of Istanbul so it is not so different from the other coastal areas in Istanbul. Since it is inside a forestal area and a little higher up, it is generally a little colder than Istanbul. Check here for the climate information about Istanbul for details.

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