Nezahat Gökyiğit Botanic Garden: opening hours, access and tulips

Updated on October 4, 2026

The Nezahat Gökyiğit Botanic Garden (Nezahat Gökyiğit Botanik Bahçesi, NGBB) is a large garden on the Asian side of Istanbul, straddling the Ataşehir and Ümraniye districts. It was created by the Ali Nihat Gökyiğit Foundation, a private initiative devoted to conserving biodiversity and informing the public. Entry is free. The garden is organised into themed "islands" (Central Island, Ertuğrul Island, Recreation Island, Istanbul Island, Arboretum Island, Oak Islands, Anatolia Island, Thrace Island): you walk between plant collections, ponds and lawns, with the towers of Ataşehir in the background. It is a calm outing away from the crowds of the old city, at its best in spring. Allow one to two hours.

Highlights

The tulip beds

In spring the flower beds fill with tulips, with the glass towers of Ataşehir behind them. Flowering depends on the weather and usually follows the month of April; for the festival dates, see the tulip festival page.

Corners for children

Along the wooded paths, small settings (a log cabin, statues) appeal to younger visitors. The garden suits family walks: lawns, paths and no traffic.

The themed "islands"

Each section has its own theme: the flora of Anatolia and Thrace, oaks, the arboretum, a recreation garden. Take the garden map, which can be downloaded from the official website, to choose your sections.

Infos pratiques

Tips

Entry is free, but the garden is closed on Mondays (maintenance day). Last entry is one hour before closing. There are two entrances, one in Ataşehir and one in Ümraniye: choose the one closest to your bus stop. The garden is fairly far from the historic centre: combine the visit with a day on the Asian side, for example after Kadıköy and Moda.

How to get there

Ataşehir entrance: Atatürk Mahallesi, Ataşehir Bulvarı, Rıfat Danışman Sokak, 34758 Ataşehir. İETT buses 13, 14ŞB and 19M from Kadıköy, 16M from Üsküdar, 256 from Taksim; stop "Ataşehir". Ümraniye entrance: Çamlık Mahallesi, Şenol Güneş Bulvarı No. 9, 34774 Ümraniye. Buses 13, 13M, 13Y, 14BK and 20D; stop "Botanik Bahçe". The line numbers are those published by the garden: check them in a transport app before you set off.