Şile and Ağva: a day trip to the Black Sea coast

Updated on October 4, 2026

Şile and Ağva are two small seaside resorts on the Black Sea coast, on the Asian side, 1h30 to 2h30 by road from Istanbul. Şile is known for its lighthouse, its castle on an islet and its beaches; Ağva, further east, for its two rivers, the Göksu and the Yeşilçay, lined with forest, where you can take boat rides. Both can be done in one long day by public bus, but it pays to leave early, or to spend a night in Ağva. These are weekend destinations for Istanbulites: the road is jammed on Saturdays and Sundays in summer, and the towns are much quieter on weekdays.

Highlights

The Şile lighthouse

Striped black and white, it overlooks the coast and remains the symbol of the town. You can see it from the street that leads to it, Fener Caddesi, and the surrounding cliffs offer views of the sea.

Şile Castle

The ruins of the castle occupy an islet joined to the coast, and are best seen from the heights near the lighthouse. The neighbouring bay has a small pebble-and-sand beach below the cliffs.

The rivers of Ağva

The Göksu and the Yeşilçay meet near the sea, between wooded banks. Boats offer short rides on the water, and small restaurants line the banks.

The beaches

Şile has a long sandy beach, with public sections and private establishments; in Ağva, beaches are quieter, but the Black Sea has currents: swim only where there is supervision.

Şile cloth

Şile is known across Turkey for its light cotton fabric, "Şile bezi", found in the town's shops, embroidered or made into clothes.

Infos pratiques

Tips

Public buses are the cheapest way: line 139 links Üsküdar with Şile, and 139A continues to Ağva; departures are roughly hourly, according to travel guides, and are paid with the Istanbulkart on most lines. Check the last return times before leaving, especially off-season. For a single day, choose Şile; for Ağva, plan a night there if you really want to enjoy the rivers. Many agencies also sell guided day trips combining Şile and Ağva: compare prices and the real duration on the spot. For the transport card, see our guide to transport in Istanbul. If you prefer a closer beach, see Kilyos.

How to get there

Şile, about 1h30 by road from the Asian side of Istanbul; Ağva, 30 to 45 minutes further. By public bus, departures from Üsküdar (also Harem, Ümraniye and Çekmeköy): line 139 to Şile (about 1h30 to 2 hours), 139A to Ağva (about 2 to 2.5 hours, depending on traffic). By car, the road goes through the Asian side.