Istanbul, Turkey — Most people think that tulips are originally from Holland/ Netherlands. But when I was in Amsterdam in 2017, I have learned that these lovely flowers were originally cultivated during the Ottoman Empire (which is present-day Turkey). These flowers are essential to Turkish culture Then, these tulips were imported into Holland in the sixteenth century.

So when I got the chance to go back to Turkey, I went on to see one of the biggest parks in Istanbul that houses a great number of beds of tulips. And how forrunate was I when the annual Tulip Festival was being held at the Emirgan Grove.

Emirgan Grove or Emirgan Park is a historical urban park located at the Emirgan neighbourhood in the Sarıyer district of Istanbul, Turkey, on the European coast of the Bosphorus. It is considered as one of the largest public parks in all of Istanbul as it covers an area of 325,000 square meters.

Park History 101: Emirgan Park was once the private place of the Egyptian Khedive Ismail Pasa, and years later, it was presented as a gift from the Ottoman Sultan Murad IV to an Iranian nobleman Emir Gun.

Today, the park serves as a beautiful public garden for both Istanbul locals and tourists. The park features an array of flora that includes various pine, fir cypress, willow and lime trees. It has a small, beautiful lake, and stunningly located terraces with an astonishing views of the famous Bosphorus. There are also jogging and walking tracks, playgrounds for children, picnic areas, park cafes and restos that are housed in 19th century mansions, and endless photo taking spots!

So it isn’t very surprising tgat the park is frequented by people who wants to have a nice rest, and stroll along the beautiful gardens, and of course, enjoy the views of the park in the company of the beautiful Bosphorus scenery.

As I have mentioned early on, tulips are important for the Ottoman Empire and Turkish culture. And as a way to celebrate both springtime and and this fact, yearly tulip festival takes place in Ostanbul’s most famous parks from Gulhane Park in Sirkeci, the Sultanahmet Square, Yildiz Park in Besiktas, Emirgan Park in the European side, Fethi Pasa Grove and Camlica Hill in Uskudar, Cubuklu Hidiv Grove in Cubuklu and Beykoz Park in the Asian side.

The tulip festival is a free festival and visitors may enjoy billions of tulips in 120 different types that blossoms usually in April, as well as several culture and art activities that are organized in the Emirgan Park and Sultanahmet Square. No wonder, tulips were everywhere when I was in Istanbul during that time.

Things to Take Note of at the Emirgan Park: Emirgan Park is open to public every day of the week. The entrance to Emirgan Park is free of charge. However, one needs to pay 10 TL for the parking area.

You’ll find the Emirgan Park & Grove just on the Bosphorus shore in the Emirgan neighborhood of the Sariyer district.

The most practical way to get to Emirgan Park & Grove is via Municipal Public Bus. operating through the Bosphorus shores through Emirgan and Sariyer. Hop off at the Cinaralti bus stop. Some of the lines include;

• Line 40, 40T and 42T from Taksim
• Line 22, 22RE and 25E from Kabatas (this was the line I took).
• Line 40B from Besiktas
• Line EL2 (Emirgân – 4. Levent Metro Ring (Subway))
• Line 59RH (Rumeli Hisarüstü – İstinye/Hacıosman Metro Station

So there, add this in your itinerary the next time you are in the city or you are visiting Istanbul for the first time. Take it easy. If you would, please follow me on Instagram 😃