In Istanbul, yachtsmen will delight in splendid natural landscapes, open seas and magnificent sunsets, as well as a voyage through Byzantine and Ottoman history as they sail past the impressive castles, palaces and mosques. After navigating the breathtaki ng Bosphorus and sailing under the two enormous bridges which span Europe and Asia or meandering along the mosque-lined Golden Horn or cruising in the coves and bays of the Princes'Islands, you can return to one of the two large marinas in the area. Atakoy Marina on the European side and Kalamis (Admiral Fahri Koruturk) Marina on the Asian side both offer 24-hour service. From the North Sea through the European interior, yachters can sail down the European channel system and the Rhine and Da nube Rivers into the Black Sea harbours and to the Istanbul Bogazi ( the Bosphorus) and Istanbul marinas - a safe and short way to go to the Turkish Meditterranean coast and Marinas. The Black Sea coast provides yachters with a lush green coastal band whe re the environment is protected and virginal. There are frequent coves and fishing harbours along this coast, and the weather is mild during the summer and winter.
Turkey's most established marinas lie on the southern Aegean and Mediterranean coasts at Izmir, Cesme, Kusadasi, Bodrum, Datca, Bozburun, Marmaris, Göcek, Fethiye, Kalkan, Kas, Finike, Kemer and Antalya. In these w ell equipped harbours, yachters can find the services and provisions they require. Antalya, Dalaman, Izmir, and Istanbul airports provide quick links to all of Turkey's marinas; after an easy flight you can board your yacht and sail off all within a day.