Destinations
The Atatürk Urban Park more familiarly known as ‘Atatürk Kent Ormanı’ in Hacıosman covers more than 1,000 hectares with three ponds and hiking trails. After the redesign, this green urban sprawl includes a cafeteria, a sports field, a children’s playground, an urban agriculture area, a fairground, and a viewing area. This is also the perfect place for hiking enthusiasts, here visitors can choose between the Çıtkuşu Trail (1.8 km), Water Trail (2.8 km round trip), and Forest Trail (3 km).
After decades of replanting, there are more than ten different species of trees in the forest, providing a rich environment for bird watchers and fun for the kids to go nature diving. The most common bird species in the forest are the robin, wren, blackbird, and nightingale. While other parks in İstanbul have an average of 15 bird species, the Atatürk Urban Park has up to 30. Across the ponds, you may also spot Kingfishers, Mallards, Cormorants, Waterfowl, and the Grey Heron that live in the ponds at the bottom of the valley. Parrots, although not sedentary, can also be a lucky spot in the groves.
