Fethipasa Grove (Turkish: Fethipaşa Korusu) is located in Uskudar on the Anatolian side of the city. Many spots in the grove offer breathtaking views of the Bosphorus. You can see the views of the city from Sarayburnu to Ortaköy. Especially, I like to visit Fethipaşa to enjoy the sunset over Bosphorus on the weekdays as it is packed with people on the weekends.

Along with the picturesque views of the city, you can find walking trails, playgrounds, basketball courts, a vast area of green grass and tables for picnics. You can also bring your own chair as most of the locals do and enjoy less crowded parts.

I think Fethipaşa is worth visiting every season. In the spring, you can see beautiful flowers bloom; in autumn, you will see an explosion of colours with leaves falling from the trees. In the winter, a snowy day also offers great views of Istanbul and you can enjoy the peace as it is not as crowded as on a sunny day in summer.

Fethipaşa also houses a number of cafes/restaurants where you can sip your coffee or have dinner while taking in the lovely views.

If you would like to avoid a steep uphill walk, I suggest you enter Fethipaşa from the upper gate in Fıstıkagacı and exit it from the lower gates in Pasalimani. When you exit the grove, you can head to Kuzguncuk, one of the must-see neighbourhoods, which is within 8-10 minutes’ walking distance to Fethipaşa.