Audio GuideEmirgan Park

Emirgan Korusu is a vibrant hillside park along the Bosphorus in Istanbul, beloved for its lush greenery and layered history. Stretching over more than one hundred acres, this fenced haven blends tranquility and culture right on the city’s edge.

حمد بن فهد ال ثاني

Centuries ago, during the Byzantine era, this space was an endless cypress forest, earning the name “Cypress Woods.” In the sixteenth century, an influential Ottoman chancellor named Feridun Bey took over the land, which then became known as Feridun Bey’s Park. By the seventeenth century, Sultan Murad the Fourth gifted the estate to Emirgûne Han, a respected Persian commander who joined the Ottoman court. Over time, his title “Emirgûne” evolved into the park’s current name, Emirgan.

Михаил Денисов

Ownership passed to various notable figures, including Ismail Pasha, the former ruler of Egypt and Sudan. In the late nineteenth century, Ismail Pasha built three striking wooden mansions here. Today, these are known as the Yellow, Pink, and White Pavilions. Each pavilion once hosted royalty and guests; now, after careful restoration, they serve as stylish cafés and venues for gatherings, weddings, and city events, offering scenic views of flower gardens and reflective ponds.

zeki aydın

The park is famous for its April Tulip Festival, a joyful tradition that revives Istanbul’s historic love for tulips—the flower that once symbolized an Ottoman golden age. In spring, waves of tulips transform the park into a colorful mosaic, drawing visitors from across the world.

Mehmet ÖZBAY

Beyond the tulips, Emirgan boasts over one hundred twenty types of trees and flowers, from tall pines and elegant willows to rare ginkgoes and camphor trees. Hidden grottos, waterfalls, and two gentle ponds attract swans and turtles, making every stroll a canvas of subtle sounds and scents. Broad paths wind through picnic meadows, shady playgrounds, and jogging tracks, making the park popular with families and runners year-round.

Today, Emirgan Korusu is managed by Istanbul’s municipality, reflecting decades of careful preservation and community pride. Credit goes to city leaders for transforming this historic estate into a park open to all, merging natural beauty with the spirit of civic life.

Visitors are welcome to enjoy cozy cafés inside the grand pavilions, relax by shimmering ponds, or capture the perfect photo along the Bosphorus. During special events and festivals, Emirgan’s open spaces echo with music, art installations, and cultural celebrations. For anyone seeking a refreshing escape or a taste of Istanbul’s living history, Emirgan Korusu is an experience not to miss.