Escape the Crowds

A sand beach in the middle of Anatolia

Three hundred and fifty metres of real sea sand, a lake, an Olympic pool and sunloungers — hours from the nearest coast.

₺half a daya weekday in July or August, from opening time

Not yet checked by the Smileys team — prices and hours may have moved.

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Why do it?

Kentpark is a 300,000-square-metre park the metropolitan municipality built along the Porsuk east of the centre, and its most famous feature is an artificial beach: about 350 metres of sea sand trucked in from the coast, laid along a lake, with two open-air Olympic-size pools beside it, one for children. Sunloungers, umbrellas, showers and lockers come with the entry ticket, and lifeguards are on duty. The beach runs in the summer only — in 2025 the season opened on 4 July, with the facilities open seven days a week through the daytime. The rest of Kentpark — lawns, paths and play areas around the water — is a free city park all year, with its own tram stop.

The Smileys Take

It sounds like a gimmick and it is one, a bit — but on a 35-degree August day on the plateau, a lounger on warm sand and a swim is exactly right, and it's one of the most relaxed group days we do. Go on a weekday and arrive at opening; weekends are crowded and loud with families. The season is short and the dates move from year to year, so check the municipality's announcements before you plan around it. Outside summer, the park is still a lovely flat walk or run beside the river.