wellness
Istanbul Opens Dog-Friendly Parks Combining Pet Walks With Group Fitness
Istanbul dog owners now gather daily at select green spaces to combine walks with group workouts along established trails.
How we reported this
Belgrad Forest recorded its highest morning footfall of the year on 8 July 2026, when more than 400 leashed dogs and their owners completed circuits on the marked 5-kilometre loop that starts at the main gate on Bahçeköy Road.
Pet ownership in the city climbed sharply after 2023, pushing residents toward open areas where exercise and social contact happen at the same time. Neighbourhoods such as Sarıyer and Beşiktaş lack private yards, so owners rely on public land that already carries municipal fitness markings and water points for both people and animals.
Belgrad Forest and the Bosphorus path
Inside Belgrad Forest, the forestry department installed low hurdles and stretch stations last spring that now host informal group sessions every Tuesday and Thursday at 07:00. Owners finish the loop then linger at the tea garden near the reservoir for the strong black tea that turns the outing into a longer social stop. Further south, the paved Bosphorus coastal path between Ortaköy and Bebek allows dogs on the inner lane between 06:00 and 10:00; runners there often pair up for intervals while dogs trot alongside on the adjacent grass strip.
Municipality figures released in May 2026 showed a 27 percent rise in registered dog entries at both sites compared with the same period in 2025. Entry remains free, though nearby tea costs 25 lira per glass and parking at the Belgrad Forest gate runs 40 lira for two hours.
Early arrivals avoid the midday heat that builds along the waterfront after 11:00. Visitors are advised to carry waste bags, keep dogs on the inner paths, and check the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality website for any temporary closures before heading out.