Find your perfect hire car at Sabiha Gokcen Airport
Step off the plane at Sabiha Gokcen Airport and head straight for the Avis desk where our team will help you organise your rental. Hiring a car opens up a world of sightseeing options in Istanbul and north-western Turkey.Plan your journey from Sabiha Gokcen Airport
Istanbul, the largest city in Turkey, is around a 50-minute drive via the E80 from Sabiha Gokcen Airport. This colourful metropolis offers an enticing combination of sights and sounds with bustling bazaars, ancient minarets, ornate mosques and fascinating museums all vying for your attention.Ayasofya (or Hagia Sophia in English), is a must-see attraction; originally a church, then a mosque, this incredible building is now a museum showcasing glittering mosaics and the tombs of early Ottoman sultans. Across the park from Ayasofya is the Blue Mosque; with its six minarets and ornate features, it’s worth exploring.
History buffs won’t want to miss a visit to the Istanbul Archaeological Museum where highlights include the sarcophagus of Alexander the Great and, in the children’s section, a model Trojan Horse.
Not far from the Istanbul Archaeological Museum is Topkapi Palace; home to generations of sultans and their wives, it boasts a wealth of treasures as well as providing stunning city views.
If you’re in need of some rest and relaxation, head to one of Istanbul’s hamams for a massage treatment and relaxing steam room experience.
Istanbul comes to life in the evening and those in search of clubs, cafe-bars and live music should head to Beyoğlu or the trendy Ortaköy district. If a leisurely meal is more your style, the city is packed with restaurants and traditional Turkish tavernas, where you can expect to find everything from traditional Turkish mezze and fish dishes to international cuisine.
From the comfort of your rental car, you can discover Istanbul and other Turkish delights at your own pace.
Beyond Sabiha Gokcen Airport
Marmara, in north-western Turkey, is a diverse region offering turquoise seas, spectacular cities like Istanbul, shady olive groves, and a wealth of historic sites to discover.Beaches
From Sabiha Gokcen Airport it’s easy to escape the hustle and bustle of Istanbul, and just over a 90-minute drive away, via the D020, is Agva. As well as providing various options for birdwatching, fishing and shopping, this coastal town has a number of outstanding beaches. Agva Beach offers a 3km-stretch of sand with facilities such as restrooms, changing rooms and cafes. Slightly nearer is Dalia Beach; 70km from Sabiha Gokcen Airport and located in Demircikӧy cove, it is perfect if you’re after a tranquil day of sunbathing and relaxation. There’s also a beachside cafe and numerous water-sports available.
Yalova and Thermal Spas
Just under a two-hour drive from Sabiha Gokcen Airport (taking the E80 and E881 route) is the spa town of Yalova. Aside from enjoying a dip in the thermal baths, located in the hillside area called Termal, visitors of this port city will also be able to see an Ottoman-Turkish style mansion, called Yürüyen Köşk, and a pretty arboretum.
Iznik
Just over a two-hour drive from Sabiha Gokcen Airport, travelling via the O-4, E80 and D650, is Iznik. Historically known as Nicaea, it’s located on the edge of Lake Iznik and has some well-preserved Roman ruins to explore, including a theatre situated in the old town. Other highlights include a Byzantine cathedral and a museum displaying collections of Greek and Roman artefacts.
Hiring a car will make it easy to explore all that Istanbul and the Marmara region have to offer, and you’ll be able to enjoy some incredible Turkish landscapes along the way.