Bueyuekcekmece

Introduction

Büyükçekmece, historically known as Athyras, is a district and municipality of Istanbul Province on the European side of the city, set along the Sea of Marmara coast to the west. It is largely an industrial area.

Three days in Bueyuekcekmece

Day one: Start in Büyükçekmece itself, on the European side of Istanbul Province, and get your bearings along the Sea of Marmara. The town's character comes from its position on the water, so give the shoreline your time before heading inland into the streets.

Day two: Turn to the older layer of the place and seek out Athyras, the name that belongs to this spot's earlier history. Pair that with more time by the Marmara, since the sea is what shapes the days here.

Day three: Use your last day to slow down between the two — Büyükçekmece and its water on one side, the memory of Athyras on the other — and let the European setting of Istanbul Province set the pace rather than a checklist.