Pool Apartments by the Sea — Çiftlikköy, Yalova

Yalova doesn't announce itself. It's one of those places on the southern shore of the Sea of Marmara that works quietly — through calm, greenery, and water visible from almost every direction. In summer, Çiftlikköy becomes a destination for entire families from Istanbul and Bursa, drawn by its wide beach and unhurried seaside rhythm. In winter, the ones who stay are those who already know that life here is good all year round.

Connectivity is one of the real strengths of this location. The ferry to Istanbul departs just a few kilometres away. The Osmangazi Bridge — less than 20 kilometres further — opens a fast route towards Bursa and the rest of Turkey. Istanbul is vast, but from Yalova you never feel cut off from it. You feel, rather, that you have a healthy distance from it.

The complex itself is a single L-shaped building — 28 flats, an underground car park, and a pool. Nothing more, nothing less. The scale preserves a sense of calm that tends to get lost in larger developments. The interiors were designed for year-round comfort: high ceilings give a real sense of space, underfloor heating replaces radiators, and the built-in thermal and acoustic insulation makes a noticeable difference — especially when August heat or February dampness rolls in off the sea.

Picture an ordinary Wednesday afternoon: coffee made on the built-in hob, lacquered doors open onto a generous living room. The shopping centre is a ten-minute walk away, the beach a quarter of an hour. In the evening, the pool — not a busy resort affair, but a quiet, private one shared by just 28 flats. This is precisely the rhythm that suits both those who come here for the summer and those considering Yalova as a permanent home — away from Istanbul's pace, but never truly far from it.