Distance isn't a preference in Büyükçekmece, it's fate — the rest of the city calls it "too far," and you shrug and walk to the lake's edge anyway. There's a sea here and a lake here, kilometers of shoreline, the secret weapon of anyone fleeing a cramped İstanbul. Cross the old stone bridge with no urgency; the metrobus line ends right here, there's nowhere further to go. Head toward Mimarsinan at sunset and watch half your day dissolve into the view. Can't decide which side to sit on? Roll the dice — the lake isn't going anywhere.