Sarıyer at a glance
Sarıyer lies on the European side of Istanbul, where the Bosphorus opens to the Black Sea. Its 38 neighbourhoods fall into three ways of living:
- The Bosphorus shore: the waterfront from Rumelihisarı to Rumelikavağı, including Emirgan, İstinye, Yeniköy, Tarabya, Büyükdere and Sarıyer Merkez. Ferries, the coast road and wooded parks are part of daily life.
- The metro line and business district: Maslak, Ayazağa, Reşitpaşa, Darüşşafaka, Çamlıtepe, Ferahevler and Cumhuriyet, shaped by the M2 metro and the Maslak business centres.
- Forest villages and the Black Sea: Zekeriyaköy, Bahçeköy, Uskumruköy, Kumköy (Kilyos), Demirciköy, Gümüşdere, Garipçe and Rumelifeneri. Houses with gardens, the Belgrad Forest and the Black Sea coast; daily travel is mostly by car.
Which area suits whom?
- Families wanting a garden and quiet: Zekeriyaköy and the Bahçeköy area. The BIS campus is in Zekeriyaköy.
- Living on the Bosphorus: Tarabya, Yeniköy, İstinye and Emirgan. TBS and the French lycée have campuses in Tarabya and Yeniköy; ENKA is in İstinye.
- Working in Maslak or the city centre: Ferahevler, Cumhuriyet, Çamlıtepe, Darüşşafaka, Maslak and Reşitpaşa, within walking distance of the metro.
- Near the universities: Rumelihisarı (Boğaziçi University, M6 metro) and Reşitpaşa (İTÜ Ayazağa).
A well-known area name and the official neighbourhood can differ: a home described as “Tarabya” may have a Ferahevler address. Each neighbourhood guide covers homes, daily life, schools, transport and health.
Transport
- Metro: Hacıosman is the northern terminus of the M2, with direct trains to Maslak, Levent and Taksim. Near Rumelihisarı there is the M6 (Boğaziçi University/Hisarüstü).
- Bus: buses leave Hacıosman for almost every neighbourhood of Sarıyer; journeys range from a few minutes to nearly an hour.
- Ferry: daily between Sarıyer, Rumelikavağı and Anadolu Kavağı; the Bosphorus line runs from Rumelikavağı down to Eminönü.
- Airport: Istanbul Airport is about 1 hour 15 minutes by M2 + M11, or take the direct H-8 bus from Hacıosman.
Schools
International schools in Sarıyer (listed by neighbourhood). For places, fees and admission, contact the school directly.
Istanbul International Community School (IICS), Hisar campus
Location: Rumelihisarı
Ages / grades: Early years – Grade 3 (upper grades at the Hadımköy campus)
Programme: International programme
ENKA Schools
Location: İstinye (Sadi Gülçelik Sports Complex)
Ages / grades: Pre-school – high school
Programme: IB PYP, MYP, DP + Turkish national diploma
Lycée Français Pierre Loti
Location: Tarabya (pre-school and early primary in Beyoğlu)
Ages / grades: Tarabya: CM1 – Terminale
Programme: French curriculum
Tarabya British Schools (TBS)
Location: Tarabya and Yeniköy campuses
Ages / grades: Pre-school – high school
Programme: Cambridge (IGCSE, A Level) + Turkish curriculum
The British International School Istanbul (BIS)
Location: Zekeriyaköy (Kilyos Caddesi)
Ages / grades: Ages 2.5 – 18
Programme: Adapted English curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, IB Diploma
Nearby (Beşiktaş): BIS Etiler STEAM campus (Etiler, Beşiktaş), MEF International School (Ulus, Beşiktaş).
Turkish schools: state-school places depend on your home address, so check which school an address belongs to (via e-Okul) before you commit. Each neighbourhood guide lists the state and private schools in that neighbourhood from the Ministry of Education list.
For foreign students, state-school registration depends on residence status; ask the school office.
Healthcare
- 112 is the emergency number (ambulance, fire, police), free from any phone.
- Sarıyer has state hospitals with general emergency departments as well as private hospitals; some private hospitals have an international patient unit.
- Family doctor registration and duty pharmacies are covered in the same guide.
Hospitals and family health centres: Sarıyer healthcare guide →
Renting and buying: the steps
When renting
- Viewing: see the home by day and in the evening, on a weekday if possible, and try the route to work or school once.
- Contract: a written tenancy contract states the rent, term, deposit and any items left in the home.
- Deposit: under the Turkish Code of Obligations the security deposit is at most three months’ rent.
- Handover: meter readings and the condition of the home are recorded with photos; electricity, water and gas accounts are opened in the tenant’s name.
- Rent increases: increases at renewal are subject to legal limits.
When buying
- The title deed record and zoning status are checked before the transaction.
- The sale takes place at the land registry office; appointments are made via Web Tapu.
- For foreign buyers a licensed valuation report is required before the title transfer, and properties in military and security zones cannot be sold to foreigners. Current conditions: General Directorate of Land Registry and Cadastre.
- Residence permits and citizenship applications are separate processes: Presidency of Migration Management e-İkamet.
Net and gross, service charges, documents: Buying property in Sarıyer →
This section describes the steps; for your legal and tax position, get current information from the relevant authority.
Daily life
The Belgrad Forest and Emirgan Park are used for walks and weekends, the Kilyos (Kumköy) coast in summer, and the coast road between Tarabya and Yeniköy for walking. Neighbourhood-level daily life (shops, markets, cafés) is covered in each neighbourhood guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sarıyer a good fit for international families?
Five international schools have a campus in Sarıyer and the business centres are in Maslak; choosing an area becomes easier when you consider the school run and the commute together.
Which neighbourhoods are near the metro?
On the M2: Ferahevler, Cumhuriyet, Çamlıtepe, Darüşşafaka, Maslak and Reşitpaşa; on the M6: Rumelihisarı.
Does school registration depend on the address?
For state schools, yes (check via e-Okul); private and international schools have their own admission process.
How large can a rental deposit be?
At most three months’ rent under the Turkish Code of Obligations.
Can foreigners buy a home in Sarıyer?
Yes, outside military and security zones; a licensed valuation report is required before the title transfer.