For anyone dreaming of leaving the crowds of Istanbul behind and settling between the fresh sea air of the Black Sea and the green of the Belgrad Forest, Kilyos is no longer only a summer bolthole. It is turning into a place people genuinely live. Drawing on years of advising on property in Zekeriyaköy and Sarıyer, I want to set out plainly what the area offers for permanent living, how you get in and out, and what social life is actually like.
What Year-Round Living in Kilyos Really Offers
For those thinking about living in Kilyos, the area combines its natural setting with modern standards of living. Kilyos, officially the neighbourhood of Kumköy, lies in the north of Istanbul's European side, at the point where the forest meets the Black Sea coast. That position means a walk through woodland in the morning and the sea at sunset can belong to the same day, in the same place.
The main advantages of settling here:
- A life close to nature: bordering the Belgrad Forest, Kilyos offers clean air and distance from the pressure of the city.
- Access to the sea: beaches, shoreline clubs and public beaches along roughly a kilometre of coast.
- Quiet and security: compared with Şile or Ağva it sits noticeably closer to Istanbul's business districts, which makes getting about easier while keeping the heavier tourist traffic at arm's length.
Current listings on platforms such as Emlakjet and Hepsiemlak show a growing number of villas and housing schemes in Kilyos built for permanent occupation rather than summer use. These are generally designed with gardens and forest views, supported by security and shared facilities.
Transport: The Connection to the City
Transport is one of the details that decides whether year-round living works, and the area has improved on this front in recent years. By car, the route runs from the Maslak junction along the Maslak to Bahçeköy road, signposted throughout, and takes roughly 40 to 50 minutes. That stretches somewhat at the height of summer, though through the winter and on weekdays it is comfortable enough.
Public transport also supports permanent living:
- İETT route 151: runs direct from Hacıosman metro station to Kilyos, which makes it the natural choice for anyone building their week around the metro.
- Minibuses and buses: services from the Sarıyer side reach Kilyos along the main roads.
- Shoreline club shuttles: some beaches run their own services from Hacıosman metro, adding another option in season.
For commuting or the school run, this network is what makes Kilyos viable as a permanent address rather than a weekend one. Easy access to the business premises around Zekeriyaköy and to the rest of Sarıyer strengthens its position further.
Social Life and the Way of Life
Social life in Kilyos offers two distinct options: paid shoreline clubs at one end, quiet public beaches at the other. Clubs such as Solar Beach run water sports, massage and concert space and stay open late alongside local food; the public beaches offer a cheaper and calmer day by the sea. Entry prices vary from club to club and shift through the season, so the current figure is worth confirming directly with the operator.
Other things worth knowing about social life here:
- Evenings and events: DJ sets, concerts and water sports keep the area busy after dark.
- Suitability for families: shallow water and supervised beaches work well for children.
- Outdoors: trekking, open-air concerts and camping, with natural stretches such as Uzunya beach for anyone after a more ecological rhythm.
As an escape from the crowded, cosmopolitan side of Istanbul, Kilyos manages to offer both a comfortable and a simple way of living at once. Its connection to the Belgrad Forest supports an outdoor-led daily rhythm, and for people who care about being near nature the area is becoming hard to overlook.
If you would like advice on property in Zekeriyaköy and the surrounding area, please get in touch.