The villages of Sarıyer are not simply a list of settlements but a particular way of living, shaped between forest, open country and the Black Sea in northern Istanbul. The line running from Zekeriyaköy to Kilyos stands out for anyone who wants quiet, a detached home and room to breathe without losing their connection to the city.
This guide sets out the character of the area, the way of life and which settlement suits which kind of household. Zekeriyaköy, Uskumruköy, Demirciköy, Gümüşdere, Garipçe, Rumelifeneri and Kilyos all offer lower density, more green space and more room than central Sarıyer. That difference separates them not only geographically but in how life is lived.
Why the Northern Settlements Draw Interest
The settlements of northern Sarıyer offer a balance rarely found in Istanbul: access to the city is preserved while life stays quieter, closer to nature and more private. Zekeriyaköy, positioned between the Belgrad Forest and the Black Sea coast, is among the first places people look when they want villa living, a managed community or a house with a garden.
Kilyos, Rumelifeneri and Garipçe carry a different identity, built on sea, wind and shoreline. These settlements feel like somewhere you go at the weekend, though in recent years they have also drawn families looking to live there permanently. The villages of Sarıyer are therefore best read not as addresses but as micro-areas where different ways of living meet.
The most practical way to understand the area:
- Zekeriyaköy: villa living, family life and the comfort of a managed community
- Uskumruköy: quieter, with larger plots and life close to nature
- Kilyos: the shoreline, a summer feel and the Black Sea
- Garipçe and Rumelifeneri: the character of a coastal village, built around the view
- Gümüşdere and Demirciköy: rural in texture, with space and lower density
Reading the Difference from Zekeriyaköy to Kilyos
Zekeriyaköy is the best-known and most sought-after settlement along the northern axis of Sarıyer. Life here is built around detached houses with gardens rather than apartment density, which makes it a strong option for families and for professionals who want to live among nature.
Kilyos, by contrast, is defined by its shoreline. Its summer energy, its closeness to the Black Sea and its access to the beaches draw a different profile. Zekeriyaköy offers comfortable living through the whole year; Kilyos offers a rhythm centred on the outdoors and the sea. The choice between them usually comes down to whether you want forest or shoreline.
The criteria that decide it:
- In daily life, do you want quiet and a managed community, or the energy of the coast?
- For a family with children, is the school run and transport the priority, or the weekend atmosphere?
- Would you rather have a villa with a garden or a position near the sea?
Why the Natural Setting Matters
What makes northern Sarıyer distinctive is a sense of continuous nature, which is very limited within Istanbul. The influence of the Belgrad Forest, the wind corridors, sparser building and proximity to the Black Sea all strengthen the area both for quality of life and for long-term interest. Any guide to these neighbourhoods has to put the natural setting at its centre.
Because Zekeriyaköy and its surroundings offer more room than the city centre, buying here feels like buying a standard of living rather than simply a house. Houses with gardens, villas inside communities and properties with views over open country are the housing types that define the area's character. Along the Kilyos coast, it is the sea, the cool of summer and the value of a view that lead.
People considering these areas generally want:
- Cleaner air and more green space
- Easier outdoor space for children
- A balance between community security and detached living
- An arrangement that feels away from the city while still inside it
Which Area Suits Whom
Zekeriyaköy offers the more balanced option for families, while anyone wanting a life connected to the sea leans toward Kilyos and the coastal villages. For those looking for lower density and quiet close to nature, Uskumruköy, Gümüşdere and Demirciköy are strong alternatives. Garipçe and Rumelifeneri stand out for the view and their coastal character.
In short, the villages of Sarıyer are not one thing: each settlement offers a different pace, a different architectural texture and a different relationship with the land. The decision should therefore rest on daily routine and expectation as much as on location. If you would like advice on property in Zekeriyaköy and the surrounding area, please get in touch.
The Villages of Sarıyer and Their Populations
The population of the Sarıyer district is 344,883 according to the 2025 results of the TÜİK address-based population registration system: 169,406 men and 175,477 women, a rise of 0.67 percent on the previous year. The district comprises 38 neighbourhoods and has no administratively attached villages; the places meant by "the villages of Sarıyer" hold neighbourhood status today.
The village-rooted neighbourhoods of northern Sarıyer and their populations:
- Zekeriyaköy: 24,291
- Uskumruköy: 10,520
- Rumelifeneri: 4,679
- Kumköy (Kilyos): 3,949
- Gümüşdere: 2,423
- Demirciköy: 1,732
- Kısırkaya: 439
- Garipçe: 400
Together these eight settlements hold 48,433 people, roughly 14 percent of Sarıyer as a whole. The largest is Zekeriyaköy with 24,291 and the smallest Garipçe with 400. Source: TÜİK Address-Based Population Registration System (ADNKS), 2025 results.