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7 places to visit in the Sarıyer district of Istanbul: Rumeli Hisarı, Belgrad Forest and Sakıp Sabancı Museum. Plan your trip to Sarıyer with local food, practical tips and transport information.

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General Information

Sarıyer is a district on the European side of Istanbul province. The district covers 177 km² and has a population of 344,883. It is bordered by Beşiktaş and Kâğıthane to the south, the Eyüpsultan districts to the west, the Bosphorus to the east and the Black Sea to the north.

Etymology

The first name of the district was Simas, and there are different accounts of the origin of the name Sarıyer. The most consistent assumption is that, because the ridges to the north-west of Sarıyer, towards the Maden Neighbourhood, are yellow owing to gold ore and clay, the settlement was named Sarıyar, meaning “yellow shore”.

History

It is known that some settlement areas within the boundaries of Sarıyer district have been inhabited since the Byzantine period, and as their residents made their living from fishing, these settlements were fishing villages. Following an administrative reorganisation in 1930, the present-day Sarıyer District was established by Law No. 1612 of 1 September 1930, published in the Official Gazette No. 1499 on 21 May 1930.

Geography

The district’s land consists of the ridge at the easternmost part of the Çatalca Peninsula, which descends on one side towards the Bosphorus and on the other towards the Black Sea to the north.

History and Culture

Sarıyer was established as a district by Law No. 1612 on 1 September 1930. Rumeli Hisarı was built by Fatih Sultan Mehmet in 1452. Sarıyer is a district that attracts tourists with its historic structures and natural wealth.

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Places to Visit in Sarıyer

  • 3 Historic
  • 2 Museum
  • 2 Nature
Rumeli Hisarı - Sarıyer Photo: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA) · Source
Historic

Rumeli Hisarı

A historic structure in Sarıyer district.

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Belgrad Forest - Sarıyer Photo: User:Yonca (CC BY 3.0) · Source
Nature

Belgrad Forest

A forest area in Sarıyer district. Its water sources and dams are popular picnic spots that attract Istanbulites throughout the year.

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Sakıp Sabancı Museum - Sarıyer Photo: Bant ist (talk) (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Source
Historic

Sakıp Sabancı Museum

The museum, housed in the historic Atlı Köşk in Emirgan, is one of Istanbul's most prestigious art venues, with its collection of Ottoman calligraphy and international temporary exhibitions.

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Nature

Emirgan Grove

Emirgan Grove, one of Istanbul's most beautiful parks with an area of 47 hectares on the Bosphorus shore, is famous for its Tulip Festival held every April. The Yellow, Pink and White Kiosks are located within the park.

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Museum

Hisarlar Museum

Displays are held in the museum garden; there is no indoor exhibition hall or storage.

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Museum

Sadberk Hanım Museum (Azaryan Mansion)

Azaryan Mansion, one of the museum's buildings; the area with its garden covers 4,280 square metres.

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Historic

Baltalimanı water cistern

A Byzantine-era water cistern in Baltalimanı.

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Places to Visit Around Istanbul Province

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While you are in Sarıyer, you can also see the highlights of Istanbul province. These places are in other districts.

  • Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya-i Kebir Mosque) — Built by the Byzantine emperor Justinian between 532 and 537, this was the largest cathedral in the world for about a thousand years; it was converted into a mosque in 1453 and a museum in 1934, and reopened for worship as a mosque in 2020. With its dome 55 metres high and its Byzantine mosaics, it is one of the turning points in the history of architecture.
  • Topkapı Palace — Built by Mehmed the Conqueror at Sarayburnu in the 1460s, the palace was the seat of government and residence of the Ottoman sultans for about 400 years; with its Harem, Treasury, Holy Relics and courtyards, it is now a museum.
  • Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Blue Mosque) — A six-minaret mosque built for Ahmed I between 1609 and 1616 by the architect Sedefkâr Mehmed Ağa; it is also known as the Blue Mosque because of the more than 20,000 İznik tiles decorating its interior.
  • Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnıcı) — A vast underground cistern built in the 6th century under Justinian and carried on 336 columns; the Medusa heads under two of the columns are its most famous corner.
  • Süleymaniye Mosque — Built by Mimar Sinan for Suleiman the Magnificent between 1550 and 1557, the mosque stands at the centre of a large complex with madrasas, a hospital, a soup kitchen and tombs; its silhouette on the hill overlooking the Golden Horn is one of the symbols of the city.
  • Grand Bazaar (Kapalıçarşı) — One of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world, made up of more than 60 streets and thousands of shops that grew up around the bedestens built under Mehmed the Conqueror; carpets, jewellery, copperware and leather goods are sold.

Practical Information for Visiting Sarıyer

Suggested time
1-2 days
Best time to visit
Spring (April–May, tulip festival) and autumn
Places to visit
7 places

What to Eat in Sarıyer

Food guide →

  • Sarıyer Böreği

    The most famous delicacy of Sarıyer, börek is baked in the oven with cheese or minced meat layered between sheets of yufka pastry. With its crispy texture and generous amount of butter, it is one of Istanbul's best-known börek varieties.

  • Boğaz Balığı

    Fresh Bosphorus fish is served in the fishing villages of Sarıyer. In the lüfer, palamut and hamsi seasons, the shore restaurants are packed.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Sarıyer

  • Bosphorus Yalı Culture

    Sarıyer is famous for its historic yalıs (waterside mansions) on the Bosphorus shore. The wooden yalıs left over from the Ottoman period are among Istanbul's most valuable cultural heritage buildings.

  • Fishing Village Tradition

    The villages of Rumeli Kavağı and Garipçe in Sarıyer live on a fishing tradition that has been maintained for centuries. Located where the Bosphorus opens to the Black Sea, these villages are famous for their fresh fish restaurants.

Local Products

  • Sarıyer Böreği — Sarıyer böreği, the best-known börek brand in Istanbul, is produced using a traditional recipe in the district's bakeries.

Economy

Sarıyer is one of Istanbul's most prestigious residential areas. The Maslak business centre lies within the district's boundaries. Tourism, finance, trade and gastronomy are its main economic activities.

How to Get to Sarıyer

Sarıyer can be reached by bus, minibus and Bosphorus ferries. It is about 30 km from Istanbul Airport.

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Sarıyer: Frequently Asked Questions

What are the places to see in Sarıyer?

The highlights of Sarıyer are 7 places: Rumeli Hisarı, Belgrad Forest, Sakıp Sabancı Museum, Emirgan Grove, Hisarlar Museum, Sadberk Hanım Museum (Azaryan Mansion) and the Baltalimanı water cistern.

What to eat in Sarıyer?

Sarıyer Böreği and Boğaz Balığı are the standout treats on Sarıyer's tables.

What is Sarıyer famous for?

Sarıyer is known for its Sarıyer Böreği and its Bosphorus Yalı Culture. Sarıyer böreği, the best-known börek brand in Istanbul, is produced using a traditional recipe in the district's bakeries.

How do I get to Sarıyer?

Sarıyer can be reached by bus, minibus and Bosphorus ferries. It is about 30 km from Istanbul Airport.

How much time should I set aside for a visit to Sarıyer?

Suggested visit length: 1-2 days. Best time to visit: spring (April–May, for the tulip festival) and autumn.

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