Sariyer is the northern-most district on the European side of Istanbul, going right up to the Black Sea, an area blessed with coastlime and lush forest. Population 260,000.
The Sariyer district is a huge area comprised of the villages on the European shores of the Bosphorus from Rumelifeneri, down through Tarabya, Yenikoy, Istinye, Emirgan to Rumelihisari, in other words most of the Bosphorus. Sarıyer also administers the Black Sea coast to the west of the mouth of the Bosphorus including the village of Kilyos. Her neighbours are Eyüp the northwest, Beşiktaş the south and Sisli the west.
When the road following the shore takes a turn after Tarabya, the opening of the Bosphorus to the Black Sea becomes visible for the first time. Starting from here, the shore is lined with old mansions belonging to embassies or individuals and fish restaurants all the way into the Sariyer district.
A narrow road forking from Biiyukdere crosses forests and aqueducts and reaches the famous beaches of Kilyos on the Black Sea coast. Sariyer and Rumeli Kavagi are the last stops of the regular boat services and the cruises along the Bosphorus.
These two districts, known for their fish restaurants and Anadolu Kavagi on the opposite shore are very crowded on holidays. Beyond these settlements, the hills on both sides are covered only by the green of the forests. The last settlements on the Bosphorus are the Anadolu and Rumeli lighthouses and the fishermens villages at their feet.
