Zekeriyaköy, Istanbul: Villa Prices, Transport & Buying Guide
Zekeriyaköy, Istanbul: a villa district by Belgrad Forest in Sarıyer. Price per m², rents, travel times to the centre and airport, and buying tips.
Zekeriyaköy, Istanbul is a green, villa-dominated neighbourhood in the north of Sarıyer, between Belgrad Forest and the Black Sea coast. According to listing data from October 2026, the average asking price is about 165,000 TL per m², but that figure rests on only 16 listings and is very different for luxury villas. Zekeriyaköy suits buyers who prefer quiet, greenery and a detached villa to a short commute. Below we cover prices, transport, pros and cons, and what to check before buying.
Where is Zekeriyaköy and what is it like?
Zekeriyaköy is on the European side of Istanbul, in northern Sarıyer. Most of the area is villas and gated complexes; unlike central districts such as Şişli or Beşiktaş, it has no busy avenues or tall towers. Belgrad Forest (Belgrad Ormanı) is close for walking and cycling, and the Black Sea coast is a drive away.
If you want a green area a little closer to workplaces, Göktürk also sits by Belgrad Forest and is worth comparing. See all neighbourhoods on the Istanbul districts page.
Getting around: how far to the centre and the airport?
The key point about Zekeriyaköy is that you need a car. Property listings put Maslak at roughly 15 to 20 minutes by car and Sarıyer centre at about 4 to 6 km. For Istanbul Airport the numbers disagree: one property site says about 30 minutes, while a road-distance tool gives about 52 km and 57 minutes from an address in Zekeriyaköy. The real figure depends on the starting point and the time of day, so test the route yourself at rush hour before buying.
| Destination | Approx. time by car | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Maslak | 15–20 minutes | From property listings; longer in traffic |
| Sarıyer centre | about 4–6 km | From property listings |
| Taksim | about 40–45 minutes | From property listings |
| Istanbul Airport | 30–57 minutes | Wide range; a road-distance tool shows about 52 km |
There is no metro in the neighbourhood itself. If you rely on public transport every day, this is not the right area; areas near the metro are better choices.
Property prices in Zekeriyaköy: how much per m²?
The figures below come from the Zekeriyaköy neighbourhood statistics page on Emlakjet (based on Endeksa data), dated 27 October 2026. The same page gives slightly different numbers in different sections, so both are shown.
| Indicator | Statistics section | FAQ section of the same page |
|---|---|---|
| Average sale price per m² | 165,338 TL (about +30% year on year) | 152,723 TL |
| Average price of a property | 34.06 million TL | 35.47 million TL |
| Cheapest and most expensive listing | 16.75 to 75 million TL | same range |
| Average rent per m² per month | 780 TL (about +23.5% year on year) | 635 TL |
| Gross annual rental yield | 5.66% | payback about 20 years |
A few points for reading this table correctly:
- The sample is small: only 16 listings. One very expensive villa lifts the average.
- Asking prices differ from actual sale prices, and there is usually room to negotiate.
- A rental yield of roughly 5% to 6% in lira is low relative to the purchase price of expensive villas, so Zekeriyaköy is more a neighbourhood to live in than a rental investment.
- In one agency's listings, villas of 400 to 450 m² are advertised from about USD 880,000 to USD 2.95 million. These are asking prices, not market averages.
To estimate the total cost, add title-deed tax and other fees using the Turkey property buying costs calculator.
What kinds of property are there?
- Detached villas in gated complexes: the most common option, usually with a pool, garden, parking and 24-hour security.
- Duplex and triplex villas in new projects: typically 300 to 500 m².
- Apartments in low-density complexes: fewer in number, for those who do not need a villa.
You can see an example of a villa project in the area on the Alba Villas page; prices are given privately by ALO TURKEY consultants.
Schools and daily amenities
International schools are one reason families like Zekeriyaköy. The British International School Istanbul has its forest campus in Zekeriyaköy. Everyday shopping, cafés and restaurants are available in the neighbourhood and in Sarıyer, but for large shopping centres and specialist hospitals you usually go to Maslak and its surroundings. If you have children, test the school run on the real route before buying.
Pros and cons of Zekeriyaköy
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Greenery and cooler air next to Belgrad Forest | Fully car-dependent; no metro in the neighbourhood |
| Detached villas and privacy | High price per m² and low rental yield |
| International school nearby | Airport and Taksim times grow with traffic |
| Gated complexes with security and pools | Higher monthly service charges and upkeep for villas |
| Calm compared with the city centre | Fewer shops and leisure options within walking distance |
Checklist before buying a villa in Zekeriyaköy
- Check the title deed. It should be an independent title deed free of encumbrances; see red and blue tapu for the types.
- Look at the permit and occupancy certificate (iskan). Because the area is near the forest, ask the municipality or a lawyer about zoning (imar durumu).
- Get an official valuation report. For foreigners the SPK valuation is part of the deed process; see the SPK valuation report guide.
- Do not forget earthquake insurance (DASK). Details are in the DASK guide.
- Work out running costs. Estimate complex fees, gardening, pool and property tax from annual running costs of an apartment in Istanbul; for a villa they are higher.
- Drive the real route. Do the commute to work or school once on a weekday morning.
- Compare with similar listings. An average of 16 listings is not an exact benchmark for any single villa.
Residency and citizenship with a villa in Zekeriyaköy
Buying property can support a residence permit application, but whether a neighbourhood is open for applications can change over time; check the current list in best areas in Istanbul for residency and ask a consultant before buying. For citizenship through real estate, published sources in 2026 still report a minimum property value of USD 400,000, with the property held for a legal period; rules change, so confirm the current position with a consultant. No property guarantees approval of residency or citizenship. The full explanation is in the Turkish citizenship guide.
FAQ
Is Zekeriyaköy good for families?
Yes, if you have a car and the commute is not a problem. Greenery, detached villas and an international school nearby are the main reasons people choose it. To compare with other districts, read best areas in Istanbul for families.
What is the average price per m² in Zekeriyaköy?
According to the Emlakjet statistics page on 27 October 2026, about 153,000 to 165,000 TL per m²; but the sample is only 16 listings and luxury villas are far more expensive.
Is renting out property in Zekeriyaköy profitable?
The average rental yield in the same source is about 5.7% a year, with a payback of 18 to 20 years. Central areas usually yield more. See rental income in Istanbul.
How far is Zekeriyaköy from Istanbul Airport?
Property sources say about 30 minutes, but a road-distance tool gives about 52 km and 57 minutes from an address in the neighbourhood. A realistic range is 30 to 60 minutes depending on time of day and starting point.
Is there a metro in Zekeriyaköy?
There is no metro in the neighbourhood itself; most travel is by car.
What should I check before buying a villa here?
Type of title deed, occupancy certificate, zoning status, the SPK valuation report, DASK insurance and the complex's monthly charges. Go through the checklist above.
Free consultation with ALO TURKEY
If you want to compare villas in Zekeriyaköy and Sarıyer or find out which project fits your budget, talk to our consultants via WhatsApp or the contact page.
Sources: Emlakjet and Endeksa (Zekeriyaköy neighbourhood statistics, 27 October 2026), Property Turkey listings, British International School Istanbul (bis.k12.tr), advisory sources on the citizenship threshold (2026), property sites with distance information. Rules and prices change.