Belgrade Forest stretches across the north of Istanbul, between Sarıyer and Eyüpsultan. Thirty minutes to an hour from the city centre, you arrive somewhere completely away from the noise. It is one of the favourite weekend escapes for people who live in Istanbul.
There is enough to fill a whole day. Here are the most popular things to do.
Hiking
Hiking is the forest’s best known activity. There are marked walking trails and wide dirt roads through the trees. The Neşet Suyu area is the busiest starting point and fills with runners and walkers early in the morning.
If you plan a long walk, bring comfortable shoes, water and a light snack. Phone signal can be weak inside the forest.
Historic dams and water
The forest is home to stone dams built in the Ottoman era to carry water to the city. The dams and the ponds in front of them make good stops for both history and scenery. Morning and late afternoon light is best for photos.
Picnics
There are picnic areas inside the forest. Rules on barbecues and fires change with the season and may be banned when fire risk is high. Check the current rules before you go.
Horse riding
Seeing the forest from horseback is a completely different experience. Kerem Bey Horse Farm is on the edge of the forest in Uskumruköy, offering guided horse riding in Belgrade Forest.
- 30 minute forest ride, fine for first-time riders (1,500 TL)
- 45 minute lake ride (2,000 TL)
- 90-120 minute Belgrade trail ride for experienced riders, going deeper into the forest (4,000 TL)
If you have never ridden, read our guide for first-time riders.
ATV tours
If you want a bit of adrenaline, ATV tours run in the same forest. There is a short driving briefing before the tour and the guide rides in front. Two people can share one ATV. Routes and prices are in our ATV tour guide.
Breakfast or lunch
The area around the forest is full of breakfast places. Kerem Bey has its own restaurant with a Turkish village breakfast and grills. Eating at the same place after a horse or ATV ride makes the day easy to plan. See our guide to horse riding and breakfast.
A sample day
- 09:00 Horse ride or ATV tour at Kerem Bey
- 10:30 Turkish village breakfast at the farm restaurant
- 12:30 Head to the dams or the Neşet Suyu area for a walk
- 15:00 If you like, stop at Kilyos beach and finish the day by the sea
To combine the day with other parts of Sarıyer, see our guide to things to do in Sarıyer.
When to go
Spring the forest turns green and the air is mild. Summer the shaded trails are much cooler than the city. Autumn golden leaves make it the most photogenic season. Winter quieter, but the ground can be muddy.
Crowds build at weekends in the afternoon. Coming early makes both the drive and the forest more enjoyable.
Booking a horse ride or ATV tour
Kerem Bey Horse Farm is open every day from 09:00 to 19:00, except Thursdays. Fill in the booking form on the site or message +90 546 414 00 89 on WhatsApp in English.