Search for “horse farm in Istanbul” and you get a long list of options. All of them have nice photos, all of them are in a forest or by the sea. But the experience you have on the day varies a lot from farm to farm.
For people who ask which is the best horse farm in Istanbul, or where the most beautiful one is, our honest answer is this. The best one depends on what you want to do. A quiet forest ride, a sunset on the beach, a child’s first meeting with a horse or regular lessons may each call for a different place.
In this article we first explain where the farms are generally found. Then we list the criteria you can use to choose one. At the end we describe our own farm against the same criteria, without exaggerating.
The best areas for horse farms in Istanbul
Riding needs wide open space, trails and quiet roads. That is why horse farms in Istanbul are found away from the busy centre, mostly in the north.
The areas below are the names that come up most often when people search for a horse farm. We do not name businesses, we describe the areas in general.
Sarıyer and the edge of Belgrade Forest (Belgrad Ormanı). In the north of the European side, this is the best known area. The trails through and along the forest are well suited to horse rides. The villages in the north of Sarıyer are close to both the forest and the Black Sea beach, so here it can be possible to do a forest ride and a beach ride from the same farm.
Beykoz and Polonezköy. A wooded area in the north of the Asian side. If you live on the Asian side, it is a green and quiet option you can reach without getting into bridge traffic.
Çatalca. A rural district to the west of the city, known for its wide open land and village roads. It may be closer for people living in the west of the European side.
Büyükçekmece. Also in the west, a district on the shore of a lake and the sea. Another option for those coming from the western side.
What these areas have in common is that they are close to forest and open land. So most farms use forest trails, and those near the coast can add a beach ride as well. There may be several farms in the same area, and in that case the difference between them comes from the criteria below, not the location.
Which area you choose also depends on where you are coming from. Roads heading north can get busy at weekends, so it is a good idea to check the traffic on the Istanbul Municipality traffic centre page before you set off (the site is in Turkish).
What to look for when choosing a horse farm, 8 criteria
1. Variety of routes
Going round a flat field is not the same experience as riding from the forest down to a lake or the beach. If the farm has different routes such as forest, lake and beach, you have a choice on your first visit and something new to try when you come back.
2. Guided rides
Having someone with you on the ride who knows the horses and the trail matters for safety. Especially if it is your first time, a ride without a guide is never recommended.
3. Suitable for first-timers, with an arena
An arena is a fenced practice area. Beginners and children get used to the horse there before going out on the trails. Separate routes for beginners and experienced riders are also a good sign.
4. Clearly published prices
Being able to see prices clearly on a website or page, rather than asking on the phone, builds trust. Having the duration of the route next to the price also makes comparison easier.
5. Horse care and cleanliness
How the horses are fed, how their coats and hooves are looked after and how clean the stable is are all visible when you visit. When you go, check whether the horses look calm and well cared for.
6. Reading Google reviews
What the reviews say matters more than the score itself. Pay attention to points where several people praise the same thing or complain about the same issue. Recent reviews tell you more than old ones. Reviews with photos also give you an idea of what the horses and the facilities really look like.
7. Easy booking
Weekends are busy, so booking in advance is often a must. Being able to book quickly on WhatsApp or through a simple form makes things easier.
8. Extras and suitability for children
Some farms also offer breakfast after a ride, ATV tours or events such as birthdays. If you are looking for a horse farm with breakfast in Istanbul, check whether the ride and the table are in the same place, as it makes the day much easier. We explain how to plan this in our article on horse riding and breakfast. If you are going as a family, check whether there is a separate starter option for children. For more detail, see our guide to horse riding for kids.
Checklist for choosing a horse farm
| What to check | How to tell |
|---|---|
| Variety of routes | Does the site list separate routes such as forest, lake and beach, with durations |
| Guided rides | Does it clearly say that rides are guided |
| Suitable for beginners | Is there an arena and a beginner route |
| Transparent prices | Are prices written together with durations |
| Horse care and cleanliness | Do reviews mention it, and how do the stable and horses look when you visit |
| Guest reviews | Which topics come up again and again in recent reviews |
| Booking | Can you get in touch easily by WhatsApp, phone or a form |
| Extras and children | Is there breakfast, ATV, events and a starter ride for children |
A horse farm in Sarıyer, where Kerem Bey stands on these criteria
Kerem Bey Horse Farm is in Uskumruköy, part of Sarıyer. It is on the European side, at the edge of Belgrade Forest and close to the Black Sea beach. Kilyos, Zekeriyaköy and Bahçeköy are nearby too. For those coming from these neighbouring areas, we have put the details together in our article on a horse farm near Kilyos and Zekeriyaköy. For anyone looking for a horse farm in Sarıyer, we go through each criterion below.
Routes. We have forest, lake and beach routes. For experienced riders there are also longer Belgrade Forest and beach rides of 90 to 120 minutes. You can see all the riding options in Sarıyer on our horse riding tours in Sarıyer page. If you love the forest, look at horse riding in Belgrade Forest, and if you love the sea, look at the beach ride.
Guides. Every horse ride is guided.
Beginners and children. For beginners there is an arena ride of 4 laps for 500 TL. This ride is led by an instructor and was designed as a start for children. The beginner forest ride is 30 minutes for 1,500 TL, the lake ride 45 minutes for 2,000 TL and the beach ride 45-60 minutes for 3,500 TL.
Prices. All prices are clearly listed on the site. For the current list, see our horse riding prices page.
Lessons. For those who want to learn properly, we give one to one riding lessons in the arena. A single lesson of 30-40 minutes is 3,000 TL, the 10 lesson pack 23,000 TL and the 10 trail ride pack 36,000 TL. Packs are valid for 3 months, and both children and adults can join.
Guest reviews. The topics that come up often in our Google reviews are how well the horses are looked after, cleanliness, friendly staff and the breakfast. We suggest you read our reviews and decide for yourself.
Extras. The farm restaurant serves a Turkish village breakfast and grills, with details on our breakfast at the horse farm page. ATV tours start at 2,000 TL for 30 minutes, there are 4 routes and an extra passenger is 500 TL. We also host engagements, marriage proposals, birthdays and corporate events.
Booking. Write to us on WhatsApp or through the booking form. Our phone number is +90 546 414 00 89.
Checklist before you come
- Book in advance, especially if you are coming at the weekend.
- Be clear about which route you are taking and how long it lasts.
- Ask about the price and how to pay beforehand.
- If you are coming with a child, ask the farm about conditions such as age and weight.
- Wear comfortable trousers and closed, flat shoes. Details are in our article on what to wear horse riding.
- If you want to add breakfast or an ATV tour, say so when you book.
- Before setting off, save the location on your phone from our contact page.
If you are curious about horse riding in Istanbul in general, our riding guide with routes, prices and first ride tips is a good place to start.