Zeytinburnu Istanbul: District Guide for Foreign Buyers

Zeytinburnu is a name that comes up when buyers want to live close to the historic heart of Istanbul and to the sea, with the city's main rail and road links within reach. This guide explains where Zeytinburnu lies, how it is connected, what gives the district its character, and which projects in our portfolio are located there, using only the details and distances published on our site.

Where Zeytinburnu lies

Zeytinburnu is on Istanbul's European side, on the shore of the Sea of Marmara, where the historic city walls meet the sea near the entrance to the Bosphorus. It lies just outside the Historic Peninsula, so the old city and the Grand Bazaar are close by. Its coast at Kazlıçeşme has been renewed with new residential districts and public spaces, while its inner neighbourhoods, such as Veliefendi and Merkezefendi, combine established streets with new projects.

On the coast stands Fişekhane, a historic cartridge factory restored as a culture centre with theatres, cinemas, exhibitions, restaurants and an organic market. It gives the shore much of its character, and we tell its story in a separate article on our blog.

Getting around from Zeytinburnu

Zeytinburnu is one of the best-connected districts of the European side. Marmaray's Zeytinburnu station is about 500 m from Büyükyalı, and the Eurasia Tunnel and the TEM and E-5 motorways have direct road links from the coast. Inland, the Cevizlibağ tram stop is 600 m from Alya Konutları and the Cevizlibağ Metrobus stop 650 m, while from Alya City the Kennedy Avenue coastal road is 2 km away and the E-5 1.9 km. Koç University Hospital is 1.9 km from Alya Konutları, and Marmara Forum shopping centre 1.5 km from Alya City, with Olivium Outlet Center at 2.3 km. Distances are not travel times, so check each route at the hours you would use it.

Three projects in Zeytinburnu

Büyükyalı, on the Kazlıçeşme coast, is built by a partnership of Özak GYO, Ziylan Gayrimenkul and Yenigün İnşaat with the assurance of Emlak Konut GYO. Its 111,000 m² site holds 1,540 homes in 15 blocks, with traffic kept below ground and the surface left to squares, courtyards and gardens, and homes come in three concepts: Limited apartments, lofts in the historic Fişekhane building, and a block furnished by FENDI Casa. A residents-only bridge leads to the coast road, and residents have been living there since 2019, according to the developer.

Inland, Alya City in Veliefendi, built by BOSS4 İnşaat, brings together 778 apartments from 1+1 to 3+1 in 12 blocks around inner gardens, with cafés and shops along Alya Meydan, its pedestrian street; keys are coming soon. Alya Konutları in Merkezefendi, by the same developer, has 467 homes from 1+1 to 7+1, including duplexes, and 15 shops in 9 blocks of 5 to 7 floors, with delivery in 2026 and title deeds ready.

Before you decide

All three projects are listed as eligible for Turkish citizenship, and the conditions are per current law and may change, so confirm them before you decide. If a residence permit is your goal, remember that the Presidency of Migration Management closes some neighbourhoods and districts to new residence permit applications by foreigners, based on population density, and updates these lists from time to time, so check the address before you buy.

Zeytinburnu suits buyers who want to live near the historic centre and the sea, with rail and road links in every direction. HADARA, your real estate partner in Istanbul, can help you compare its projects with each other and with other districts. Contact us or book a private video tour to explore them, then visit Istanbul to see your shortlist in person.