Where to go in the Asian part of İstanbul?
İstanbul is divided into two parts, the Asian and the European. You can experience the touristic vibes in the European part of İstanbul. Most of the historical monuments, museums and palaces are located on the European side of İstanbul. Whereas, in the Asian side of İstanbul you can observe the local life of Turkish people. This side of İstanbul is usually the calm side, where you escape from the crowd of the European side.
There is plenty of places to visit in the Asian side of İstanbul, but in this blog post, you will be informed of our favorite locations there.
KADIKÖY
While you are in İstanbul, you should definitely visit Kadiköy. In order to go to Kadıköy, you can easily use public transportation. Ferries are always the best way to move around in İstanbul. In other words, you can take a ferry, using the İstanbul transportation card, either from Eminönü or Karaköy. The ferry will take you directly to Kadıköy only in 14 minutes. This ferry ride will cost you less than a dollar. Kadıköy has a huge amount of cafes and restaurants. The most famous district there is Moda. It is a busy district, full of bakeries, local shops, cafes and restaurants. While wandering the crowded streets of Moda you will see several street musicians and artists. Moda street is also known as the Asian Taksim for its nostalgic old tramway, that gives it a special vintage vibe. Moreover, there you can find trendy clothes for cheap prices. If you want to feel Los Angeles vibes you shall visit Bağdat Avenue in Kadıköy. It is the prestigious part of Kadıköy and the Anatolian side. This street is known for having famous brands, cafes, and restaurants. To go to Bağdat Avenue you can take a bus from Kadıköy or a ferry from Karaköy.
ÜSKÜDAR
Another district that you should visit on the Anatolian side of İstanbul is Üsküdar. It is well known for the Kız Kulesi, a tower in the sea of Marmara. You can also travel to Üsküdar by ferry from Eminönü, Kabataş, or Karaköy.
Next to Üsküdar's ferry station, you will find a bus station, where you can take a mini-bus (dolmuş) or a bus, to Kuzguncuk. Kuzguncuk is my favorite district in Üsküdar. It is famous for its colorful buildings and calm aesthetic vibes. It is the best place to take some aesthetic photographs and relax on a Sunday morning. You’ll find in this district the cutest cafes, where you can have a cup of çay; Turkish tea. You can also walk from Kuzguncuk to Nakkaştepe Park, a park with a view of the Bosphorus. You can do a lot of fun activities at this amazing park such as: Zipline, picnic,…
Çengelköy is another must-visit district in Üsküdar. It’s known for its cafes that are located along the seaside of the Bosphorus. You can enjoy from there the magical sunset view. As for the historical locations in Çengelköy, you can visit Beylerbeyi Palace, one of the Ottoman palaces that is located along the Bosphorus seaside. This palace is the place where Sultan Abdülhamid the 2nd died.
If you are a café lover, then you should visit these districts, mentioned above. You can’t pass by İstanbul without visiting one of these locations that will give you another perspective of beautiful İstanbul and Turkish culture.