How to Spend a Day on the Asian Side of Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)

Being the only transcontinental city in the world, you can’t visit Istanbul without taking a trip to the Asian side (Anatolia) of the city. Whilst the most popular sights and attractions are on the European side of Istanbul, there are a few reasons why you may want to add the Anatolian side to your itinerary too.

One of them is the fact that it’s going to be way less crowded than the European side. That alone was one of the best parts for us on our visit. There are also quite a few things to do in this area but not so many that you need to rush from one attraction to another.

In this guide you can read about how to spend a day on the Asian side of Istanbul, including how to get there and where to eat.

About the Asian Side of Istanbul

Istanbul is the only city in the world that’s situated on two different continents: Europe and Asia. It’s split down the middle by the Bosphorus Strait, which connects the Black sea to the Mediterranean.

Just like the European side of Istanbul, the Asian side is also split into different neighbourhoods, such as Kadiköy (Kadıköy) and Üsküdar. We’ll concentrate on these two areas, since most attractions are located within these neighbourhoods.

Whilst there are less landmarks to check out in these districts compared with the European areas, there are still enough things to do to keep you busy for a day. Plus, you won’t need to queue to get into most places like you do in the Sultanahmet neighbourhood, or get jostled by millions of people walking along Istiklal Street in the Beyoglu district. Trust us, after spending a few days on the European side of Istanbul, you’ll appreciate the peace and quiet of the Anatolian side.

How to Spend a Day on the Asian Side of Istanbul

Enjoy the Views from the Ferry

Even though the ferry ride is short and technically only a means to get to Anatolia, it’s still a fun way to start your adventure on the Asian side of Istanbul. Whilst it won’t be as scenic as if you went on a dedicated Bosphorus cruise, you can still spot plenty of landmarks.

We definitely enjoyed the views we got of the European side this way. The scale of some of the mosques like the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia or Suleymaniye Mosque was pretty impressive from this vantage point.

Top Tip. If you want an even better experience then join a sunset cruise along the Bosphorus or just a normal daytime sightseeing cruise.

Stop at the Kadiköy Bull Statue

Once you’ve arrived at the ferry terminal, you can make your way up Söğütlü Çeşme Caddesi to check out the Kadiköy Bull Statue (Kadıköy Boğa Heykeli).

Located at a busy junction that connects six roads (Altıyol), the ‘Fighting Bull’ statue has a long history. Most sources agree that it was made in 1864 by the French sculptor Isidore Bonheur. However, the statue’s journey from France to its current location is a bit more complicated.

Some say that it was erected to commemorate the French victory against the Germans in the Alsace-Lorraine region. Then it was taken by the Germans to Berlin when they took control of this territory later. During World War I, the Germans gifted the statue to the Ottomans and it was placed at Yildiz Palace. However, other sources suggest that the bronze statue was commissioned by Ottoman Sultan Abdülaziz to be placed at Yildiz Palace.

From here, the story on how the ‘Fighting Bull’ got to Kadiköy is pretty much the same. It was housed at multiple locations across both the European and Asian sides of Istanbul, before it was placed at the busy Altiyol Square in 1987.

Ride the Kadiköy-Moda Tramway

Did you know? There are actually two heritage tramlines in Istanbul. One is the Taksim-Tünel tramway that runs along Istiklal Street in the Beyoglu District on the European side of the city. The other is the Kadiköy-Moda tramway here on the Asian side of Istanbul.

Istanbul used to have a large tram network, with the first horse-drawn tramline opening in 1871. Later, electric trams were introduced, replacing the horse-drawn trams. The tram network in Istanbul flourished up until 1956. Then, it slowly started to decline until they closed it completely in 1966. The Kadiköy-Moda Nostalgia tramway was then re-installed in 2003.

Today, you can ride this charming red tram from Kadiköy Square. You’ll pass through Altiyol and Bahariye Streets, Moda Primary School and Moda Street, before finally arriving at the IDO pier in Kadiköy. You can use your Istanbulkart, which allows you to use public transport in Istanbul without the hassle of buying individual tickets.

Go Shopping in Kadiköy

If you like to shop, then you’ll enjoy wandering the streets of Kadiköy on the Asian side of Istanbul. Whilst there are plenty of shopping opportunities on the European side of the city, Anatolia tends to be a bit more affordable.

A popular street that has a larger concentration of shops is the colourful Bahariye Street (Bahariye Caddesi). Similar to Istiklal Street, it’s mainly pedestrianised, with the Kadiköy-Moda Nostalgia tramway running through the middle. However, here you won’t need to share the space with millions of other people. There are plenty of souvenir and clothing shops here, with cafes and restaurants too.

Check Out Kadiköy Market and Fish Market

If you’re not into souvenir shopping, then you should definitely check out Kadiköy Market and Fish Market. One of our favourite things to do in a city is to visit the markets. Well, there’s definitely no shortage of markets in Istanbul. Of course, the European side has some of the most popular ones like the Grand Bazaar, which is the oldest and largest covered market in the world, or the Spice Bazaar.

However, the markets in the Kadiköy neighbourhood of Anatolia are pretty great too. You can find fresh produce, spices, and other ingredients here, as well as plenty of Turkish Delight and other sweet treats. The best part is that the prices tend to be a bit lower over here compared to the European side.

Grab a Drink at the Halloween Themed Cadiköy Café (Cadıköy Cafe)

There are a ton of cafes dotted around the Kadiköy neighbourhood of Anatolia. However, one of the most unique ones has to be Cadiköy Café (Cadıköy Cafe).

The entire café is Halloween themed. Yes, even the coffee mugs! It definitely has a fun atmosphere, made better by the cute cats you might find curled up on one of the seats there.

Top Tip. Right next to the café, is a street lined with umbrellas. Definitely worth a photo op, even if you don’t fancy sitting in the café.

Go Street Art Hunting in Kadiköy

We were pleasantly surprised to see quite a lot of street art in the Kadiköy neighbourhood of Istanbul.

Since travelling across South America and seeing some incredible street art in countries like Colombia, we’ve gotten into the habit of keeping an eye out for them every time we visit a new city. Whilst we didn’t expect to see much in Istanbul, this was one of the main reasons we enjoyed our time in the colourful Balat district on the European side of the city. So, seeing more impressive art in Anatolia was a fantastic bonus.

Here are a few streets you can check out for beautiful murals:

• Yeldeğirmeni Sokak
• Iskele Sokak
• Karakolhane Caddesi
• Tasli Bayir Sokak
• Misaki Milli Sokak
• Sarraf Ali Sokak
• Moda Caddesi

Walk Along the Kadiköy Coastal Path

We absolutely love hiking and share plenty of hiking guides on our blog. So, imagine how chuffed we were when we saw that there was a lovely coastal path we could walk along on the Asian side of Istanbul.

The Kadiköy Coastal Path runs from basically the ferry terminal all the way to Kalamis Atatürk Park (Kalamış Atatürk Parkı). It offers stunning views of the sea and a well needed fresh breeze during the summer heat. The path runs past a few landmarks, parks and beaches such as Moda Pier (Moda İskelesi) and Moda Park, which is how far we walked during our visit.

The fact that there was hardly anyone walking on it, when compared to the packed streets of the European side, was truly refreshing.

Stroll Out to Kadiköy Lighthouse

Even if you don’t want to walk along the coastal path, we still recommend to at least stroll out to Kadiköy Lighthouse (Kadıköy İnciburnu Feneri). Located next to the ferry station, it gives you some great views of the Bosphorus and across to the Sultanahmet and Beyoglu districts of Istanbul.

Top Tip. If you’re spending an entire day in Anatolia, you should try to arrive here for sunset before heading back on a ferry.

Stop By Sakirin Mosque (Şakirin Camii)

Located in the Üsküdar district, on the Asian side of Istanbul, is Sakirin Mosque (Şakirin Camii). It also acts as one of the entrances to Karacaahmet Cemetery, which is apparently one of the oldest and largest in Istanbul.

Sakirin is a unique mosque because of its architectural design. Normally, mosques in Istanbul follow the typical Byzantine or Ottoman style. However, Sakirin Mosque has a modern take on the design which makes it quite special. Apparently, it is also one of the most carbon-neutral mosques in the country.

Note. It is still an active place of worship. Therefore, if you want to enter, you’ll need to dress modestly and also cover your hair if you’re a female.

Visit Beylerbeyi Palace (Beylerbeyi Sarayı)

Also located in the Üsküdar district of Anatolia, along the banks of the Bosphorus, is Beylerbeyi Palace (Beylerbeyi Sarayı).

The palace was built between 1861 and 1865 by Sultan Abdülaziz, and was used as a summer residence and guest house. Many visitors have stayed here over the years, such as Empress Eugénie of France, and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor.

It has 24 rooms, 6 halls, and a hammam (Turkish bath). From the outside, it looks like a smaller version of Dolmabahce Palace (Dolmabahçe Sarayı), located on the opposite side of the Bosphorus. However, it is definitely way more affordable to enter, and also less crowded than Dolmabahce or Topkapi Palaces.

Note. The palace is open between 9AM and 5PM every day except Mondays. Entry fee is 350 TL (10.50 EUR) per person.

Visit Camlica Mosque (Büyük Çamlıca Camii)

If you’re on the Anatolian side of Istanbul, then you can’t miss visiting the largest mosque in Türkiye: Camlica Mosque. Located in the Üsküdar district, it only opened in 2019. You can see it from pretty much anywhere in Istanbul, so we were quite excited to visit.

Even though we knew that it was the largest mosque in the country, the scale of Camlica Mosque was even more insane up close. It has six minarets and a 72 m high central dome. Over 60,000 people can pray at the same time in this mosque.

Note. It is still an active place of worship. Therefore, if you want to enter, you’ll need to dress modestly and also wear a head scarf if you’re a female.

Where to Eat on the Asian Side of Istanbul

There are plenty of cafes, bars, and restaurants on the Anatolian side of Istanbul. You definitely won’t go hungry as you wander around. Below are some places you could consider stopping at.

• Çiya Sofrası. It is possibly the most mentioned restaurant in similar guides. It serves a wide variety of traditional Anatolian dishes.
• Cadıköy Cafe. As mentioned above, this Halloween themed cafe is a fun place to get a drink or a bite to eat.
• Pide Sun. This place serves Samsun Pide. If you didn’t know, Pide is a Turkish-style pizza and one of the best dishes you can try when in Türkiye.
• Kadiköy Market. It’s a great place to grab a snack, or sample something from one of the food stalls in the vicinity.
• Basta Street Food. It’s a good spot if you’re on the go and just want to grab some traditional Turkish street food.
• Simit Street Food Vendors. You’ll see them pretty much everywhere in Istanbul. Simit became our favourite go-to snack when we got peckish.

Final Thoughts on Visiting the Asian Side of Istanbul, Türkiye

Although the Asian side of Istanbul didn’t have as many things to do as the European side, we were actually quite happy about that in the end. After spending a few days rushing from one attraction to the next, it was nice to just wander around and not worry about ticking things off our list. Not having to queue, or being constantly surrounded by millions of people on the streets, was also very refreshing. If you’re after a more chilled day, then we definitely recommend heading over to Anatolia.

Have you ever been to Istanbul and visited the Asian side of the city? If so, what did you do and what was your favourite activity? If not, would you add a visit to the Asian side of Istanbul to your itinerary? Let us know in the comments below.