A trip to Turkey isn't complete without visiting Istanbul. No matter how many times you travel to Turkey, you'll always want to take a day to explore the beautiful city of Istanbul. However, many travellers end up visiting only the European side of Istanbul, thinking this is where everything happens. Some even forget that Istanbul straddles two continents. And the Istanbul Asian side is just as marvellous as the famous Istanbul European side.
Fortunately, we were able to explore the Asian side of Istanbul when we visited this year. And let us tell you, it's wonderful!
That's why we decided to compile this article so you know what to expect when you travel to Turkey and perhaps visit the Istanbul Asian side.
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Before we begin;
What is the European Side of Istanbul and the Asian Side of Istanbul?
The European Side is the small part of Turkey which borders Bulgaria. The Asian Side, also known as the Anatolian Side, is the larger part of Turkey which belongs to Asia, bordering Syria, Armenia, Georgia, Iran and Iraq.
The strait that divides the country into two continents is the Bosphorus Strait, which sits between the two parts of Istanbul: the European Side and the Asian Side. Many mistakenly believe that Istanbul is Turkey's capital, but it is not. Despite being the largest city, Istanbul is not the capital of Turkey; Ankara holds that title.
What's on the European Side?
When you Google Istanbul, almost all the places that come up are located on the European Side. From the Ottoman Empire landmarks to the beautiful mosques, most are on the European Side, which is why it naturally attracts all the tourists.
There are two neighbourhoods on the European Side, and they're also divided by the Bosphorus Strait. Read more about it on our 6-Day Itinerary on the European Side.
Fatih District (Old City) - Home to the iconic Sultanahmet Square, Grand Bazar and the Ottoman Empire.
Beyoglu District (New City) - Home to the famous Galata Tower, Taksim Square, Istiklal Street, Ortakoy Mosque and more.
You'll find plenty of information about the European Side, so we won't focus on it as much here. We loved our experience on the Asian Side, so we thought we'd highlight it more in this article.
Hotels in Istanbul Asian Side
Finding hotels on the Asian Side is hard? Firstly, we want to address this issue as we experienced a bit of a challenge finding a good hotel that fit our budget on the Asian side of Istanbul.
As it's not a tourist destination, you would not find hotels catering to travellers, but rather city hotels for locals who come here for the nightlife.
And the luxury ones like Four Seasons and Movenpick near Uskudur are somewhat above the regular prices you'll get in the European side of Istanbul.
We booked our hotel in Istanbul Asian Side through booking.com and our host cancelled the booking two days prior to our arrival. Keep in mind that you cannot book hotels in Turkey through booking.com. So we booked one through Agoda called Classic Suite Hotel in Kadikoy, which is a city hotel located a 5-minute walk from the Bull Statue. It was very clean and had a beautiful interior.
What you'll commonly find for accommodation on the Asian side of Istanbul are inns and apartments. While they may seem cheap, some of these apartments are not well-maintained, and there might not be anyone to inform if something goes wrong or if faucets aren't working properly. So, we advise sticking to hotels.
Hotels in Istanbul European Side
Hotels in Istanbul's European Side are much more tourist-friendly, especially those in the Fatih / Sultanahmet area. Most of the hotels here overlook either the beautiful Bosporus or the magnificent mosques. Apart from the 5-star hotels, the others are relatively well-priced.
If you're looking for hotels on the European side of Istanbul for your entire stay, we recommend staying in the Fatih area. It's very safe and conveniently located close to both the Asian side and the Beyoglu area (including Galata Tower and Taksim). We do not recommend accommodation in Taksim if you're a solo traveller or a first-time visitor. While it's a residential area, we found it somewhat unpleasant, especially for travelling alone at night.
Our hotel in Taksim was a boutique hotel located in a basement, and it was the worst hotel stay we've had in all our travels. Make sure you do thorough research before booking your stay around Taksim Square, especially if you're using online booking platforms.
What is on the Asian side of Istanbul?
For many travellers who are urged to travel to the Asian Side, the biggest question they have is 'What is on the Asian side of Istanbul?'
Yes, almost every iconic destination of Istanbul is located on the European Side, you can read more about our entire budget itinerary here.
Then what is on the Asian side?
Well, here are some must-see things on the Asian side. You'd ideally need about a full day to cover the whole experience of Kadikoy which is the key neighbourhood on the Asian Side. But if you only have 3-4 days to cover Istanbul, you may have to skip the Asian Side for good.
Things to see:
Beylerbeyi Palace: An Ottoman summer residence in Uskudar, built in the 1800s. Closed to visitors on Mondays.
Kadikoy Bull Statue: This bronze bull statue stands as the iconic symbol of the Asian side.
Maiden's Tower: Dating back to the Byzantine period, this tower is surrounded by a poignant love story. Accessible only by boat.
Kadikoy Cobblestone Coast Walk: Enjoy a scenic 20-minute stroll from the Bull Statue toward the coast, particularly enchanting at sunset.
Kadikoy Public Library and Lighthouse: Nestled at the pier of the coast, you'll find a charming lighthouse and a quaint library with a view overlooking the Marmara Sea.
Princes Islands in the Marmara Sea (If you have an extra day): Located a boat ride away, these nine beautiful islands offer a tranquil escape from the bustling city. Visitors can explore only four of them, each offering a laid-back atmosphere.
What to do on the Asian Side of Istanbul?
When it comes to what to see, we prefer answering the question, "What to do on the Asian Side of Istanbul?" While both continents hold their magic, there's something undeniably authentic, down-to-earth, and fun about the Asian Side.
During our one-night stay in Kadikoy on the Asian Side, we realized we hadn't planned our itinerary thoroughly. Here are the top things to do on the Asian Side of Istanbul, for which you'll need at least two days.
Firstly, you'll need to choose accommodation in one of the three neighbourhoods. We opted for Kadikoy and highly recommend it to travellers as it's close to many major destinations and eateries.
Kadikoy
The nightlife here is simply out of this world. Compared to the laid-back vibe of the Fatih district on the European Side, Kadikoy truly caught us off guard. It's a bustling city with vibrant fish markets, fresh produce markets, trendy cafes, lively pubs, and stunning murals around the city walls. During our visit, we didn't encounter any tourists; instead, we had the opportunity to experience a typical local day in Istanbul.
In the mornings we saw locals bustling off to work, and so many local eateries that serve very affordable quick eats. While a Doner in Beyouglu costs 170 TL (5$), here in Kadikoy, we found many for under 90 TL (2.80$) and they tasted amazing. And don't even get me started on desserts! I was drooling over all kinds of cakes, doughnuts and truffles which were very cheap.
I had this amazing pistachio strawberry cream cake from a dessert shop called Pasifik Pastanesi that just melted in my mouth.
We visited the Kadikoy Market on Sunday and it was the best shopping experience we had in Istanbul. You've surely heard about scams in Istanbul, due to this reason we avoided purchasing from Bazaars on the European Side, but we had no regrets cause the Asian Side covered it for us.
From clothes and bags to cosmetics and souvenirs, the Asian side offers competitive prices.
Keep in mind that many locals here don't speak English, so you may have to put an extra effort when communicating with store owners, and when asking for directions. We recommend having Google Maps and Translate with you all the time.
Uskudur
Uskudur is very much like the European Side. It's home to the beautiful Beylerbeyi Summer Palace and the chic rainbow stairway and cafes overlooking the Bosphorus and the European Side of Istanbul from an elevation.
We spent our whole day exploring Kadikoy and missed both the Uskudur and Moda neighbourhoods. They're very close by and you can travel between these places via the bus or taxi. The Rhitm station, where you can find all the buses and metros, is just a 10-minute walk from the Bull Statue in Kadikoy.
It would maximum take 30-40 minutes to head to Uskudur from Kadikoy. Here you can take the ferry to the Maiden's Tower which is a lighthouse in the Bosphorus.
Moda
Moda is another beautiful coastal neighbourhood on the Asian Side of Istanbul with beautiful cafes, cute bakeries and a lit nightlife on Kadife Street. If you've seen the famous Umbrella Street in Turkey, this is the place to find it. Do not visit Umbrella Street in Balat on the European Side as it's owned by a cafe and you cannot take pictures without buying something. They charge you ridiculous amounts for menu items which are clearly not worth it.
You can reach Moda within 30 minutes from Kadikoy's centre, either by Bus, Train or Tram. It's a famous hangout spot for locals where they jog, meet up and spend time on the waterfront park and pier.
Best visit here is during evening times when the crowds usually gather, and the view of the ocean is at its most picturesque.
What's the difference between the Asian Side and the European Side?
Having visited both sides of Istanbul, it's fair to say that the differences are quite distinct. Here's what we noticed in the Istanbul Asian Side:
The Asian Side is more urbanized, with the majority of locals residing here.
While there are no traditional bazaars, the area boasts a vibrant street shopping culture with local prices.
Food is both inexpensive and delicious, offering a variety of seafood and pickles.
The chances of encountering scams are very low.
English speakers are relatively few.
You may not find Chai (Turkish Tea), but you'll find a unique drink called Şalgam.
The best hammams are all located on the European Side.
Nightlife is vibrant, with numerous eateries and pubs offering entertainment and serving alcohol.
The trains, trams, and metros operate just as they do on the European Side.
It's an ultimate paradise for foodies in Turkey, offering not just Turkish cuisine but a wide array of delicacies from decadent cakes to authentic pizzas and burgers, all at very affordable prices.
How to go to the Asian side of Istanbul
Transport in Istanbul is a lesser-spoken topic. There are 2 ways to travel between the continents. The best and most common transport method is the ferry. It's cheap and it's scenic as it crosses the iconic Bosporus. The ferry would take about 20 minutes and the common routes are;
Eminönü (Old City) – Kadıköy
Eminönü (Old City) – Üsküdar
Beşiktaş (New City) – Kadıköy
Karaköy (New City) – Kadıköy
Karaköy (New City) – Üsküdar
A one-time trip on a ferry would cost about 20 TL (1$ or less) per person which you have to pay by Istanbul Kart. But keep in mind there are tourist ferries as well, these are bigger in size and don't stop at the Asian Side, and would cost about 250 TL (8$) per person.
The other way to cross the continent is through Taxi. We were in Taksim and had our hands full with luggage hence we got an Uber. From our stay close to Taksim Square to our hotel in Kadikoy, it cost us 440 TL ($14). It was a smooth trip that took us a total of 20 minutes.
If you're hailing a roadside taxi, make sure you discuss and agree on a rate before hopping on, as taxi scams are still a full-blown thing in Istanbul.
Is Taksim on the European side of Istanbul?
Yes, Taksim is on the European Side of Istanbul. More particularly, in the New City. It would take 20-30 minutes, taking 2 Trams from Sultanahmet to Kabatas, and a Metro from Kabatas to get to Taksim.
Which is Better the European Side or the Asian Side?
It's nearly impossible to choose between the two sides, as each offers its own unique charms. Here are certain aspects based on which we've rated our experiences to weigh. Nevertheless, we strongly encourage you to explore the Asian Side if you're travelling to Istanbul.
European Side | Asian Side | |
Sightseeing | 8/10 (Withheld two for the ridiculous entrance fees for certain places) | 5/10 (Not many places to see) |
Food | 7/10 (Amazing choices but most shops are made for tourists, so they sell 'Tourist prices. If you're looking to buy Baklava and Turkish Delights, buy them from here) | 9/10 (Many choices from Western to Asian delicacies. Prices are very affordable and so delicious) |
Things to do | 9/10 (Many 'influencer' activities to keep your days lively, from Hammams and Cat Cafes to Bosphorus Tours and mindless Tram Journeys, trying out food in various cities. You'll also be walking a lot) | 7/10 (You'll find many activities that actual Turkish locals do, such as spending time at the waterfront, visiting the lighthouse library, and hanging out with friends at a pub. If you're a solo traveller, you may feel left out) |
Shopping | 7/10 (Got varieties of choices but somewhat expensive. Best to buy souvenirs here) | 9/10 (They've got everything you need to survive, all at affordable rates. This includes food items like Cheese and Pickles) |
Nightlife | 5/10 (Apart from certain high tourist streets, most parts of the Old City and the New City sleeps early. The Taksim area can be a little scary at night too) | 10/10 (We witnessed locals flocking in pubs on a Monday night in Kadikoy. Well lit up shopping streets and eateries. Lively atmosphere through midnight) |
Chances of Getting Scammed | High (Due to the density of tourists) | Low |
Well, we hope this article was helpful to you! If you have any doubts, let us know in the comments below and we'll be happy to answer!