“Straddling Asia and Europe”, “a bridge between East and West”…. These are phrases widely used to refer to Istanbul and evoke its peculiar location, stretching along both shores of the Bosphorus Strait. But the truth is that most tourists visit only the European part of the city, where the old peninsula, the Golden Horn or the Galata district are located. But what about the Asian part of Istanbul? Is it worth the trip? Here’s what we show you.
A ferry trip is reason enough
An interesting option to travel to the Asian part of Istanbul is to embark on a ferry. And this travel option will make the decision to get here worthwhile. There are many ferries plying the waters of the Bosphorus: some are private and long-haul, heading for the Black Sea, while others are shorter and more functional, public, to take occupants from one shore to the other. Well, even if you get on one of the latter, for example from Eminönü to Kadikoy, the experience will be special.
This way you can see the ancient peninsula and the Golden Horn from another point of view, with its majestic mosques standing out in the skyline. And by the way, take a closer look at the Maiden Tower, which, although located on an islet, is located a short distance from the eastern shore of the Bosphorus.
Kadikoy, the most attractive neighborhood in the Asian part of the city
For many, Kadikoy is the most attractive neighborhood of the Asian part of Istanbul. And not because of its historical and monumental buildings, which are not as numerous and imposing as those on the opposite bank. But rather for the popular and typically Istanbul atmosphere that can be breathed.
Here, for example, is the home of the Fenerbahce soccer stadium. And urban art is palpable in the atmosphere, largely promoted by the City Council through art festivals. In addition, the statue of the bull, made by the French sculptor Rouillard in the nineteenth century but installed here at the end of the twentieth century, has become a symbol and almost a mascot of the neighborhood.
But perhaps the most unique and authentic place in the neighborhood is the Kadikoy Food Market: it can be considered the equivalent of the Grand Bazaar or the Spice Market in the European part, but in this case dedicated exclusively to fruits, vegetables, fish and other fresh produce. You should note that it is a removable market held only on Tuesdays and Fridays, days when the neighborhood is transformed and permeates the intense aromas that distill their products.
Uskudar and its mosques
A little further north of Kadikoy is the Uskudar district, another neighborhood you might find interesting, especially if you like architecture. Here you can see some of the historic Ottoman mosques of the city, such as Semsi Ahmed Pasa, from the sixteenth century, but also some of the most interesting contemporary mosques, such as Sakirin: designed in 2009, it surprises with its pure and avant-garde lines. But the silhouette that stands out most in Uskudar is that of the Çamlıca telecommunications tower, with its undulating and soft lines, visible from practically the entire Bosphorus.
Therefore, if you have free time on your trip and want to discover a different city than usual, you can escape to the Asian part of Istanbul, something that will be easier if your flight lands at Sabiha-Gokçen airport (located in this sector) and your hotel is also located here.
