Asian side of Istanbul
The city of Istanbul, with its geographical location, ancient history and social and cultural characteristics, is a melting pot of eastern and western civilizations, and that one city sits on two continents, with its Asian and European sides, embracing historical landmarks and cultures full of deep cultural diversity.
The European side is the preferred destination for many tourists and those wishing to live and invest, due to the quality of the tourism product in this aspect, and its labor intensity and rapid economic growth.
But there is still a lot to discover on the other side of the city!
Where the Asian part is an authentic part of Istanbul, and enjoys the relative tranquility and tranquility compared to the European side, and also enjoys the atmosphere of charming green nature, not to mention the multiplicity of regions and tourist attractions in it, which made Asian Istanbul a destination for elite investors, owners and tourists.
Here is how to go to the Asian side from inside and outside Istanbul:
- By air:
From Sabiha International Airport, which is 20 km east of Kadikoy, which can be reached by public buses (E10), you can also take the Havatas bus, which connects the airport with Taksim on the European side and Kadikoy on the Asian side.
- by train :
Via Haydarpaşa Station, which is Istanbul's main station for Asian destinations, and is located about 5-10 minutes' walk from Kadikoy city center.
The fastest option to travel between the European and Asian side of Istanbul is via Marmaray, which connects Ayrılık Çeşmesi and üsküdar stations with the European side, and Marmaray also connects to metro line 1 in Yenikapı.
- by bus :
From Harem Station which is the main station of the Asian side, and the first place to connect from Istanbul with many buses to Asian Istanbul, it is located halfway between Uskudar and Kadikoy.
- by ferry :
The best way to start exploring the Asian side of Istanbul is by taking a ferry to Kadikoy from Eminonu Port.
Eminonu via the metro station from the center of Istanbul.
The most prominent neighborhoods of the Asian side in Istanbul :
Kadikoy District:
Kadikoy is known as one of the most emerging areas in Istanbul and offers endless options of cafes, restaurants, bazaars and various markets. It is also characterized by its combination of history and modernity and is called the land of tourists, as it is the first choice for tourists on the Asian side and the most famous and most visited tourist area in Turkey.
The area is also distinguished by its strategic location near the Bosphorus Bridge and the Maiden’s Tower, which is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Turkey. The area contains a tram, which is located 2.5 km from Kadikoy Center, all the way to Bahariye Street, which is a distinguished shopping street, comparable to Istiklal Street on the European side of Istanbul, as well as Street Moda, which is located in a quiet residential area, and the port in Kadikoy district is a transportation hub in the city between the Asian and European side across the Bosphorus Strait.
Girl's Tower (Kız Kulesi):
The Maiden's Tower is one of Turkey's most famous tourist attractions, in which tales have been woven about the city's ancient historical past. Its construction is based on ancient stories and legends that have become an integral part of the Turkish heritage and culture, in addition to its octagonal structure and narrow spiral staircases separating 6 floors with a height of approximately 23 meters.
Baghdad Street (bağdat caddesi):
Baghdad Street is one of the oldest streets of Istanbul at all. It is no less important than Istiklal Street on the European side of Istanbul.
This street is located on the Asian side of the city and extends from Kadikoy Municipality to Maltepe Municipality with a distance of approximately 14 km and parallels the coast of the Sea of Marmara
There are also many markets and shops along it, in addition to the luxurious palaces that are a historical heritage in that region, and there are many prayer places dating back to the Ottoman era, in addition to places designated to relax while walking and places designated for walking and running directly on the seashore.
Haydarpaşa station:
It is one of the finest and most beautiful neoclassical buildings in Turkey. It is distinguished by its east-west architectural style. Its beacons reflect Western architecture, while the lines, writings and windows are Arabic, and its domes are Ottoman.
It is the main railway station in Turkey. The construction of this station was completed by German engineers during the Ottoman era. A monument was built to document Turkish-German relations, in which a tower bears a Baroque clock on top, decorated with colored windows, and overlooks With its grandiose sandstone facade on Kadikoy Bay, today there are plans to turn this archaeological station into a museum.
Çenglköy:
This wonderful urban-style area is located on the outskirts of the Bosphorus, and there is also a historical park called Çinaraltı, in relation to the presence of the historical Çınar tree, which is estimated to be about 800 years old. The coast of the region also extends to many restaurants and cafes that have a Turkish character. The Shingle Kobe area is a beautiful turning point and a meeting place for tourists from all over the country.
çamlıca hill:
Çamlica is located in the borders of the Üsküdar region on the Anatolian side of Istanbul, a place with two hills overlooking both the Bosphorus and the Sea of Marmara, and is one of the most preferred parks in Istanbul, and Çamlıca is the longest of these seven hills You can watch the most beautiful sunset in the whole city from this hill, and the atmosphere of the Bosphorus provides a unique haven with fresh air.
There are also many
Other attractions on the Asian side of Istanbul you can visit :
- Bostancı Lunapark
- The village of “Ağva” attracts with its picturesque nature and its waterfalls, thousands of foreign and local tourists.
- Dolmabahçe Palace
- İstanbul Toy Museum
- Yoros Castle
The most famous shopping center in the Asian side of Istanbul :
- Acacia Mall (Akasya):
It is one of the most beautiful Asian malls in Istanbul, and it is a huge complex that includes many residences, offices, and two gardens. The shopping center also has a wonderful architectural shape and contains the most famous and best international brands. - Tipi Nautilus Shopping Center(Tepe Nautilus AVM):
Tepe Nautilus Mall is one of the first shopping centers in Asian Istanbul, and is characterized by its unique design inspired by the sea, where the exits of the mall are named after some of the marine animals, and the mall also includes many diverse shops that include international and local brands as well and other stores Which made it one of the most important tourist attractions and landmarks in Istanbul. - Via Port Mall (Viaport Asia Outlet):
The Via Port complex is one of the most famous high-end commercial complexes in Istanbul, which visitors come to from all over the world to enjoy its picturesque view in the open air and see the birds and greenery in their natural form through the park of this large commercial complex, and Via Port provides you with all your needs and also has a bazaar A large display in which a lot of tools and souvenirs needed by tourists and visitors.
There are many world-renowned shopping centers in the Asian side of Istanbul, the most important of which are :
- Venice Mall Istanbul Venezia Mega Outlet
- Neomarin Avm
- Palladium AVM
- Capitol Shopping Center
- Canpark Shopping Mall
- Cardium Mall Kardiyum AVM
- Buyaka AVM
- Brandium AVM
- Bulvar Mall 216
- Maltepe Park
- Rings AVM
- Dancing Fountain Mall Watergarden İstanbul
The difference between the European side and the Asian side of Istanbul :
- Contrary to popular belief, the city of Istanbul was founded in the Asian part of it (in today's Kadikoy region).
- The Asian side is older than the European side as there were many settlements around the Kadikoy region.
- The European side is more populated than the Asian side due to the fact that it is the center of trade, business and industry, and on the other hand, the Asian side is known as the amber of Istanbul because of its calm and picturesque nature.
- Green areas are more intense on the Asian side compared to the European side.
- Public transportation (public bus lines) on the European side is available twice as much as it is available on the Asian side, while the availability of railway networks (public trains) on the Asian side is double the availability on the European side.
- The Asian side is higher than the European side because the highest hills are Chamilja and Eidos.
- The coastline on the Asian side is more beautiful and organized than on the European side, where on the Asian side there are large areas for jogging, walking and cycling starting from Kadikoy and going along Fenerbahce Park to Cadebustan Beach and even Maltepe.
- The number of hotels on the European side is more than on the Asian side because the European side is the center of attraction for business, trade and tourism.
- The European side is characterized by having many shopping centers and malls compared to the Asian side.
- The longest metro line in Turkey is built on the Asian side of Istanbul.
- Night life is more active on the European side compared to the Asian side.
- There are many public and private universities on the European side compared to the Asian side.
