The Asian side of Istanbul: an itinerary for one day
The essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- 3 of 4 free; paid: Maiden’s Tower
- Duration
- 8 h 20 min · 09:30–17:46
- Start and finish
- Kadıköy → Çamlıca Mosque
- On foot
- ≈ 21 min in total
- Transport
- 2 rides, ≈ 55 min
- Lunch
- around 11:30
- With kids
- fine: short walks
- Best time
- Spring and autumn; towards evening go to the Üsküdar waterfront — the best sunset over the old city.
The plan, stop by stop
Times include walking and lunch. Drag a stop by ≡, remove it with the cross or add one nearby — the plan updates.
Istanbul09:30–17:46 · 4 places · 8 h 20 min
Kadıköy
· 2 h · Free
- Lunch · 1 h
- 26 min · transport or taxi
Maiden’s Tower
· 1 h 45 min · Boat and entry: verifying
- 21 min on foot
Üsküdar
· 1 h 30 min · Free
- 29 min · transport or taxi
Çamlıca Mosque
· 45 min · Free
Add nearby
Places near the plan — Yes puts one into the day and the times update.
What the route costs
3 of 4 are free; 1 charge entry — prices below, check them on site.
| 1 | Kadıköy | 45 | 2 h | Free |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Maiden’s Tower | 45 | 1 h 45 min | Boat and entry: verifying |
| 3 | Üsküdar | 45 | 1 h 30 min | Free |
| 4 | Çamlıca Mosque | 42 | 45 min | Free |
| Total | 6 h | 3 of 4 free |
Tips for each stop
- 1
Kadıköy. The ferry from Eminönü takes about 20 minutes. The market by the pier, Bahariye Street with its bull statue and the Moda waterfront with a view of the old city.
- 2
Maiden’s Tower. A boat from the shore at Üsküdar. People go for the view from the water and from the tower more than for what is inside.
- 3
Üsküdar. Two Sinan mosques by the pier and a waterfront to the Maiden's Tower — the best sunset over Sultanahmet.
- 4
Çamlıca Mosque. Metro M5 to Kısıklı and 20–30 minutes uphill. Six minarets, four of them 107 m tall, and a view of both shores of the Bosphorus.
Who this route is for
- Day two to four in Istanbul, once you have seen the old city
- You want the city without tour crowds
- Fans of markets, cafés and waterfronts
- Your first day in Istanbul — start with Sultanahmet
- Palaces and museums — there are few on the Asian shore
Spring and autumn; towards evening go to the Üsküdar waterfront — the best sunset over the old city.
What to see on the Asian side of Istanbul
The Asian shore is about neighbourhoods, not museums. Kadıköy has the market, cafés and the Moda waterfront; Üsküdar has old mosques and a view of Sultanahmet across the Bosphorus; Çamlıca is a new hill with a vast mosque and a panorama. The Maiden's Tower stands on an islet off Üsküdar.
The day starts with a ferry — transport and a free cruise in one. The order has the least walking: from Kadıköy along the shore to Üsküdar, and up to Çamlıca towards evening.
Where the Asian side is and how it differs
Istanbul stands on both shores of the Bosphorus: on the western, European shore are the old city, Galata and Taksim; on the eastern, Asian shore are Üsküdar, Kadıköy and large residential districts.
The European side has almost all the museums, palaces and famous mosques. The Asian side is the city where people live: markets, waterfronts, cafés and views of the old city from the water, with noticeably fewer tourists.
How to get to the Asian side
City ferries run from Eminönü, Karaköy and Beşiktaş to Kadıköy and Üsküdar in 15–20 minutes, paid with an Istanbulkart. The Marmaray line runs under the Bosphorus: Sirkeci to Üsküdar takes a few minutes. Coming back, the ferry from Üsküdar at sunset is the nicest.
Where to eat in Kadıköy
Kadıköy is the food district of the Asian side: the market by the pier with fish, cheese and sweets, and cafés on Bahariye Street and in the lanes towards Moda. Lunch in the plan comes after Kadıköy, before Üsküdar.
Is it worth staying on the Asian side?
It is if you have already seen Istanbul or are staying a while: Kadıköy and Moda are calmer and cheaper than Sultanahmet, and the old city is 20 minutes by ferry. For a first short trip the European side is handier.
How to do it right
- The ferry is the easiest way to the Asian shore and a Bosphorus cruise in itself.
- Çamlıca and the Üsküdar mosques admit visitors between prayers; on Fridays after the midday prayer.
- Be on the Üsküdar waterfront for the sunset: the sun goes down behind the old city.
- Kadıköy market is best before lunch, when the produce is freshest.
- Beylerbeyi Palace is closed on Mondays — pick another day if you want to add it.
Questions
Is the Asian side of Istanbul worth visiting?
Yes: it is where Istanbulites live — markets, waterfronts and the best sunset view of the old city.
What to see on the Asian side of Istanbul in one day?
Kadıköy and Moda, the Maiden's Tower, Üsküdar and its Sinan mosques, and the Çamlıca hill.
How do I get to the Asian side?
By ferry from Eminönü, Karaköy or Beşiktaş in 15–20 minutes, or by Marmaray from Sirkeci.
Can I visit the Maiden's Tower?
Yes, by boat from the shore at Üsküdar; the view is the main draw.
How do I get to the Çamlıca mosque?
Metro M5 to Kısıklı and 20–30 minutes uphill.
Where to eat on the Asian side?
In Kadıköy: the market by the pier and the cafés on Bahariye Street.
Should I stay on the Asian side?
For a repeat or long stay, yes — Kadıköy and Moda are calmer and cheaper; for a first trip the European side is handier.
Where to watch the sunset?
On the Üsküdar waterfront, facing the old city.
Is Beylerbeyi Palace on the Asian side?
Yes, by the water north of Üsküdar; closed on Mondays.
Is it good with kids?
Yes: ferries, the boat to the Maiden's Tower and the waterfronts are popular with children.
Sources and fact-check
- Prices, opening hours and time on site come from each place's page, with its own sources and check date
- Marmaray (TCDD Taşımacılık): Sirkeci and Üsküdar stations
- Istanbul Metro: line M5, Kısıklı station
