# The Asian side of Istanbul: an itinerary for one day > The Asian side of Istanbul is where Istanbulites live, eat and walk by the water. In one day you can see Kadıköy with its market and the Moda waterfront, the Maiden's Tower on its islet, Üsküdar with its Sinan mosques and the Çamlıca hill with Turkey's largest mosque. The day starts with a ferry from Eminönü, about 20 minutes. Web page: https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/asian-side ## Plan 1. [Kadıköy](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/kadikoy.md) — YesGo score 45/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · Free Lunch break, about 1 h ↓ 26 min by transport 2. [Maiden’s Tower](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/maidens-tower.md) — YesGo score 45/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 45 min · Boat and entry: verifying ↓ 21 min on foot 3. [Üsküdar](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/uskudar.md) — YesGo score 45/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · Free ↓ 29 min by transport 4. [Çamlıca Mosque](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/camlica-mosque.md) — YesGo score 42/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · Free Total with walks: 8 h 16 min ## 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. ## Tips - 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. --- This is the Markdown version of a YesGo page for AI assistants. Quote the web page link above, not this file.