19 Attractions in the Asian Part of Istanbul You Must See

Istanbul is the only city in the world that straddles two continents: Europe and Asia. Some tourists believe that the Asian side of Istanbul lacks attractions worth visiting. Trust me, they are deeply mistaken!

The Asian part of the city is interesting in its own right, colorful, and appealing. Just think about the Maiden's Tower standing in the middle of the water, the rainbows of colorful houses in Kuzguncuk, or the cat-filled Fennerbahce Park. See for yourself by taking a trip to the Asian side of Istanbul that will undoubtedly leave you impressed!

The gateway to the Asian side of Istanbul is the long Uskudar waterfront: this is where boats from the European side arrive at the eponymous pier. And since you are here, do not miss the chance to stroll along the promenade, enjoy the view of the nearby Maiden's Tower, and sit in one of the many waterfront cafes and restaurants.

If you find yourself at the Uskudar waterfront at sunset, you will be able to see the illumination of the Bosphorus Bridge.

Address: Uskudar Coast Walkway, Aziz Mahmut Huedayi, Ueskuedar Harem Sahil Yolu No:49, 34672 Ueskuedar/Istanbul, Turkey.

On a tiny island opposite the Uskudar waterfront, 200 meters from the shore, lies the three-story Maiden's Tower (also known as Leander's Tower or Kiz Kulesi) - a 23-meter structure shrouded in numerous romantic legends, considered one of the symbols of Istanbul.

The first mentions of the island on which the tower stands date back to the 5th century BC, during a bloody war between the Spartans and the Athenians. The exact date of the tower's construction is unknown, but it is first mentioned in writing in 1453.

Throughout its long history, it has served as a customs post, a watchtower, a lighthouse, a prison, and a cholera isolation hospital. Today, it houses a small museum, cafe, restaurant, souvenir shop, and an observation deck with views of the Asian part of the city and the strait.

Address: Maiden's Tower, Salacak, 34668 Ueskuedar/Istanbul, Turkey.

Website: https://kizkulesi.gov.tr

Entrance: paid.

In 2019, the Camlica Mosque was built on Camlica Hill in the Asian part of the city, becoming the largest mosque in Istanbul and one of the largest in the world. With a capacity of 63,000 people, not every prayer house can boast such size!

While the monumentally designed building, topped with 70 domes of various diameters, appears light and airy inside. Undoubtedly one of the most beautiful examples of Ottoman architecture.

Camlica Hill, standing at 263 meters above sea level, is the highest point in the city, making it an excellent viewpoint with magnificent views of the Marmara Sea, Golden Horn Bay, the Bosphorus strait, and of course, Istanbul.

Address: Camlica Mosque, Ferah, Ferah Yolu Sk. No:6 D:3, 34692 Ueskuedar/Istanbul, Turkey.

Next to the Camlica Mosque, there is a park also named after the hill it is located on. It is pleasant to walk among beautiful flower beds and green groves, admire exotic plants, breathe in air filled with pine scents, have a picnic on the lawn, or sit in one of the local cafes offering traditional Turkish cuisine.

However, the main highlights of Camlica Park are the observation platforms with stunning views of the city, the Bosphorus strait, and the Golden Horn estuary. The views from the 263-meter hill are worth the climb!

Address: Camlica Park, Kisikli, Camlica Tepesi yl No:25/10, 34692 Ueskuedar/Istanbul, Turkey.

On the banks of the Bosphorus, near the bridge, stands the elegant Beylerbeyi Palace - the summer residence of the sultan, built in 1865 at the order of Sultan Abdulaziz. The most impressive view of Beylerbeyi is from the Bosphorus, and you can verify this on a boat trip.

However, do not just admire the palace from the outside - be sure to visit inside to appreciate the royal luxury of its interiors. The rooms and halls of the palace, which will seem to you enviably luxurious and rich, are furnished with items brought from various corners of the world.

Chinese porcelain vases neighbor with huge crystal chandeliers made in France, bamboo mats from Egypt with Turkish hand-made carpets, a 'European' gilded ceiling decorated with roses with calligraphic insertions of Quranic text located right in the hall, and luxurious sofa sets upholstered in silk and velvet. Your admiration will know no bounds!

Address: Beylerbeyi Palace, Beylerbeyi, Abdullahaga Cd., 34676 Ueskuedar/Istanbul, Turkey.

Website: https://millisaraylar.gov.tr

Entrance: paid.

After visiting the Beylerbeyi Palace, take a peek into the colorful Kuzguncuk Neighborhood nearby. Tourists appreciate it as an excellent spot for photo sessions: bright houses with ornate shutters and balconies, immersed in greenery from trees and flowers, narrow cobbled streets, cozy restaurants and cafes setting tables for guests right on the sidewalks, synagogues, mosques, and Orthodox churches coexisting peacefully.

And what other environment could this neighborhood have, inhabited by a true international community - Turks, Armenians, Greeks, and Jews... The residents of Kuzguncuk speak a dialect unique to this area, filled with words from different languages.

Address: Kuzguncuk Neighborhood, Uskudar/Istanbul, Turkey.

Moda Park in the Kadikoey district is considered one of the best places in the Asian part of Istanbul for walks and relaxed leisure. This nice park stretches along the sea and has everything you need for a pleasant pastime - a long promenade, jogging and biking paths (there aren't many spots in hilly Istanbul where you can enjoy cycling), sport machines, and a good playground.

You can take an evening stroll along the waterfront, sip tea with simit in a small cafe, or have a picnic on the lawn, listen to street musicians, sitting on the sun-warmed stones by the shore, admiring the sunset.

Address: Kadikoey Moda Sahil Park, Caferaga, Kuecuekmoda Burnu Sk No:21, 34710 Kadikoey/Istanbul, Turkey.

Kuecueksu Palace, also known as Goeksu Palace, received its names due to its location between the rivers Kuecueksu and Goeksu flowing into the bay. Sultan Abdulmejid I liked this picturesque spot on the Bosphorus so much that he ordered his summer residence to be built here.

In 1983, this small white palace, which became one of the main adornments of the Asian side of Istanbul, was turned into a museum, allowing everyone to not only admire this pearl of Ottoman architecture from the outside but also see its luxurious interiors.

Address: Kuecueksu Palace, Goeksu, Kuecueksu Cd., 34810 Beykoz/Istanbul, Turkey.

Website: https://www.millisaraylar.gov.tr/

Entrance: paid.

Not far from Kuecueksu Palace, at the mouth of the Goeksu river, is Anadolu Hisari (also known as Anatolian Fortress) - one of the oldest structures in Istanbul. This fortification was built in 1395 to establish control over the Bosphorus strait (it later became clear that Anadolu Hisari could not handle this task alone, leading to the construction of Rumeli Hisari on the opposite western shore of the strait).

Two centuries later, the citadel completely lost its significance and was abandoned: a road was laid through its territory, destroying part of the walls. In 2023, after a lengthy restoration, Anadolu Hisari opened its doors to visitors, taking on a new role as a museum and cultural exhibition space.

Currently, tourists come here with the sole purpose of climbing the 30-meter tower of the fortress to enjoy the views.

Address: Anadolu Hisari Fortress, Anadolu Hisari, 34810 Beykoz/Istanbul, Turkey.

The Istanbul district of Uskudar is adorned by one of the two mosques built in the 16th century for Princess Mihrimah - the beloved daughter of Sultan Suleiman I the Magnificent. To distinguish this prayer house from the second Mihrimah Mosque located in the European part of the city in Edirnekapi, it is often referred to by its location - Iskele Jami ('iskele' in Turkish means 'pier, dock').

The Iskele Mosque is active, so you can only go inside during breaks between prayers. However, we strongly recommend you do so.

The interior decoration of the mosque impresses: beautiful stained glass windows, a large chandelier, stunning marble columns supporting the main dome, Arabic scripts, and Quranic quotes on the walls and ceiling, and a red carpet covering the floor. The soft twilight that prevails here even during the day brings a sense of peace and tranquility to those inside.

GPS coordinates: 41.026814864030136, 29.01596852664851

Within walking distance from the Iskele Mosque is another prayer house - the Yeni Valide Mosque, built in 1710 by Sultan Ahmed III. Overall, this is a typical 18th-century religious building in a classical style, with a modest exterior and a beautiful yet unadorned interior.

Of greatest interest is not even the mosque itself, but the tomb within the complex, where the mother of the sultan - Emetullah Rabia Guelsen Sultan - is buried. This tomb is quite unusual - it has no roof and features a metal lattice instead of a dome, making it look like a birdcage.

Address: Yeni Valide Mosque, Mimar Sinan, 34664 Ueskuedar/Istanbul, Turkey.

On the Uskudar waterfront, very close to the Iskele and Yeni Valide mosques stands another architectural treasure - a mosque named after Semsi Ahmed Pasha, who served as vizier at the court of Sultan Suleiman I the Magnificent.

It was Ahmed Pasha who commissioned architect Sinan to build this prayer house with a roof that birds could not land on. The architect achieved this goal by calculating the location of the building with the appropriate wind rose.

The mosque of Semsi Ahmed Pasha earned its second name - the Kuskonmaz Mosque (in Turkish 'kuskonmaz' means 'birds won't sit') - due to its always clean roof.

Address: Semsi Ahmed Pasha Mosque, Mimarsinan Mh., 34664 Ueskuedar/Istanbul, Turkey.

After viewing the Iskele, Yeni Valide, and Semsi Ahmed Pasha mosques, do not rush to leave the Uskudar area. Moving away from the waterfront into the district, you will discover a very interesting Ayazma Mosque, built in the second half of the 18th century at the order of Ottoman Sultan Mustafa III, who sought to immortalize the memory of his mother and older brother.

Thanks to the fact that this example of Ottoman Baroque stands on a high hill, it can be seen from afar. The mosque got its name from the word 'ayazma' - which in Turkey refers to holy springs.

One such spring does indeed exist on the grounds of the prayer house, supplying water to a fountain located in a very cozy and green courtyard.

Address: Ayazma Mosque, Aziz Mahmut Huedayi, Mehmet Pasa Degirmeni Sokagi No:10, 34672 Ueskuedar/Istanbul, Turkey.

One of the attractions for tourists in the Kadikoey area is the market of the same name. Visitors enjoy the bustling atmosphere typical of all Eastern bazaars here. But you can not only observe the happenings around you but also buy something for yourself - spices, for example, fruits, cheeses, or sweets.

The main draw for tourists at the Kadikoey market is the seafood. Here, you can not only buy but also taste: many fish restaurants are located on the market's premises that cook seafood delicacies.

Address: Kadikoy Carsisi, Caferaga, Yasa Cd. No:46, 34714 Kadikoey/Istanbul, Turkey.

Arriving by ferry at Kadikoey pier, you will likely notice the beautiful building in neo-Renaissance style standing on a small artificially created peninsula. This is Haydarpasa Train Station - a gift to the city from German Kaiser Wilhelm II.

This structure was built between 1906 and 1908 by craftsmen from Germany. The German architects and builders involved in this project established a German quarter located in neighboring Kadikoey.

Haydarpasa Train Station is very popular with tourists. The view of this historic monument is most appealing from the water, and photographs taken against the backdrop of the station's building at sunset turn out to be simply mesmerizing.

Given the strong interest in this place from tourists, local authorities have repeatedly suggested converting the station building into a hotel; however, the residents of Istanbul have always opposed such decisions, as Haydarpasa Train Station is a piece of their city's history.

Address: Haydarpasa Train Station, Rasimpasa, 34716 Kadikoey/Istanbul, Turkey.

In the southern part of the Kadikoey district lies a peninsula that was likely once a separate island connected to the mainland by a causeway. During the Eastern Roman Empire, there was a garden by the palace here; during the Ottoman Empire, a lighthouse was built on the peninsula, and today you will find the 'garden with a lighthouse' - this is what the name Fenerbahce Park translates to, which occupies a large part of the area.

This largest park in the Asian part of Istanbul enjoys well-deserved popularity among locals and tourists alike. Here, you can exercise, sit in one of the numerous waterfront cafes admiring the ships sailing in these waters, or just walk, observing trees that have surpassed five hundred years of age.

For many visiting Fenerbahce Park for the first time, it evokes associations with Kluchachev's Theater: there are so many cats that it is impossible to count them. Cats are everywhere - on benches, under benches, in trees, under trees, in the grass. If you are not ready for the persistent attention from these furry four-legged friends, it's best not to try to feed one or two; otherwise, you'll find yourself surrounded by a dozen.

Address: Fenerbahce Park, Fenerbahce, Fener Kalamis Yolu, 34726 Kadikoey/Istanbul, Turkey.

The Selimiye Barracks, located in the Asian part of Istanbul, served as a British military base and hospital for wounded Turkish and British soldiers during the Crimean War.

For a time, Florence Nightingale - the world-renowned nurse - worked in this hospital. A century later, in 1954, in memory of her stay here, a museum dedicated to Florence Nightingale was opened in several rooms of the barracks.

Here, you will see the operating room equipped to the standards of that time, personal belongings of Florence, including her famous lamp that she used during her nightly rounds, as well as letters, photographs, and documents.

Address: Florence Nightingale Museum, Selimiye, 34668 Ueskuedar/Istanbul, Turkey.

Website: https://istanbul.ktb.gov.tr

In 1990, Turkish poet and writer Sunay Akin, while visiting the German city of Nuremberg, visited a toy museum and was so impressed that he bought a small toy horse in one of the local antique shops, which laid the foundation for his own collection. Over the next 15 years, Sunay collected more than 7,000 antique toys.

In 2005, the avid collector opened the first private toy museum in Kadikoey, Istanbul. In rooms that resemble separate theatrical scenes, over 4,000 toys are displayed, some dating back to the early 19th century, along with modern robots and electronic games.

Both children and adults, who are known to differ from children only in height and possession of a passport, will find it interesting here.

Address: Toy Museum, Goeztepe, Dr. Zeki Zeren Sk No:15, 34730 Kadikoey/Istanbul, Turkey.

Website: https://istanbuloyuncakmuzesi.com

Entrance: paid.

Undoubtedly, the main attraction that can be seen both on the Asian and European sides of Istanbul is the bridge that connects the two shores of the Bosphorus strait. There are currently three bridges spanning the Bosphorus - the original Bosphorus Bridge, renamed in 2016 as the July 15 Martyrs' Bridge, the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, and the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge, located north of Istanbul.

However, traditionally, when referring to the crossing over the bay, it is specifically the Bosphorus Bridge that is meant, as it was the first to be built. Its opening in October 1973 was a significant event, as it connected not just two parts of the city or two shores of the bay, but it united two continents - Europe and Asia.

Naturally, no tourist visiting Istanbul ignores this iconic sight. The Bosphorus Bridge is stunning at any time of day, but it is best admired in the evening from the deck of a ship. The bridge is equipped with a computerized lighting system that creates impressive patterns as per a given program.

Unfortunately, even with a strong desire, you won't be able to walk across the Bosphorus Bridge: it has been closed to pedestrians for some time now, and 'horse-less' can only 'migrate' from one continent to another just once a year - during the Istanbul Marathon held in November.

Address: Bosphorus Bridge, Kuzguncuk, 15 Temmuz Sehitler Koepruesue, 34000 Ueskuedar/Istanbul, Turkey.