Istanbul’s Asian Side: A Comprehensive Guide to Must-See Places and Things to Do

First, we recommend starting your breakfast with something light. If you are staying on the European side, getting to the Asian side and exploring it will take some time. There are so many enjoyable things to do, so let’s start the day with a warm, crispy börek and a Turkish tea.

Assuming you are staying on the European side, we recommend two places for delicious börek:

1. Feridiye Börek Cafe (From Taksim Square: 3 min. on foot)
2. Hazal Börek Salonu (From Sultanahmet Square: 8 min. on foot)

Then, we begin our magnificent journey with Dolmabahçe Palace.

If you go to one of the börek cafés we recommended, the journey to Dolmabahçe Palace takes:

From Hazal Börek:
By T1 tram and on foot: 25 min.

From Feridiye Börek:
On foot: 18 min.

Please note that Dolmabahçe Palace is closed on Mondays. The Museum Pass is not valid here. You can purchase your tickets in advance from the Ministry of Tourism’s National Palaces website.
Link: https://www.millisaraylar.gov.tr/Bilet/BiletAl

After our historical journey, we take a cultural break. And it’s a really enjoyable experience!

Traditional Paper Marbling (Ebru)

You can enjoy this traditional art experience at Art Üsküdar. It is not a touristy place, and it is nice and peaceful, which is why we recommend it. You can enjoy the experience with your kids, too!

Please save Art Üsküdar’s phone number and contact them via WhatsApp in advance to let them know the day and time you plan to visit.

From Dolmabahçe Palace to Kabataş Pier: 4 min. on foot
From Kabataş Pier to Üsküdar Pier: 7 min. by ferry
From Üsküdar Pier to Art Üsküdar: 8 min. on foot

For more detailed information about Paper Marbling (Ebru), check out this article. Ebru(Paper Marbling): Where Color Meets Water and History🖌️

Well, after our beautiful art experience, we’re hungry, of course, right?

How about some köfte?

We recommend having köfte at Filizler Köftecisi, where you can enjoy a beautiful view of the Maiden’s Tower. If you’re wondering what köfte is like, take a look at this article. foodistanbul: Kofte (Meatball)

From Art Üsküdar:
On foot: 17 min.
By taxi: 9 min.

After that, we suggest continuing with a Turkish tradition. You can’t finish a meal without dessert!!! Absolutely! 🙂

Rather than a traditional syrupy dessert, since you are already in Üsküdar, we recommend taking a handmade chocolate break at the lovely Çikolatacı Aziz Bey (Chocolatier Aziz Bey). Their pomegranate chocolate is especially famous. We definitely recommend trying a bite. 🙂

From Filizler Köftecisi:
By 15R bus + on foot: 22 min.
By taxi: 8 min.

After that, we recommend a very peaceful and beautiful church with a long history:

Agios Panteleimonas Greek Orthodox Church

It is just a 1-minute walk from Çikolatacı Aziz Bey.

Üsküdar is also known for its old Ottoman houses, and you can find some beautiful examples in Kuzguncuk. One of these charming old houses is now a lovely café. Mavi Kitap Cafe is a popular spot among locals and a wonderful place to take a coffee break. It is just a 3-minute walk from the church.

Then, we continue walking. Botanical Gardens Kuzguncuk is only 3 minutes away. I definitely recommend stopping by Kuzguncuk without missing this spot. Local residents sometimes organize events here.

From there, it is a 9-minute walk to Üryanizade Ahmet Esat Efendi Mosque. This tiny but charming mosque offers a beautiful view of the Bosphorus. Its neighbor across the water is the Büyük Mecidiye Mosque in Ortaköy.

Afterwards, you can either head back or stop by Kadıköy for some shopping.

Kadıköy is a favorite spot for young people and the young at heart, with great food and shopping.

If you would like to end the day with a fun-filled adventure, we recommend Tuzak Escape Games. You can make a reservation through their website and then head there. You need to be at least two people.

We have shared an itinerary for the Asian side of Istanbul that is peaceful, relaxing, and a little lively, with places you should definitely see. If you have any questions or need help with anything, just leave a comment.

We wish you a wonderful trip to Istanbul!