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Kadıköy, located on the Asian side of Istanbul, is a lively district known for its vibrant atmosphere, rich cultural scene, and artistic soul. A favorite among locals and visitors alike, it boasts colorful street art, independent bookstores, and a thriving café culture. The district’s bustling markets, trendy boutiques, and lively nightlife make it a hub for creatives and young professionals. Whether you're strolling along the waterfront, exploring the historic buildings, or enjoying live music at a cozy bar, Kadıköy offers an authentic and dynamic Istanbul experience away from the tourist-heavy European side.
Understand
[edit]| "Land of the Blind" Before setting sail to find a suitable place for a colony, Byzas, the legendary founder of Byzantium, was told by soothsayers that he should establish his colony across the water from the "land of the blind". His search led him to a beautiful, forested, and easily defended peninsula, with an excellent natural harbour on its north side, a deep, long, sheltered inlet. Here he encountered fishermen from Chalcedon on the other side of the Bosphorus, which had fewer natural endowments. Byzas reckoned these folk must be "the blind" of the prophecy, who'd failed to see the advantages of the site right in front of them, and who'd built their city in a poorer location. So Byzas laid the first stone of Byzantium on that peninsula: it grew to become Constantinople then Istanbul, flanked to the north by the inlet of the Golden Horn. And Chalcedon (today’s Kadıköy) was mocked as "The Land of the Blind". |
Originally known as Chalcedon, it was founded by Greek colonists in the 7th century BCE, even before Byzantium (later Constantinople) was established across the Bosphorus — and was only incorporated into the city of Istanbul in the late 19th century. After the regular steamer ferries began to ply the Bosphorus, it would be another 150 years before bridges and tunnels created a land connection. Minorities like the Levantine, Armenian, and Jewish communities also contributed to the area’s diverse heritage, leaving behind beautiful churches, synagogues, and European-style architecture. While the demographics have changed over time, traces of these communities can still be seen in historic buildings, old taverns, and hidden churches, adding to Kadıköy’s unique character and cosmopolitan spirit.
Get in
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And see main Istanbul page for details of these links.
By train: Istanbul's terminus for conventional trains is 1 Haydarpaşa (under renovation till Q4 '26) while for high-speed trains is 2 Söğütlüçeşme Station, which is also a terminus for BRT system - Metrobüs and a stop in suburban rail Marmaray. The intercity trains also stop at 3 Bostancı Station station near the ferry pier.
By boat: For intercity travel, fast ferries from towns along the southern coast of the Marmara Sea, such as Yalova or Bandırma, land at the piers at 4 Kadıköy İDO. Some are direct, while others transfer to a smaller ferry after arriving at Yenikapı pier on the European side. The fast catamarans offer a smooth and pleasant ride - a great option for reaching İznik or beyond. For cross-Bosphorus travel, the piers of 5 Kadıköy Pier and 6 Bostancı Pier offer options such as;
- Kadıköy - Eminönü
- Kadıköy - Karaköy via Haydarpaşa
- Kadıköy - Beşiktaş
- Bostancı - Bakırköy
- Bostancı - Princes' Islands
Buses across the bridges are slow at any time, and tediously slow in rush hour (07:00-10:00 going west into Europe, 18:00-20:00 coming east into Asia). Buses across the bridges require two tickets (or the equivalent cash) rather than one. However the Metrobüs (Bus Rapid Transport) is quicker, as it has a dedicated bus lane, and only needs one ticket. It runs from Beylikdüzü out in the western suburbs via Edirnekapı just outside the old city and Mecidiyeköy in the business district to Söğütlüçeşme just east of downtown Kadıköy. Metrobüs stations are usually a little off the usual tourist trail, but easily reached by a variety of public transportation, including the metro from Taksim Square for Mecidiyeköy station.
Rail Transport:
- M4 runs from Kadıköy eastwards as far as Kartal, Pendik and Sabiha Gökçen Airport.
- M8 runs from Kadıköy-Bostancı northwards to Ümraniye.
- M12 runs from Kadıköy-Göztepe northbound to Ümraniye (active in Q4 '25).
- Marmaray: the cross-city and cross-Bosphorus suburban train line (B1), covering from western suburbs to eastern suburbs. Can be accessed both in Ayrılıkçeşme (also a transfer hub to M4) and Söğütlüçeşme (also a transfer hub to BRT).
- T3 Nostaligc tram that loops from Kadıköy along pedestrian Bahariye Cd and then around the peninsula of Moda back to Kadıköy, but it's more a nostalgia trip than practical transport.
Main Roads:
- D-100 motorway (a.k.a. E5) connects to either submerged Avrasya Tunnel or the Bosphorus Bridge.
- The causeway (sahilyolu), which follows the Marmara coast.
- Fahrettin Kerim Gökay Avenue, the road colloquially known as Minibüs Yolu.
By bicycle: there are some 20 km of marked bicycle lanes along the causeway, starting from a few km east of Kadıköy, passing by Bostancı and eventually reaching the eastern suburbs of the city. The bike lane is well-maintained but watch out for pedestrians which will be plenty during nice weathers.
See
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- 1 Bull Statue (Boğa Heykeli). The bronze statue was made by famous-French sculptor Isidore Bonheur in 1864 and erected in a square in the French territory of Alsace-Lorraine commemorating the French victory against the Germans. However, several years later Alsace-Lorraine territory was taken by the Germans in the early 1870s and the statue was moved to the capital of the German Empire. During the First World War (1914-1918) the German Empire and Ottoman Empire were allies and German Kaiser Wilhelm II sent the Bull Statue to Ottoman general Enver Paşa as a gift in 1917.
- 2 Haydarpaşa Station (
Kadıköy 1.1 km, 
Kadıköy 900 m). Istanbul's Asia-side railway station nowadays under a renovation until the und of 2026. It was built by the Germans in 1908 in a distinctive Teutonic-castle style - to make an impact on travellers from Asia about to step into Europe, and a counterpoint to Sirkeci station on the European side which is modelled in Oriental style. There is an archaeological open-air museum right next to it. 
- Just north of Haydarpaşa station and a little difficult to find (it is surrounded on three sides by Turkish military barracks) is the British cemetery with an obelisk commemorating the Crimean war and many Crimean war, Victorian era (and later) graves as well as a modern British and Commonwealth war graves cemetery. This is a beautiful, leafy oasis of calm, with views on the Bosphorus.
- 3 Haldun Taner Theatre (Haldun Taner Sahnesi), Caferağa, Rıhtım Cd.. Under renovation until Q4 '26.
- 4 Surp Levon Armenian Catholic Church, Osmanağa, Ali Suavi Sk. No 1.
- 5 Süreyya Opera House (Süreyya Operası), Bahariye Cd 29, Kadıköy ( T3 Bahariye 50 m, M4 Kadıköy 700 m), ☏ +90 216 346 15 31. This is a 1927 Beaux Arts building named after its patron Süreyya İlmen Pasha, then a deputy of Istanbul who was impressed by theatres in Europe during his visits. It became the first opera house in the Asian side of Istanbul, but due to deficiencies in its interior design, it barely staged any opera and was converted to a cinema soon afterwards. It underwent a significant restoration and reverted to its original purpose in 2007, so now houses performances of ballet, opera, and classical music; good tickets are often extremely cheap.
- 6 Hagia Triada Greek Orthodox Church (Aya Triada Rum Ortodoks Kilisesi), No:, Caferağa, Hacı Şükrü Sk. No:17.
- 7 French Catholic 'Assumption' Church (Fransız Katolik Kilisesi), Caferağa, Cem Sk..
- 8 Barış Manço Museum (Barış Manço Evi), Caferağa, Nailbey Sk..
- 9 Hemdat İsrael Synagogue, Rasimpaşa, İzzettin Sk. No:61.
- 10 Yeldeğirmeni Art House (Yeldeğirmeni Sanat), Rasimpaşa, İskele Sk. No:43/1.
- 11 Gazhane, Kurbağalıdere Cd 125, Hasanpaşa ( Acıbadem 850 m,
Söğütlüçeşme 900 m, 
Hasanpaşa 150 m). Daily 09:00-22:00 (Museums and galleries: Tu-F 09:00-18:00 Sa Su 10:00-18:00). A cultural centre converted from a late 19th century town gas plant. Includes a climate museum, a museum of cartoon and humour, theatre stages, art galleries and exhibition space, and a restaurant / cafe with vegan and gluten-free options on the premises. - 12 Toy Museum (Oyuncak Müzesi), Ömerpaşa Cd, Dr. Zeki Zeren Sk 17, Göztepe ( Göztepe 750 m), ☏ +90 216 359 45 50, [email protected]. Tu-F 10:00-18:00 Sa Su 10:00-18:30. Dedicated to toys, this is a museum which adults can enjoy as much as kids. It's founded by poet Sunay Akın, and is housed in a historical mansion in the Göztepe neighbourhood east of Kadıköy. Among the 2,000 pieces of toys from around the world in exhibition, the oldest are a French-made violin from 1817 and a U.S.-made doll from 1820. 350 TL; concessions for children, students and domestic visitors.
- 13 DeCollage Art Space, Suadiye, Müzeyyen Sok. No:4/1.
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Do
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- 1 Moda (
Moda Caddesi 550 m). A neighbourhood on the peninsula just south of Kadıköy, Moda features countless neo-classical architectured mansions like the Tubini and churches. The neighbourhood is a favourite place for people of Kadıköy of all ages to take a short stroll on a summer evening, and for the youth to enjoy a few beers against the skyline of the Old City. To get there, you can follow the esplanade from the ferry docks in Kadıköy, or take the vintage tram, although it doesn't make it all the way to the tip of the peninsula. - 2 Yeldeğirmeni ( Kadıköy 800 m, Ayrılıkçeşme 850 m, Kadıköy 400 m). Before the 1850s, this was a rural area with windmills giving its name. Later a massive Jewish settlement formed the roots of its urban fabric. In the following decades the population was further boosted by the Germans working in the construction of Haydarpaşa and it became one of the first quarters of Istanbul with apartment buildings; several beautiful historic buildings still dot the area. Today it's an artsy, bohemian neighbourhood with much street art and many murals, galleries and cafes lining its streets.
- 3 Şükrü Saraçoğlu Stadium. Home court of Fenerbahçe - one of the leading clubs in European football, competing regularly in both UEFA and Champions League. Also hosts a museum of the sports club. Just across the stadium, the Yoğurtçu Park is a staple option for relaxation, running or dog-walking.
- 4 Kalamış. The upscale Kalamış neighborhood, which takes its name from the Greek word kalami (καλάμι) meaning reed. Notable places include; Jean Botter Pavilion, Kalamış Park, Fenerbahçe Mosque, Fenerbahçe Park, St. Augustine Catholic Church and St. John Chrysostom Greek Orthodox Church.
- 5 Çiftehavuzlar. A luxurious neighborhood with calming streets and fine restaurants. Notable sights include; Göztepe 60. Yıl Park, Özgürlük Park, Kemal Sunal House, Büyük Kulüp and Cemil Topuzlu Mansion.
- 6 Caddebostan ( Göztepe 2.2 km). Another upscale neighborhood which is a youth-favorite of sunny days. Grab a couple of beers and lay down on grass. Three tiny swimmable sandy beaches are nearby but beware of the overcrowding. The seaside strip regularly hosts events such as rowing and sailing competitions or Red Bull Flight Day. Other sights include; Caddebostan Cultural Center (CKM) and the Seaside Mansions of Tevhide Hanım and Ragıp Paşa (locally known as 'Perili Köşk' which translates to 'haunted house')
- 7 Bostancı Amusement Park and Show Center (Bostancı Lunapark ve Gösteri Merkezi), Bostancı, Mehmet Şevki Paşa Cd. No:8.
Buy
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- 1 Balık Pazarı, Osmanağa, Güneşli Bahçe Sk.. The fish bazaar in the Kadıköy market area is where the locals go for fresh fish and seafood. Fish shops are open all week long; most of them will clean the fish for you (though not necessarily the hamsi, or delicious local anchovies). Keep an eye out for stray cats sneaking off with bits of abandoned fish. In the upper streets, you can find anything from herbal stores to secondhand bookshops (which often have English language material in their stock).
- 2 Salı Pazarı, Hasanpaşa, Uzunçayır Cd.. Locals do a lot of their shopping at the Salı Pazarı or Tuesday Bazaar, located in Hasanpaşa not far from the Gazhane Museum. You can get good deals here on everything from produce to clothes to housewares. This is a less touristy bazaar experience than what many see at the Grand Bazaar on the European side. There is an antique sale on every Sunday.
- 3 Bahariye Avenue (Bahariye Caddesi). A pedestrianized street with nostalgic tram in the middle, contains various shops, restaurants, cafes and historical buildings.
- 4 Akmar Pasaj, Caferağa, Mühürdar Cd.. Once a stronghold for the alt-youth and metalheads, now turned into a passage for second-hand books and basically anything else.
- 5 Tepe Nautilus, Acıbadem, Fatih Sk. No:1. One of the first shopping centers in Istanbul.
- 6 Bağdat Avenue (Bağdat Caddesi) ( Feneryolu 180 m, Suadiye 200 m; parallel to (but a short dinstance away from) the Marmara coast between east of Kadıköy and Bostancı). The avenue has little in common with Baghdad, except it was the beginning of the Ottoman-era route to that city followed by many, including Ottoman sultan Murat IV during his march upon Persia, after which he captured Baghdad. In fact, with its sidewalk cafés and Western restaurants, Bağdat Caddesi is usually considered as one of Istanbul's most western-flavoured streets, ironically located in Asia. This street is not completely pedestrianized unlike Istiklal Street, which serves a similar function on the European Side, but its broad sidewalks with tree shade offer a pleasant walk. The restaurants, cafés, shops and galleries on the avenue are upscale, budget-friendly options are little to none.
- 7 Kozzy, Kozyatağı, Buket Sk. No:14. A shopping and cultural center.
- Kadıköy is home to the world's leading tattoo scenes. Numerous world renown artist either has roots or workshops in the district. The said shops are mostly concentrated in Moda area.
Eat
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Budget friendly çiğ köfte, döner, fish&bread, kokoreç, patso and fast food shops could be found virtually anywhere. On the seaside, corn and simit as well as tavuk&pilav (rice with chicken) carts could be found.
- 1 Sanatkarlar St. (Ali Suavi St.). Literally the "artists' street", it hosts selection of pubs (like Küff) and restaurants (mostly meyhanes) plus cultural places like Nazım Hikmet Center.
- 2 Acıbadem St.. Multiple choices ranging from kebabs (Sahra) to pastry (Görgülü) to sushis (Konoha).
- 3 Fenerbahçe Marina. Fenerbahçe translates to Lighthouse Garden, in reference to a historic lighthouse built in 1562. The neighborhood gives its name to the Fenerbahçe Sports Club. The marina and the trailing street are home to some solid restaurant choices (Midpoint, Happy Moon's etc.).
- 4 Bostancı Sahil. Both budget (like Balıkçılar Çarşısı) and full-course options (like Günaydın) as well as taverns/meyhane (like Hatay Restaurant) could be found. Remember to visit the Succulent Museum in the vicinity.
Drink
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Kadıköy has a nightlife scene of its own, almost as lively as Beyoğlu on the European Side, if a bit smaller. From the quays and seaside square, cross the main street, then turn right, and from the corner of Starbucks turn left. You’ll come across two churches facing each other; turn right there. On that street and the upper one parallel to it, you’ll find lots of bars (some of which offer live music), pubs, and Turkish taverns. A few blocks uphill from there is the street colloquially known as Barlar Sokağı (Turkish for “Bars Street”), where there are more places for a drink. If you somehow get lost, ask young people for directions to Rexx Sineması, a widely known cinema which is very nearby. Bağdat Avenue is also another world of its own when it comes to nightlife with dozens of bars scaterred along.
Coffee chains around Kadıköy and Bağdat Caddesi are very popular; Starbucks, Gloria Jean's Coffee, and Kahve Dünyası (especially for Turkish coffee). Kahve Dünyası is well worth a visit as a comparatively upscale, indigenously Turkish take on the Starbucks theme.
- 1 Caferağa. This area is home to dozens if not hundreds of bars, cafes, pubs and restaurants. Some of the most prominent streets are; Karanfil Street (a.k.a. 'bars street'), Moda St., Sarraf Ali St., Sakız Gülü St. and Arayıcıbaşı St. Some bars in this area are interestingly named after animals such as Ayı, Fil and Karga. Staple clubs like Arkaoda and Dorock XL are also in this area. Favorites include Bina, Revolte and Muhit.
- 2 Moda Tea Garden (Moda Çay Bahçesi).
- 3 Koşuyolu. Hosting multiple, mostly family-friendly cafe options such as Kirpi and Kronotrop as well as pubs, right in front of the central park.
- 4 Şaşkınbakkal. An upper-class area with dozens of options for bars (like Old English Pub), cocktail bars (like Ferida) cafes (like Leaf Co.), pubs (Draft Gastropub) and restaurants (like Ocakbaşı).
Sleep
[edit]There's a slew of inexpensive places along Kadıköy ferry pier (Rıhtım).
- 1 DoubleTree by Hilton, Caferağa, Albay Faik Sözdener Cd. No:31.
- 2 Wyndham Grand Istanbul Kalamis Marina, Fenerbahçe, Fener Kalamış Cd. No:38.
- 3 Hotel Suadiye, Suadiye Mh., Plaj Yolu Sk. No:27.
- 4 Hilton Istanbul Kozyatagi, Sahrayı Cedit, Batman Sk. No:4.
- 5 Dedeman Bostancı, İçerenköy, Değirmen Yolu Cd..
Learn
[edit]Stay safe
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Tourism police could be found on the pier area.
Since Kadıköy is the stronghold of the soccer team Fenerbahçe SK, try not to be seen in any other team colours during matchdays.
Connect
[edit]Free wifi could be found in the Rıhtım area, as well as most of the cafes. The Moda Pier (Moda İskelesi) and Şehremaneti (TESAK) buildings are serving as libraries.
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