A visit to the Asian side of Istanbul is essential for a complete impression of the city. In the oldest districts, where the very first settlers arrived millennia ago, young people now make their home. Here you’ll find plenty of clubs and cafés, bookshops and music stores, and charming neighbourhoods unlike Sultanahmet. For a quick tour, let’s focus on the coastal part of the area.
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Start your tour at the Üsküdar ferry terminal — ferries from the historic city centre arrive here. For more details about transport in the city, read more here. Right next to the pier stands the second Mihrimah Sultan Mosque, dedicated to the sultan’s daughter. Both mosques were designed by the famous architect Sinan.
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From the Mihrimah Sultan Mosque, take the M5 metro from Yamanevler station to Kısıklı station, then walk uphill to Çamlıca Tepesi Hill. Here, you’ll get a stunning view of the Bosphorus and the Old City. Locals often stroll in this park, and there’s a picnic area further down the slope.
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From the park on the hill, take the metro back and then walk about half a kilometre to the Maiden’s Tower, shrouded in sorrowful legends. Around 400 BC, during the wars between Athens and Sparta, this small rocky islet marked a border territory. The tower was built later. It is one of the city’s symbols—Aivazovsky even depicted it in his paintings. It used to serve as a lighthouse, and now houses a museum and a restaurant.
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Now take bus number 12 from the Doğancılar stop to the already familiar Kadıköy ferry terminal. (Another option is to return to the Mirimah Sultan Mosque and travel one stop on the Marmaray train.) Here you’ll find Haydarpaşa railway station, restaurants and clubs, book and music shops, and a bustling market. You can buy everything here: from a piece of homemade soap to collectible vinyl records.
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Once all the souvenirs are bought and lunch is finished, you can stroll towards the lighthouse and then along the promenade. We even swam near the lighthouse—just be careful of the sharp shells to protect your feet.
For those flying out of Sabiha Gökçen Airport, I recommend dedicating your departure day to exploring the Asian side of the city. That way, you won’t waste extra time crossing the Bosphorus. It’s still more convenient to stay in the Sultanahmet or Beyoğlu districts.