The best things to do in Kadikoy don’t always include a museum or historical site. The Asian side of Istanbul has a lot of greenery and a more local, slow-paced feel. If you’re the kind of person that likes to be outside in parks and near the water, then Kadikoy might be the best place for you to explore.
Personally, I love getting lost in the narrow packed streets of Moda. Then suddenly finding myself looking out into the sea from the rocky coastline. As a visitor to Istanbul, you’ll soon appreciate the green space in a jungle of concrete.
During your visit to Istanbul, I recommend exploring the area for about 2-3 days. There is definitely more to see than just the novelty of hopping on a ferry to another continent. And trust me, you won’t be disappointed.
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How to Get to Kadikoy – The Asian Side of Istanbul
Getting to Kadikoy is very easy no matter where you are in the city.
First, I would recommend getting an IstanbulKart card. This card is reloadable and allows you to use all the public transportation in the city including metro, ferries, buses, trams, and Marmaray. The Marmaray is the only train that goes under the Bosphorus.
The IstanbulKart card can be purchased at any metro station at a yellow kiosk vending machine or a newsstand. The price of the card as of August 2022 is 50TL. It doesn’t come with any credit so I suggest loading 50TL onto the card at the time of purchase.
From the European side districts of Eminonu, Karakoy, and Besiktas, there are direct ferries that leave every 20-30 minutes all day until midnight.
From the Asian side distract Uskudar, just take the Maramaray to Söğütlüçeşme.
Best Things to Do in Kadikoy
1. Explore the Fish Market
The Kadikoy Fish Market is one of the best in the city. Located on Güneşli Bahçe Sk, you will see many vendors selling their catch of the day along with cheese, olives, and honey. And since Istanbul sits in between the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara, fresh fish is naturally an essential part of Turkish cuisine. Surrounding the market, there are numerous fish restaurants where you can get mezes, fish, and have some raki with friends.
2. Catch the Tram
The nostalgic Kadikoy Tram line first started in 2003. The tram cars are old German cars from the 1960s. Its route essentially goes in a circle around Kadikoy and Moda.
There are 10 stops along the route where you can hop on and off the tram. All you have to do once you get on the tram is scan your IstanbulKart card to pay for the fare. The whole route takes about 20 minutes if you want to start and end in the same place.
I recommend taking the tram because it will give you a good perspective of the area and you’ll get to note which places you want to explore more.
3. Take a Picture with the Bull
The Bull is a popular meeting point in Kadikoy connecting 6 streets. It is a statue of a life-size adult male bull that has had a pretty interesting life. Starting in 1864 in France, the statue was created in celebration of acquiring land from the Germans.
However, a few years later that same land was retaken by the Germans along with the statue. During WWI, the Ottoman Empire was an ally to the Germans, and the statue was given as a gift to the Ottoman general. It was placed at Yildiz Palace for some time.
After the war, the palace and the statue were abandoned until the 1950s. At this time it was taken to its new home at the Istanbul Hilton Hotel where it stayed for 15 years. In the 1970s the statue made it to the Asian continent where it was placed in front of the Kadikoy Municipality building.
And finally, in the 1990s, it was moved for the last time to its current home.
4. Breathe in the Fresh Seaside Air
One of the best things to do in Kadikoy is wandering around the seaside. The entire coastline is full of parks, biking paths, beaches, and cafes. It’s a great way to spend the afternoon as well as the evening. The walking and biking path is about 4.5 miles long or 7.2 kilometers. You’ll definitely be getting your steps in for the day.
5. The Neighborhoods of Bostanci and Suadiye
My favorite areas along the seaside are Bostanci and Suadiye. Bostanci is the unofficial starting point of Bagdat Street but has a lot to offer when wandering the side streets. There are many unique cafes and restaurants. Bostanci also has a pier that connects to Princes Island by ferry.
In Suadiye, there is more shopping by big name brands such as Zara, H&M, and Marks and Spencers. The restaurants in this area are a bit more expensive but are more of a casual fine dining experience. Sure, there are restaurants that transform into the white tablecloth atmosphere at night, but during the day it is more informal.
Both Bostanci and Suadiye have Marmaray stops making it easy to reach by public transportation.
6. Relax in Goztepe Park
This park is located in the neighborhood of Goztepe. It is the largest green area excluding the seaside. The park features nice shady areas with plenty of benches to relax. There is a very generous children’s playground with many activities to keep any child fully entertained.
In the springtime, Goztepe Park is one of the locations to see the Istanbul Tulip Festival. Thousands of colorful tulips are planted here every year. It’s definitely a sight to see. The tulips typically bloom at the end of March and the beginning of April.
The park is 10,000 square meters or 2.5 acres. It is reachable by bus, Marmaray and walking.
7. Shop ‘Til You Drop on Bagdat Street
Bagdat Street is one of the longest streets in Istanbul. It measures 8.7 miles or 14 kilometers. Historically, this road was used as the entrance to Constantinople from the Asian side. The Ottoman Empire built many fountains along the road for travelers to use when arriving in the city. The Turkish word for a fountain is çeşme. Today, some neighborhoods in the area are named after the old fountains such as Söğütlüçeşme.
Walking along Bagdat Street is one of the best things to do in Kadikoy because the sidewalks are wide, the atmosphere is lively, and there are endless options of things to eat. The road is flat, so no need to worry about climbing any hills. It is also a one-way street for traffic. Bagdat is easily reachable by bus, Marmaray or simply walking.
Best Restaurants in Kadikoy
Of course, there are so many great restaurants in Kadikoy to choose from and it’s hard to narrow it down; dining is always part of any adventure to a new city. However, these are my top five that I absolutely love going to. If you’re interested in checking out my full list of recommended restaurants and cafes in Kadikoy, click here.
1. Aida
Caferağa, No: 10, Ressam Şeref Akdik Sokağı No:10, 34710 Kadıköy/İstanbul, Turkey
Aida is located in Moda. It is an intimate Italian restaurant with a cute interior of antique furniture inside an old renovated house. Some nights there is a pianist playing downstairs which adds to the enjoyable and cozy atmosphere.
The menu is chosen with care and changes with what is in season. There are many varieties of dishes to choose from and there are some vegetarian options as well.
It can be a bit more expensive compared to other restaurants in the area, but it is a unique dining experience. Aida is only open for dinner service and a reservation typically is encouraged.
2. Kuff Cafe
Osmanağa, Ali Suavi Sk. No:9/B, 34714 Kadıköy/İstanbul, Turkey
Kuff Cafe is a local hangout place located down a hidden street that most tourists don’t know about. They have a lot of outdoor seating, making it a great place to meet with friends, especially during the summer.
Their menu has a wide variety of local and international items and drinks. I especially like going here for their Turkish breakfast.
3. Barmy
Caferağa, Kadife Sk. No:12, 34710 Kadıköy/İstanbul, Turkey
Barmy is a hip gastro bar located on bar street (Kadife Sk.) in Kadikoy. The historic building was constructed in 1905.
Today, the interior is an electric mixture of old and modern architecture with big wall murals from local artists. They have a very nice rooftop area with a DJ in the evenings.
The menu is designed from local ingredients and they also have their own wine cellar. Be sure to try out their artisan cocktails as well. I tried out their red sangria and it was delicious!
4. Ciya Sofrasi
Caferağa, Güneşli Bahçe Sok, 34710 Kadıköy/İstanbul, Turkey
Ciya Sofrasi is a simple Turkish restaurant that has become very popular.
They offer a variety of homemade Turkish cuisine from the southeastern region of the country. There are a variety of mezes on display near the entrance. You can have a look at the options before you sit down to order. I especially recommend the hummus. It is simply one of the best hummus dishes I’ve had.
Plates here are shared, making it easy to try many things at once. Everything is good here, you really can’t go wrong. If you have questions, the staff is very helpful and can explain ingredients in English.
The restaurant covers three floors as well as an outdoor patio and rooftop terrace.
It is especially busy during the evening hours.
5. Mr. Dumpling
Osmanağa, Halitağa Cd. No:25, 34714 Kadıköy/İstanbul, Turkey
If you like dumplings, you will love this restaurant. Mr. Dumpling serves 30 delicious varieties of Turkish homemade dumplings. They even have 10 different varieties of gluten-free and vegan dumplings which are prepared in a separate area of the kitchen.
The owner, Müslüm Çiçekçi, opened Mr. Dumpling in 2017. His focus was on quality ingredients and nutrition. He wanted his restaurant to represent a cozy and relaxing atmosphere for his customers.
Today, there are 2 locations, one in Kadikoy and one in Suadiye.
Best Hotels in Kadikoy
1. The Room Hostel Moda
Caferaga Mah. Günesli Bahçe Sok. 50/B, Kadiköy, Istanbul, Istanbul, 34710
The Room Hostel Moda is a hostel accommodation with shared dorms and private rooms. The private rooms are available in single or double. They also have their own private bathrooms. If you book a dorm room, the bathroom is shared.
The location of this hotel is very conveniently close to all transportation. It is also central to all restaurants, cafes, and shopping in Kadikoy.
This hotel would be ideal for budget-friendly travelers.
2. Loka Suites
Caferağa Mah, Serasker Cd. No:20, 34710 Kadıköy/İstanbul, Turkey
Loka Suites is a boutique hotel situated in the middle of the hustle and bustle of Kadikoy. It is minutes away from all major transportation including ferries, metro, bus, tram, and Marmaray.
The interior of the rooms are designed with an elegant and modern touch. All rooms have air conditioning, heating, wifi, lock box, desk, TV, and kettle with tea and coffee. The rooms are a bit compact but cozy.
Each room has its own modern private bathroom with toiletries. The is enclosed with a rain shower head as well as an adjustable shower head.
The front desk is available 27/4 and the staff speaks English and Turkish.
The price range of this hotel is moderate. I’d recommend for solo travelers and couples.
3. İkiz Konak Boutique Hotel
Rasimpaşa Mahallesi, Recaizade Sokak 32/1, Kadikoy, 34716 Istanbul, Turkey
İkiz Konak is located in a quieter part of Kadikoy that is more residential. It is still fairly central to everything within Kadikoy and just a 5 minute walk away from the bus, ferry, and metro lines.
The hotel is inside an adorable renovated historic home. Rooms are large and have a lot of natural light with big windows. It is furnished with a modern, classic vintage vibe with light wooden floors and traditional Turkish carpets. All rooms have a mini bar, TV, lock box, and wifi. Some rooms have a balcony with a table and chairs.
The bathroom is decorated with pattern floor tiles and white walls. There are toiletries, slippers, and a hairdryer.
The price range is, again, moderate and I would recommend this hotel for solo travelers and couples.
4. Buem Hotel
Acıbadem Mahallesi Şeyh Galip Sokak No:2/1 Kadıköy, 34718 Istanbul, Turkey
Buem Hotel is a larger 4-star hotel located slightly outside the center of the main Kadikoy area. It features spacious modern rooms, a restaurant, a fitness center, private parking, and a shared lounge.
Rooms are clean and come with all the basic amenities such as towels, toiletries, slippers, robe, hairdryer, kettle, coffee and tea, tv, air conditioning, heating, mini fridge, and lockbox.
When booking a room you have the option of a garden view or city view depending on availability. A continental breakfast is included with your stay.
The closest metro station to the hotel is Acibadem which is a 5 minutes walk away. You can also catch a bus from the main street. There aren’t that many dining options close by, so you will have to travel a little bit for some food. However, there are many coffee shops nearby.
I’d recommend this hotel for couples and families. The price range is between moderate and high.
5. Broyt Suites
Caddebostan Mahallesi, Bağdat Caddesi No:290, Kadikoy, 34728 Istanbul, Turkey
Broyt Suites is a 4-star hotel located right on lively Bagdat Street. There are many restaurants and cafes right as soon as you step out onto the sidewalk. It is also located near some local beaches along the Sea of Marmara.
The style and atmosphere of this hotel is contemporary and spacious. Rooms are available as suites with large double beds. Executive, duplex, and penthouse suites are also options depending on availability.
Within the room, guests will find a TV, lockbox, mini fridge, kettle, coffee machine, toiletries, slippers, robe, and hairdryer.
The hotel also offers airport drop-off and pick-up at an additional fee.
The closest public transportation around this hotel is the bus stops along Bagdat. The metro station is a bit of a walk but still an option.
Broyt Suites would be ideal for families and couples. The price range is between moderate and high.
Conclusion
As you can see, the best things to do in Kadikoy are enjoyed outside. I hope you’ll consider spending some time in the beautiful district of Kadikoy during your trip to Istanbul!
