Things to do in Istanbul, Asian part | Travel Blog

Istanbul

While in the first part I was talking about European Istanbul in this post I will describe the Asian region. 

The other side of the Bosphorus is quite different and very interesting. The areas of that part of the city are quite distinct between each other and very characteristics. I have to say that some places to visit were close because of the pandemic situation, so I had time to visit these areas that most probably I wouldn't.

Kuzguncuk

This is one of the places I loved the most, mainly because it surprised me positively. The architecture is particular, I didn't expect it in Istanbul: wooden houses full of colours, nice shops, restaurants and cafes with tables and chairs on the street.

The word Kuzguncuk means "little raven" or "barred window of a prison door" in Turkish. The name is said to come from Kuzgun Baba who lived in the area during the time of the sultan Mehmet II. I have to say that I felt a different atmosphere here on the Asian side, Istanbul indeed has two souls.

Beylerbeyi Palace

Near Kuzguncuk, immediately north of the Bosphorus bridge, there is the imperial Ottoman summer residence. It was used also to entertain visiting heads of state and its position facing the Bosphorus is amazing.

The palace now is a museum, is possible to visit it indoors and outdoors, and the thing that I enjoyed the most is the view of the Bosphorus from the sidewalk directly on the water (3rd picture in the above block). 

Kadikoy

Another characteristic area of Istanbul is Kadikoy, it is a residential area also full of bars, restaurants, bookshops and it is the cultural centre of the Anatolian side of Istanbul. 

I liked the atmosphere of this district, active with a lot of people and energy, with different places to visit and things to do.

The most characteristic thing of this district is the nostalgic tram T3, it looks like an ancient tram line but it was introduced in 2003. The line is 2.6 km long with 10 stops, the tram has a single track loop to do that goes clockwise.

Spices Bazaar

Back to the European side, on the last day, I went to the spices bazaar. It is the most famous covered shopping complex after the Grand Bazaar, and comparing this one with it it looks small, but it is one of the largest of the city.

The Bazaar is located in the Fatih district and it is part of the complex of the New Mosque. I love all the bazaars that I visited, and this one is also one of these, the smells and the colours are unique, maybe a bit touristic and less traditional than the Grand Bazaar but also beautiful.

Galata tower

The last thing that I visited in Istanbul was the Galata tower that is a medieval tower in the Karakoy district. During the period when the republic of Genoa was occupying the city the tower was called the "Tower of Christ". 

The tower is 60 m tall, and it hosts a restaurant and a club and you can visit it and see the view of the Bosphorus by buying a ticket. From 2013 it is included in the list of the UNESCO World Heritage temporary list in Turkey. In the last two pictures, you can see the narrow streets that lead to the tower and the Galata bridge on the golden horn.

Istanbul surprised me positively, for the city itself and for the people that was amazing. After this trip, I went directly to Kyrgyzstan where I stayed for two months, another incredible adventure.