European or Asian Side of Istanbul: Where to Go?

Istanbul is the only major city built on two continents, and the question comes up on almost every trip: should you stay on the European side, where the big monuments are, or cross to the Asian side, which is more residential and more local? The short answer: sleep and sightsee mostly in Europe on a first visit, but cross at least once for half a day in Kadıköy, even if only for the ferry ride. This guide compares the two shores, explains how to get from one to the other and suggests how to split your time.

At a glance

	European side	Asian side
What you see	Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapı, Grand Bazaar, Galata Tower, Dolmabahçe	Kadıköy, Moda, Üsküdar, Kuzguncuk, Çamlıca, Beylerbeyi
Atmosphere	Touristy, dense, lively day and night	Residential, local, calmer
Where to stay	Sultanahmet, Karaköy, Beyoğlu, Şişli	Kadıköy, Moda (smaller choice)
Best for	A first stay, the monuments	A second stay, markets, cafés, walks

The European side: the monuments

A ferry in front of the Galata Bridge and Galata Tower

Almost everything visitors come to see is in Europe: the old city of Sultanahmet, the Grand Bazaar, Topkapı Palace and, across the Golden Horn, Galata and Karaköy and then Beyoğlu and Taksim. It has the most hotels, the most direct transport, and the longest queues. For a stay of three days or fewer there is no reason to sleep elsewhere: see where to stay in Istanbul.

The Asian side: the city of the Istanbulites

The Kadıköy pier, where the ferries arrive

On the Asian side there are fewer monuments to tick off and more everyday life: the Kadıköy market and its lanes of restaurants, Bahariye Street, the seafront and gardens of Moda, Üsküdar and its Sinan mosques, the wooden houses and churches of Kuzguncuk. It is all covered in our guide to Kadıköy and Moda and in the one on the Bosphorus villages, Asian side. You will also see the Maiden's Tower and Beylerbeyi Palace.

The Moda pier

How to cross

The ferry: the most pleasant crossing, with a view of the old city skyline. Şehir Hatları lines link Eminönü, Karaköy and Beşiktaş, among others, with Kadıköy or Üsküdar in roughly twenty minutes. Timetables are posted at the piers and in the company's app. See also the most beautiful ferry rides.
Marmaray: the train that runs under the Bosphorus links Sirkeci (European side) with Üsküdar and Ayrılık Çeşme (Asian side) in a few minutes, in any weather.
The metro: line M4 serves Kadıköy and continues east; the connection with Marmaray is at Ayrılık Çeşme.
The bridges: avoid the road bridges on foot, and at rush hour by bus or taxi, because traffic is very heavy.

Everything is paid with the Istanbulkart; line details are in our guide to getting around Istanbul.

Which side for which traveller?

First stay, 1 to 3 days: stay in Europe, and cross by ferry for a lunch or a late afternoon in Kadıköy.
Stay of 4 days or more: give a full day to the Asian side (Üsküdar in the morning, Kuzguncuk, then Kadıköy and Moda in the evening).
Returning visitors: staying in Kadıköy or Moda is possible, with fewer monuments on foot but more calm and local shops.
Flying from or to Sabiha Gökçen airport: the airport is on the Asian side; if your flight leaves early, a night in Kadıköy can simplify the trip. See from the airport to the centre.

Practical tips

Avoid crossing by car or taxi at rush hour: the ferry is often faster and more predictable.
The last ferries leave fairly early in the evening; check the return time before dining on the other side. Marmaray and the metro run later.
For an evening on the other side, see nightlife in Istanbul.