Kadıköy walking tour & neighborhood guide
The lively Asian side: markets, Moda's seafront and street life.
More Istanbul neighborhoods
Kadıköy, on the Asian shore of the Bosphorus, is where many Istanbulites go to eat, shop and spend an evening out. It has few grand monuments, but its market streets, cafés, bookshops, bars and seafront parks give a real taste of everyday life in the city, just a twenty-minute ferry ride from the old city.
The market and the center
The ferry pier is the gateway to Kadıköy, and the crossing from Eminönü or Karaköy, with gulls following the boat and views back to the skyline, is one of the best things to do in Istanbul. Behind the pier, the Kadıköy market, known as the Çarşı, is a grid of lanes full of fishmongers, delicatessens, pickle shops, spice sellers and bakeries.
Bahariye Street, the main shopping street, leads to the Süreyya Opera House, a 1920s theater, while the bronze bull statue at Altıyol is the neighborhood's classic meeting point. Old bookshops and record stores fill the lanes around the market, and the evenings are lively with bars and live music around Kadife Street, known as the Bar Street.
Moda and Yeldeğirmeni
South of the center, Moda is a calm residential neighborhood on a small peninsula. Its seafront park is a favorite spot for watching the sunset over the old city, and its streets are lined with cafés and ice-cream shops. A small nostalgic tram loops through Kadıköy and Moda.
North of the pier, Yeldeğirmeni is known for its large street-art murals and independent cafés, and the grand Haydarpaşa railway station, with its German-built towers, stands by the water. Fenerbahçe, home of one of Turkey's biggest football clubs, is a short ride away.
A classic walk in Kadıköy
Take the ferry from Eminönü or Karaköy and start at the pier. Wander through the market streets, then walk up Bahariye Street past the opera house to the bull statue. Continue to Moda and finish on the seafront at sunset, watching the lights come on across the water.
The walk takes two to three hours. Pay for the ferry with an Istanbulkart, and on the way back, take a late ferry to see the old city lit up at night.
Top sights in Kadıköy
- 1
Kadıköy ferry pier
Ferries to Eminönü and Karaköy with skyline views.
- 2
Kadıköy market
Lanes of fishmongers, delis, pickles and spices.
- 3
Moda seafront
A park with sunset views over the old city.
- 4
Süreyya Opera House
A 1920s theater on Bahariye Street.
- 5
Yeldeğirmeni
Street-art murals and independent cafés.
- 6
Haydarpaşa Station
A grand historic railway station on the water.
Food markets & where to eat in Kadıköy
Kadıköy market
Fish, meze, olives, cheese and Turkish sweets.
Güneşlibahçe Street
The fish market lane with seafood stalls.
Moda
Cafés, bakeries and ice-cream shops near the sea.
Kadife Street
Bars and casual eats open until late.
Opening hours and prices change often. Please check with each place before you visit.
Planning a trip to Istanbul?
Read the full city guide for more walking videos, top sights, food markets and dishes to try across Istanbul.
Istanbul city guide →