The Asian side of Istanbul isn’t the most popular area among tourists. It really does have fewer attractions than the European side, but if you’ve already explored the city’s main landmarks and want to discover something new, I recommend setting aside a day to explore some of the city’s more remote neighborhoods.
Beylerbeyi Palace
Our walk begins at Beylerbeyi Palace, a magnificent architectural complex on the shores of the Bosphorus. It’s easy to get here from the European side via the Metrobus — the 15 Temmuz Şehitler Köprüsü stop is just a short walk from the palace.
The area around Beylerbeyi was inhabited as far back as the Byzantine era. The first palace was built here in the early 19th century. After it was damaged by fire, a new palace complex was constructed in its place.
Today, Beylerbeyi is a true architectural gem of Istanbul. Visitors can stroll through the garden, enjoy views of the Bosphorus, and explore the luxurious halls of what was once a summer residence. As of April 2025, entrance to the palace costs 600 lira. A ticket to the garden only is 50 lira. Note that photography is not allowed inside the palace.
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Kuzguncuk
A 30-minute walk from the palace brings you to the colorful and charming Kuzguncuk district. You can build your route to pass through Nakkaştepe Park — a great spot with panoramic views of the Bosphorus. You can also easily plan your route using Istanbul’s public transport with the Moovit app.
Kuzguncuk is famous for its brightly colored buildings, which often appear in Turkish TV series.
Stroll through the streets to admire the vibrant architecture, relax in cozy cafés, or visit the small community garden located in the center of İcadiye Street.
Marmara University Faculty of Theology Mosque
About a 10-minute walk from the Kuzguncuk garden is the Fıstıkağacı metro station. From here, take the train one stop to Bağlarbaşı — right outside the station exit, you’ll find the mosque of the Marmara University Faculty of Theology. I recommend it especially to those who have already visited Istanbul’s historic religious sites.
The mosque was built between 2012 and 2015, replacing an earlier structure. It’s notable for its unique façade and interior design. The standout feature is the unusual dome, which transforms into a work of art at night. Though the mosque looks modest in size, it can hold over 4,000 worshippers.
Read the article on the mosque
Çamlıca Tower
Next, take the metro to Kısıklı station, where you’ll find the towering Çamlıca Tower — a structure visible even from across the Bosphorus. Opened in 2020, it is now the tallest building in Istanbul.
The tower stands atop a hill more than 200 meters high. The tower itself reaches 369 meters. Its unique shape and 360-degree observation deck offer an exceptional panoramic view of Istanbul.
Admission to the observation deck costs 900 lira.
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Çamlıca Mosque
The final stop on the route is Çamlıca Mosque, which can be reached by bus or on foot from the tower. If you choose to walk, the journey takes about 40 minutes.
Çamlıca Mosque is another prominent landmark on the Asian side that can be seen from across the Bosphorus. It’s the largest mosque in Turkey. Construction took place between 2013 and 2019.
The mosque’s minarets rise to 107 meters, and the main dome reaches 72 meters. It can accommodate 63,000 people — roughly the population of a small city.
Entrance is free. Guests can admire the interior from the main floor or climb to the upper balconies for a different perspective.
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That’s where I’ll end this virtual walk, but you can easily expand the route with other interesting spots. If you have more time, consider visiting the Nezahat Gökyiğit Botanical Garden — one of the Asian side’s lesser-known but fascinating attractions.
Have a nice trip!
