Transport

Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW)

Istanbul · Turkey

Sabiha Gökçen International Airport is Istanbul's second major airport, located on the Asian side of the city approximately 45 km from the European center. The airport primarily serves budget airlines including Pegasus and SunExpress, and handles a growing volume of domestic and international traffic, particularly to Eastern European, Middle Eastern, and Central Asian destinations. The E14 metro line provides connections to Kadıköy on the Asian shore, from which ferries cross to the European side. Despite its distance from central Istanbul, Sabiha Gökçen's lower cost base makes it a popular choice for budget-conscious travelers and those staying on the Asian side.

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Istanbul · Turkey

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Food

Çiya Sofrası Istanbul

Çiya Sofrası is one of Istanbul's most important and beloved restaurants, operating in the Kadıköy market district on the Asian side of the Bosphorus under chef Musa Dağdeviren, who has devoted his career to preserving and reviving the dying culinary traditions of Anatolia. The restaurant functions simultaneously as a research institution and a lunch counter, serving a rotating menu of regional Turkish dishes drawn from a personal archive of thousands of recipes collected from villages across Turkey. Dishes from southeastern Anatolia, the Black Sea coast, and nomadic traditions sit alongside more familiar Istanbul staples, creating a daily menu of extraordinary depth and cultural significance.

Istanbul · Turkey

Food

Kadikoy Market

Kadikoy Market is a vibrant urban area , alive with local culture, commerce, and community life. The area offers an authentic experience of local traditions, street life, and the distinct character of this community, making it a rewarding destination for those seeking genuine cultural engagement.

Istanbul · Turkey

Transport

Üsküdar Ferry Terminal Istanbul

Üsküdar Ferry Terminal is the main transport hub on the Asian side of the Bosphorus directly opposite the historic European peninsula, connecting the Asian shore to Eminönü and Karaköy via regular ferry services that cross one of the world's most beautiful and historic waterways. The terminal is also served by the Üsküdar-Çekmeköy metro line and numerous city bus routes, making it the gateway to Istanbul's Asian neighborhoods including Kadıköy, Beykoz, and the residential Bosphorus villages. The crossing itself — offering sweeping views of the Ottoman skyline, the Topkapi Palace, and the Galata Tower — is one of Istanbul's most rewarding five-minute journeys and a quintessential city experience.

Istanbul · Turkey

Sightseeing

Ortakoy Square

Ortakoy Square is a notable point of interest, offering visitors an opportunity to experience the distinctive character and appeal of this destination. Whether for its natural beauty, cultural significance, or unique atmosphere, it provides a rewarding experience as part of a broader exploration of the area.

Istanbul · Turkey

Food

Tuğra Restaurant Istanbul

Tuğra is one of Istanbul's most romantic and historically resonant fine dining restaurants, occupying the former banquet hall of the Ottoman imperial household in the Çırağan Palace Kempinski Hotel on the European shore of the Bosphorus. The restaurant's Ottoman-revival interior — with its gilded ceiling panels, inlaid furniture, and views directly onto the Bosphorus — creates an atmosphere that no contemporary hotel restaurant could replicate, and the menu of Ottoman and Turkish cuisine is served in courses that reflect the multi-cultural complexity of the empire's culinary legacy. Dishes drawing on Armenian, Greek, and Central Asian influences alongside Turkish classics make Tuğra a singular expression of Istanbul's food history.

Istanbul · Turkey

Sightseeing

Topkapi Palace

Topkapi Palace was the primary administrative centre and royal residence of the Ottoman sultans for nearly 400 years (1465-1856), housing the royal court and governing one of history's most powerful empires. The sprawling complex overlooking the Bosphorus contains four main courtyards, a renowned treasury displaying priceless jewels (including the 86-carat Spoonmaker's Diamond), sacred Islamic relics, and the opulent Harem. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Istanbul's most visited museum, Topkapi offers an unparalleled window into the Ottoman world.

Istanbul · Turkey

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Destination

Turkey

Travel guides

Turkey Travel Guide: Ancient Wonders & Modern Charm

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Events

Ramadan Iftar Season

Turkey’s Ramadan Iftar Season centers on iftar, the evening meal that ends the daily Ramadan fast at sunset and the Maghrib call to prayer. Ramadan is a month o

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Events

Istanbul Tulip Festival

The Istanbul Tulip Festival brings a vivid welcome to spring each April, when parks, gardens, and public spaces across the city are planted with tulips. The flo

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