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Istanbul. It conjures up a juxtaposing association of familiarity, as nearly everyone has heard of it, but it retains a sense of intrigue, with its layers of history as a cross-continental port city. One of Istanbul’s most common refrains from travel writers to visitors to journalists, is that it spans two continents, connecting Europe to Asia.
But despite the fact that it is famous for connecting the Eastern and Western worlds, the Asian side of Istanbul can often get overshadowed by its more popular European half.
I bought a guidebook from a well-renowned travel-guide company, and I was puzzled to discover that the Asian side of Istanbul received no mention and didn’t even make it onto the map.
And when I was in Istanbul, checking out of a hotel in the Sultanahmet neighborhood, the hotel owner asked me which city I was headed to next. After responding that I was heading to stay in Kadıköy, on the Asian side of the city, he promptly countered with “Oh there’s nothing to do over there.” But after spending quite a bit of time across the Bosphorus, I can confidently say that I disagree.
The Asian side of Istanbul, which carries with it the history of the ancient cities of Chalcedon and Chrysopolis, is full of nightlife, beautiful views, relaxing tea gardens, and some of the best food in the city. In short, it is not to be missed.
Below, I recommend some of the best things to do on the Asian side of Istanbul. I can assure you this list barely scratches the surface of what this area has to offer.
Table of Contents
Where to stay
As we’ll cover, there’s quite a bit of action going on in the center of the Kadıköy district, and in the specific neighborhood of Moda.
The ideal balance, I’ve found, is to stay in the Yeldeğirmeni neighborhood, just north of the beating heart of Kadıköy. It’s quieter, with a number of amazing old-school restaurants, and a more homey, residential feel.
It’s a short walk from the main ferry stop, so while you don’t really compromise convenience by staying there, you buy yourself a little reprieve from the wonderful buzz that lies a few blocks South.
A hotel that’s pretty friendly on the budget is the Marist Hotel Kadıköy. This hotel is located in Yeldeğirmeni, on a quiet street with plenty of little cafes.
The rooms are fairly small but clean, and there’s a lovely rooftop terrace overlooking the city that you can enjoy any hour until 11:00 p.m. The (free) classic Turkish Breakfast is served up there as well, cooked up by a charming, friendly staff.
If you’d like to splurge a little bit more, opt for the Moja City Hotel, also in Yeldeğirmeni. This sleek, clean hotel is conveniently located within a minute’s walk to the waterfront and just a few blocks from the metro stop, and has a well-reviewed breakfast option.
How to get around
There are quite a few ways to get around the Asian side of Istanbul.
The best way to get set up for successful navigation is to get yourself an Istanbul Kart (Istanbul Card). This card can be purchased at hubs of public transportation, including the airport, bus stops, ferry terminals, and metro stations.
One of the newer ways to get around in Istanbul, yet likely most familiar to visitors, is the metro system. Should you arrive at the Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW), the M4 metro line will take you all the way to Kadıköy, making it not only the fastest but also the cheapest way to get straight to the action of the city.
For a more localized approach to getting around, take a stab at hopping in a dolmuş. These minivans function as a sort of cheap hybrid between taxis and buses. They typically run point-to-point routes from the center of one neighborhood to the next (Üsküdar – Kadıköy, for example), with signage indicating the destination, and riders are able to request convenient stops along the way.
When you hop in a dolmuş, be sure to have cash, and pass your money up to the driver.
There is also, of course, the ferry system. Üsküdar and Kadıköy are the two main ferry terminals on the Asian side, connecting further up the Bosphorus and across to the main terminals on the European side of the city.
A pro tip for those traveling by ferry in the winter months: Get yourself a steaming cup of salep. A thick, creamy, hot drink, salep is made from the powder of orchid tubers, mixed with milk and cinnamon. Sipping on this classic Turkish drink is the perfect way to defend against the cold winter winds as you cross the Bosphorus.
But one of my favorite parts of Istanbul was how the ferry system truly is an essential, perhaps the essential, way to get around. Istanbul (or Constantinople or Byzantium) has for thousands of years, been defined by its waterways, as it is today.
Not only is taking the ferry across the Bosphorus or up the Golden Horn a convenient way to get around, but it is relaxing, easy, and a breathtakingly beautiful way to see the city.
So don’t just take the ferry across to Kadıköy to visit Asia as a novelty. Step off that boat, and spend some time appreciating the many fun, meaningful, and beautiful things that the Asian side of Istanbul has to offer.
Exciting things to do on the Asian side of Istanbul
1. Have a sunset picnic at Moda Sahil Park
Grassy fields filled with picnickers pouring locally fermented wine, bikers and skateboarders weaving through busy pedestrian paths, large flat rocks facing the mesmerizing views of the Princes Islands in the distance, and of course, the ubiquitous parade of stray Istanbul cats.
There are few better places in Istanbul to settle in for an evening beer on the rocks, watching the light fade away. This promenade and picnic area on the farthest southern edge of Moda is, on a nightly basis, filled with locals who come to unwind, listen to music, and enjoy being away from the chaos of the rest of Istanbul.
Come here on foot, and be sure to stop by a corner store to grab a bottle of Tuborg or Efes on the way. This spot is made for reminiscing on the memories of a trip well-done, or as an introductory spot on the first evening on the Asian side of the city.
2. Learn about Islamic history
Opened in 2022, the Museum of Islamic Civilizations is one of the newest museums in Istanbul and is absolutely worth a visit. Given the Ottoman Empire once held claim as the Islamic Caliphate from the 16th century all the way through the 20th century, Istanbul is a fitting home for this educational museum.
The beautiful, well-designed, informative museum covers a wide range of approximately 1,200 years of Islamic history, with interactive exhibits, art, and artifacts.
There are early copies of the Quran, a Kiswa (the cloth that covers the Kabba during the Hajj) from hundreds of years ago, coins from around the Ottoman Empire, and countless other fascinating relics. Many of which had never been displayed before.
Not only does the museum boast an immense display of artifacts, but it does a great job explaining history. After having visited a number of Mosques throughout Istanbul, the museum was a great way to answer some questions about Islam and its origins, history, and traditions.
I learned of the many historical routes that the faithful have taken on the Hajj, why the colors in the Mosques changed over time as the religion grew, the different names for sections of a traditional Mosque layout, and so many other insights about Islam, which plays such a prominent role in many people’s lives throughout Istanbul.
The museum is also located beneath the Çamlıca Mosque, making it a great two-for-one opportunity to head up to a lesser-visited part of the city.
3. Visit the Çamlıca Mosque
Why is the largest mosque in Istanbul, nay, Turkey, so overlooked? It’s a question I asked myself and honestly couldn’t figure out a great answer.
Perhaps it hasn’t had enough time to gain popularity, but it is one of the best attractions on the Asian side of Istanbul. It opened in 2019, making it a radically new monument in a city that goes back to antiquity.
The Çamlıca Mosque is not only massive, from the domes to the minarets to the sahn (courtyard), but it sits atop the highest point in all of Istanbul, with the city unfolding in 360 degrees as the mosque’s backdrop. On the horizon you’ll see two of the three bridges that span Europe to Asia, you’ll see Galata Tower, and the Suleymaniye Mosque, as well as the spread of Asian Istanbul to the East.
The mosque adds to the city’s diversity of religious structures, as the interior is notably more austere than the ornate designs of the Blue Mosque, yet it’s beautiful in its simplicity. The pearly, white walls, and scattered pockets of multi-colored stained glass will leave any visitor, regardless of religious belief, feeling a sense of peace.
Visiting Çamlıca Mosque also comes with the added benefit of accessing the surrounding park. The park has trails undulating up and down between grassy fields and towering trees, and it’s a lovely place to stroll and enjoy the views.
You’ll also find yourself near the base of one of the largest Turkish flags in Istanbul, and when you’re close enough you can hear the sound of this giant flag rippling in the wind.
4. Run (or bike or walk) along the Moda waterfront
There are kilometers upon kilometers of pathways that are perfect for running, biking, or walking along the waterfront of the Sea of Marmara. I’d argue, in fact, that the Asian side of Istanbul is more runner and biker-friendly than the European side.
A great place to start is along the Kadıköy waterfront, starting from Festival Park, passing by Çocuk Park, and wrapping around the corner on the southern edge of Moda Sahil Park. That’s already a couple of kilometers; if you’re eager for more, there’s quite a bit more waterfront pathway to continue following.
The pathway runs parallel to stretches of green grass on one side, and water on the other. In the morning this stretch of pathway is relatively quiet, making it the ideal time to enjoy the greenspace and the fresh, sea air before a day of exploring the crowded streets of Istanbul.
But the scenery along this stretch is what makes it spectacular. The Prince’s Islands are in clear view to the South, and to the Northwest you’ll see the pointy tips of the city’s most iconic monuments, the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and Topkapı Palace.
5. Post up at a meyhane and drink rakı
When visiting a new city, it’s always a good idea to give the local hooch a try. In Istanbul, that would be rakı, and Kadıköy has innumerable places to imbibe this special drink.
Rakı is a type of clear brandy, made from fermented grapes, and flavored with anise (which gives it the distinct licorice flavor). It is a strong liquor, usually in the range of 40-50% alcohol.
You can find rakı fairly easily throughout Istanbul, but the best place to drink is at a meyhane. Meyhanes are taverns that are common throughout Turkey, serving up traditional Turkish dishes and of course, serving rakı.
You’ll also find delicious food, as most meyhanes specialize in meze (a wide variety of small, shareable dishes). Rakı is traditionally served with meze, which almost always includes slices of sheep’s milk cheese, melon, and some fresh raw veggies.
Most people make drinking rakı a social affair. There are often pairs of old friends drinking it while catching up, or large communal tables celebrating a family event, with bottles sitting in ice buckets lining the table.
Early on in the evening, the atmosphere will be fun and social, but mostly calm. Stay a little longer and the laughter will get louder, conversations more boisterous, and tables a little messier. The third stage I witnessed of a rakı evening was singing and dancing – when the liquor truly takes hold.
The streets of Güneşli Bahçe and Osmancık in Kadıköy, are lined with meyhanes, so it’s hard to go wrong in choosing one (just avoid the ones where there are suspiciously few people).
It’s important to note that there is an optimal way to drink. After making the embarrassing mistake of knocking it back like a shot at a sports bar, I later learned that was a rookie move. After stepping into a meyhane, I learned the correct way to drink.
Here’s how: Pour a few fingers of rakı into the glass. Add as much water as you like, but most opt for about two times the amount of rakı into the glass. Complete with an ice cube. You’ll see the concoction become cloudy, and then you’re ready to sip.
6. Watch the city wake up at a coffee shop in Kadıköy
Though it may be hard to rise early after imbibing at a meyhane the night before, posting up at a cafe or çay (tea) house has rewards of its own. For me, it’s very much about the sounds. The rattle of shutters sliding open, the rhythmic sweeping of storefronts, the clinking of keys unlocking doors.
Turkish coffee, or Türk kahvesi, has been an important part of Turkish culture for hundreds of years, after the drink was brought back from modern-day Yemen during the expansion of the Ottoman Empire. In fact, drinking coffee as a daily ritual is older in Turkey than drinking a cup of çay.
For those who like strong coffee, Turkish coffee is the drink for you. Served in small portions, the coffee is unfiltered, and unstirred, so the grounds sit like mud at the bottom of the cup. Because of its strength, it’s often served with sugar, a cup of water, and a small treat (often lokum or Turkish delight).
There are plenty of great places to rise early and slowly sip a Türk kahvesi, but one recommendation is to head to the intersection of Mühürdar and Serakser in the heart of Kadıköy. There are a number of small neighborhood cafes at that intersection that are perfect for a slow start to your day.
So, sit there and sip until you taste the grounds at the bottom of the cup, and watch the city come to life.
7. Peruse one of the many bookstores on Mühürdar Street
It’s always a good sign when a city has a lot of bookstores, and Istanbul has quite a few, especially on the Asian side of town.
At most of the bookstores throughout Istanbul, you see an effort to highlight authors of their own. Turkish literary superstars such as Elif Shafak or Orhan Pamuk line the shelves, showing a sense of pride in the talent from within the country.
There’s so much variety to be found when exploring Istanbul’s bookstores. There are old ones selling dusty books with that oxidated, yellow color. There are new ones selling books in all varieties of languages. And there are ones with large collections of children’s books, including translations you might recognize from childhood.
One of the best places to scavenge for new (or old) books is on Mühürdar Street on the Western edge of Moda. Along the street there are a variety of bookstores, including Barış Sahaf, a rare bookshop that is known to blast heavy metal music, and where I discovered a hilariously cruel “Frommer’s Guide to Europe on $15 per day”…if only that was still possible.
But the pinnacle of book shopping lies tucked off to the side of Mühürdar street, in a place called Akmar Passage (above).
As the name suggests, it’s a kind of passageway, lined with bookseller after bookseller, most of which are secondhand, where you can find almost any type of book or map that you could possibly imagine. It would be easy to spend hours in there – so plan your day accordingly!
8. Soak in the views from Üsküdar
What was once a key port city during the Roman era, and the site of the Battle of Chrysopolis (between Constantine and Licinius), Üsküdar is now a bustling waterfront district of Asian Istanbul. Given its close proximity to both peninsulas on the European side at the convergence of the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus, it boasts wonderful views of the other half of the city.
You can take a sunset walk along the promenade, take a hike up its winding inland streets and find yourself surrounded by gorgeous homes, or simply pick a cafe that opens up to a towering overlook of Europe. There is great scenery to be enjoyed.
And here’s a crucial tip that applies to not only Üsküdar, but all of Istanbul. Look up! Often restaurants will look sleepy and unoccupied on the ground floor, but upon a hike up the stairs, you’ll find a packed top floor. Istanbulites sure do appreciate a good terraz (terrace), and there are many good ones in Üsküdar.
9. Get more than just a simit along the waterfront
Few foods are as common in Istanbul as simit. It’s everywhere, particularly along the waterfronts, as it’s a great commuter food.
For reference, simit is a circular bread made from flour and yeast, toasted sesame seeds, and most often, grape molasses. The dough is comprised of two long strands that are wound together, before taking a dip in the molasses and a coating of sesame seeds. Its texture and flavor can be described as a cross between a soft pretzel and a bagel.
On the European side of the city, whether it’s Eminönü or Karaköy, you’ll find plenty of simit carts. On the Asian side of the city, you’ll see the carts as well, but they’ll often carry a wider breadth of bread and pastry options to pick from.
You’ll see simits, of course, and an array of sandwiches and sweets, but more importantly, you’ll find other Turkish must-try bread and pastries, such as açma, poğaça, and my favorite, çatal çörek.
Açma has the same shape as a thick bagel, but its texture is much softer, akin to a roll. Poğaça, popular throughout Turkey and the Balkans, is a breakfast roll that is often stuffed with savory foods like feta or potatoes.
And lastly, çatal çörek is a flaky, buttery, firm pastry that is shaped like an oval with a line through the middle. It’s the perfect handheld snack for exploring.
The cuisine is so good in Istanbul that it can be tempting to go back to the same food over and over again (thinking of you, simit). But when the opportunity arises, such as the diverse bread and pastry carts on the Asian side of the city, I encourage you to try some of the other delicious items that make up the fantastic culinary landscape in Istanbul.
10. See live music in Kadıköy
Similar to wandering the local market or finding what lines the shelves of local bookstores, seeing live music in a new city is one of the best ways to orient yourself in the community. It’s a way to see how your new city expresses itself, giving you a deeper understanding of what people are like and what they value.
Walking through the lower section of Kadıköy, there are stretches where seemingly every bar has music. I’ve only seen more live music in a city specifically known for it, in Nashville, Tennessee. You probably won’t hear any honky-tonk, but it’s worth taking your time, hearing which band calls to you, and stepping in to enjoy over an Efes.
For a specific music venue, one recommendation is to head to Buddha Sahne, along a pretty rocking stretch of Moda on Kadife Street. There, you’ll find live rock bands performing nightly, typically getting the show started around 10:00 p.m.
There are two floors from which you can watch the band perform. The basement-level floor is where most of the action is, front and center from the band. The second floor upstairs gives a cool birds-eye view of the band, and a less crowded bar to grab a drink from.
In Kadıköy alone, there is so much variety available when it comes to music venues. If you’re a jazz aficionado, there are jazz clubs. A hard rocker? There are places to headbang. Even fans of opera have places to go dress up and enjoy a night of sophistication.
11. Relax with a çay at Kerma Cafe
This sprawling outdoor cafe, or çay bahçesi (tea garden) is one of the most beautiful, scenic locations in Istanbul to sip on Turkish çay. The tea garden is a calming space, surrounded by trees, with pockets of openings that display the waterfront views like a picture frame.
It’s the perfect place to take a book or your travel journal, or to simply chat with friends, all while enjoying the breeze and views of the sea. It’s hard to find as blissful of a cafe, let alone one with waterfront views, in all of Istanbul.
There’s also Moda Aile Çay Bahçesi, a more well-known tea garden that gets a lot of press from travel articles just down the street. It has a similar setup, but you’ll have a better chance at serenity by going down a block to Cafe Kerma.
To find this place, you can search “Kemal’in Yeri” in Google Maps. If you’re staying anywhere in Kadıköy, it’s a walkable distance, and you can even stroll along the waterfront en route to the tea garden.
12. Make your own food tour in central Kadıköy
This is an admittedly vague thing to do, but it is essential. For the section of the city where I was told that there’s supposedly “nothing to do,” I was surprised to realize that I’d never seen a neighborhood with so many restaurants, shops, and bars.
One of the challenges of traveling to Turkey, and Istanbul in particular, is balancing trying the immense range of delectable foods with what your stomach can handle.
In Kadıköy there are a mind-blowing number of places specializing in döner kebabs, kokoreç (sheep intestines and offal wrapped in a coil), balik ekmek (fish sandwich), mantı (Turkish dumplings), as well as all the other food covered in this article.
So, pacing is important. But the act of wandering around from place to place, creating your own food crawl is an activity that is not only fun, but easy to do in a place like Kadıköy.
It’s common to get hung up on trying to find the “best” food in Istanbul. Stop it. There is so much good food available that it’s hard to truly get wrong. So, wander, enjoy yourself, and tuck into all the amazing cuisine that Istanbul has to offer.
If, however, after some wandering, you’re looking for some expertise in learning about local cuisine, this guided food tour that covers both sides of the Bosphorus will help answer any lingering culinary questions.
13. Check out some books for your next ferry ride
Istanbul just has some things figured out. As a New Yorker, I personally try to minimize the time spent at public transit hubs, given the chaos and general unpleasantness. But libraries, bookstores, and cafes while you wait?
Though there are other ferry terminals that have libraries or bookstores, the multiple terminals that comprise the broader Kadıköy Bay contain not only a library but also a bookstore with a sun-soaked terrace cafe.
Locals can check out some books and study, while visitors can peruse and pick out a book to take home as a souvenir or as a ferry read. So, when you’re heading out for a ride, perhaps up the Bosphorus to Rumeli Kavağı, or just back to Eminönü, get there a little early to nab a book and a beverage from the cafe, and watch the flow of boats go in and out.
14. Satisfy your sweet tooth at the “dessert corner” of Moda
This “dessert corner” is not officially named as such, but it should be.
This corner at the southern edge of Moda, just before the waterfront, is a haven (or heaven) for dessert lovers. On one corner alone, there are two different shops specializing in decadent waffles, an ice cream parlor, and a number of cafes with sweets of their own.
The largest of them all is the full restaurant dedicated to waffles, called Kemal Usta Waffles. You can smell it from a block away. This is a multi-story restaurant that has both indoor and outdoor seating, but best of all, it has a sprawling chocolate fountain.
This place is frequented by tourists and locals alike, where diners come to pile comically large amounts of toppings atop fluffy, fragrant waffles.
Istanbul is a sweet tooth’s dream, with desserts all over the city, ranging from sütlaç (rice pudding) to kadayıf (baked noodles with nuts and syrup), tulumba (like a cross between Indian gulab jamin and a Mexican churro) to the many varieties of halva, baklava and lokum.
But beyond these common desserts, here are two additional recommendations to try some sweets that are lesser-seen.
The first is kabak tatlısı, essentially a dish of tender, candied pumpkin flesh, topped with cream, nuts, or tahini. The other is pişmaniye, which is often referred to as “Turkish cotton candy,” and is made from flour, butter, and sugar. The process of making it is arduous, and watching a video of it being made will give you a greater appreciation for this simple-looking treat.
15. Wander the calm streets of Yeldeğirmeni
Within the boundary of Kadıköy, Yeldeğirmeni retains its own distinct identity. Bordered by railroad tracks to the north, but framed by Rıhtım, Halitağa, and Taşköprü streets, this neighborhood has throughout the years been home to Armenian, Jewish, Greek, and of course, Turkish communities.
This neighborhood is now a balance of artists and older, long-time residents, and it has a much slower pace of life to it than Moda to the south. Yeldeğirmeni is a wonderful neighborhood to wander around aimlessly.
At its northern end, on Iskele Street, there are a series of gorgeous, colorful, wood houses, and there are murals scattered throughout the neighborhood, beautifying most blank surfaces.
The food in Yeldeğirmeni is one of its other outstanding characteristics. There are a number of great lokantas, which are essentially lunch counters that locals frequent, with food ready-made and served buffet-style.
There are also long-running old-school pidecis (places serving pide and lahmacun – two styles of flatbreads sharing a resemblance to pizza), with open windows showcasing their wood-fired ovens.
There is a feel of a local community that isn’t as prevalent in the other, busier parts of Kadıköy. It has a dense population of cafes, and they’re filled with friends catching up over pastries and çay, and you’ll also see quite a few groups of people (mostly older men) playing old-timey games like dominos and okey.
Yeldeğirmeni simply feels different than its surrounding neighborhoods, holding onto a more laid-back pace than what’s going on around it. It’s worth spending some time there to taste its long-running restaurants, appreciate its art, and observe its communal atmosphere.
16. Go up-river to experience the city’s history
Like all of modern Istanbul, the Asian side, is teeming with history. Particularly along the waterfront, the city is scattered with old palaces, temples, castles, and forts, from a number of different eras that have influenced the city over the years.
The ferry system makes it relatively easy to get up and down the coastline to visit many of these sites. There are far more as you continue north, but here are a couple of sites up the Bosphorus, that offer insight into the city’s history.
Küçüksu Kasrı, just south of the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, was used as a hunting lodge and retreat for Ottoman sultans in the 19th century. Nowadays, the ornate, beautiful building, is open as a museum for tours that show the lifestyle in the later years of the Ottoman Empire.
Anadoluhisarı, close in proximity to Küçüksu Kasrı, but far older, played an essential role in the establishment of Istanbul as the center of the Ottoman Empire. Built in the 14th century, it was used as a base to prepare and attack what was at the time, Constantinople.
17. See what’s for sale at Kadıköy Market
Markets, particularly food markets, are wonderful representations of a city’s culture, and Kadıköy’s is a great one. It’s not a sprawling market, but it has a wonderful variety of food that is a microcosm of what you’ll find all over the city.
There are gorgeous arrays of olives in colors that I hadn’t known existed, jars upon jars of pickled everything, freshly caught seafood, and overflowing baskets of dried fruit and nuts.
Kadıköy market is a good place to try out a few different varieties of lokum, or to buy some spices and tea to bring back home. It’s no doubt a busy place, but compared to the eager, and sometimes pushy sellers of the bazaars on the European side, it’s a relatively relaxing place to check out what’s for sale.
18. Pick up a few antiques on Tellalzade Street
Quiet relative to the rest of the cacophony of the neighboring meyhane streets, Tellalzade Street offers a little reprieve. This street is lined with antique stores, selling everything from Ottoman-era tea kettles, to candelabras, to daggers, to intricately-designed cigarette boxes and monocles.
Each store has its own style, and it’s worth hopping around to a few to see what you can discover.
Some shops are well-designed and organized, with the weaponry in one section and china in the other. And some are more of a chaotic grab-bag, where you’ll have to sift between old records and telescopes to get to the tea cups.
Even if you don’t buy anything, antique shops offer good insight into the local style and how it has changed over the years.
If you’re in need of some sustenance or a drink after picking up a few wares, check out Antika Cafe, on the same street, which has a bookstore upstairs and a nice little garden in the back.
Wrapping up
If you visit the Asian side of Istanbul, I’m confident you’ll be surprised that it’s so widely missed by tourists and guidebooks.
The streets of Moda and Üsküdar are as lively as any on the European side. The biggest mosque in the country is there. There are old-school restaurants with wide-fired ovens that have been slinging pide for decades and streets lined with classic meyhanes pouring chilled rakı served with melon. There are parks and waterfront promenades and beautiful sunsets.
As a part of the city that has been living and breathing for thousands of years, you can feel and learn about its different iterations of history, all the while embracing the pulsing newness of its streets that can even be described as a little bit hipster.
So, go ahead, I urge you, to cross the Bosphorus and stay a while. Asia, Asia Minor, Anatolia, Istanbul, whatever you choose to call it, will feed you, entertain you, educate you, and make you fall deeper in love with the city of two continents — Istanbul.
