A Guide to the Anatolian Side of Istanbul for First-Time Visitors
If the European side of Istanbul is a theatre of history, the Anatolian (Asian) side is where the city truly lives. For passengers arriving on AirAsia X’s inaugural flight to Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW), this is your first point of contact with Türkiye.
Often overlooked by tourists rushing to Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, the Asian side offers a different rhythm: greener, calmer, and effortlessly blending Ottoman nostalgia with futuristic ambition.
Here is your guide to the Anatolian highlights from our trip, where we traded the crowds of the Old City for the sweeping vistas of the hills.
Also read : An Introduction to Istanbul’s European Icons For First-Time Visitors
The Crown of the Hill: Çamlıca Mosque
Visible from almost every corner of the city, the Çamlıca Mosque (Büyük Çamlıca Camii) is a statement of modern Turkish identity. Completed in 2019, it is the largest mosque in the country, designed by two female architects to accommodate a staggering 63,000 worshippers. Unlike the enclosed, dimly lit historic mosques of the European side, entering this space feels like stepping into a palace of light. The carpet alone spans 17,000 square metres, and the central dome soars 72 metres high, a deliberate symbolic nod to the 72 nations residing in Istanbul.
Its sheer scale and symbolism invite every traveller to witness its grandeur. The six minarets represent the six articles of the Islamic faith. At the same time, the complex itself functions as a cultural campus, housing an art gallery, a library, and a museum. The courtyard offers a terrace view that rivals any rooftop viewpoint in the city, letting you look down upon the Bosphorus from the highest natural point in Istanbul.
Visitor’s Note: Entrance is free. The complex is open daily from 10:00 to 22:00, though the main prayer hall closes briefly during prayer times. Recommendation: The site is the perfect spot for a sunset visit. Take the M5 Metro to Kısıklı station and catch a short taxi up the hill. Arrive around 19:30 to wander the gardens and watch the lights of the European side flicker to life across the water as the call to prayer echoes around you.
The Eye of the City: Çamlıca Tower & Mission Moon
Just a short drive from the mosque stands its futuristic counterpart: the Çamlıca Tower (Çamlıca Kulesi). Rising 369 meters into the sky, this sleek, tulip-shaped needle was built to consolidate the city’s broadcasting antennas, cleaning up the skyline and creating a new icon. It offers the only true “God’s eye” view of the sprawling metropolis. From the observation decks on the 33rd and 34th floors, you can trace the path of ships moving from the Black Sea to the Marmara, seeing the city as a living map.
However, the tower is not just about the view; it is about the future. Inside lies the “Mission Moon” experience, an immersive simulation that transports visitors to the year 2081. Strapping into the ride, you become an astronaut for the Turkish Space Agency, launching a rocket to explore a lunar base. It is a thrilling contrast, looking down at the ancient Bosphorus one moment and blasting into the cosmos the next.
Visitor’s Note: The standard observation deck ticket is approximately €30; look for the “Observation Deck + Mission Moon” bundle for the full experience. Open daily from 10:00 to 22:00. Recommendation: Book your slot online in advance, as the Mission Moon simulator has a limited capacity. Weekday afternoons are generally quieter than weekends.
Kuzguncuk, the Village of Tolerance
Descending from the hills to the water’s edge, we arrived in Kuzguncuk. This neighbourhood feels like a film set because it frequently is. Famous as the backdrop for dozens of Turkish soap operas, this valley village is a nostalgic time capsule of 19th-century Istanbul. It is known as the “Village of Tolerance” because a mosque, a church, and a synagogue have stood side by side here for centuries, often sharing the same walls in a quiet defiance of conflict.
Its atmosphere is the factor that attracts tourists and locals to swarm this place. Giant plane trees shade the streets lined with colourful, gingerbread-style wooden houses. It is a place to slow down, sip tea, and watch the local cats nap on the cobblestones.
Visitor’s Note: Kuzguncuk is a public neighbourhood, so you are free to explore. Recommendation: Avoid the weekend crush. The best time to visit is a weekday morning around 10:00. Start your day with a Turkish breakfast at a café on İcadiye Street, then walk down to the ferry pier to see the fishermen casting their lines into the Bosphorus.
The Ultimate Bridge View at Nakkaştepe National Garden
Our final stop was a hidden gem perched on the slopes above Kuzguncuk: the Nakkaştepe National Garden (Nakkaştepe Millet Bahçesi). Formerly a restricted military zone, this 50,000-square-metre park was recently opened to the public, unlocking a view that was kept secret for decades.
This is arguably the single best place in Istanbul to photograph the 15 July Martyrs Bridge (the First Bosphorus Bridge). Unlike the shoreline, the park’s terrace puts you nearly eye-level with the bridge’s massive steel suspension cables. For the adventurous, a zipline course lets you glide through the air with the Bosphorus rushing beneath your feet—a shot of adrenaline to end the day.
Visitor’s Note: Entrance to the park is free. The zipline experience costs approximately €30–€35 (paid in lira). Recommendation: Combine this activity with your Kuzguncuk visit; it is just a short, inexpensive taxi ride up the hill. Go in the late afternoon to catch the “Golden Hour” light hitting the bridge, or wait for evening to see the bridge’s famous LED light show from the best seat in the house.
Practical Essentials for the Asian Side
- Transport from SAW: The M4 Metro line is your lifeline. It connects the airport directly to Kadıköy (the Asian side’s cultural hub) and Ayrılık Çeşmesi (the transfer point for the Marmaray train to Europe).
- Crossing Continents: The most scenic way to reach the European side is by ferry. Boats depart every 20 minutes from Kadıköy or Üsküdar to Eminönü or Karaköy. The ride takes 20 minutes, costs less than €1, and offers better views than any tour boat.
- Payment: While most places accept cards, smaller cafes in Kuzguncuk may prefer cash. Keep some Turkish Lira handy for tea and street snacks (simit).
The Gaya Travel Magazine team is deeply grateful to AirAsia and the Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency for making the writer’s trip to Istanbul possible and smooth-sailing.
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