Istanbul City GuideAsian Side vs. European Side of IstanbulBlog.demturkishcenter.com

Asian Side vs. European Side. An Istanbul city guide by DTC Mag on Blog.demturkishcenter.com

Istanbul is located over two continents: The European side (Avrupa Yakası in Turkish language) and Asian side (Anadolu Yakası in Turkish language).

Contrary to popular belief, Istanbul was first founded on the Asian side, Kadıköy today. However, the city rose in the Old City today on the European side during the Roman and Ottoman period and then expanded on both sides with the extensive use of the means of transportation.

European side, in a nutshell, is the tourist attraction of the city, especially the both sides of the Golden Horn as well as the Bosphorus.

Asian side doesn’t offer as many touristic attractions, but it is more of a residential center. Still, there are many things to see and do on the Asian side to offer the visitor to Istanbul.

Asian Side vs. European Side of Istanbul

Asian side is older than the European side. Before Constantinople & Byzantium was build, there were settlements around Kadikoy, Fikirtepe (a neigbourhood in the limits of Kadikoy district on the Asian Side) and Pendik.

European side is more populated than the Asian side due to the fact that European side has always been the center of trade, business and industry. They say Asian side is dormitory of the city.

The coast line on the Asian side is nicer and more well-organized than the Europan side. There are more space on the Asian side for jogging, walking, biking starting from Kadikoy along Fenerbahçe, Caddebostan, Bostancı up to Maltepe.

Both sides have a popular street. Istiklal Caddesi on the European side is a cultural, historical, cosmopolit street located in Beyoglu. Bagdat Caddesi on the Asian side is a modern street in Kadıköy. Bagdat Caddesi is a very old road for the eastern campaign of the Roman and Ottoman armies. This is why it was called Baghdat Street.

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