Kadikoy (Kadıköy)

Kadikoy is the Asian side's beating heart: a daily produce-and-fish market, meyhane bar streets, record shops, murals and some of the city's best cheap eats. A friend sends you here for the real, un-touristy Istanbul. The ferry over is half the fun. Barely a caveat, honestly; just come hungry.

Key facts

Frequently asked questions

How much time do I need in Kadikoy?

Give it at least half a day; a full day with dinner is better. Everything, the market, Moda, and the bar streets, sits within a flat 20-minute radius of the ferry pier, so you can cover a lot on foot.

Is Kadikoy good at night?

Very. Kadife Sokak (Bar Street) and the surrounding lanes are packed with meyhanes, craft-beer spots and cocktail bars full of a young local crowd. It's one of the liveliest and most down-to-earth nightlife zones in Istanbul.

Is Kadikoy touristy?

Far less than Sultanahmet or Istiklal. It's genuinely a locals' neighborhood, which is exactly why people love it. You'll hear more Turkish than English and prices are refreshingly normal.

What is there to do in Kadikoy?

Eat and wander, mostly. There's the food market, the Yeldegirmeni murals, record and book shops, seaside walks toward Moda, and lively bar streets at night. It's less about monuments and more about living like a local for a day.

Can I walk from Kadikoy to Moda?

Yes, it's an easy flat 15-20 minute walk south to the Moda seafront, or you can ride the little heritage Kadikoy-Moda tram loop. Combining the two makes for a perfect Asian-side day.

When is the Kadikoy street market?

The big open-air neighborhood market (produce, clothes, household goods) is on Tuesdays. The covered food market with the fishmongers, delis and spice shops runs daily, so you can always get the market experience even midweek.

What should I eat in Kadikoy?

Start with midye dolma (stuffed mussels) and a crispy lahmacun from the market, save room for baklava or Turkish ice cream, and consider a full meze-and-raki meal on Bar Street at night. It's one of the best-value eating neighborhoods in the city.

How do I get to Kadikoy from the European side?

The classic way is the Sehir Hatlari ferry from Eminonu or Karabatas, about 20 scenic minutes on your Istanbulkart. If it's rough weather or you're in a hurry, the Marmaray rail tunnels under the strait from Sirkeci to Ayrilik Cesmesi in a few minutes.

Nearby in Ask Istanbul

• Kadikoy Market (Kadıköy Çarşısı)Market0.09 km · 1 min walk
• Ciya Sofrasi (Çiya Sofrası)Restaurant0.09 km · 1 min walk
• Kadıköy Çiya KebapRestaurant0.27 km · 3 min walk
• Baylan PastanesiCafé0.29 km · 4 min walk
• Karga BarBar0.43 km · 5 min walk