Asiatic Istanbul
Uskudar Downtown/ Kuzguncuk/Salacak/ Kadıkoy/Yeldeğirmeni/ Karacaahmet/Brief Bosphorus cruise crossing to Asiatic Istanbul
Highlights:
*Exploration of Bohemian Kuzguncuk Neighborhood
*Uskudar’s unique local non touristy marketplace
* Iconic monuments old and new
* Maiden’s tower (under restoration until April 2023)
* Meeting with local artists, artisans
* Impressive murals by international artists covering the walls of buildings of Kadıkoy
* Ethnic gastronomical experience options
*Ferry or yacht crossing to Asiatic Istanbul offering a Bosphorus Straits cruise experience
Tour description
This tour takes you through some of the most impressive sites of Istanbul on
the Asian side. For the time limited traveler , crossing by ferry or one of our axis
yachts also serves as a partial Bosphorus cruise offering great views of Istanbul.
To your surprise, once you cross to Asiatic Istanbul , you will be among the very
few foreign visitors frequenting the sites here.
These sites are among those in Istanbul not so well publicized, which promises
a more authentic experience and exposure. As an instance in the European
side of Istanbul, while visiting a mosque the visitors are not allowed to stay
during a prayer time, missing this experience, not in Asiatic Istanbul. The artist,
artisan, merchant will be oversaturated after talking to 40-50 visitors on the
European side, but on the Asian side, as you are among the very few visitors
they come across, you will be welcomed warmly with a genuine interaction.
Below on the left, painter – sculptor holding Aylin posing while holding one of
her works with a visitor after introducing her works. On the right, Naim from
century old bakery introducing their famous cookies.
Uskudar/ Kuzguncuk/ Kadıköy
After crossing the Bosphorus bridge connecting the Europe and Asia; your
luxury vehicle drives along theBosphorus to Uskudar through
Erguvan – Judas tree lined upwooded yards, observing some
waterfront Yalis – mansions on theway.
Uskudar was Scutari in theByzantine times. Kuzguncuk,
formerly a Jewish district is today alovely Bohemian neighborhood
with over century old houses , sycamore trees , small artist
studios, cafés with an artsy touch, historical bakery with some of the
best cookies of Istanbul, cute cats on the street, and a feeling like
time has just stopped to flow, including ourselves very willing to
spend the rest of the day here leisurely. Then we move towards Uskudar
through Erguvan – Judas Tree, sycamore and chestnut trees
lined up main street along the Bosphorus. There are old and new
iconic monuments to appreciate both from outside and inside. With
stories old and new, legends, related juicy political comments and some gossip.
All according to your interests.You will visit the first mosque of the world designed by a woman
and have lunch at a local authentic restaurant serving some of the most impressive meals of
from Gaziantep, which is among the culinary capitals of Turkey. There is a very
successful 18 course sampling menu giving a chance to try some very special
selections.
Exploration of Uskudar downtown, Kuzguncuk , Kadıköy
Authentic sites, marketplace and the restaurants of Uskudar offer an authentic experience away from
the tourist crowds. The in depth experience reveals the multicultural heritage – Jewish , Greek
Ortodox, Moslem, Ottoman, Byzantine monuments and its reflection to everyday life.
Maiden’s tower, the marketplace, with all the produce, spices, fish market, hidden delicacies with
flavors to be treasured a life time at more than couple of dozen places to choose from are all at your
disposal.
Kuzguncuk
Quaint, artsy, Bohemian, picturesque Kuzguncuk with century old sycamores and wooden houses
attracts many soup opera filming companies, and wedding photographers alike. Photography session
of four or five couples on the same day is very common in summer. Charms of Kuzguncuk is waiting to
attract yourselves as well. This was originally a popular Jewish residential area, Especially
recognized among Jews from Eastern Europe: For those whose health was not going to enable them
to travel as far as Jerusalem this was considered as the next best thing. The stories and legends on a
lovely short walking tour meeting local artists with access to their studios depending on your interest
plus a regular stop to try some incredible local cookies.
Karacaahmet – Şakirin Mosque
The modern architecture mosque, Şakirin at the entrance of centuries old Ottoman cemetery
Karacaahmet, gained worldwide recognition as being the first and yet, the only mosque have been
designed by a woman, Zeynep Fadillioglu. Bringing some radical changes to mosque architecture as
well as the interior design the mosque is criticized or adored by experts as well as the worshippers and
visitors alike. Your guide will gladly share some great background during your visit to this outstanding
revolutionary mosque.
“Is Istanbul more charming or Uskudar?”
This question by the famous European writer Edmondo De Amicis is actually pointing out a fact; as we will
once again find it out together when you sign up for this tour.
Kadıkoy – Yeldeğirmeni
The hip Yeldeğirmeni neighborhood has got quite a number of graffiti works of Internationally
renowned artists. Without putting much effort into it , a brief detour will give us some great insight.
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TOUR RESERVATION FORM
OUR TOURS
- PRIVATE SITESEEING TOURS
- FULL DAY OLD ISTANBUL CITY TOUR
- OLD TOWN ISTANBUL – HALF DAY
- LET’S EXPLORE TRULY IMPRESSIVE ASIAN ISTANBUL !
- PRIVATE YACHT – BOSPHORUS CRUISE
- ISTANBUL CULINARY EXPERIENCES – FULL RANGE
- JEWISH HERITAGE TOUR IN ISTANBUL
- CAPPADOCIA TOURS FROM ISTANBUL
- EPHESUS TOURS FROM ISTANBUL, ANTALYA AND IZMIR
- DAY TRIPS FROM ISTANBUL