Kadıköy is the center and transportation hub of the Asian side of Istanbul. Kadıköy is a port for regular ferries, faster ferries (sea buses), and bus and dolmuş connections to most locations in Istanbul.
The pretty, intellectual neighborhood of Moda is only 10 minutes walk away, and if you take the seaside pedestrian walk from Kadıköy to Moda, you may even feel yourself in a seaside resort while at the same time looking at the silhouettes of Topkapı Palace, Blue Mosque, and Hagia Sophia in Sultanahmet across the Bosphorus.
Kadıköy is not only the name of the center where ferries dock but also the name of the district which encompasses neighborhoods along the posh Bağdat Caddesi such as Fenerbahçe, Caddebostan, Şaşkınbakkal, Suadiye, along with many inland locations such as Erenköy, Kozyatağı, etc. The seaside strip from Kadıköy to Bostancı is most attractive to visit. There are no historic sights of major importance but bits and pieces of history, such as old Ottoman houses, spread among recently built multi-story buildings.
The district is home to the biggest football (soccer) club in Turkey, Fenerbahçe, whose stadium attracts 60,000 fans to the games. The stadium is about 15 minutes walk from the center of Kadıköy.
Residents of Kadıköy are pro US democratic party equivalent in Turkey, though not as multicultural as the Beyoğlu area. Yet in recent years, increasing numbers of travelers from around the world stay in Kadıköy, as well as expats and students who stay for long term. Moda especially attracts most foreigners as it is right across the Bosphorus from Sultanahmet, Kabataş (via metro to Taksim), and Beşiktaş.
Kadıköy is also home to Haydarpaşa Railway Station, serving cities around Turkey and some Middle Eastern cities.
A walk in Kadıköy marketplace (Kadıköy Çarşısı in Turkish) is highly suggested, though very crowded. Shops that sell fresh fruits and vegetables, cheese, fresh fish, as well as bakeries, restaurants, and bars crowd the streets of Kadıköy. Kokoreç, fried mussels, böreks, simits are cheap and tasty alternatives to full course meals. Travelers from the US and Europe have reported an easygoing, less pushy attitude in the marketplace. There are also many bars and cafes in the area, similar to Beyoğlu but smaller in size.
Süreyya Opera House, a historic building, is the only opera building in Istanbul and is located 10 minutes from the center on Bahariye Street — the equivalent of İstiklal in Beyoğlu but shorter and much less crowded. There are many theaters and movie theaters in Kadıköy.
There are ferries from many corners of the European side of Istanbul at 20-30 minute intervals, such as Eminönü, Karaköy (which is across the Galata Bridge from Eminönü), and Beşiktaş. Before boarding the ferry you can also buy simit and share some of it with seagulls that accompany the boats by throwing bits of it in the air. You should be on the top deck (most modern boats have top decks) or the back of the boat.
Don't forget a ferry ride gives some of the most beautiful photo shooting opportunities in Istanbul.
Kadıköy Market (Çarşı): Open daily 08:00–21:00 Best visited on weekday mornings (09:00–11:00) before the crowds arrive. Saturday is the busiest day.
Moda Seaside Walk: Open 24 hours, free entry. The 2 km walk from Kadıköy ferry terminal to Moda Burnu (Moda Point) takes about 20 minutes.
Süreyya Opera House: Box office open 10:00–17:00 daily. Performances typically start at 20:00. Tickets range from 100–300 TL. Check the schedule online, ballet, opera, and classical concerts.
Haydarpaşa Station: Currently undergoing restoration. The building exterior remains an iconic photo spot, especially at sunset.
Getting there: Frequent ferries from Eminönü (20 min), Karaköy (15 min), Beşiktaş (25 min). Also take M4 metro from Asian side connections, or M2 from Taksim to Yenikapı then Marmaray to Ayrılık Çeşmesi and transfer to Kadıköy.
Full-day Asian side experience: Start with morning ferry from Eminönü to Kadıköy (9:00) → explore the market (1.5 hours) → walk Bahariye Street to Süreyya Opera House → continue to Moda for lunch at a seaside cafe → walk the Moda seaside path to Moda Burnu park → take a dolmuş or bus to Bağdat Caddesi for high-end shopping and dessert at a famous patisserie (İnci or Baylan) → return to Kadıköy for dinner and bar street.
Photography spots: Ferry deck approaching Kadıköy (European skyline behind you), Kadıköy waterfront at sunset looking toward Galata Tower, Moda Burnu park at twilight.