Moda is one of the better neighborhoods to live in Istanbul. It is centrally located yet isolated from crowds, located about 10 minutes walking distance from Kadıköy, the center of the Asian side of Istanbul.
For travelers it offers a glimpse into a silent residential part of Istanbul with spectacular views across the Bosphorus of the Sultanahmet area, the Old Town of Istanbul.
There is a nostalgic tram from Kadıköy, but it is easier and faster to walk. It is a modern, progressive neighborhood and getting more popular among foreigners from Europe and the US.
Moda is where many Turkish intellectuals, poets, and literary figures lived and continue to live.
There are many historic buildings in Moda, from St. Joseph French High School (1870) to many Ottoman-style small houses and Melih Eczanesi on Moda Street — a pharmacy founded in 1902 (originally in another building).
Famous places are the Moda Tea Garden (Moda Çay Bahçesi), Ice Cream of Ali (Ali'nin Dondurması), and the beer garden by the seaside near (not on) the dock — the Moda ferry dock which does not receive regular ferry service anymore. Süreyya Opera House, many movie theaters such as Rexx, restaurants, bars, and pubs in the neighborhood provide easy access to entertainment.
Moda is a nice place to visit in summer.
By boat to Kadıköy and then a 10-15 minute walk. You can either take the seaside route or go inland through Kadıköy market, then up to Moda Street (Moda Caddesi) and walk all the way down to Moda on that same street.
Moda Tea Garden (Moda Çay Bahçesi): Open daily 08:00–23:00 (summer), 09:00–21:00 (winter). Famous for its panoramic Bosphorus views. Order "çay" (Turkish tea) in the traditional curved glass and watch the ferries cross to Europe.
Ali's Ice Cream (Ali'nin Dondurması): Open daily 10:00–22:00. The legendary ice cream shop on Moda Street — known for traditional Maraş ice cream (stretchy, chewy texture). Try the "sade" (plain) or "badem" (almond) flavors.
Moda Seaside Walk: Free, open 24 hours. The 2 km pedestrian path from Kadıköy ferry terminal to Moda Burnu (Moda Point) offers continuous views of the European skyline. Best at sunset (check local time). Benches along the way for resting and people-watching.
Best time to visit: Weekday late afternoons (16:00–18:00) for sunset tea gardens; Sunday mornings for a peaceful seaside walk before the crowds arrive. Summer evenings are lively but very crowded.
Getting there: Take any ferry to Kadıköy from Eminönü, Karaköy, or Beşiktaş (20-30 minutes). From Kadıköy ferry terminal, Moda is a pleasant 10-15 minute walk along the seaside or through the market. Also accessible by M4 metro to Kadıköy station.
St. Joseph French High School (1870): One of Istanbul's oldest educational institutions, still operating. The building's architecture reflects French influence on the Ottoman Empire during the Tanzimat period. (FYI, I am a 1985 graduate of St. Joseph French High School, Mehmet Kurtkaya).
Sarica Mansion: The oldest building in Moda, stone mansion, right across Ali's Ice Cream shop.
Moda Ottoman Houses: Scattered throughout the neighborhood, these 19th-century wooden houses (yali and konak styles) offer glimpses of Ottoman residential architecture. Look for examples on Serasker Caddesi and around Moda Park.
Archaeological artefacts under some buildings Parts of Moda, Bahariye, and Kadikoy center are a SIT area, meaning an archaeological site conservation area. However, most buildings are from the 1950s through the 1980s, so you would ask where the artefacts are when walking around. The answer is under some of the buildings. They are rarely unearthed, except when buildings are reconstructed due to new earthquake regulations. A few of those buildings may have foundations that contain an occasional ancient wall or small artefacts.
Half-day Moda route: Start at Kadıköy ferry terminal (10:00) → walk seaside path to Moda Burnu (15 min) → Moda Tea Garden for tea and view (30 min) → walk back through Moda Park → up to Moda Street (Ali's Ice Cream) → explore side streets for historic houses → lunch at a Moda restaurant → afternoon at Moda Pier or continue to Süreyya Opera House for an evening performance.
Photography spots: Moda Burnu (point) looking toward Sultanahmet, the nostalgic tram on the Kadıköy waterfront (if you catch it), the park benches along the seaside at golden hour, and the colorful buildings on side streets near Moda Caddesi.
There are regular boats from Moda Pier to Bostancı and Princes Islands as well as Kabataş. They are not frequent and usually run in the mornings and late afternoon. The Moda Pier also is a stop for Deniz Taxi, water taxis that run to many piers around Istanbul.
Moda, Kadıköy, Üsküdar, and the best Bosphorus ferry routes — plus a self-guided walking map.