The Asian side
BOSPHORUS, ASIAN SIDE,ANADOLU KAVAGI, BEYLERBEYI, ÜSKÜDAR, KADIKÖY, BOSPHORUS BRIDGE, FATIH SULTAN MEHMET BRIDGE

The huge Asian part of Istanbul is situated to the East of the city center, that is part of the European side. The Bosphorus sound separates the city in two parts. Two large suspension bridges cross the sound between Europe and Asia, but from the city center it is easier to take ferry to the Asian side, since there is no bridge in the vicinity. As most tourist attractions and the historic city center is situated on the European side, there is mostly residential buildings on the Asian side. Grey, soulless apartment blocks, impressive palaces, nice small fishing villages, soaring skyscrapers and beautiful nature with green mountains can all be seen on the Asian side of Istanbul. Anadolu Kavagi was unfortunately the only place we had the opportunity to visit on the Asian side (due to fog the ferries to the Asian side was cancelled the day before). We were allowed to stop for less then 2 hours, so we just walked around a bit and visited a fishing restaurant, right next to the Bosphorus.

 

ASIA SEEN FROM THE BOSPHORUS FERRY:
Tall radio masts on Üsküdar, the Asian side The Bosphorus bridge and the Kabatas Erkek Lisesi buildings Traffic at the Bosphorus Bridge

The Bosphorus Bridge, one of two suspension bridges that is built between Europe (Ortaköy) and Asia (Beylerbeyi). The tallest of the polygon is 165m tall. The bridge was completed in 1973.

The Bosphorus Bridge, Asian side  


The Bosphorus Bridge, Asian side

Kuleli Military High School is the first military high school in Turkey, located in Çengelköy on the Asian side. It was founded on September 21, 1845 by Ottoman Sultan Abdülmecid I.

Kuleli Military High School in Asia.
 



The Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge and the Rumelihisari fortress

Asia right and Europe left Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge is situated between Hisarüstü (European side) and Kavacık (Asian side) The Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge (also called 2nd Bosphorus Bridge) and the Rumelihisari fortress

Mountain on the Asian side

 


The Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge is a 105 m high suspension bridge that was completed in 1988.
Traffic at the Sultan Mehmet Bridge

 

Asirlik Kanlica Yogurdu on the Asian side and Sultan Mehmet Bridge  


Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge and Asirlik Kanlica Yogurdu
Stop on the Asian side: Café in Asirlik Kanlica Yogurdu


The narrow point of Bosphorus with Asia (right) and Europe (left). Two continents! Here the sound ends in the Black Sea.
The light house in front of Europe and Asia A village on the rocks on the Asian side Asian side
Yoros Castle, the ruined Genoese Castle on the Asian side Joshua's Hill and Yoros Castle, Asian side Asian side
Anadolu Kavagi on the Asian side, last stop on the Bosphorus tour. This small fishing village was the only thing where we got off, and the only place on the Asian side that we visited (stopping for 1.5 hour in a fishing restaurant). For more pictures of the village, click here to visit its own page.
Anadolu Kavagi, Asia Our fishing restaurant in Anadolu Kavagi Anadolu Kavagi street scene

Kanlica, a small fishing village on the Asian side of Istanbul  




Kanlica

Kanlica, Asia Kanlica Kanlica
Kanlica, Asia Kanlica Kanlica and Sultan Mehmet Bridge
The Beylerbeyi Palace, Asian side.
An imperial Ottoman summer residence from 1860.
Beylerbeyi neighbourhood, Asian side Beylerbeyi
Beylerbeyi Beylerbeyi neighbourhood, Asian side Beylerbeyi and a military ship
Ukrainan train ferry Beylerbeyi neighbourhood, Asian side Kuleli Military High School
Asian side and a long ship Asian side Asian side
The Bosphorus Bridge and the Beylerbeyi Palace, Asian side Many ships pass the Bosphorus strait Üsküdar skyline, Asian side

 

ASIA SEEN FROM THE TOPKAPI PALACE:
Skyline of the Asian side Üsküdar skyline, Asian side Üsküdar and Kadiköy skyline, Asian side


ASIA SEEN FROM THE EAST BANKS OF SULTANAHMET:

The Asian side can be seen from the waterfront at Kennedy Caddesi.

 


Skyscrapers on the Asian side

Fishing in front of Asia