If you’re wondering what to do in Kadıköy, you’ve definitely come to the right place!
Kadıköy isn’t just another neighborhood on the Asian side of Istanbul — it’s also the cool, creative, and super local one.
Where else would you find colorful murals, cozy third-wave cafes, cats everywhere (seriously, everywhere 😺), and an atmosphere that feels very different from the tourist-packed Sultanahmet? Only in Kadıköy!
Ok, that’s great, but what’s so special about this Kadikoy tourist guide? You might wonder.
We live in Kadıköy (and love it, as you’ll see 😉). Over the years, we’ve explored every side street, seaside park, and (almost) every cafe, chatted with shopkeepers, tried every simit stall worth its salt, and watched more sunsets from Caddebostan than we can count.
In other words, this guide isn’t just researched — it’s lived!
In our local guide to Kadıköy, we’ll show you 35+ of the best places to visit in Kadıköy: which markets to get lost in, where to eat and drink, non-touristy corners, easy day itineraries, and a few quirky stops you definitely won’t see on the typical lists.
Even better, most of these Kadikoy attractions are in the central area, while a few gems are just a short stroll (or Marmaray ride) away.
Whether you’ve got one day in Kadıköy or a whole week to explore, this is one of the best “alternative” neighborhoods in Istanbul… and it’s bound to steal your heart, just like it did ours. 💛
We hope you enjoy visiting our neighborhood. Let’s get into it!
Explore Kadikoy Like a Local!
Spend a full day exploring Istanbul’s Asian side like a local on this Uskudar and Kadikoy Full Day Walking Tour! Wander the historic streets of Üsküdar, then enjoy lunch before heading to Kadıköy’s colorful markets and laid-back Moda. End your day with a scenic ferry back across the Bosphorus.
Taste the real Istanbul on this top-rated Kadikoy Food Tour with 12+ Local Delicacies Tastings! You’ll go on a 3.5-hour morning adventure through the neighborhood’s best eats, from street food to family-run favorites. You’ll have your whole afternoon free to explore Kadikoy, and there’s even a private tour option.
Sail Across the Bosphorus to Kadıköy
Before we dive into our mega list of Kadikoy things to do, we have to get there first! 😉
They say the journey is part of the destination, and we agree — there’s no better way to travel to Kadıköy than by ferry! Grab a simit, claim a seat on the upper deck, and enjoy the ride as seagulls trail your ferry to Kadikoy.
Curious how to do this iconic trip? We’ve put together a step-by-step guide on how to travel to Istanbul’s Asian side here (including how to get to Kadıköy!)
Now that we’ve docked, let’s check out Kadıköy’s best bites, sights, and secret corners!
Explore Turkey’s Flavors at the Kadikoy Market
Without a doubt, Kadıköy Market (Kadıköy Çarşısı) is a feast for the senses. As soon as you step into its narrow streets, the air swirls with the smell of exotic spices and ground coffee, the cheerful shouts of “Buyrun, buyrun!” from stall owners inviting you in, and the vivid colors of their wares.
Think of Kadıköy Çarşısı as the Asian-side cousin of the Egyptian Bazaar (Spice Bazaar) — but less chaotic and touristy, and more charming. 😉
Some call it the Kadıköy Fish Market, but that’s only part of it. You’ll also find a hodgepodge of everything from pickle shops with glass jars of cabbage to neatly-piled pyramids of pul biber (crushed chili) and sumac spices, trays of Turkish delight dusted with sugar, and the warm smell of freshly baked lahmacun (our weakness 🤤).
Every few steps, there’s a coffee roaster grinding Turkish beans, a kuruyemişçi (dried-nuts shop) scooping pistachios, or a shopkeeper handing you a sample of cheese or lokum.
This is also one of the best places to buy souvenirs in Istanbul! If you’re wondering what to buy in Kadikoy market, here’s our quick list: freshly-ground Turkish coffee, teas, spices and spice blends, olive oil soap, dried fruits (especially apricots!), and nuts.
While we’re near the market, let’s take a look at another non-touristy thing to do in Kadikoy …
Spot the Quirky Crocodile
No no, not a real one — we’re talking about the famous crocodile statue that guards the little plaza near Kadıköy Market! 😉
Ok, what’s a random statue of a crocodile doing in Kadıköy?
We’re glad you asked! This cute little statue has quite an interesting backstory. It was installed in 2007 as a nod to an ancient reference by the Greek geographer Strabo, who wrote in his work Geography about a spring or cave in Chalcedon (the old name for Kadıköy) where crocodiles supposedly lived.
Ironically, Istanbul’s Mediterranean climate is far too cold to support a population of crocodiles, so it’s highly unlikely that these reptiles ever lived here. Most scholars chalk it up to a translation error. After all, Strabo’s book is more than 2,000 years old!
If you look closely, the crocodile rests on a marble slab inscribed with a line from Strabo’s work — a cheeky detail that ties this statue back to the ancient travel blog that inspired it.
Whenever we’re nearby, we like to give the crocodile a little pat for good luck. 🙂
📍Kadikoy Crocodile Statue location
Meet Your Friends at the Iconic Bull Statue
Since we’re already talking about animal statues, let’s move onto one of the most recognizable symbols of Kadıkoy: the Bull Statue (Boğa Heykeli)!
If New York’s Wall Street has a bull, why shouldn’t Kadikoy? 😉
This one is much older than its American cousin, though. The Kadikoy Bull was sculpted by French artist Isidore Bonheur in 1864 — more than a century before New York’s famous Charging Bull showed up in 1989!
The statue’s journey to Istanbul is also a bit of a mystery, with two stories about how it got here.
One version claims the piece was first exhibited at the Paris Universal Exhibition in 1865, where it caught the eye of Sultan Abdülaziz. During his visit to Paris two years later, the Sultan reportedly ordered a 24-piece collection of animal sculptures, which were later displayed in the gardens of Beylerbeyi Palace.
(You can still see most of them if you visit Beylerbeyi Palace, by the way!)
Another version says the bull was brought over by Enver Pasha as a symbol of the Ottoman Empire’s alliance with Germany in World War I, before eventually finding its home right here in Kadıköy.
Today, the bull stands proudly at the intersection of Altıyol, where Kadıköy’s busiest streets meet — a crossroads of trams, buses, and endless foot traffic. Locals use it as a universal meeting point (“Let’s meet at the bull!” is practically a catchphrase), while visitors line up to take photos with one of Istanbul’s most recognizable landmarks.
Ride the Nostalgic Tram Through Moda…
If it’s your first time in Kadıköy, you’ll probably hear the faint ding ding of a bell before you even see it — the colorful Moda Tram slowly making its way through the streets.
This charming tram weaves through some of Kadıköy’s prettiest areas on a 2.6-kilometer route with 11 stops in total. Officially known as the T3 Kadıköy–Moda Nostalgic Tramway, it makes a tidy loop connecting Kadıköy’s market area, Bahariye Street, and the quiet backstreets of Moda, before circling back again.
The full circuit takes about 20 minutes, but chances are you’ll hop off early for a photo, a coffee, or both. 😉 It’s one of the most charming things to do in Kadıköy for first-time visitors, and proof that slow travel is sometimes the best kind.
… Or Stroll Along Bahariye Street
If you hop off the tram at Altıyol station, you’ll find yourself on Bahariye Street (Bahariye Caddesi), one of the most lively and colorful streets on the Asian side of Istanbul.
Jokingly nicknamed the İstiklal Avenue of Kadıköy (and not just because both have adorable red trams), Bahariye is where the district truly comes alive. This is a pedestrian street lined with leafy trees, bustling cafes, simit sellers sitting next to their carts, and trendy boutiques sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with hipster eateries.
If you only have one day in Kadıköy, make sure a stroll along Bahariye Street is at the top of your list!
Hunt For Street Art in Yeldeğirmeni
Any self-respecting hipster neighborhood in Istanbul needs to have some good street art, and Kadıköy is no exception. 😉
One of the best places to see street art is Yeldeğirmeni, also known as Kadikoy’s artsy district. Once a quiet residential area with a mix of Jewish, Greek, and Armenian families, the neighborhood has seen a creative revival over the last decade. Artists came to visit and soon the walls became their canvas.
These days, Yeldeğirmeni is famous for its huge murals and colorful street art that cover entire apartment building walls (well, that and its third-wave cafés and brunch spots, but that’s another story).
Another reason why Yeldeğirmeni is the best place for street art in Kadıköy is that everything is so close together. You can wander from one mural to the next without walking more than a few blocks, camera (and coffee) in hand.
Think of them as open-air Kadikoy art galleries, with new “works” popping up every few months or so. Going on a street art treasure hunt is easily one of the top things to do in Kadıköy for anyone who loves creativity, color, and art. 🙂
Here are our favorite works:
📍Colorful Tiger Mural by Arlin Graff (above)
📍”Turkish Tea” by Alex Maksiov (above), a cute mural showing two legends (simit and seagulls)
📍Resistancia by INTI
Take The Perfect Shot at Umbrella Street…
Looking for Instagrammable places in Kadikoy? This is it!
Tucked just off Bahariye Street, Kadıköy’s Umbrella Street is a cheerful little alley strung with rows of colorful umbrellas that make the whole street come alive, even on cloudy days.
It’s smaller and less crowded than the ones in Karaköy and Balat (which you should totally check out too — click on the links for our travel guides 😉), but it’s got that same photo-ready charm.
📍 Kadikoy Umbrella Street location
… Or Wander Down the Hot Air Balloon Street!
Who says Cappadocia should have all of the hot air balloons? 🙂
Kadikoy’s hot air balloon street is a hidden gem (literally) and just a 4-minute walk from its more famous cousin, the umbrella street.
Don’t miss adding a few colorful photos to your phone gallery here!
📍 Kadikoy Hot Air Balloon street location
Start Your Day with a Legendary Kadıköy Breakfast
But Kedi, you can get Turkish breakfast practically anywhere in Istanbul!
Well yes, but eating breakfast in Kadikoy is an entire experience! An event! A sacred ritual of the cool locals! You get the point. 😁
Just think about it: tables overflowing with cheeses, olives, menemen, and honey-drizzled kaymak; the satisfying crunch of a freshly-baked simit; and the comforting smell of freshly brewed çay (tea) filling the air. It’s impossible not to sit down, slow down, and just enjoy being here.
If you’re planning to spend a full day in Kadıköy, be sure to fuel up with breakfast — you’ll need the energy for all that exploring later!
We personally love (and have been to!) these spots:
📍 Cafe Neva Breakfast: A neighborhood favorite run by super friendly owners and one of our favorite traditional Turkish breakfast places. You can either go for the full kahvaltı set or pick-and-choose your favorites — ideal if you want to try something new without overdoing it (good luck with that, everything is delicious 😋). Location →
📍 Müjgan Yeldeğirmeni: Another place to try Turkish breakfast in Kadikoy. Instead of endless plates, they serve a beautiful all-in-one platter that’s as filling as it is photogenic. Bonus points: Müjgan also happens to be one of the best vegan restaurants in Kadıköy, so if you’re plant-based, they can whip up a vegan breakfast too! Location →
📍 Munchies Crepes & Pancakes: Open daily from 9 AM, Munchies is your go-to for a “brunch in Kadıköy kind of morning.” Expect fluffy pancakes (their speciality), fresh fruit, and strong coffee. Location →
📍 Brekkie Breakfast Club: When it comes to variety, this place is hard to beat. From French toast to classic Turkish dishes, breakfast bowls, and croissants, you’ll find it all here. With its cozy atmosphere and creative menu, it’s one of the best breakfast places in Kadıköy for foodies who want a modern twist on the classic experience. Location →
Eat Your Way Through Kadikoy’s Street Food
You’re bound to work up an appetite when exploring the neighborhood. In fact, if you leave Kadıköy hungry, you’re doing it wrong. 😄
While wandering the streets, you’ll quickly realize that snacking is basically a sport here.
Between the towers of sesame-crusted simit, neatly-arranged toppings for kumpir peeking out behind the glass, sizzling döner, trays of stuffed mussels, and the smell of fresh coffee wafting through the air, resisting temptation is practically impossible.
Whenever we have friends visiting from abroad, we always take them on a mini Kadıköy street food crawl.
Some of the most popular street food in Kadikoy includes stuffed mussels (midye dolma), pickle juice (turşu suyu), döner, thinly meat wrapped in lavaş and topped with yogurt (tantuni), and, of course, the legendary wet burger (ıslak burger).
We especially love Trakia Döner (📍location) and Borsam Taşfırın (📍location) (we could easily devour a few of their cheese lahmacun 🤤).
🍕 Without a doubt, Kadikoy’s street food scene is one of the tastiest in Istanbul (we’re not biased, we promise 😁).
The easiest and most delicious way to explore it is to book a Kadıköy Street Food Tour, where you’ll eat your way through the neighborhood with a local foodie who knows exactly where to go.
Check availability and book this top-rated local food tour in Kadikoy here →
Drink Coffee Like a Local
After eating, it’s time for what Kadikoy does best: drinking coffee!
The cafe culture in Kadikoy is strong (stronger than a double shot espresso hehe), and some locals treat their neighborhood cafe like a second home. You’ll find everything from minimalist roasteries to chic boho spots covered in ivy and monstera.
Here are our (very humble 😌) picks for the best cafes in Kadikoy:
☕ Story Coffee & Roastery: A mainstay in Kadikoy’s cafe scene.
☕ Noir Pit: Super cozy spot with great quality beans.
☕ Urban Roastery: A spacious cafe that’s popular with digital nomads. You can buy their beans too.
☕ HODL: The name says everything you need to know. 🙂
☕ Montag: They have two cafes in Kadıkoy and a few elsewhere.
☕ Altkat Coffee Community: We recommend the one in Yeldeğirmeni for their delicious desserts and high-quality coffees.
Get Lost in Kadıköy’s Secondhand Bookshops
There’s something romantic about Kadıköy’s secondhand bookshops: the smell of old paper, the stacks of worn covers, and the cats snoozing between shelves. Ah, how poetic. 😌
One of the most famous spots is Akmar Passage, also known as the Sahaflar Çarşısı (Secondhand Book Market). This narrow arcade is lined with tiny stalls selling everything from Turkish novels to modern classics, old comics, vintage vinyls, and even obscure philosophy books in multiple languages.
If you’d rather explore beyond Akmar, check out this handy map featuring more than a dozen independent secondhand bookstores around Kadıköy →
Shop Kadıköy’s Coolest Stores & Boutiques
Wondering where to shop in Kadikoy? We got you! Whether you’re into vintage finds, alternative fashion, or handmade treasures, Kadıköy has a little bit of everything.
For vintage lovers, start with Lades Vintage Moda (📍location), a boutique full of denim jackets, retro accessories, and everything in between. Then stop by Soi Handmade (📍location) and Boheme Bazaar (📍location), two lovely spots where you can find handmade jewelry, ceramics, and more.
If your style leans more alternative, check out AGA by Nofameunderground (📍location) — you’ll spot the cool skateboards parked outside before you even notice the streetwear racks inside.
Go Antique Shopping on Tellalzade Street
Tellalzade Street, also known as Kadıköy’s Antique Dealers’ Street, is a treasure trove for anyone who loves a good rummage.
More than a dozen small shops line this narrow lane, each packed with vintage porcelain, copper platters, ceramic vases, figurines, postcards, old radios, and more.
Much like Cihangir’s antique stores, Tellalzade captures that bittersweet feeling of nostalgia — a longing for eras we never lived, yet somehow recognize. Maybe that’s what makes antiques so irresistible: they’re little fragments of history you can actually hold.
Sip Tea with a View at Moda Tea Garden
This old-school tea garden sits on a cliff above the water and feels like a slice of 1970s Istanbul.
Locals come to gossip, read the paper, and sip on tulip-shaped glasses of çay.
Bring a book and stay a while — it’s one of the best things to do in Kadıköy for first-time visitors, especially if you want to soak up the everyday rhythm of the Asian side. 🙂
Note: Also bring some paper bills, since it’s cash only. 😁
Cool Off With Ice Cream in Moda
While you’re exploring Moda, follow the smell of fresh waffle cones and you’re bound to end up at an ice cream kiosk. Kadıköy’s ice creams are low-key legendary thanks to its rich, creamy, and addictive taste.
You’ll find classic Turkish-style ice cream (dondurma) alongside trendy flavors like pistachio, mastic, and caramelized fig. Grab a cone from one of the stands, stroll toward the pier, and see why this simple ritual is one of the sweetest things to do in Moda, Istanbul.
Visit This Hidden Gem by the Sea
Yes yes, we’re talking about the one and only Moda Ferry Pier!
Originally designed by architect Vedat Tek (Ms. Kedi’s second-favorite Turkish architect :)), the pier first opened around 1920 but eventually decommissioned in the 1980s due to low passenger numbers. Interestingly, the building served a few other functions, such as the base for the British Yacht Club and a seaside casino.
After a long restoration, Moda Pier reopened in 2022 and now serves as a public library and cafe complete with some of the most affordable drinks in town (since it’s run by the municipality 🫶).
Inside, you’ll find arched windows, original detailing, and a lovely sunlit interior. It’s truly one of the most atmospheric hidden gems in Kadıköy, Istanbul. 🙂
Walk Along Kadıköy’s Seaside Promenade
Stretching for nearly 6 kilometers, Kadıköy’s seaside promenade is where everyone ends up sooner or later.
Locals jog, enjoy a picnic, or sip çay on the stone ledges while musicians play nearby and cats nap on the warm stones. It’s also one of the best places to catch a Kadıköy sunset, with pastel skies melting into the Bosphorus and the city skyline standing tall across the water.
Take a Culinary Journey Across Turkey at Çiya Sofrası
If there’s one restaurant that captures the culinary soul of Kadıköy, it’s Çiya Sofrası — easily one of the most famous restaurants in Istanbul and a must-visit for anyone curious about Turkish cuisine.
Founded by Musa Dağdeviren, a chef and food anthropologist from Gaziantep (fitting, since the city is Turkey’s food capital), Çiya is as much a cultural project as it is a restaurant. Musa’s mission is to preserve traditional recipes before they disappear, a passion that even earned him a spotlight on Netflix’s Chef’s Table.
The menu changes frequently, so no two visits are the same. One day you might discover a regional meze you’ve never tasted before, the next, a slow-cooked lamb stew that feels straight out of Anatolia’s heartland.
If you’re wondering what to eat in Kadıköy, this is your answer. Çiya Sofrası remains one of the best restaurants in Kadıköy, and once you’ve eaten here, you’ll see why. 🙂
Indulge in Retro Sweets
We’ve talked about Kadikoy restaurants, but the desserts here deserve their own section too!
Some of the best places to eat in Kadıköy are actually its historic confectionary shops, where every bite feels like stepping back into old Istanbul. Let’s take a look at the golden trifecta of Kadıköy dessert legends. 🙂
Let’s start with Cafer Erol, a true legend known for its chocolate, candied fruits, and beautifully wrapped sweets that make perfect gifts. Established in the 1800s, it’s still family-run and still just as charming. Psst: if you visit Istanbul in the winter, be sure to check out their beautiful holiday display!
Next up is Baylan, an icon since 1923. Order their signature Kup Griye, a decadent mix of ice cream, caramel sauce, crushed nuts, and whipped cream. It’s no wonder why Baylan is one of the most famous cafes in Kadıköy.
And finally we have Hacı Bekir, the granddaddy of them all. Founded in the 18th century, it’s the brand that invented modern-day Turkish delight (literally). Their Kadıköy shop still feels like a slice of retro Istanbul, with glass jars filled with jewel-toned lokum and a sweet scent that lingers in the air.
Learn About Turkey’s Rock Legend at the Bariş Manço Museum
Even if you’ve never heard of him, you’ll quickly realize how much Turks loved Barış Manço, the rock musician, TV host, and all-around cultural icon who lived right here in Moda.
His home has since been turned into the Barış Manço Museum, and stepping inside feels like walking into a time capsule of 1980s Turkish pop culture. You’ll find his stage outfits (including his famous rings), records, instruments, and even some of his old furniture, all lovingly preserved.
Catch a Football Match at Fenerbahce Stadium
If there’s one thing Kadıköy takes seriously (besides coffee and cats), it’s football.
(Or soccer, for our American readers 😉)
Fenerbahçe is one of Istanbul’s “Big Three” clubs (along with Galatasaray and Beşiktaş) and game days are a whole vibe. You’ll see the team’s blue and yellow colors (💙💛) everywhere: waving from balconies, worn on scarves, and even painted on people’s faces. 😄
Even if you don’t know a single player, it’s impossible not to get swept up in the excitement!
See a Show at the Gorgeous Süreyya Opera House
If you’re more into classical music than football chants, the Süreyya Opera House should be on your itinerary.
Built in 1927 by Süreyya Pasha, it was originally designed to bring a touch of European glamour to the Asian side — and oh, did he deliver. With its Art Deco interiors, marble staircases, and ornate balconies, this is easily one of the most beautiful theaters in Istanbul.
For years, it hosted movie screenings and balls rather than operas (ironically, it didn’t have the right acoustics when it was built), but after a major restoration, the stage finally came alive in 2007 with the first full opera performance. Today, it’s home to the Istanbul State Opera and Ballet.
Even if you don’t have time for a show, it’s worth looking inside just to admire the building. It’s a real architectural gem and where to go in Kadikoy if you’re into culture and history!
Shop Like a Local at the Kadikoy Tuesday Bazaar
If you ever wanted to see a truly local Istanbul market, there’s no better example than the Kadikoy Tuesday Market (Kadikoy Salı Pazarı).
On Tuesdays, you’ll find a sea of stalls selling everything from seasonal produce to fabrics, shoes, and household goods, all at local prices and with plenty of friendly haggling.
(Seriously, this bazaar is massive! It’s really easy to get lost! 😅)
However, don’t let the name fool you — it also runs on Fridays! That’s when it transforms into the Kadıköy Flea Market, brimming with vintage clothes, old records, retro jewelry, and quirky finds you didn’t know you needed.
It’s one of the best places for vintage shopping in Istanbul and a favorite among local fashion lovers (Ms.Kedi especially adores this Instagram creator who shares her finds from the Friday bazaar).
Whether you’re bargain-hunting, people-watching, or just soaking up the chaos, the Salı Pazarı is one of the most authentic Kadıköy markets.
📍Kadikoy Tuesday Bazaar location
Go Shopping on Istanbul’s Trendiest Street
Stretching along the coast of Istanbul’s Asian side, Bağdat Street (Bağdat Caddesi) is where Istanbul goes to shop, dine, see — and be seen.
Technically beginning in Kadıköy, this tree-lined avenue is often nicknamed the Turkish Rodeo Drive or 5th Avenue thanks to the hundreds of boutique shops, luxury brand storefronts, and posh restaurants that line both sides of the street.
You’ll find everything from global names like Chanel, Apple, Zara, and Sephora to upscale Turkish favorites like Vakko, Beymen, Boyner, and Atelier Rebul (our favorite!)
All of it comes together to create that polished yet laid-back vibe that defines Istanbul’s Asian side attractions: effortlessly chic, always bustling, and worth the walk.
Find Budget-Friendly Fashion on Çilek Street
For some budget-friendly shopping, we recommend Çilek Street.
It’s one of the most popular Kadikoy shopping streets, especially with local students hunting for affordable streetwear and trendy finds.
The narrow streets are lined with racks of denim, oversized tees, sneakers, and tote bags spilling onto the sidewalk (all at prices that won’t make your wallet cry!)
If you’re into street fashion or just love digging for cheap gems, Çilek Street is a must.
Experience Kadikoy’s Nightlife
Kadikoy locals don’t relax after the sun goes down — no, they come to party!
The heart of Kadikoy nightlife is Barlar Sokağı (literally “Bar Street”), a lively stretch packed with bars, pubs, and live music venues.
For something classic, grab a pint at Ayı (Bear Pub), or catch a gig at Karga, one of the best bars in Kadikoy for live music and a laid-back crowd. Other popular bars in Kadikoy include Fil, Pablo Pub, and Kült Kadıköy.
Listen to Live Music by Kadikoy Pier
If you’re wondering what to do in Kadikoy at night that doesn’t involve bars, make your way to the Kadikoy Pier and let us tell you. 🙂
As evening falls, this part of the waterfront turns into an open-air stage. Street musicians set up near the water, performing everything from modern Turkish pop songs to jazzy covers, folk songs, and more. Locals sit on the steps, enjoy the music, and watch the ferries come and go in the background. It’s definitely one of those “local life in Kadikoy” moments.
Meet Kadikoy’s Famous Felines…
Without a doubt, the local cats are among the cutest Kadıköy attractions. You’ll spot them everywhere: stretched out on cafe chairs, snoozing in bookshop windows, or being fed by adoring locals who know each cat by name. 🙂
One of the best places to “meet them” is Yoğurtçu Park, a long stretch on Kadikoy’s eastern side where the cats practically run the place. They even have their own little “kitty condos” built by the municipality!
If you’re still planning on how to spend a day in Kadıköy, a peaceful walk here (with a few feline friends following behind) is a must-add to your itinerary!
…And See the Local Legend
Kadıköy’s cats are so beloved that one of them even has a statue! Tombili was a chubby laid-back cat who became an internet sensation after a photo of her reclining casually on a sidewalk step went viral.
After she passed away in 2016, the local shopkeepers (who loved Tombili dearly) partnered with the Anatolian Cat Project to launch a campaign, and after garnering over 17,000 signatures, the Kadıköy Municipality approved the creation of a bronze statue in her memory.
Today you can find the Tombili statue in Kadıköy, forever immortalized in her signature sitting pose. Interestingly, whenever we pass by the statue, there’s always a cat (or two, or three) hanging out nearby — perhaps she’s still there in spirit? 😉
Admire the Haydarpasa Station (When it Finally Reopens!)
Even if the trains don’t travel here anymore, Haydarpaşa Station is still one of the most iconic landmarks of Kadikoy. Its elegant Neo-Classical facade has seen sultans, soldiers, and countless travelers pass through its doors, all chasing their next great adventure.
Built in 1908 during the late Ottoman era, it once served as Turkey’s busiest railway station, connecting Istanbul to faraway destinations like Adana, Damascus, and even Baghdad via the legendary Taurus Express. (That’s a 2,566 km / 1,600 mi journey, if you can believe it!)
Its European counterpart, Sirkeci Station, welcomed travelers arriving from the west, including those aboard the world-famous Orient Express (of Agatha Christie fame).
Unfortunately, a fire in 2010 forced Haydarpaşa to close for restoration, and it’s been under renovation ever since. Rumor has it the station will reopen some time in the coming years, hopefully returning to its former glory as both a functioning terminal and a cultural space.
Even More Things To See in Kadikoy (That Are a Bit Further)
See Spring Blooms at Goztepe Park
Visiting Istanbul in the spring? Be sure to make your way to Göztepe Park, one of the most beautiful parks on Istanbul’s Asian side! It bursts into color every April during the Istanbul Tulip Festival and is a lesser-known but just-as-beautiful place to watch the tulips.
Explore Gazhane Museum
What used to be an old gasworks has been transformed into the Museum Gazhane, a modern cultural hub filled with art exhibitions, sustainability projects, cafés, and co-working spaces — perfect for digital nomads or anyone who wants to see an alternative Istanbul.
Psst… Gazhane also made its way onto our list of Unique Museums in Istanbul. Be sure to check it out! → 🙂
Take A Family-Friendly Adventure at Istanbul Toy Museum
Founded by Turkish poet and collector Sunay Akın, the Istanbul Toy Museum is home to over 4,000 toys from around the world (some dating back two centuries!)
It’s a delightful stop for families, nostalgic adults, and anyone curious about childhood through the ages.
Chill With the Cats at Fenerbahçe Park
And of course, we couldn’t end a Kadıköy guide without mentioning more cats, right?
Fenerbahçe Park in Kadikoy is a little slice of paradise for cat lovers. This large park is home to more than 100 cats who are looked after by local volunteers, who provide water, food, and shelters.
You’ll find these fluffy little locals lounging under the trees, napping on benches, or strolling along the walking paths. Most are very friendly and will come running to you if you call them!
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