Uskudar district – the most famous tourist neighborhood in Istanbul

Istanbul is one of the most beautiful cities in Turkey and the world, and thanks to its many wonderful tourist attractions.

It is a popular destination for tourists, as there are different regions and neighborhoods in Istanbul, some of which are famous for being tourists.

And Uskudar is one of the most famous tourist neighborhoods in Istanbul.

Uskudar neighborhood is located in the Asian part of the eastern coast of the Bosphorus.

It is one of the most populated residential areas in the city and is linked to other parts of the city and the European part by ferry.

Join us in Move 2 turkey to learn more about Uskudar, one of Istanbul’s most popular tourist neighborhoods.

An introduction to the famous Uskudar neighborhood in Istanbul

The Uskudar neighborhood, called Scutari in Italian and English, is one of the most popular tourist neighborhoods in the Asian part of Istanbul.

It is bordered on the north by Beykoz, on the east by Umraniye, on the southeast by Atasehir, on the south by Kadikoy, on the west by the Bosphorus, and on the opposite shore is the famous Eminonu neighborhood.

Uskudar is one of the most densely populated areas in Istanbul, nearly half a million people live in it.

Not to mention the many historical and tourist attractions in this region.

Although the European part of Istanbul is the most touristy part of the city, but if you want to get to know the real city of Istanbul and the lives of the locals, it is best to come to the Asian part, specifically the Uskudar district, which is one of the best tourist neighborhoods in Istanbul.

The most famous tourist areas in Istanbul

Istanbul consists of several regions, but in general Istanbul can be divided into three main areas, two of which are located in the European part.

The first area includes most of the monuments in the European section in Istanbul, such as the famous Ottoman palaces, the Grand Bazaar, traditional baths in Istanbul, restaurants and luxury tourist hotels.

They are generally designed for tourists and you cannot see the local life in Turkey up close.

The second most important area in Istanbul is the trade and market district, which is also located in the European part of Istanbul.

There are large modern shopping centers, crowded cafes, world-famous brands, and a large number of locals and tourists.

Among these busy areas are the famous Istiklal Street and Taksim Square.

But the third most popular neighborhood in Istanbul is Uskudar, it is located in the Asian part with a more local look, where you can see the local life of the residents up close, and tourists often ignore this neighborhood. (I really don’t know why)

Among the neighborhoods of the Asian side, Uskudar is undoubtedly one of the most famous neighborhoods, as soon as you get off the ship, you will be surprised by the difference in the shape of the city.

Get to know the real Istanbul in Uskudar neighborhood!

Since many tourists do not come to the Asian part, these regions have preserved their indigenous and local identity.

The traditional baths in Uskudar are not used by foreign tourists, but rather by locals in Istanbul.

These baths are designed to show tourists the best picture of Turkish culture and customs, so you can have a real and authentic Turkish bath experience.

Many of the traditional hammams in the Uskudar district date back for centuries and have been used by locals for nearly 100 years to bathe and relax.

Uskudar looks like a village in the middle of a large city compared to the European part.

It is really hard to imagine that you will enter a different neighborhood by boat and a few minutes away from the tourist neighborhoods in the European part.

Uskudar and its surroundings provide travelers with a rich history to see, tranquility compared to the European neighborhoods of Istanbul.

Delicious local food, and traditional baths, in general, you will get the best look of the real Istanbul.

Uskudar district is also the best place to watch the sunset behind the view of Topkapi Palace and the historical aspects of the city.

You are in the perfect place

Many travelers spend most of their time in the European section, in tourist areas and shopping centers.

So you may wonder why we should go to the Uskudar neighborhood and the Asian part of Istanbul?

Well, Uskudar district is ideal for those who want to have a real Istanbul experience and learn about the lifestyle of the locals.

Not being just a regular tourist, to have passion for discovering the real Istanbul, and learn about the indigenous culture of the city’s people.

In this neighborhood, you can meet and chat with locals and enjoy the real lifestyle of Istanbul residents in one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods.

The most amazing attractions of Uskudar district

Mihrimah Sultan Mosque

There are many mosques in the Uskudar district, which are among the tourist attractions in the city.

There are more than 180 mosques in this neighborhood, many of them date back to the Ottoman era.

The most famous of these mosques is the Mihrimah Sultan Mosque (Mihrimah Sultan Camii in Turkish), also known as the Wharf Mosque.

This mosque was built by the famous Ottoman architect Sinan, who is the architect of many buildings in the city, such as the Blue Mosque.

Sinan designed and built this magnificent mosque for Sultan Mihrimah, daughter of Sultan Suleiman the Great.

The Mihrimah Mosque, which has been restored, is located on the northern side of the ship dock, which is why it is also known as the Pier Mosque.

Maiden’s Tower

Maiden’s Tower, called (Kız Kulesi) in Turkish, is one of the most popular and famous tourist attractions in Istanbul.

The tower is located on a small island in the middle of the Bosphorus, 200 meters from Uskudar district.

The tower was previously used as a lighthouse and is said to have been built around 340 BC! You can easily reach this historic tower by boat from Uskudar.

There are many legends and stories about this sign and its name.

It is said that one day there was a king who loved his daughter very much, a fortune teller told the king that the girl would die from a snake bite before she was eighteen years old.

The king, who could not bear the death of his daughter in any way, sent her to a small island far from everyone when she was a child to be safe from snakes.

The tower was in fact the residence of the girl until the age of eighteen.

During that time the king alone had the right to visit his daughter.

On her eighteenth birthday, the emperor brought his daughter a basket of fruits from far away countries.

But there was a snake hiding in the fruit and bit the girl, and she died at the age of eighteen.

That is why legend says that the name of the Maiden’s Tower sign is derived from this story!

Beylerbeyi Palace

Another tourist attraction in the Uskudar district is Beylerbeyi Palace, and this palace belongs to the Ottoman Empire.

Beylerbeyi Palace was the summer residence of the Ottoman kings in the sixties of the nineteenth century.

This magnificent palace is very similar to other palaces in Istanbul such as Dolmabahce palace and Küçüksu palace, in addition to its historical aspect, it is also important in terms of architectural style.

How to reach Uskudar?

Getting to Uskudar is very simple and comfortable, you can get to it from all the Asian parts of the city, just take a bus or a dolmuş (Minibus).

From Kadikoy district, you can reach Uskudar by public bus or dolmuş in 10-15 minutes.

From Beşiktaş, located in the European part, you can also come to this neighborhood by ferries or boats that operate around the clock.