Üsküdar: Istanbul's Most Traditional Asian-Side District

Üsküdar is the most traditionally atmospheric of Istanbul's Asian-side districts, a neighbourhood on the Bosphorus directly across from Eminönü and Beşiktaş that is one of the oldest continuously inhabited areas of the city, with a settlement history predating the Byzantine founding of Constantinople. The neighbourhood's hilltop silhouette, dominated by the Ottoman mosque complexes of the Mihrimah Sultan and Yeni Valide mosques, creates one of the most dramatic skylines in Istanbul when viewed from the European shore. The Maiden's Tower (Kız Kulesi), a small lighthouse and restaurant on a rock in the middle of the strait, is the symbol of Üsküdar and one of the most photographed landmarks in Turkey.

The neighbourhood's character is shaped by its historic role as the gateway to Asia and the departure point for pilgrims heading to Mecca — a function it served for centuries before modern transportation superseded it. The traditional mosque architecture, the density of religious bookshops and prayer accessories vendors in the bazaar area, and the generally more conservative character of many residents give Üsküdar a flavour noticeably different from the cosmopolitan European shore. The neighbourhood's market — the Üsküdar Pazarı — is one of Istanbul's most authentic, serving the local population with fresh produce, fish, and household goods in a format unchanged by tourism or gentrification.

The Üsküdar waterfront promenade, stretching from the ferry terminal along the Bosphorus shore, is one of Istanbul's finest evening walks. The Çamlıca Hill above the neighbourhood is Istanbul's highest point, now topped by the spectacular new Çamlıca Mosque — the largest mosque built in Turkey in the modern era, designed to be visible from across the city. The climb to Çamlıca rewards visitors with the best 360-degree panorama of Istanbul available from any land-based vantage point. The ferry from Eminönü or Karaköy reaches Üsküdar in 10 minutes and the crossing — watching the European skyline recede and the Asian hillside approach — is among Istanbul's most enjoyable transit experiences.