Asian Side Of Istanbul: Uskudar And Kadikoy Full Day Walking Tour

Because our time in Istanbul was limited, we wanted to spend several hours getting to know the less visited eastern side of the city. Viator's Asian Side of Istanbul: Uskudar and Kadikoy Full Day Walking Tour was exactly what we wanted. Our guide, Dogus (pronounced Dozh more or less), was wonderful! She's young, energetic, cheerful and well-informed. It turned out that she's pursuing her doctorate in marine archaeology and guides as a sideline. We wanted a small group tour of up to 5 but, as it turned out, there were only the 2 of us. Dogus picked up us at the hotel and we took the metro under the Bosphorus. Once there, we strolled the waterfront with her as she filled us in on the history of the buildings near the water, making us aware of the different personalities of the neighborhoods we visited. Lunch was included on the tour, so we went to a neighborhood restaurant and were treated to a typical lunch. We walked through markets and visited a confectionary store that had all sorts of temptations. Watching both old and new Istanbul from the ferry was a perfect wrap-up to our visit.

This tour is way overpriced for it’s simply a walking tour. Transport by minivan only covers hotel pick & drop off. 95% of time you are on your own by foot, rain or shine.

This tour was a fantastic introduction to the Asian side of Istanbul. As tourists, navigating an unfamiliar environment can be overwhelming, but this experience completely took the stress out of exploring. I loved that we didn’t have to worry about directions or logistics—everything was seamlessly taken care of. Tuncer picked us up directly from our hotel, and his communication throughout the entire process was excellent. Tuncer was incredibly kind and patient, offering insightful explanations on topics we weren’t as familiar with. My boyfriend and I are Armenian and Jewish, and Tuncer not only showed genuine interest in our backgrounds but went above and beyond by personalizing the tour to incorporate aspects of both our cultures. This thoughtful touch made us feel truly seen, valued, and acknowledged. His easygoing, relatable nature made the entire experience so much fun. He was funny, open-minded, full of energy, and always made sure we were comfortable and enjoying ourselves. On top of that, he eagerly offered to be our personal photographer whenever there was a chance for a great shot, which made the tour even more memorable. We couldn’t have asked for a better guide and would highly recommend Tuncer to anyone looking for a meaningful and personalized experience in Istanbul!

My wife and I spent a memorable entire day with Tuncer, our tour guide. He was a wealth of knowledge and provided us with so much historical and interesting information about the entire area. We spent 8 hours with Tuncer and we enjoyed the tour immensely. Would highly recommend the tour especially if you are lucky enough to get Tuncer as your guide. The area was very interesting and we travelled by all methods including train, subway and boat. Lunch was amazing. I would highly recommend this tour as it provides you with an opportunity to learn about the EuraAisa side of Istanbul. We were lucky ti have Tucker to ourselves. It was a wonderful start of our journey prior to boarding our cruise ship from Istanbul.

Tuncer our guide contacted us prior to tour date to verify pickup location and time. He was prompt on time and place to start tour. It was interesting to use the mass transit systems, like taking the train under the Bosphorus to Asia. Seeing the contrast in cultures from conservative Uskudar versus metroplitan Kadikoy was evident in the clothing, buildings, and displays. In Uskudar, there was an exhibit of the thirty-six sultans of Istanbul from 1200-1600 ad. There were small figurines of each sultan and his wife dressed in garments that they would wear, among other things related to their rule. Help to put people to events, mosques, and palaces that we were immersed being in Europe and Asia. We had a nice lunch at a local Turkish cafe which was part of the trip. Kadikoy was more modern and bustling, very touristy. Rode back on ferry across the Bosphorus then back to hotel. Tuncer was a very warm and exuberant. We were very happy to share our day with him. I would not recommend this tour to others. There are very limited sites to see on the Asian side of the Bosphorus. Could have been much shorter in time. It was relatively expensive though we did not have to pay for tickets, transportation, and food and refreshments. It was better run than Withlocals group.

Tuncer is energetic, knowledgeable, and articulate. This was a trip that would have been difficult logistically for us to pull off on our own. The only drawback was that it was a walking tour on a hot and humid day, and we should have taken more breaks to pace ourselves. One of us was worn out and we ended up cutting short the trip by more than an hour.

My guide on the Asian side of Istanbul: Uskudar and Kadikoy full day tour was a very nice man called Tuncer. It was an unforgettable journey through historic times to the present day. The guide has a wealth of historical knowledge and is able to convey it well and get the other person interested. You can see that he puts his heart and soul into his work and enjoys it. This makes it an unforgettable experience for the tourists who travel with him. And I must add that I was very lucky to have the guide all to myself, as I was the only one who had booked a tour for that day. Another company might have cancelled or tried to move me to another day, but not Istanbul Walks and not my guide. And I am very grateful for that. It was a very unforgettable day indeed.

1) Bosphorus view from Asia side was beautiful. 2) Lunch in Uskudar was delicious. Our first opportunity to drink Turkish coffee.

Had an amazing time on the tour of the Asian side of Istanbul. Our tour guide, Tuncer, was very pleasant and informative. We got to see and learn a lot about the history of the town and experience the culture. Lunch was also delicious! Would highly recommend.

Tuncer was the most amazing guide. His energy and experience showed as he showed us so much on the Asian side of Istanbul. A must if one wants to see all of Istanbul.

Our guide (Tuncer) was extremely knowledgeable. He was able to answer ALL my husband's questions with patience..... Tuncer provided both historical and political background to the various sites we visited. He also provided relevant context to current issues. We liked how he could read the level of interest that we had and proceeded to provide us with the necessary. Tuncer left us with an increased understanding and a deep appreciation of the challenges currently being experienced in the country.

My guide was so knowledgeable. The weather was against us but we had a good look around the Anatolian side which is what I wanted.

Our tour guide Dogus was absolutely amazing and so knowledgeable. I told her I wanted the famous San Sebastion cheesecake and while it wasn't on the schedule she made my wish come true. I loved learning about the Mosque 🕌 and how to identify them. The ride under the Bosphorus was intriguing 🤔 lol and I loved the ferry ride back. Her enthusiasm and passion about this country and its history is nothing short of phenomenal. If you can request Dogus for your tour you won't be disappointed.

We met with a nice lady Edina who is very knowledgeable & accomodating to us. She took us to places that no large groups can go to at times & restaurants like a good meatball place called Islama Koftecisi that’s been in business for generations. We rode the dolmus, tram, ferry when we were with her from the European side to the Asian side & back. I wouls take this tour again, if given the chance.

Tunc was our tour guide for Asian tour of Istanbul. We had a great time. He was very personable and friendly. He make our tour fun. We covered so many places in Üsküdar and Kadikoy. This tour is worth it. If you ever want to do an Asian tour of Istanbul I recommend Tunc.

No one showed up to pick me up. It was terrible. When I called the tour company they said Trip Advisor did not give them my reservation. I am still waiting for a refund. Go directly to a travel agent.

The walking tour opens up our outlook of Istanbul, delving into the often forgotten history and seeing its inhabitants life away from the often hectic touristic areas. Ekin , our tour guide was fantastic and shared her intricate knowledge of her hometown with us.

Learned more about the Asian side of Istanbul. Very interesting. Lunch was great! I also learned more about Turkey from the eyes and heart of the guide.

Tuncer was on time friendly and well spoken. He went above and beyond when I had a foot injury from the day before to make sure I could make the tour…. Even made a stop at a local pharmacy to pick up some meds ! One of the best tours I have had… well worth the time !

This tour was great! The Uskudar and Kadikoy neighborhoods are fascinating and the tour guide was passionate and knowledgeable and took us off the beaten path. He was talkative and friendly and willing to answer any questions. We thank the tour guide for a wonderful time!

Tuncer was amazing! He was approachable, knowledgeable, and so personable! It felt like we had a friend showing us around Istanbul! Would definitely recommend him to anyone who was spending time in Istanbul!

Our guide was amazing! He was so very kind, helpful and knowledgeable! We learned so much, we would highly recommend this tour!

Excellent tour of several different neighbourhoods in the city. Dogus was an engaging and informative guide who made it a great day!

Our tour was great! Our guide Dogus was knowledgable and personable. We would recommend, great way to get to know the Asia side of the city

Arthur picked us up at the hotel as arranged and we started as very interesting tour of the Eastern part of Istambul. He is a very knowleable person about history, architecture, etc. Uskudar and Kadikoy are splendid places to visit. We had lunch at a true Turkish restaruant, very nice. Will definitely recommend this tour, especially if Ertugrul is the tour guide.

It’s nice and Arturo was friendly, respectful and knowledgeable…. We ate good lunch and enjoyed the whole trip… best tour guide

Our guide (Arturk?) was EXCELLENT! He not only took the time to show us all the sites, but also took time to explain detailed historical and cultural significances from each place we visited! Definitely worth seeing - how often can you cross over from Europe to Asia!

Relaxing tour, not stressful, small group and a lovely guide. We had a great time. The included lunch was very delicious.

We had a glimpse of the cultural side of Istanbul. With a view of the religious lives. Lunch was included in the tour. Our guide was knowledgeable, and was an interesting person too. Would recommend her!

The churches and mosques and Istanbul’s skyline were amazing. Orkhan of city walks passion and knowledge made this tour magical..

Lutfullah provided a very professional tour of the Asian side of Istanbul. He was very knowledgeable on the history and local customs and he was a personable, entertaining guide. We enjoyed the opportunity to ride the metro and ferry boat and enjoyed walking around areas of Istanbul that are not often seen by tourists.

I had just landed a few hours before the tour start and was wondering on cancelling it in favour of some shut eye. Now am so glad that I didn't as I might have missed out on a truly enriching experience in the Asian side of Istanbul. The tour started with a pickup at my hotel by Mr Lutfi and we took the metro + ferry to Kadikoy. After a wall through the winding streets and Moda neighborhood, we had lunch at a good restaurant in Uskudar. It was good food. After lunch, we went to see the Maiden tower and walked through Uskudar while visiting mosques and museums. It was a very good your. Mr Lutfi was very knowledgeable and adapts to your requirements easily. He was also very helpful and even assisted with some personal errands as well! I highly recommend this tour and also advise to take a day out of your time in Turkey to visit the Asian side of Istanbul.

We had Cengiz as our guide and thanks to him, we had a great experience. We had the opportunity to explore the Asian side of Istanbul, the food, walk on the street market... everything is going to be a happy memory for us. Istanbul and the hospitality of the people there are a great factor to make our experience unforgettable ❤. Thank you Cengiz. You deserve ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ and we highly recommend this tour.

We wanted to go to the asian side, and we did not book any tour in Istanbul. So, we did a tour for the Asian Side, so we can have a bit of history and insights about a fun part of the city. First, the area. YOU SHOULD GO TO THE ASIAN SIDE. The asian side is great for eating, walking, and people watching. We loved the area and if we return, we would go 2-3 days to asian side. Second, the tour guide. Our tour guide was great. He was knowledgeable and with lot of insights of the city. He gave us a lot of good recommendations for eating and drinking in the asian and european side. Also, he gave us answers about all our questions about history and culture of Turkey and Istanbul. He was like a local friend that talked about the city, and we enjoyed that. Third, the tour. The tour has a good route and balance between history and places that cool at this moment. However, the tour is a bit long and overpriced. We paid more for this tour than booking a private boat trip for four hours.

Great guide and a very nice day, off the beaten touristic tracks. Learned a lot about Istanbul and its history, about the lifestyle, things one cannot find in the tourist guides. Teşekkürler , Ilker!

Our tour was simply wonderful. It included all that is advertised. We enjoyed visiting the mosques, mausoleums , and most especially, the side streets, the cafes and sampling what must be the local like. We were so delighted. Our guide, Ilker was most knowledgeable, and his presentations to me were delightful and informative. How we enjoyed visiting the gems of Ukudar, learning about Turkish Islamic archtecture, the architect Sanan, and his work for his queens. But more that that Ilker truly looked after us, and painstakingly helped us choose gifts (wading through acres of tee-shirts), and was just an all-out great, great, guy! A wonderful host to one of the world's heritage capitals.

<p>This tour was well worth the money! The tour guide was on time and picked us up in an a/c van to the metro to reach the Asian side. He was very informative and personable and spoke perfect English. Luch was supplied from a local restaurant with an amazing view food was ok, but nothing special, as the tour ended he took us to the ferry back to the European side. Our family group 50-13 all enjoyed and learned a lot. A definite must do when visiting Istanbul!</p>

<p>Too much walking. Not a whole lot too see. Very overpriced for using public transportation.</p>

<p>The tour guide met me and we took the metro to Uskudar. He was very informative. Even with taking the metro and later the<br/> ferry, after that the tram. He was well versed in Uskudar as he was raised in this neighborhood. He showed me several<br/> mosques, and even another church: Armemian church. Lunch was in price fixe meal that over looked the bay.<br/> Highly recommended if you want to see more of Istanbul.</p>

<p>I was fortunate to have Serhat as my guide for the day. Not only is he knowledgeable and intuitive, but he makes all of it interesting and understandable. He speaks fluent English, and has a degree in Tourism, all of which adds up to a memorable experience.</p>

<p>it was a nice tour.. nice place to visit.. great infos and a very professional guide Mr. Ilker Akan.</p>

<p>Fun and exotic. It was a great way to become familiar and at-ease in Istanbul.</p>

Este tour nos dió la oportunidad de conocer un aspecto diferente de Istanbul, pues salimos de los sitios repletos de turistas del lado europeo de la ciudad. Así pudimos apreciar el lado más auténtico de Turquía y gozar la experiencia de ir al mercado de comida, tomar el té como cualquiera de la ciudad y probar un delicioso lunch con comida típica. Usamos casi todos los medios de transporte: metro, tranvía, pesero (ccommunitary van), tranvia de madera y barco. Ertugrul es un excelente guía, con un gran conocimiento de la ciudad, de las costumbres y de la historia de Turquía. Además él tiene un excelente dominio del ingles y una amena conversación

Escogido en inglés, porque no tenía otra opción,soy peruana.Mi deseo era conocer.el guía trato y el paseo fue muy agradable.

Descubrimos rincones de la ciudad encsntadores y desconocidos. El guia muy majo y simpatico y conocedor de su ciudad