Shopping on the Asian Side of Istanbul was previously limited to districts with shopping streets such as Kadikoy and Uskudar. However, in the last two decades, modern shopping centers have been opened in almost every district.
Now there are many shopping malls from the westernmost to the easternmost part of the Asian Side. Combined with the large hotels opened in recent years, the Asian side has become more attractive for domestic and foreign tourists.
In order to get to know the Asian Side of Istanbul, it is useful to know the three main roads passing through the city. The northernmost of these is the D100 (formerly E5), the middle one is Minibus Street, and the southernmost is Sahil Yolu (coastal road) on the seaside.
The most important shopping centers of the Asian Side are generally located on the D100, which is a busy highway. Large shopping malls such as Tepe Nautilus, Akasya, Optimum and Piazza are on this highway. Since the Metro M4 is parallel to this highway, these shopping centers can be easily reached from the Metro Stations.
On the other hand, most of the streets where the local people walk and shop daily are close to the sea. The Asian Side meets the Marmara Sea in the south, and Bagdat Street, the city’s longest shopping street, is also here. In addition, shopping centers such as IstMarina and Marinturk, which are located in the marinas, are in the south.
Shopping on the Asian Side of Istanbul 2025
Shopping on the Asian side of Istanbul covers the 10 most popular neighborhoods in the east of the city. Among these districts, Kadikoy and Uskudar are the most touristic ones. Since they are on the shores of the Bosphorus, both can be reached by ferry from the European side.
However, if you want to get off the tourist route and shop like the locals, you can try other districts inside the Asian Side. These districts are also close to Sabiha Gokcen Airport, the second largest airport of Istanbul.
1. Kadikoy
Kadikoy is the most popular district of the Asian Side for both foreign tourists and locals. Since Kadikoy is spread over a very large area, it offers many options in terms of shopping.
a. Kadikoy Fish Market
Kadikoy Fish Market gives you the opportunity to shop like a local on the Asian Side of Istanbul. There are shops selling meat, fish, fresh vegetables, cheeses, pickles and sweets, each one of the best in its field.
Locals who come to shop in Kadikoy enjoy this lively district. For example, it is possible to take a lunch break at Ciya Kebab, which is the best restaurant on the Asian side.
On the other hand, Yanyali Fehmi, one of the best local restaurants in Istanbul, is also found in Kadikoy Fish Market. Baylan, one of the oldest confectionery shops in the city, is also here.
b. Bahariye Street
Bahariye Street is one of the shopping streets of the Asian Side. This street is similar to Istiklal Street on the European side with the nostalgic tram passing through it.
Bahariye Street is a place where you can shop for cheap clothing on the Asian side. There are many local and foreign brands’ shops on the street. But shopping lovers can enjoy exploring the old passages.
Especially Opera Onur Pasaji is ideal for cheap clothing shopping. Here you can find similar seasonal designs of famous foreign brands at very cheap prices.
c. Moda
Moda is very close to Kadikoy Fish Market and Bahariye Street. The best coffee shops in Istanbul are found here. For this reason, after shopping in Kadikoy, you can take a coffee break in this district.
d. Acibadem
Acibadem is a neighborhood very close to Kadikoy. Tepe Nautilus shopping center in Acibadem stands out among the best shopping centers close to Kadikoy.
Acibadem is one of the best neighborhoods to live on the Asian side of Istanbul. For this reason, it is pleasant to shop, go for a walk and have a drink in the neighborhood.
2. Caddebostan
Caddebostan is actually a place inside the Kadikoy district. However, since Caddebostan stands out with its shopping, entertainment and restaurant opportunities, a special title should be reserved for it.
Caddebostan is located in the heart of Bagdat Street, the longest shopping street on the Asian Side of Istanbul. Bagdat Street, which starts from Kadikoy, extends to the Bostanci district in the Asian side.
You can find shops of local brands and international luxury brands in this 15-kilometer shopping street. There are the best restaurants and cafes of Bagdat Street in Caddebostan.
After shopping on the street, you can take a break at the restaurants or cafes on Caddebostan Iskele Sokak. For example, IL Padrino Ristorante, one of the best Italian restaurants in Istanbul, is here. There are also taverns (meyhane) that are a reflection of the traditional drinking culture.
When the locals come to Bagdat Street, they go to the seaside where Caddebostan Migros (a local hypermarket) is located. In the spring, you can see hundreds of Istanbulites enjoying the sea view with their drinks.
3. Uskudar
Uskudar, like Kadikoy, is one of the most popular districts of the Asian side. Compared to Kadikoy, Uskudar is generally an older and nostalgic district. The Maiden’s Tower in the image above is the symbol of the district.
Those who want to visit historical monuments can visit Mihrimah Sultan Mosque in the center of Uskudar. This mosque is one of the masterpieces of Mimar Sinan, the most famous Ottoman architect.
In the center of Uskudar by the sea, you can visit the local markets and observe the daily life in the city. Uskudar’s districts along the Bosphorus, such as Kuzguncuk, Beylerbeyi and Cengelkoy, are great for walking.
When you visit these places I mentioned, you will experience many details about Istanbul’s shopping and food culture. It should also be noted that Kanaat Lokantasi, one of the best Turkish restaurants in the city, is also located in Uskudar.
On the other hand, there are modern shopping centers such as Akasya, Emaar Square Mall and Capitol within the borders of Uskudar. Among these, Akasya stands out as one of the largest shopping malls on the Asian side of Istanbul.
4. Umraniye
Umraniye is one of the largest residential neighborhoods on the Asian Side. Umraniye attracts attention with its business hotels such as Crowne Plaza and large shopping malls.
The biggest IKEA store in Istanbul is in Umraniye. IKEA here is adjacent to Buyaka, one of the big shopping centers of the district. Many Istanbulites buy furniture for the home from IKEA and technological products from MediaMarkt (In Buyaka) next door.
You can use the M5 metro line from Uskudar to reach Umraniye. From Eminonu, Karakoy and Besiktas districts on the European side, you can take the ferry to Uskudar and then take the M5 to Umraniye.
5. Atasehir
Atasehir was one of the suburbs of Kadikoy in the early 2000s. However, the settlement of Istanbul’s middle class in the neighborhood led to a real estate boom here. Atasehir is now a huge residential area with many luxury apartments.
Today, Palladium, one of the most luxurious shopping malls in Istanbul, is located in Atasehir. In addition, one of the best kebab restaurants in Istanbul, such as Develi Atasehir, is in this district.
6. Kozyatagi
Kozyatagi is a district in the heart of the Asian side. Kozyatagi, which lies between the central highway D100 and Minibus Street, is a place where many business centers and hotels are located.
In the southern residential part of Kozyatagi, Cozy AVM, one of the small but practical malls of the Asian Side, can be found. On the other hand, Optimum, one of the best outlet malls in Istanbul, is in the north of Kozyatagi.
Kozyatagi Carrefour, the oldest shopping center on the Asian side of Istanbul, was renovated and became City’s Istanbul. There are luxury hotels in this vicinity such as Istanbul Marriott Hotel Asia and Hilton Istanbul Kozyatagi.
7. Maltepe
Maltepe is one of the central districts of the Asian side. This neighborhood is a popular residential place. Piazza, one of the most elegant shopping centers of the Asian side, is located in Maltepe.
Piazza AVM and Maltepe Park are two shopping centers adjacent to each other. Here you can find hundreds of domestic and foreign brands. There is also a food court above the Piazza, designed like an open-air square.
As an insider tip, I can recommend Cemil Usta restaurant, located on the D100 highway in Maltepe. This restaurant is delicious with its dishes representing the Black Sea region of Turkey. It is also one of the places that serves the best Turkish breakfast in Istanbul.
8. Kartal
Kartal is one of the important shopping places of Istanbul Asian Side. The second largest branch of IKEA in Istanbul is located here. Next to IKEA is Anatolium, which houses technology stores.
In the area where Kartal meets the sea, there is a large shopping center called ISTMarina. After shopping, you can take a walk on Kartal’s coastal road and watch the Prince Islands on the horizon.
9. Pendik
Pendik hosts Sabiha Gokcen, the airport on the Asian side of Istanbul. For this reason, Pendik offers many shopping and accommodation opportunities to tourists.
The closest shopping center to Sabiha Gokcen Airport is Viaport. The most distinctive feature of Viaport is that it is a concept building that allows shopping in the open air. There are many options for Turkish cuisine in the food court of the building.
On the other hand, there is a large Marina where Pendik meets the sea. The shopping center called Marinturk here offers the most spacious shopping environment on the Asian Side. Bebek Balikcisi, one of the best fish restaurants in Istanbul, has a branch in Marinturk.
10. Tuzla
Tuzla stands out as the easternmost district of Istanbul. This is the point where Istanbul meets the neighboring city of Izmit. In addition, the Istanbul Park track, where Formula 1 races are held every few years, is located here.
In the previous topic, I had noted that Viaport is the closest shopping center to the airport on the Asian side. A branch of this successful shopping center also provides service by the sea in Tuzla.
Tuzla Viaport Marina is the most entertaining shopping mall on the Asian side of Istanbul. In Viaport Marina, there is an Aquapark with 17 water slides and an aquarium that hosts 12000 sea creatures.
Viaport Marina is one of the best activity centers on the Asian Side, especially for families with children. It is also one of the most instagrammable places in Istanbul with its magnificent sea view.
Conclusion
In this article, we focused on shopping in the Asian Side of Istanbul. But of course, there are hundreds of other options for those who want to shop in Istanbul.
In the shopping category on this site, you can find many insider tips about shopping in popular districts of Istanbul. Among these, you may be interested in shopping in Sultanahmet or shopping in Taksim articles.
On the other hand, best shopping places in Istanbul is an article that introduces historical bazaars and shopping streets in the 10 most popular places in Istanbul for first timers.
Finally, you can find a list of modern shopping malls at best shopping malls in Istanbul. This post features the city’s most popular malls and is updated every year.
Written by Serhat Engul
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