Bağdat Avenue
Bağdat Avenue is the main high street on Istanbul's Anatolian side, running 14 km along the Marmara coast. It's a modern, bustling shopping and dining strip, often compared to Istiklal Avenue across the Bosphorus.
“Experience the modern, local pulse of Istanbul's Anatolian side on a long, tree-lined avenue.”
See the exact spot on the map at right. The highlighted pin clearly marks this stop.
This long avenue stretches roughly 14 kilometers from Maltepe to Kadıköy, tracing the Sea of Marmara coastline. The most active 6-kilometer section runs through Kadıköy, from Bostancı to Kızıltoprak. While it's considered the Anatolian side's answer to Istiklal Avenue in terms of importance and energy, the architecture here is almost entirely modern, lacking the historic buildings of its European counterpart. It's a place for a long stroll, window shopping at international brands and local boutiques, and stopping for a coffee or a meal at one of its many cafes and restaurants. The vibe is more contemporary and residential than the tourist-heavy European side, giving you a feel for everyday life in these neighborhoods.
For the best vibe, walk the section between Suadiye and Caddebostan; it's less about pure shopping and has more nice cafes and a local park feel.
The wide sidewalks are generally flat and well-maintained, but crossing the busy avenue requires using pedestrian crossings.
Keep going in Kadıköy
A few places that pair well with this stop on the same day.
Bahariye Avenue
Bahariye Avenue is the main pedestrian street in Kadıköy, lined with shops, cafes, and historic theaters. It's the neighborhood's central artery, always full of life.
Kadıköy Bull Statue
A large bronze bull statue in the heart of Kadıköy's main square. It's a popular meeting point and a symbol of the neighborhood.
