- 4 min read

Kuzguncuk in Istanbul: my fav doll-like neighborhood at the Bosphorus

Istanbul is like one special galaxy that consists of miniature worlds. Each "planet" has its own characters, mood, style.

The beauty, uniqueness and wealth of the touristic Constantinople is not located only in the European part of the city, where the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Galata Tower and the Museum of Modern Art are located (and, of course, a million more favorite places).

The Anatolian part of this handsome megapolis (I feel a very male energy coming from Istanbul) also steals the hearts of the visitors. I heartily recommend visiting the Kuzguncuk micro district, located on the banks of the Bosphorus.

This place is part of a larger area called Üsküdar. Getting here is not so easy but not too difficult either.

If you decide to come here on your own, then you need (if you are staying in the European part of the city) - take a ferry (not excursion, but public transport) from a place near the Galata Bridge (Eminonu or Karakoy stations) to Uskudar, and from there walk about one kilometer to Kuzguncuk along the Bosphorus. A walk along the strait itself is an additional aesthetic pleasure for those who love to watch the ships cruising along the İstanbul Boğazı (Turkish name for the Bosphorus). The silhouettes of the architectural horizon of the European part of Constantinople are also very clearly visible from here.

Kuzgundzhuk is just a few streets that can be walked around in an hour (if you walk very slowly), and it holds so much beauty.

You come here for peace, unhurriedness, to sit in a cozy cafe, have breakfast on the banks of the Bosphorus, stare at cats and colorful houses, walk hand in hand with your loved one or have a good time with friends.

Kuzgundzhuk is modest, but it has something to offer visuals.

Everywhere multi-colored houses of two or three floors

From the main street of the district, which rests on the Bosphorus, streets with private houses go to the sides, which look like this.

There are not only restaurants, cafes, pastry shops here but also galleries.

This photo was taken in June 2019. Everything around is blooming. Girls will definitely want to make 1000 and 1 photos.

This is a local municipality garden. Some local residents have small plots in this area. As you can see, everything looks well-groomed. If there is not enough land for everyone, and the territory is built up, then the municipality offers this option.

Doors, doors, doors. I always pay attention to them and can not pass by. There is something special about them.

Food is a amazing here. Staying hungry in Istanbul is almost impossible. On every corner there are cafes where you can drink tea, freshly squeezed juice, coffee. There are pastry shops with buns (my favorite food), pies, cakes, and here are places like in the photo below - where you can taste traditional Turkish food. For example, lahmacun (thin lavash with a thin layer of minced meat with spices) cooked in the oven. By the way, you still need to know how to eat it correctly - take one piece, squeeze lemon juice on it, add lettuce, tomatoes (there are in the photo), wrap it in a tube and - afiyet olsun! Bon appetit!

Cafe ASUDE EV YEMEKLERI

I like to watch local residents (or guests of the city, or a district). Here is a girl sitting near a shop where you can buy art pieces and jewelry.

I don't remember what day of the week this photo was taken. Probably Saturday. People stand near the truck that brought vegetables and fruits from the farm - a natural product. It is a "mobile" market. The Turks are very fond of fresh food, so in every district of Istanbul, on special days, huge bazaars unfold, where farmers - merchants sell their goods. Kuzgundzhuk is no exception.

I barely had time to take this picture. This couple was walking hand in hand. So stylish and full of life. I always admire such people.

There is not a single cafe similar to each other.

And it is cozy here at any time of the year. I've been here in June, October and December.

And here is the fish restaurant. After all, the Bosphorus is nearby, which means how can you stay long without fish dishes ?!

You can see a traffic sign on the left photo with an image of a cat. Local drivers are warned to be careful and attentive to an important component of the area - cats.

Oh, I wish to sit here for the day and write books, drink coffee and do nothing else.

And this place on the banks of the Bosphorus offers spots to watch the life of the strait, and on the side there is the old Kuzguncuk Cinaralti Cafe, where locals come for breakfast and for just a snack during the day if they are nearby.