The easiest day trips from Nişantaşı (Nisantasi) start at the Beşiktaş and Kabataş piers, 10 to 30 minutes away: a 20 minute ferry to Kadıköy or Üsküdar on the Asian side, the Bosphorus villages, the car-free Princes’ Islands about an hour and a half away by ferry, the old neighbourhoods of Balat and Fener, or a full day on the Bosphorus to Anadolu Kavağı. None of them needs a car or a tour.
Nişantaşı is a good base for seeing the rest of Istanbul. The Bosphorus waterfront at Beşiktaş and Kabataş is a short taxi ride downhill, and from there ferries fan out across the city. These trips need no car and no tour, although a guided trip can save time if your stay is short. To fit them into a short stay, see our one- to three-day itinerary.
The Asian side: Kadıköy and Üsküdar
The easiest half-day trip is a ferry across the Bosphorus. Boats from Kabataş and Beşiktaş reach Kadıköy and Üsküdar in about 20 minutes, and the crossing itself, with gulls following the boat and the old city skyline behind you, is one of the best things to do in Istanbul.
- Kadıköy has a lively market quarter of fishmongers, delis and spice shops, and a young café and bar scene. Walk on to the seafront at Moda for the sunset.
- Üsküdar is quieter and more traditional, with Ottoman mosques near the pier and a waterfront promenade facing the Maiden’s Tower.
Pay for the ferry with your Istanbulkart, just like the metro. Our practical tips explain how the card works.
Bosphorus villages
North of Beşiktaş, the European shore of the Bosphorus is lined with old fishing villages turned into smart neighbourhoods. Take a taxi or a bus along the coast road and walk between them.
- Ortaköy: a mosque right on the water beneath the first Bosphorus bridge, and busy weekend stalls.
- Arnavutköy: wooden Ottoman houses along the shore.
- Bebek: a waterfront park, cafés and a promenade popular with joggers.
- Rumeli Hisarı: the 15th-century fortress built before the conquest of Constantinople, just north of Bebek.
The Princes’ Islands
A string of islands in the Sea of Marmara with no private cars, pine woods and old wooden mansions. Ferries leave from Kabataş; the trip to Büyükada, the largest island, takes around an hour and a half. On the island people get around on foot, by bicycle or on small electric vehicles. Go early on summer weekends, when the boats are crowded, and check the return timetable before you explore.
Balat and Fener
On the Golden Horn, these two old neighbourhoods have steep streets of brightly painted houses, antique shops and small cafés, along with historic churches and synagogues. They are a short taxi ride from Nişantaşı and combine well with a visit to the old city; see getting to the old city.
A full day on the Bosphorus
For a slow day out, take the long Bosphorus ferry tour that runs from Eminönü up to Anadolu Kavağı, the last village before the Black Sea. There is time for a fish lunch and a walk up to the ruined Yoros Castle before the boat heads back. Timetables change with the season, so check them the day before.
If you would rather have a shorter trip with commentary, sightseeing cruises leave from the Beşiktaş and Kabataş waterfront.
Frequently asked questions
Which day trip is best if I only have half a day?
The ferry to Kadıköy or Üsküdar. It is quick, cheap, needs no planning and gives you a view of the whole city from the water.
Can I use my Istanbulkart on ferries?
Yes. Istanbulkart works on the city’s ferries as well as on the metro, trams and buses. Private sightseeing cruises sell their own tickets.
Are the Princes’ Islands worth it in winter?
They are much quieter out of season, which some visitors love, but many cafés and restaurants close and ferries run less often. Check the timetable and the weather before you go.