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Eastern Suburbs
The Eastern Suburbs consists of Ataşehir, Maltepe, Kartal, Ümraniye, Çekmeköy, Sancaktepe, Pendik and Tuzla districts.
Understand
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These districts, located on Istanbul's Asian side, share a common history of transformation from rural lands and agricultural settlements into rapidly urbanized areas. Historically, these regions were mostly quiet villages, with settlements dating back to ancient times, including Greek and Roman influences in areas like Kartal, Pendik and Tuzla.
The late 20th century marked a period of rapid development across these districts, with the establishment of industrial zones, commercial hubs, and large residential areas. Ataşehir, Çekmeköy, and Ümraniye became more prominent with their modern infrastructure and growing populations. Kartal and Pendik, with their coastal locations, saw significant urban growth and industrialization, particularly in port and transportation sectors. Tuzla, known for its historical salt flats and shipyards, has evolved into a center for tourism and residential life, alongside its industrial sectors. Whilst Maltepe essentially became a quasi-extension of Kadıköy, embracing a similar vibe.
Today, these districts represent a blend of modern urban living, commercial growth, and proximity to nature, while still reflecting the historical and cultural layers that shaped them.
Get in
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See main Istanbul page for overall transportation within the city.
- 1 Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW IATA) (20 km (12 mi) east of Kadıköy). This airport has many domestic and international flights and is much more convenient for this side of the city, and less congested. Metro line M4 runs to Kadıköy on the Asian side, where you can continue to the European side by ferry or transfer to the Marmaray train at Ayrılık Çeşmesi. There are also various direct bus services, but travel times can be erratic due to traffic.
- 2 Pendik Train Station (Pendik Tren İstasyonu). Istanbul's terminus for high speed trains is in Söğütlüçeşme, near the disused historic terminus of Haydarpaşa but Pendik serves as a major stop along the route. Also provides transfer for suburban Marmaray line.
- 3 Dudullu Terminal. Second main bus terminal of the Asian side of the city.
- 4 Pendik Pier (Pendik İskelesi), Batı, İspark No 12. Fast ferries from towns along the southern coast of the Marmara Sea, such as Yalova or Bandırma, have direct lines to Pendik.
- 5 Kartal Pier (Kartal İskelesi), Kordonboyu, Çeçenistan Parkı 92a, Kartal. A stop in Bostancı-Pendik line.
- 6 Maltepe Pier (Maltepe İskelesi), Yalı, Turgut Özal Blv., Maltepe. A stop in Bakırköy-Maltepe and Bostancı-Pendik lines.
Metro lines:
- M4 runs from Kadıköy eastwards as far as Kartal, Pendik and Sabiha Gökçen Airport.
- M5 runs from Üsküdar eastwards to Çekmeköy.
- M8 connects these two with each other and with Marmaray at Bostancı.
- M12 runs from Göztepe northbound to Ümraniye (active in Q4 25).
- Marmaray: the cross-city suburban train line (B1), picks up at Üsküdar (transfer to M5), Ayrılıkçeşme (transfer to M4; 1.6 km north of the Kadıköy waterfront), and Söğütlüçeşme (transfer to Metrobüs; 1.7 km east of the Kadıköy waterfront) and serves the neighbourhoods and suburbs on the Marmara coast, as far east as Gebze.
Main Roads:
- D100 motorway (a.k.a. E5) and 0-4 (TEM) highway.
- The causeway (Sahil Yolu), which follows the Marmara coast.
- Bağdat Street, the road colloquially known as Minibüs Yolu.
By bicycle: there are some 20 km of marked bicycle lanes along the causeway, starting from a few km east of Kadıköy, passing by eventually reaching the eastern suburbs of the city. The bike lane is well-maintained but watch out for pedestrians which will be plenty during nice weathers.
See
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- 1 Hekimbaşı Hunting Lodge (Hekimbaşı Av Köşkü), Hekimbaşı, Okul Cd. No:12, Ümraniye. It was built for Hekimbaşı Küçük Hayrullah Efendi (1817-1866) by the renowned architect Sarkis Balyan.
- 2 Nezahat Gökyiğit Botanical Garden (Nezahat Gökyiğit Botanik Bahçesi), Yan Yol, Ataşehir, Rıfat Danışman Sok., Ataşehir. The herbarium, which contains about 8,500 plant specimens, contains living records of hundreds of different species from dozens of genera.
- 3 DasDas, Atatürk, Ataşehir Blv., Ataşehir. A cultural complex for various art forms and events. Also home to X Media Art Museum, Turkey's first digital art and new media museum.
- 4 Sustainable Art House (Sürdürülebilir Sanat Evi), Atatürk, Sülün Cd. No:19, Ataşehir.
- 5 Gallery 11.17, Küçükbakkalköy, Fırın Cd. No:29 Ataşehir. A boutique art museum.
- 6 Bostancıbaşı Bridge (Bostancıbaşı Köprüsü), Altıntepe, Bağdat Cad. No:3, Maltepe. Rumored to be built by Mimar Sinan in XVI. century.
- 7 Küçükyalı Archeopark (Küçükyalı Arkeopark), Çınar, Gürkan Sk. No:4, Maltepe. An archeological park run by Koç University.
- 8 Damatris Palace, Eyüp Sultan, Cami Sk. No:15, Sancaktepe. A Byzantine palace for summer retreats of the kings.
- 9 Yaşar Kemal Cultural Center (Yaşar Kemal Kültür Merkezi), Altayçeşme, Kışlalı Cd., Maltepe. A center with various installations.
- 10 Türkan Saylan Cultural Center (Türkan Saylan Kültür Merkezi), Gülsuyu, Gülsuyu Kavşağı No:100, Maltepe. A center with various installations and a dinosaur museum.
- 11 Beşçeşmeler, Yalı, Beşçeşmeler Sk. Maltepe. The old town of Maltepe, home to boutique cafes, pubs, restaurants and shops. Remember to check out the nearby 'Monument of the Virgins' (Bakireler Anıtı).
- 12 Surp Nişan Armenian Orthodox Church (Surp Nişan Ermeni Kilisesi), Karlıktepe, Soğanlık Cd. No:2, Kartal. The facility was built in the 16th century as a chapel. It collapsed and was rebuilt as a school and church in 1776.
- 13 Can Geyran Seashells Museum (Can Geyran Deniz Kabukları Müzesi), Orhantepe, Kırgülü Sk. No:13, Kartal. Museum for seashells, probably the only one in the world?
- 14 Aydos (
Kartal 5.7 km, 
Poligon 1.6 km). This is a forested hill 20 km east of the city, at 537 m the highest point of Istanbul. It's a state park, and there's the scrappy remains of a Roman fort. It's probably easiest accessed by Metro to Kartal then dolmuş to Yakacık. - 15 Kamil Abduş Lagoon (Kamil Abduş Lagünü), Evliya Çelebi, Tersaneler Cd. No:24/5, Tuzla. A preserved lagoon, hotspot for bird spotting.
- 16 Tuzla Çarşı, Postane, Cumhuriyet Cd., Tuzla. Old town of Tuzla. In the vicinity; there is a complex of Byzantine ruins called 'Bath of Theodora', the Tuzla Museum, as well as couple of Ottoman fountains.
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Do
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- 1 Ülker Arena, Barbaros, Ihlamur Bv, Ataşehir. A multi-purpose arena for sports and concerts, homecourt of EuroLeague powerhouse Fenerbahçe and to its basketball museum.
- 2 Ataşehir Golf Club, Atatürk, Atapark Cd, Ataşehir. One of the few golf clubs in the city.
- 3 Kayışdağı, Başıbüyük, Başıbüyük Yolu Cd No:54, Maltepe. One of the tallest points of Istanbul. Surrounded by a forest, it's a nice place for sightseeing as well as outdoor sports such as trekking, paintball and airsoft.
- 4 Maltepe Beach Parks (Maltepe Sahil Parkı), Yalı, Turgut Özal Blv. No:223, Maltepe. Hotspot for the youth and families alike. You could either grab a couple of beers to relax in greenery or participate in watersports such as sailing and rowing, or rent a bike to enjoy the fresh air.
- 5 Dragos, Orhantepe, Park İçi Yolu, Kartal. The history of Dragos dates back to the 6th century. Now, it is a perfect picnic spot.
- 6 Viaport Marina, Balıkçılar Sk, Tuzla (shuttle buses from
Tuzla 2 km; 
Tuzla Marina 800 m), ☏ +90 216 560 18 00. Perfect option to spend the day. A vast complex with restaurants and amenities. The kids will be delighted to spend a full day here. There are four main areas, with separate tickets. For adults, there is shopping and a bowling alley. - Marina Aquapark. Daily 10:00-18:00 (summers only). Istanbul's largest, with numerous slides. 699 TL; concession for domestic visitors.
- Pirate Island (Korsan Adası). M-F 10:00-19:00 Sa Su 10:00-20:30. A theme park, with a roller coaster and all. 359 TL.
- Lion Park (Aslan Park). Daily 10:00-18:00. A zoo of big cats; more species than what its name may suggest. 249 TL.
- ViaSea Aquarium. Daily 10:00-18:00. An aquarium focused on tropical species, including reptiles. 249 TL.
- 7 Istanbul Equestrian Club, Taşdelen Atabey Caddesi, Cengaver Sk. No:4, Çekmeköy.
- 8 Luna Amusement Park, Taşdelen, Şile Otoyolu No:4, Çekmeköy.
- 9 Çekmeköy Nature Park (Çekmeköy Doğa Parkı), Hamidiye, Doğa Parkı İçi Yolu, Çekmeköy. A recreational place.
- 10 Park Of İstanbul, Çatalmeşe, 30 Ağustos Cd. No:3, Çekmeköy. Biggest zoo of Istanbul.
- 11 Nefes Orman, Paşaköy, Mazıdağı Sk., Sancaktepe. Multi-purpose outdoor area for both events and sports.
- 12 Ömerli Dam (Ömerli Barajı). Second biggest dam of the city also offers a nice camping grounds.
- 13 OTTO Nature Park (OTTO Doğa Parkı), Kurna, Kurtdoğmuş Yolu Cd, Pendik. A camping area that holds frequent events for children.
- 14 Istanbul Park Circuit, Akfırat, Göçbeyli Bv No:1, Tuzla. Turkey's main motor-racing circuit, irregularly staging Grand Prix or Formula One racing.
Buy
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You can find the local-business shops, traditional bazaars and fish markets, mostly in the district centres such as Maltepe and Tuzla. Apart from them, some of the major shopping centers are:
- 1 Meydan AVM, Fatih Sultan Mehmet, Balkan Cd. No 62, Ümraniye.
- 2 Watergarden, Barbaros, Kızılbegonya Sok 10/1, Ataşehir.
- 3 Hilltown, Aydınevler, Siteler Yolu No:28, Maltepe.
- 4 İstmarina, Kordonboyu, Ankara Cd. No:145, Kartal.
- 5 Viaport, Yenişehir, Dedepaşa Cd No:19, Pendik.
Eat
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Budget friendly çiğ köfte, döner, fish&bread, kokoreç, patso and fast food shops could be found virtually anywhere. On the seaside, corn and simit as well as tavuk&pilav (rice with chicken) carts could be found. Municipality-run restaurants such as 'Sosyal Tesis' or 'Kent Lokantası' also serve affordable meals.
- 1 Tepeüstü Kavşağı, Ümraniye. Cluster of restaurants in Ümraniye offering classic Turkish cuisine.
- 2 Metropol, Ataşehir Bulvarı, Ataşehir. A shopping & restaurant centre. Also houses the tallest building in all of Turkey with 301-m height.
- 3 City's Istanbul. A shopping & restaurant centre.
- 4 Idealtepe Sahil, Maltepe. Wide selection of restaurants thruought the causeway.
- 5 Pendik Marina. Marina with restaurants and cafes, next to shipyards.
- 6 Tuzla Sahil. Wide selection of fish restaurants thruought the causeway.
Drink
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Shops serving tea and coffee (kahve, kıraathane and lokal) as well franchises (both local and international) could be found everywhere. Municipality run 'Beltur' cafes offer affordable drinks and snacks.
- 1 Bulvar 216, Barbaros, Gelincik Sk No:4, Ataşehir. A gastro-center with numerous cafes, cocktail bars, pubs and restaurants offering international food.
- 2 Süreyya Plajı. Clusters of 'meyhane' taverns and 'nargile' shisha cafes on the causeway.
- 3 Gözdağı Tesis, Dumlupınar, Pendik. Good choice for sipping out Turkish coffee whilst enjoying the view of the islands.
Sleep
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The area has hundreds, if not thousands of hotels with varying budget range. One could check out the Maltepe-Kartal area for more affordable options.
- 1 Crowne Plaza Istanbul - Oryapark, İnkılap, Küçüksu Cd. No58, Ümraniye.
- 2 Istanbul Marriott Hotel Asia, Küçükbakkalköy, Kayışdağı Cd. No:3, Ataşehir.
- 3 Burgu Arjaan by Rotana, Altayçeşme, Samanyolu Sk. No:23, Maltepe.
- 4 Titanic Business Kartal, Orta, Kaptanıderya Cd. No: 37, Kartal.
- 5 The Green Park Pendik, Kaynarca, Erol Kaya Cd No:204, Pendik.
- 6 Ibis Istanbul Tuzla, Aydıntepe, Selin Sk. No:7, Tuzla.
Learn
[edit]The following universities have at least one campus within the districts: Doğuş University, Fenerbahçe University, Istanbul Technical University, Maltepe University, Marmara University, Okan University, Özyeğin University, Piri Reis University and Sabancı University.
Connect
[edit]Municipality offers free Wi-Fi in the centers. Most of the cafes also offer free Wi-Fi. Libraries can be found in every district center.
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