Kadiköy is a densely populated residential and commercial district on the Asian side of Istanbul. It lies on the Sea of Marmara and faces Sultanahmet (Old Istanbul) on the European side. Due to its many bookstores, libraries, cinemas and theatres, it is fair to say that Kadiköy is the cultural centre of the Asian side of Istanbul. In 1928 Kadiköy gained official district status when it separated from Üsküdar, and also expanded with the addition of Suadiye, Bostanci and Içerenköy quarters.

Relics found at Kadiköy (Chalcedon) date back as far as 5500-3500 BC. The Phoenicians also had a port here at one time, but the first major settlement here was Chalcedon, established by the Megaran Greeks in 685 BC (this was two years before the founding of Byzantium). Chalcedon was called the "city of the blind" because of the ancient legend about an Oracle's prophecy telling Byzas the Megarian that Byzantium is to be built opposite the land of the blind. Chalcedon changed its population quite often throughout history, as after the Greeks, there came the Persians, the Bithynians, the Romans, the Byzantines, the Arabs, the Crusaders and finally, the Turks. The settlement was heavily damaged in the Fourth Crusade, and the Ottoman Turks seized control of it in 1353 (a century before taking Constantinople). Due to this early Ottoman conquest, the district of Kadiköy can be proud to have the oldest mosque in all of Istanbul. When the Ottoman Turks conquered Chalcedon, it was a small village with no serious protection. Not long after, the Istanbul courts put Kadiköy under their jurisdiction. The name itself, Kadiköy, translates to the "Village of the Judge". Kadiköy was a popular agricultural market area and had a typical population mixture of Greeks, Armenians, Turks and Jews. This is today reflected in numerous churches of all religious denominations, such as Greek Orthodox, Armenian, Serbian Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Protestant, and Jewish.

Kadiköy today

Kadiköy is a charming district and abounds with cafés and bookshops

Near the centre of Kadiköy there is the major transport node of the Turkish State Railways, the Haydarpaşa Terminal. This is where you can take east- and south-bound international, regional and domestic trains. Also nearby is the Harem Bus Terminal, offering transportation throughout Anatolia. Kadiköy's centre is mostly used as a hub for daily commuters who have to commute between the Asian and the European side of Istanbul. Ferry boats are the predominant form of transport in this area. Next to the ferry docks there is a bus and minibus terminal. There is also a central market next to the docks. As far as the education goes, the Marmara University has most of its buildings (including the huge Haydarpaşa Campus) in the Kadiköy district. On Kayişdagi Hill, there is also Istanbul's largest private university, Yeditepe University. Sporting a wide spectrum of architectural styles and vibrant moods, Kadiköy is really a paradise for shopping. Whether you recognize the charm of street vendors selling socks, pirated CDs, DVDs and books, or perhaps prefer the fancy-schmancy sparkling shopping centres like the Carrefour Nautilus Mall, you will find opportunities to empty your wallet and reach your credit card limit on every step. Behind he main post office you'll find numerous book stores offering new and used books, as well as shops selling crafts, CD shops, or shops offering movie posters, T-shirts, comic books, et cetera. For your headbanger cousin, there is a place called Akmar Pasaji, where you'll find everything related to Metal music, whether it's a deathmetal CD or leather wrist bracers with 20-inch nails.

On the shore you can pay some money to take a balloon ride and experience a true panoramic view from 200 meters of altitude. As the busy main road down by the ferry docks is usually the most crowded one, you can expect a bit more of the less-than-desirable elements of society to practice their crafts and cons on unsuspecting victims. Be especially wary of the shoeshiners. As my friends told me a few weeks ago, they have a con trick where they "accidentally" drop their shoe-shining brush, and when you return it to them, they are so delighted and tell you that you're a wonderful human being and that they'll shine your shoes for free. Of course, being such a modest person you are, you will refuse at first, but they'll already be in tears telling you you're breaking their heart. Ok, ok, you'll say, shine them then, and he will. But by the time the shoes are cleaned, you'll never notice five of his friends behind your back. And that's when you'll hear the words "For normal tourists, €25. For you, €35." Just...if it has already come to this, I'd give him the bloody money if I were you. My point is...if you hear "shoeshine, shoeshine"...walk away. If you see a brush fall onto the pavement, continue walking as if nothing had happened. I am not making this up, this is a fresh story (happened in June 2008) from my two best friends who I trust with my life.

There are literally hundreds of cafés, bars, restaurants, cinemas, theatres and nightclubs all across Kadiköy. For fast food, you can have toasted sandwiches, kebabs or burgers in fast food joints in the market area (which is a pedestrian area, mostly). This is where hungry university students feed on oversized sandwiches they call "psychopath". As opposed to, for example, Taksim Square, or Istiklal Cadessi, or any other "fancier" nightlife areas in the Beyoglu district, Kadiköy has more of a "working class" atmosphere. Instead of fancy expensive dining, here you'll have fast food or fried mussels. But far be it from us to describe it as non-vibrant. On the contrary! It all depends on your personal preferences...and your spending capabilities, of course. Kadiköy is the cheaper alternative, and a "hungry student's" place for night-time entertainment. The district of Kadiköy is home to the popular Turkish soccer club, Fenerbahçe SK. Their stadium, the Şükrü Saracoglu Stadium is also here. After a successful soccer match, the streets of Kadiköy are full of celebrating fans and supporters of Fenerbahçe. In 2009, the Şükrü Saracoglu Stadium will host the UEFA Cup Final. Kadiköy is also home to the first official Turkish rugby club, Kadiköy Rugby.