What is there to see in Kuzguncuk? Here are my five recommendations. This is one of the prettiest and most picturesque neighbourhoods in Istanbul, and well worth a couple of hours on your trip to Türkiye. It has also become one of the locations Turkish production companies love most for filming their dramas and series.
That is why Kuzguncuk is also known as the neighbourhood of the Turkish TV series, and why it has become so popular in recent years.
The neighbourhood lies in Üsküdar, on the Asian side of the city, just south of the Bosphorus Bridge and directly across the water from Ortaköy. Historically it was home to Istanbul's non-Muslim minorities, and the proof is still there on its streets: a mosque, a church and a synagogue share a single block. Few places reflect the city's mix of cultures and religions so clearly.
If that has caught your interest, here is what to see and do in Kuzguncuk. Take note and add it to your next trip.
What to see and do in Kuzguncuk, Istanbul
These are the best things to see and do in Kuzguncuk, a neighbourhood of Istanbul you shouldn't miss.
1. Visit Kuzguncuk's places of worship
Kuzguncuk has long been a symbol of peaceful coexistence between different communities. Once home to Greeks, Armenians and Jews, this historic neighbourhood still celebrates its multicultural heritage with remarkable religious buildings on a single block:
- the Armenian Church of St Gregory the Illuminator (Surp Krikor Lusavoriç),
- the Kuzguncuk Mosque, right next door,
- and the Beth Yaakov Synagogue a few steps away.
A little further along the main street, the Greek Orthodox Church of St George (Aya Yorgi) completes the picture. These are the key stops on your visit. Although it has lost part of its original diversity, Kuzguncuk remains a charming reflection of tolerance and multiculturalism.
2. Stroll its colourful streets
Explore İcadiye Caddesi, the neighbourhood's main street, and wander into the side streets to discover delightful Ottoman-style wooden houses painted in every colour. It is a feast for the eyes, and if you follow Turkish dramas, some corners may look familiar.
Some of the biggest hits of Turkish television have been filmed here. Kuzguncuk combines history, architecture and popular culture in a way few places do, and it is ideal for a walk in the late-afternoon light.
3. Have a Turkish tea on the shores of the Bosphorus
Kuzguncuk stretches right down to the Bosphorus, which gives you the perfect setting for a glass of Turkish tea while you look out over the water, the city's iconic bridges and the European shore. I suggest a break in the small park by the waterfront, near the İsmet Baba restaurant: a lovely spot to relax and soak up the local atmosphere, with stunning views thrown in.
4. Enjoy the food
Kuzguncuk is perfect both for a generous Turkish breakfast and for a romantic dinner. It is home to Corvino, one of the best restaurants in Istanbul, which specialises in high-end Italian cooking and is quite unlike anything else in the Üsküdar district. It is on the expensive side, but worth every penny. At the time of writing (2026) it was closed for renovation, so check before you plan an evening around it.
For an authentically Turkish experience, try İsmet Baba, famous for its rakı-balık: fish with rakı, the traditional aniseed spirit. Right on the Bosphorus, it also has spectacular views, though here too you should be prepared for the bill.
5. Visit the Abdülmecid Efendi Mansion
One of the most fascinating places in Kuzguncuk is the Abdülmecid Efendi Köşkü, a majestic wooden mansion in the neo-Ottoman style. Built in the 19th century as a hunting lodge, it became the residence of Abdülmecid Efendi, a cousin of Sultan Abdülhamid II. It is not always open, but when it is, it offers a window on Ottoman architectural splendour and history, and hosts occasional art exhibitions.
How to get to Kuzguncuk, the Turkish TV series neighbourhood
To reach Üsküdar, you can take the ferry from Beşiktaş (there are also ferries from Eminönü and Karaköy) or the Marmaray, the train that crosses under the Bosphorus. Personally, I recommend the ferry: a frequent, quick crossing that takes under ten minutes.
Once you land in Üsküdar, you can walk to Kuzguncuk along the Bosphorus shore, a delightful 20–30-minute stroll, or take one of the many buses that run along the coast road.
If you would rather not work out the ferries yourself, Kuzguncuk is one of the stops on my Asian side of Istanbul day tour, together with Üsküdar and Kadıköy.
Kuzguncuk may be one of Istanbul's lesser-known neighbourhoods, but it is one of the places I consider essential. Exploring Kuzguncuk and Üsküdar is an experience you will enjoy and won't forget.