Bağdat Avenue or, shortly, the Avenue is located in the Asian Side of Istanbul. Being in Kadıköy district, the Avenue runs along from Bostancı to Bostancı Bridge in Kızıltoprak. This avenue has great importance not only for the residents of Istanbul but also local and foreign tourists. The 9-kilometer avenue is among those places that are the heart of Istanbul. What can you do and eat on Bağdat Avenue, one of the most popular avenues in Istanbul? Let’s have a closer look...
First of all, the significance of Bağdat Avenue should be mentioned. History of the Avenue dates back to the Byzantium. In old times, this area was used as a road that connected the Byzantium to Anatolia for the armies and trade caravans. The area remained valuable also in the Ottoman era. That is to say, it was used as a gate to Anatolia for the armies and trade caravans. The area was named thanks to Murad IV. By taking this road, Murad IV set off on his journey for the capture of Baghdad and thus the avenue was named Bağdat (Baghdad). During the reign of Abdulhamid II, rich merchants, notable people of the palace and pashas built pavilions in this area. These pavilions were the first buildings on Bağdat Avenue. In the following years, construction of a two-way tram increased the settlement in the area. As the area became more popular for Kadıköy residents, settlements increased even more.
Bağdat Avenue has never lost its long-lasting mission. Being a gate opening to Anatolia for trade caravans in old times, today the area is a door opening to whole world. There are tens of stores of Turkish and foreign brands on Bağdat Avenue. Global equivalents of Bağdat Avenue include Bond Street (London), Bahnhofstrasse (Zurich), Via Monte Napoleone (Milan), Montaigne (Paris) and Strøget (Copenhagen). It is possible to see famous world brands on the 9-kilometer avenue. You can enjoy window shopping while taking a peaceful walk on the avenue.
After shopping, you can drink a nice cup of coffee at a lovely café. There are several new generation coffee houses in the area. The area also has tea houses and coffee shops experimenting different tastes. And food options are also abundant.
Apart from all these, you can head towards coast of Bağdat Avenue, lie down on the grass where the colors green and blue meet, feel the sun to the fullest, enjoy walks at the seaside and inhale fresh sea air...
It is also possible to see century-old mansions in the area. Before the 1960s, the number of these mansions and old buildings was quite high. However, with the increasing settlement after the 1960s, new buildings were constructed in place of them. Nevertheless, Bağdat Avenue still appeals to our eyes with existing buildings today...
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9 Amazing Things to Do in Kadıköy
10 Venues in the Asian Side of Istanbul where You Can Enjoy Coffee
The Best Locations for Breakfast in the Asian Side of Istanbul