Last updated on December 20, 2023.

The Moda neighborhood of Kadıköy has some beautiful parks along the seaside. They’re definitely worth visiting both for the scenery and to get away from the chaos of Istanbul.

 

Seaside Paths

You can get to the Moda seaside two ways. First, if you walk west from the Kadıköy ferry terminals, you’ll come to a seaside path. Along the way there are incredible views of the old city on the European side. I enjoyed going there at night with my friends. We would sit on the rocks with some beers, enjoy the view, and talk for hours.

Moda seaside in Moda, Kadıköy, Istanbul, Turkey
Seaside path
View of the old city from Moda seaside in Moda, Kadıköy, Istanbul, Turkey
View of the old city from the seaside path

Next is to walk from the ferry terminals through Central Kadıköy then turn right on Moda Street. Follow the street until you come to the seaside.

 

Koço Meyhane

Near the end of Moda Street is Koço Meyhane, a Greek taverna established in 1928. It’s popular with locals. The owner of the restaurant also cares for a holy water spring next door.

Koço Meyhane in Moda, Kadıköy, Istanbul, Turkey
Koço Meyhane
Holy water spring in Moda, Kadıköy, Istanbul, Turkey
Holy water spring

 

Historic Moda Pier

At the end of the street is the Historic Moda Pier (Tarihi Moda İskelesi), which juts out into the Marmara Sea. There was once a city-owned restaurant with great food and reasonable prices located inside the old ferry terminal. It was a great place to sit and have a glass of çay (tea). The pier’s restaurant may have closed but another sits along the shore next to the pier.

Tarihi Moda İskelesi in Moda, Kadıköy, Istanbul, Turkey
Historic Moda Pier
Historic Moda Pier in Moda, Istanbul, Turkey
Historic Moda Pier
Restaurant near the old pier in Moda, Istanbul, Turkey
Restaurant near the old pier

 

Moda Seaside Park

Moda Seaside Park (Moda Sahil Parkı) sits along the shore east of the old pier. It’s a pleasant green space with benches, a tennis court, children’s areas, and more.

Moda Seaside Park in Moda, Istanbul, Turkey
Moda Seaside Park
Moda Seaside Park in Moda, Istanbul, Turkey
Moda Seaside Park

A long path through the park along the sea provides great views of Fenerbahçe and Kalamış Marina.

View of Fenerbahçe in Moda, Kadıköy, Istanbul, Turkey
View of Fenerbahçe
View of Fenerbahçe

 

Yoğurtçu Park

The path through Moda Seaside Park leads to Yoğurtçu Park (Yoğurtçu Parkı), a large open space with trees and a harbor running alongside. The harbor was being renovated during my last visit in October 2018.

Yoğurtçu Park
Harbor under construction in October 2018

Yoğurtçu Park provides a lot more shade than Moda Seaside Park. It also has a playground, benches, a tennis court, basketball court, and public art.

Yoğurtçu Park
Yoğurtçu Park

 

Fenerbahçe Statues

At the north end of Yoğurtçu Park are statues of two Fenerbahçe legends. The first is of Lefter Küçükandonyadis (1924-2012), a footballer of Greek descent who was also one of the best ever to play for the Turkish national team. Lefter scored 423 goals in 615 games for Fenerbahçe and 22 goals in 50 games for his country. He captained the national team nine times. He remained a respected figure throughout his life.

Lefter Küçükandonyadis monument in Yoğurtçu Parkı, Kadıköy, Istanbul, Turkey
Lefter Küçükandonyadis monument
Lefter Küçükandonyadis monument in Yoğurtçu Parkı, Kadıköy, Istanbul, Turkey
Lefter Küçükandonyadis monument

The other statue is dedicated to Brazilian Alex de Souza. He played for Fenerbahçe from 2004 to 2012, scoring 172 goals in 346 games. He was the team captain and a fan favorite.

Alex de Souza monument in Yoğurtçu Parkı, Kadıköy, Istanbul, Turkey
Alex de Souza monument
Alex de Souza monument in Yoğurtçu Parkı, Kadıköy, Istanbul, Turkey
Alex de Souza monument

 

Canal

The harbor next to Yoğurtçu Park leads to a canal. The canal was terribly polluted when I lived in Istanbul, but I’m happy to report it has been cleaned up. Heading over the bridge east of the canal, you’ll come to Fenerbahçe’s Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium, and further along are the Fenerbahçe and Kalamış areas.

Polluted creek in Kadıköy, Istanbul, Turkey
Polluted canal in November 2012
Clean canal in October 2018

Author

Owner of Paisadventure. World traveler. Chicago sports lover. Living in Colombia.

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