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Bağdat Avenue (Bağdat Caddesi) is one of the most important streets in not only the Kadıköy district of Istanbul, but the entire Asian side. It runs from east to west from Maltepe to Kadıköy for about 14 kilometers (8.7 miles).
History of Bağdat Avenue
Bağdat Avenue connected Constantinople with Anatolia during the Byzantine and Ottoman periods. It took its name from the 1638 capture of Baghdad by Murad IV. The road originally started in Üsküdar.
In the late 19th century, many wealthy Ottoman officials built wooden mansions along the street. It continued to be a summer resort area for the wealthy until the 1960s. Before World War I, it was paved with cobblestones. In the mid 20th century, a tram line ran between Bostancı and Kadıköy.
After the Bosporus Bridge opened in 1973, the neighborhoods along the street quickly developed into some of the most desirable areas of the city. Some of the mansions and summer homes still exist, but most have been torn down and replaced with high-rise apartments and modern buildings.
Every year on October 29, Bağdat Avenue hosts a Republic Day parade to celebrate the foundation of the Turkish Republic. It’s also the scene of celebrations when Fenerbahçe win the Turkish Super League.
Exploring the Street
Today, Bağdat Avenue is an important place for locals to meet and socialize. I worked in Caddebostan right off the street and often met friends at nearby restaurants and cafés after work. There are also several bus and dolmuş lines (shared taxis) along the street. It’s very easy to get to Kadıköy Pier and Taksim Square.
The best section runs 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) through several different neighborhoods from Bostancı to Kızıltoprak. It’s full of high-end shops, restaurants, car dealerships, and banks.
