Home to more than half a million residents, Uskudar on the Asian side of the Bosphorus is one of Istanbul’s most densely populated neighbourhoods. Once a Greek colony, later a haven for people from across the Mediterranean and the Middle East, this gateway to Asia has been an active and diverse hub for eons. Still, visitors to Uskudar are often more overcome by its myriad treasures than by its many thousand residents. And with fairytale settings such as the “Maiden’s Tower” as well as grand examples of Ottoman Era architecture, plenty of parks, a gorgeous and lengthy coastline, and some of Turkey’s holiest sites, there’s no end to the sightseeing possibilities. Easily reached from the city’s European shores via a steady network of ferries, time spent in Uskudar reveals a “real life” Istanbul that many who experience find extremely fascinating.