How to Get to the Maiden's Tower: An Üsküdar Route with Salacak, Çamlıca and Küçüksu

You reach the Maiden's Tower by boats leaving from the Salacak waterfront in Üsküdar; after a short sea crossing you visit the tower and return to Salacak. Adding Çamlıca Hill to the same day lets you see Istanbul first from above, then from the middle of the sea. It is a good plan for anyone looking for a relaxed day on the Asian side with little walking.

Getting to the Maiden's Tower

By boat from Salacak

The Maiden's Tower stands on a small islet just off the shore between Üsküdar and Salacak. The most common way to reach it is by boats leaving from the Salacak waterfront. The crossing is short, and from the boat you get a lovely view of Sarayburnu, Topkapı Palace and the skyline of the historic peninsula.

Boat frequency and times can vary by season and weather. Services may be disrupted in windy, choppy weather, so you need to take sea conditions into account when planning a visit to the Maiden's Tower.

How do you get to Salacak?

Salacak is on the coastal road, south of Üsküdar square. You can reach Üsküdar by ferry, Marmaray or metro and then walk along the shore to Salacak in a short time. If you are coming as a group, getting close to the waterfront by coach is the most practical option.

What to see at the Maiden's Tower

Over the centuries the Maiden's Tower has served as a lighthouse, a lookout point and for various public purposes. Today the tower is open to visitors, with sections telling the history of the building and terraces overlooking Istanbul.

The best-loved thing about the tower is its legends. The best known goes like this: a seer tells the sultan that his daughter will die from a snakebite. To protect her, the sultan has a tower built in the middle of the sea and places his daughter there. But one day a snake hidden in a basket of fruit sent to the tower makes the prophecy come true. This legend makes the tower unforgettable, especially for children and students. Discussing different versions of the legend in class beforehand makes the visit more meaningful.

From the tower's terrace you can see the entrance to the Bosphorus, the historic peninsula and the Üsküdar shoreline all at once. For photos, the sea-facing sides of the tower and views of the tower from the return boat are ideal.

Çamlıca Hill: Istanbul from above

Rising above Üsküdar, Çamlıca Hill is a viewpoint where both sides of Istanbul and the Bosphorus fit into one frame. Its wooded areas, tea gardens and walking paths offer a pleasant setting to escape the city crowds for a while. Çamlıca Mosque on the hilltop is also one of the striking buildings in the area.

On clear days you can make out the Bosphorus bridges, the historic peninsula and the islands in the Sea of Marmara. On hazy days the view can narrow, so going in the morning or around midday, when the sky is clear, gives you a better view.

Küçüksu Pavilion: a mansion on the Bosphorus shore

Located on the Bosphorus shore near Anadolu Hisarı, Küçüksu Pavilion is an elegant mansion that Ottoman sultans used for short rests and hunting trips. With its ornate façade and waterfront setting, it is a favourite with photographers. Its interior shows 19th-century palace taste on a small scale.

Doing this route on a tour

The Maiden's Tower, Çamlıca Hill and Küçüksu Pavilion Tour is a day trip of about 7.5 hours:

• 09:00 Meeting and departure
• 11:15 Çamlıca Hill; free time at the viewpoints
• 13:30 Boat crossing from Salacak to the Maiden's Tower, visit and photo stop, return to Salacak
• 15:30 Departure for the return
• 16:30 Arrival

The catalogue includes Küçüksu Pavilion in the tour name, but a visit to the pavilion is not listed separately in the timed programme. If you would like to add the pavilion to the programme, mention it in your quote request; we will confirm with you whether it can be added, depending on its opening days and hours.

Who is it for?

Thanks to the short travel times and scenic stops, this programme stands out as a good first Istanbul trip for primary and middle school groups. It is also an enjoyable, unhurried day for families and adult groups. For school trip planning, take a look at our school trips page.

For those who want a slightly longer sea journey, we describe a programme that travels up the Bosphorus by boat and spends the day on Heybeliada in our Bosphorus tour and Heybeliada article.

Two photo tips

To see the Maiden's Tower at its most striking, before going out to it try framing the tower together with the skyline of the historic peninsula from the Salacak waterfront. On Çamlıca Hill, the viewpoints facing along the Bosphorus are the easiest way to show both sides of the city in one photo. In hazy weather, turn to the wooded areas on the hilltop and close-up shots instead of wide views.

Practical tips

• The boat trip is short, but you will feel the wind at sea; bring a light jacket.
• Shade can be limited at Çamlıca and on the Salacak waterfront; in summer, carry a hat and water.
• The short crossing is usually no problem for children prone to seasickness, but it is wise to take precautions in choppy weather.

Frequently asked questions

Where do you leave from for the Maiden's Tower?

You reach the Maiden's Tower by boats leaving from the Salacak waterfront in Üsküdar. On our catalogue programme, the crossing is made from Salacak and the return is also to Salacak.

What is the legend of the Maiden's Tower?

According to the best-known legend, the sultan has this tower built in the middle of the sea to protect his daughter, who has been foretold to die from a snakebite; but a snake in a basket of fruit sent to the tower fulfils the prophecy.

Is Küçüksu Pavilion included in the programme?

The pavilion is included in the tour name in the catalogue, but it is not listed separately in the timed programme. If you would like it visited, mention it in your quote request; we will confirm with you depending on availability.

What can you see from Çamlıca Hill?

On a clear day you can see both sides of Istanbul, the Bosphorus, the bridges, the historic peninsula and the islands in the Sea of Marmara.