Day tripSultanahmet Tour
Hagia Sophia, Topkapı Palace, the Basilica Cistern, Istanbul Archaeological Museums
Istanbul city tourDay trip
Maiden's Tower, Çamlıca Hill and Küçüksu Pavilion Tour
A relaxed Istanbul programme on the Asian side, lasting a little over half a day: first the city panorama from Çamlıca Hill, then the Maiden's Tower by boat from Salacak.
- Duration
- About 7.5 hours
- Tour type
- Istanbul city tour · Day trip
- Departure
- Istanbul
- Catalogue
- Page 4
The price is prepared according to your dates, group size and preferences.
About the tour
The tour begins with a morning meeting. On Çamlıca Hill there is free time at viewpoints where both sides of Istanbul and the Bosphorus fit into one frame.
In the afternoon you move on to the Salacak waterfront and take boats to the Maiden's Tower. After a visit and photo stop at the tower, you return to Salacak by boat.
The tour name in the catalogue also includes Küçüksu Pavilion, but the timed programme does not list a separate visit to the pavilion. For groups who want to add the pavilion, the timing is planned together at the quote stage.
Send us your dates and group size for the Maiden's Tower and Çamlıca and we will tailor the programme to your group.
Tour programme
Times follow the programme in the catalogue; there may be small changes depending on traffic, weather and the group's pace.
Programme for the day
Meeting and departure
Çamlıca Hill; free time at the viewpoints
Boats from Salacak to the Maiden's Tower, visit and photo stop, return to Salacak
Departure for the return journey
Arrival
Places to see
Çamlıca Hill
A hill in Üsküdar about 288 metres above sea level; it is one of the viewpoints that show Istanbul's European and Asian sides from a wide angle. The hill is home to Çamlıca Mosque, completed in 2019, and the 369-metre Çamlıca Tower, opened on 29 May 2021.
Maiden's Tower
A historic tower on a small islet at the southern entrance of the Bosphorus, about 200 metres off the Üsküdar shore. It is known to have been built in 1110 under the Byzantine Emperor Alexios I Komnenos; the present stone structure was renewed in the 18th century. After restoration work that began in 2021, it reopened to visitors in May 2023.
Salacak waterfront
Salacak is a neighbourhood in the Üsküdar district on the Asian shore of the Bosphorus. Its waterfront looks out on the Maiden's Tower just offshore and is a good spot for a walk and a photo stop.
Küçüksu Pavilion (on request)
An Ottoman pavilion in the Küçüksu neighbourhood of Beykoz, on the Asian side of the Bosphorus. Built in neo-Baroque style on the orders of Sultan Abdülmecid by the architects Garabet Amira Balyan and his son Nigoğayos Balyan, it was completed in 1857. The building has served as a museum since 1944.
Photos
What's covered and notes
Included in the programme
- The boat crossing between Salacak and the Maiden's Tower is part of the programme
- Free time on Çamlıca Hill
Good to know
- The price is prepared according to your dates, group size and preferences, and is sent to you in writing together with the included services.
Who is it for?
- School and student groupsA pace suited to the age group, planned together with the teacher and group leader.
- FamiliesA programme that participants of all ages can enjoy together.
- Friends and associationsTransport and programme planning from a single source for large groups.
Practical information
Best time to go
Spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October) are mild in Istanbul and suit city tours with plenty of walking; summer is hot and humid, while winter is cool and wet.
What to bring and know
- The programme involves a lot of walking, so comfortable shoes are recommended.
- Dress in layers for the season; the wind can be cool on the shore and on the hill.
- As the crossing to the Maiden's Tower is by boat, those prone to seasickness should take precautions.
- When visiting mosques, women need to wear a headscarf and everyone should wear clothing that covers shoulders and knees; visits may be restricted during prayer times.
The Maiden's Tower and Çamlıca as a school trip
Thanks to the short journey time and scenic stops, a good first Istanbul trip for primary and middle school groups. The visit is more meaningful if the history and legend of the Maiden's Tower are discussed in class beforehand.
Frequently asked questions
Is Küçüksu Pavilion included in the programme?
The pavilion appears in the tour name in the catalogue but is not listed separately in the timed programme. If you would like to visit it, mention this in your quote request; we will confirm whether it can be added based on its opening days and hours.
How do we get to the Maiden's Tower?
In the catalogue programme, the crossing is made by boat from Salacak, returning to Salacak.
When is the best time for the Maiden's Tower and Çamlıca?
Spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October) are mild in Istanbul and suit city tours with plenty of walking; summer is hot and humid, while winter is cool and wet.
Can you pick us up from our school or organisation?
The departure point is planned according to the group's location. Whether pick-up from your school, workplace or another point you choose is possible is confirmed at the quote stage.
How can I get a quote for the Maiden's Tower and Çamlıca tour?
You can fill in the form on this page, message us on WhatsApp or call 0212 232 09 80. Sharing your dates, group size and, if applicable, your school or organisation details will speed up the quote.
What group sizes is it organised for?
The programme can be planned for anything from individual participants to large school and corporate groups. As the number of people determines vehicle and guide planning, simply state it in your quote request.
Sources for the information on this page (5)
Get a quote
Request a quote for the Maiden's Tower and Çamlıca
Tell us your dates, group size and, if applicable, your school or organisation details, and we will prepare the programme and price for your group and get back to you.
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Istanbul City Tours
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