Sights · 33 of the best in Istanbul
Maiden’s Tower
A tower in the Bosphorus
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © Arild Vågen · CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia CommonsAbout Maiden’s Tower
The Maiden’s Tower (Kız Kulesi) stands on a rock in the water off Salacak, near Üsküdar, and has been a lighthouse, a customs post and a symbol of the city, wrapped in legends. After a restoration it reopened in 2023 as a museum with a café; boats take visitors across. The Salacak shore opposite is one of the classic places to watch the sun set behind the old city.
Why it's on our list
- On an islet
- Reopened 2023
- Sunset from Salacak
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Maiden’s Tower before you go.
What’s nearby
Distances from Maiden’s Tower are approximate, measured in a straight line (as the crow flies). Times are approximate too: walking at about 80 metres a minute, cycling at about 15 km/h and driving at typical city-traffic speeds. Traffic and routes vary.
Nearest metro & tram stops
- ÜsküdarM5850 m11 min walk
- Fındıklı - MSÜT11.7 km21 min walk
Nearest taxi ranks
- Taxi rank, Halk Caddesi800 m10 min walk
- Taxi rank, Tavukçu Bakka Sokağı1.1 km13 min walk
Key sights
- Dolmabahçe Palace2.0 kmWalk 25 minCycle 8 minCar or taxi 9 min
- Topkapı Palace2.1 kmWalk 26 minCycle 8 minCar or taxi 9 min
- Taksim Square2.4 kmWalk 30 minCycle 10 minCar or taxi 10 min
- Hagia Sophia2.4 kmWalk 30 minCycle 10 minCar or taxi 10 min
- Galata Tower2.6 kmWalk 32 minCycle 10 minCar or taxi 11 min
- Basilica Cistern2.6 kmWalk 32 minCycle 10 minCar or taxi 11 min
- Galata Bridge2.6 kmWalk 32 minCycle 10 minCar or taxi 11 min
- İstiklal Avenue2.6 kmWalk 33 minCycle 10 minCar or taxi 11 min
- Spice Bazaar2.8 kmWalk 35 minCycle 11 minCar or taxi 11 min
- Blue Mosque2.9 kmWalk 36 minCycle 12 minCar or taxi 12 min
Getting around
- Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW)29 kmCar or taxi 90 min
- Istanbul Airport (IST)35 kmCar or taxi 109 min