The Maiden's Tower, or Kız Kulesi in Turkish, stands on a tiny islet in the Bosphorus just off the Asian shore at Üsküdar. It is one of the most recognisable sights in Istanbul, seen from ferries and waterfront promenades across the city. After a long restoration it reopened to visitors in 2023, and a short boat ride takes you out to the tower itself.
What the Maiden's Tower is and why go
There has been some kind of structure on the rock since antiquity, used over the centuries as a watchtower, a lighthouse and a quarantine station. The building you see today has been rebuilt and repaired many times, and most of its current form dates from the Ottoman period. Its English name comes from a popular legend of a sultan who shut his daughter in the tower to protect her from a prophecy that she would die of a snakebite, only for a snake to reach her in a basket of fruit.
The real reason to visit the Maiden's Tower is the setting. From the islet you look straight across the Bosphorus to the skyline of the old city, with the domes and minarets of Topkapı, Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque lined up on the far shore. Even if you do not go out to the tower, the waterfront opposite it at Salacak is one of the best places in Istanbul to watch the sunset.
Getting to the Maiden's Tower by metro and ferry
The nearest station is Üsküdar, served by the Marmaray line, which crosses under the Bosphorus, and by the M5 metro. From Üsküdar's waterfront square, walk south along the shore toward Salacak for around 15 minutes to reach the tower's boat pier.
- By ferry: public ferries cross to Üsküdar from Eminönü, Karaköy and Beşiktaş, and the crossing is a good way to see the tower from the water.
- By Marmaray: one stop from Sirkeci on the European side, and fast if you are coming from the old city.
- Pay with an Istanbulkart on the ferries, Marmaray and the metro.
Boats to the tower have run from the Salacak shore, and services from the European side have also operated since the reopening. Departure points and frequency can change, so check before you set out.
Maiden's Tower tickets and opening hours
Visiting the tower is paid, and the ticket is generally sold together with the boat transfer. Prices, opening hours and the last boat out vary through the year, and the tower can close in bad weather when the crossing is rough. Check the official ticketing information or ask at the pier on the day, and avoid unofficial resellers.
Inside, the restored tower works as a small museum, with displays on its history and legends, and there is a viewing area at the top. Space is limited, so expect to wait at busy times.
Best time to visit and how long to spend
Late afternoon is the classic time, when the light turns gold over the old city and the sun sets behind it. It is also the busiest time, both at the pier and along the Salacak promenade, so if you prefer quiet, go in the morning. Allow around one to two hours for the boat trip and the visit, including waiting time.
In winter, wind on the water can be strong. Bring a layer even on sunny days.
Highlights of a visit
The views from the islet
From the terrace and the top of the tower, the panorama takes in the old city, the mouth of the Golden Horn, Galata and the European shore of the Bosphorus.
The museum displays
Exhibits trace the tower's many uses and the stories told about it, including its appearances in film. It played a part in the James Bond film The World Is Not Enough.
Sunset at Salacak
The low wall along the Salacak shore is where locals sit with tea and simit to watch the sun go down behind the tower and the old city. It costs nothing and is one of the city's best evening scenes.
Nearby around Üsküdar
- Mihrimah Sultan Mosque: a Sinan mosque facing the ferry pier in Üsküdar.
- Şemsi Pasha Mosque: a small, elegant Sinan mosque right on the water between Üsküdar and Salacak.
- Üsküdar waterfront: tea gardens and fish restaurants along the shore.
- Kadıköy: a short Marmaray ride or a waterfront walk south, known for its food market streets.
Discover more around this station on the Maiden's Tower page, or browse the full Istanbul metro map.