Maiden's Tower, Istanbul

Name: Maiden's Tower
Address: Salacak Mahallesi, Salacak Mevkii, Istanbul, 34668, Turkey
Telephone: +90 216 342 47 47

#26 among attractions in Istanbul

Tower, Vernacular architecture, Lighthouse, Historical place, More...

Gallery (11)

Map

Gallery

Photo details 1. Wikipedia / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Arild Vågen / URL • 2. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / ismail soytekınoglu / URL • 3. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Zara1992 / URL • 4. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / ismail soytekınoglu / URL • 5. Wikimedia Commons / Public domain / Mkaraarslan / URL • 6. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Mark Ahsmann / URL • 7. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Ladhra / URL

Facts and practical information

Maiden's Tower, also known as Kız Kulesi, is an iconic lighthouse that graces the skyline of Istanbul, Turkey. Situated on a small islet at the southern entrance of the Bosphorus Strait, this historic structure has been a guardian of Istanbul's waters and a witness to the city's rich past.

The origins of Maiden's Tower trace back to ancient Greek times, with records mentioning a tower on the islet since the 5th century BC. Over the centuries, it has served various purposes, from a defense fortress and a quarantine station to a customs checkpoint. Its current form, however, dates back to the 18th century when it was reconstructed in a baroque style.

The lighthouse stands out not only for its historical significance but also for the legends that surround it. The most popular tale narrates the story of an emperor who built the tower to protect his daughter from a prophesied death by a snake bite. Despite his efforts, the prophecy came true, adding a layer of myth to the tower's allure.

Today, Maiden's Tower is a popular tourist attraction, accessible by boat from the shores of Istanbul. Visitors are drawn to its panoramic views of the city and the Bosphorus. The tower also houses a restaurant and café, providing a unique dining experience with a breathtaking backdrop.

Local name: Kız Kulesi Opened: 1725 (299 years ago)Height: 59 ftTop floor height: 59 ftFloors: 5Coordinates: 41°1'16"N, 29°0'15"E

Address

Salacak Mahallesi, Salacak MevkiiIstanbul 34668 Turkey

Contact

+90 216 342 47 47

Website

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Istanbul

Day trips

Maiden's Tower – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Topkapı Palace, Basketmakers' Kiosk, Dolmabahçe Mosque, İstanbul Modern.

1.2 miSW
Historic Ottoman-era palace complex
Topkapı Palace, Istanbul
31 min walk • Topkapı Palace, an opulent testament to the grandeur of the Ottoman Empire, stands proudly in Istanbul, Turkey. Now a museum, this sprawling complex was once the primary residence of the Ottoman Sultans for nearly four centuries, from the 1460s to the 1850s.
1.2 miW
Music venue
Basketmakers' Kiosk
31 min walk • The Basketmakers' Kiosk, situated in Istanbul, Turkey, is a historical edifice that once served as a pleasure palace for Ottoman sultans. This pavilion, known as Sepetçiler Kasrı in Turkish, is nestled on the Golden Horn and dates back to the 17th century, having...
1.2 miNW
Ottoman-style mosque completed in 1853
Dolmabahçe Mosque, Istanbul
30 min walk • Nestled on the European shore of the Bosphorus Strait, the Dolmabahçe Mosque, also known as the Bezm-i Alem Valide Sultan Mosque, stands as a testament to the grandeur of 19th-century Ottoman architecture in Istanbul, Turkey.
1.2 miW
Museum, Art museum, Modern art museum
İstanbul Modern, Istanbul
30 min walk • Istanbul Modern, also known as the Istanbul Museum of Modern Art, stands as a cultural beacon in the vibrant city of Istanbul, Turkey. Established in 2004, this museum is Turkey's first private museum to organize modern and contemporary art exhibitions.
1.2 miN
Museum, Mimar Sinan, Art museum
Milli Saraylar, Istanbul
32 min walk • Nestled in the historic heart of Istanbul, the Milli Saraylar, or National Palaces, offers visitors a glimpse into the opulent world of the Ottoman sultans. This collection of palaces turned museums captures the essence of Turkey's imperial past, showcasing the...
1.2 miN
Sarkis Balyan, Tower
Dolmabahçe Saat Kulesi, Istanbul
31 min walk • Dolmabahçe Clock Tower is a clock tower situated outside Dolmabahçe Palace in Istanbul, Turkey. Its construction was ordered by Ottoman sultan Abdülhamid II and designed by the court architect Sarkis Balyan between 1890 and 1895.
0.5 miNE
Mosque
Şemsi Paşa Camii, Istanbul
13 min walk • The Şemsi Pasha Mosque is an Ottoman mosque located in the large and densely populated district of Üsküdar, in Istanbul, Turkey.
0.6 miNE
Mosque
Yeni Valide Mosque, Istanbul
16 min walk • The Yeni Valide Mosque is an 18th-century Ottoman mosque in the Üsküdar district of Istanbul, Turkey.
0.7 miNE
Fountain
Fountain of Ahmed III, Istanbul
18 min walk • The Fountain of Sultan Ahmed III in Üsküdar is an 18th-century public water fountain built by Ottoman sultan Ahmed III in the Ottoman rococo architecture and situated in the grand square of Üsküdar in Istanbul, Turkey.
1.2 miW
Mosque, Sacred and religious sites
Nusretiye Camii, Istanbul
30 min walk • Nusretiye Mosque is an ornate mosque located in Tophane district of Beyoğlu, Istanbul, Turkey. While its architecture is influenced by Islamic elements, it retains a Baroque style, making it unique to the city.
1.4 miNW
Music and shows, Nightlife, Music venue
Atatürk Cultural Center, Istanbul
35 min walk • Atatürk Cultural Center, also simply called AKM, is a cultural center in Istanbul. As the focal point of Taksim Square, it is not only a multi-purpose cultural center and opera house, but an icon of Istanbul.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When is Maiden's Tower open?

Maiden's Tower is open:

Monday 9 am - 6:30 pm
Tuesday 9 am - 6:30 pm
Wednesday 9 am - 6:30 pm
Thursday 9 am - 6:30 pm
Friday 9 am - 6:30 pm
Saturday 9 am - 6:30 pm
Sunday 9 am - 6:30 pm

Which popular attractions are close to Maiden's Tower?

Nearby attractions include Marmaray Tunnel (11 min walk), Eurasia Tunnel (11 min walk), Rum Mehmed Pasha Mosque, Istanbul (11 min walk), Şemsi Paşa Camii, Istanbul (13 min walk).

How to get to Maiden's Tower by public transport?

The nearest stations to Maiden's Tower:

Bus

Kız Kulesi • Lines: 2 (7 min walk)
Şemsipaşa • Lines: 139, 2 (13 min walk)

Metro

Üsküdar • Lines: M5 (14 min walk)

Train

Üsküdar (15 min walk)
Cankurtaran (40 min walk)

Ferry

Üsküdar (20 min walk)
Kabataş (28 min walk)

Tram

Stop • Lines: T1 (27 min walk)
Taksim • Lines: Taksim - Tünel Nostaljik Tramvay, Tünel - Taksim Nostaljik Tramvay (38 min walk)