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Üsküdar, Istanbul's Asian Side

Üsküdar waterfront at sunset: the Maiden's Tower in the Bosphorus and the old city skyline
Photo: Mrs.Akchays, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

The essentials in 10 seconds

Entry
Free — district, waterfront and mosques
verifyingFrom reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go.
Hours
Open 24/7; mosques open all day, visitors outside prayer times
Time on site
A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes.
1 h 30 min
With kids
Fine with kids
Ferry from Eminönü
≈ 15–20 min, pay with Istanbulkart
verifyingFrom reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go.
Other ferries
From Karaköy, Kabataş and Beşiktaş
verifyingFrom reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go.
Marmaray
Sirkeci to Üsküdar, one stop under the Bosphorus
verifyingFrom reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go.
Mosques
Open all day; visitors wait outside during prayers
verifyingFrom reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go.
Mosque dress code
Shoulders and knees covered, headscarf for women, shoes off
verifyingFrom reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go.
Sunset spot
Salacak waterfront — ≈ 20 min walk south of the pier
verifyingFrom reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go.
Kuzguncuk
≈ 25–30 min walk north along the shore, or a short bus ride
verifyingFrom reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go.
Map pin
Üsküdar ferry pier (Üsküdar İskelesi)
verifyingFrom reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go.
Coordinates
41.02814, 29.01529YesGo MapGoogleApple

Key facts

Chrysopolis“City of Gold” — founded by Greek colonists from Megara in the 7th century BC
2 sourcesEnglish WikipediaÜsküdar Municipality
1548Sinan completed the Mihrimah Sultan Mosque by the pier for Süleyman the Magnificent’s daughter
2 sourcesÜsküdar MunicipalityEnglish Wikipedia (work began 1543–1546)
1580Sinan’s tiny Şemsi Pasha Mosque was finished right on the water, with its patron’s tomb
2 sourcesÜsküdar MunicipalityArchnet (Cornucopia gives 1581)
AD 324Constantine the Great defeated Licinius at Chrysopolis to become sole emperor
2 sourcesEnglish WikipediaÜsküdar Municipality
1638–1640Kösem Sultan built the Çinili (Tiled) Mosque up the hill
2 sourcesEnglish WikipediaLonely Planet
1708–1710the Yeni Valide Mosque by the pier was built by the mother of Ahmed III
2 sourcesÜsküdar MunicipalityEnglish Wikipedia
1728–1729the Fountain of Ahmed III was built; it was moved to the square by Mihrimah Sultan Mosque in the 1930s
2 sourcesEnglish WikipediaÜsküdar Municipality
Scutariits old European name; in 1854 Florence Nightingale nursed soldiers in the Selimiye Barracks here
2 sourcesEnglish WikipediaHistory Hit
29.10.2013Marmaray’s Üsküdar station opened — trains dive under the Bosphorus from here
2 sourcesEnglish WikipediaAnadolu Agency
14th centurythe Ottomans took the town and named it Üsküdar (sources disagree on the exact year)
2 sourcesBritannicaEnglish Wikipedia

Is Üsküdar worth visiting?

Yes — especially at sunset. You get the old city skyline, the Maiden’s Tower and two Sinan mosques for the price of a ferry ride. It is calm, local and almost free of tour groups.

Skip it if you want nightlife or a food market: that is Kadıköy, ten minutes away by Marmaray. Üsküdar is for a slow walk, mosques and tea by the water.

How to get to Üsküdar from Sultanahmet

Tap a route to highlight it on the map.

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on foottram T1destinationStreet view

Where are you starting from?

We’ll draw it on the map: on foot, by tram and by taxi. Your location isn’t stored.

On foot

  • Maiden’s Tower is about 20 min away on foot.

More tips

  1. Take tram T1 to Eminönü, or walk down from Sultanahmet — about 15 minutes.
  2. Board the Eminönü–Üsküdar commuter ferry. They run all day; tap in with Istanbulkart.
  3. Land at Üsküdar pier 15–20 minutes later. Mihrimah Sultan Mosque faces the exit.
  4. No ferry? Take Marmaray from Sirkeci — one stop under the Bosphorus to Üsküdar.
  5. Head back the same way, or catch a ferry to Karaköy or Beşiktaş if you’re moving on.

Things to do in Üsküdar

  • Mihrimah Sultan (İskele) Mosque by the pier — Sinan, 1548, raised on a terrace with a double portico.
  • Şemsi Pasha Mosque — Sinan’s tiny waterside mosque, a 10-minute walk from the pier, with one of the best settings in Istanbul.
  • Yeni Valide Mosque (1708–1710) and the open-air tomb of its founder.
  • Fountain of Ahmed III in the square — a marble Tulip Era fountain.
  • The waterfront to Salacak — tea gardens on the steps and the Maiden’s Tower just offshore.
  • Çinili Mosque up the hill — small and lined with tiles inside; a 20-minute uphill walk.
  • Karacaahmet Cemetery — one of Istanbul’s largest and oldest, with carved Ottoman tombstones.

Üsküdar ferries: Eminönü, Karaköy, Kabataş, Beşiktaş

The Eminönü–Üsküdar route runs most often, from early morning to late evening. There are also crossings from Karaköy, Kabataş and Beşiktaş — handy if you stay near Galata or are coming from Dolmabahçe.

Timetables change by season; Şehir Hatları, Turyol and Dentur run the boats. The crossing itself is a mini Bosphorus trip — sit on the right leaving Eminönü for the old city view.

Kuzguncuk, next door

Kuzguncuk is a former Bosphorus village 25–30 minutes’ walk north of the pier (or 5–10 minutes by coastal bus). Wooden houses, cafés and bakeries on İcadiye Street, and a mosque, synagogues and an Orthodox church a few steps apart. The painted houses people photograph are on its side streets.

Weekends are busy, weekdays quiet. Further up the shore is Beylerbeyi Palace, another 5–10 minutes by bus.

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Üsküdar vs Kadıköy (and Balat)

Üsküdaryou are hereAsianCalm, conservativeSinan mosques, sunset15–20 minSunset and tea1.5 h
KadıköyAsianYoung, livelyMarket, cafés, bars≈ 25 minBars and dinner2–3 h
BalatEuropean, Golden HornOld lanes, painted housesStreet walks, churches, cafésNone, take a busQuiet2 h

Pick Üsküdar for mosques and the sunset, Kadıköy for food and a night out. They are ten minutes apart on Marmaray, so half a day covers both.

Best sunset spots in Istanbul, compared

Every sunset spot in Istanbul rated by YesGo. Tap a column heading to sort.

Bosphorus ferry cruise762 hPrice: verifying3.7 km
Galata Tower541 hPrice: verifying3.5 km
Üsküdaryou are here451 h 30 minFree—
Maiden’s Tower451 h 45 minBoat and entry: verifying21 min walk
Kadıköy452 hFree4.0 km
Galata Bridge3820 minFree3.6 km
Pierre Loti Hill361 hFree7.4 km
Ortaköy Mosque3240 minFree41 min walk
Istanbul Sapphire2845 minfrom 850 TL6.4 km

The Asian side in a day

The hilltop mosque, the palace under the bridge, Üsküdar’s pier mosques and sunset at the Maiden’s Tower. Add them to your route in one tap — YesGo fits in the timing and transfers.

  1. Çamlıca Mosque45 min · Free
  2. 47 min walk from the previous stopBeylerbeyi Palace1 h 15 min · 800 TL
  3. 45 min walk from the previous stopÜsküdaryou are here1 h 30 min · Free
  4. 21 min walk from the previous stopMaiden’s Tower1 h 45 min · Boat and entry: verifying

4 places · about 7 h 8 min with walks · 113 min on foot in total

Go · my route

Nearby — add to your day

Maiden’s Tower

Istanbul, Turkey

1 h 45 min · Boat and entry: verifying · 21 min walk

Dolmabahçe Palace

Istanbul, Turkey

1 h 45 min · 2,000 TL · 29 min walk

Ortaköy Mosque

Istanbul, Turkey

40 min · Free · 41 min walk

How to do it right

  • The best sunset seat is the waterfront steps at Salacak, with a glass of tea.
  • Don’t miss Şemsi Pasha Mosque, a 10-minute walk along the water from the pier — few visitors make it that far.
  • Short on energy? Skip the climb to Çinili; the highlights are by the water.
  • Beylerbeyi Palace and Çamlıca Mosque are in the same district — easy add-ons.
  • Take the ferry back after dark: the old city is lit up from the water.

Questions

Is Üsküdar worth visiting?

Yes, for the sunset view of the old city and the Maiden’s Tower, two Sinan mosques and a calm, local feel. For nightlife, go to Kadıköy instead.

How do I get to Üsküdar from Sultanahmet?

Tram T1 or a 15-minute walk to Eminönü, then the 15–20-minute ferry. Or Marmaray from Sirkeci — one stop under the Bosphorus.

How long is the ferry from Eminönü to Üsküdar?

About 15–20 minutes. Ferries run all day; pay with Istanbulkart. Timetables change by season.

What is there to do in Üsküdar?

Visit Mihrimah Sultan, Şemsi Pasha and Yeni Valide mosques, walk the waterfront to Salacak for the Maiden’s Tower, climb to Çinili Mosque, and stroll to Kuzguncuk.

Is Üsküdar on the Asian side?

Yes. It sits on the Asian shore of the Bosphorus, directly opposite Sultanahmet and Beşiktaş.

Üsküdar or Kadıköy — which is better?

Üsküdar for mosques, history and sunset; Kadıköy for the food market, cafés and bars. They are one Marmaray stop apart.

Can you walk from Üsküdar to the Maiden’s Tower?

Yes — it’s about 20 minutes south along the waterfront to Salacak, where boats go out to the tower.

How far is Kuzguncuk from Üsküdar?

A 25–30-minute walk north along the shore, or 5–10 minutes by coastal bus.

Is Üsküdar conservative?

It is one of Istanbul’s more conservative districts. Casual clothes are fine in the streets; cover shoulders and knees, and bring a scarf for mosques.

Have you been? Was it worth your time?

1 — no, 5 — absolutely

Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.

Sources and fact-check

  • Üsküdar Municipality (Üsküdar Belediyesi): History of Üsküdar; pages on the Mihrimah Sultan, Şemsi Pasha and Yeni Valide mosques and the Fountain of Ahmed III
  • English and Russian Wikipedia: Üsküdar, Mihrimah Sultan Mosque (Üsküdar), Çinili Mosque, Fountain of Ahmed III (Üsküdar), Üsküdar railway station, Selimiye Barracks; Wikidata Q326339
  • Archnet: Şemsi Ahmed Paşa Camii; Cornucopia Istanbul guide
  • Britannica: Üsküdar
  • Lonely Planet: Çinili Mosque
  • Anadolu Agency, October 2013 — Marmaray opening; History Hit — Florence Nightingale Museum
YesGo editorial team · facts checked 29.10.2026 ·
How we checkedThe district and its mosques are free, so there are no official prices to check. Ferry and Marmaray routes, journey times and walking distances are cross-checked across several guides and marked “verifying”, because operators change timetables by season. Mosque dates are checked against at least two sources. Where they differ we say so: work on Mihrimah Sultan Mosque is said to have started in 1543–1546 (we give the completion year, 1548); Cornucopia dates Şemsi Pasha Mosque to 1581, its portal inscription to 1580; the Ottoman capture is put at 1338 or 1352, so we say “14th century”. We don’t quote ferry fares — Istanbulkart prices change.

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