The Maiden’s Tower (Kız Kulesi) is a famous tower located on a small island at the southern entrance of the Bosphorus Strait in Istanbul. Inside the tower, there’s a museum that displays artifacts and tells the story of the tower’s long history. Over the years, the Maiden’s Tower has been used as a lighthouse, a military defense point, and a quarantine station.
Visitors can enjoy stunning views of Istanbul’s skyline and the sea from the top of the tower. Keep reading to find out how to get tickets for the Maiden’s Tower and other tips for planning your visit.
The Maiden’s Tower has served many purposes over the years, from a lighthouse to a military defense point, and even a place for keeping people in quarantine. Inside, you can find a museum filled with interesting artifacts that tell the story of its rich past.
From the top of this historic tower, you can see incredible views of Istanbul’s skyline, the Bosphorus Strait, and the waters around it. It’s a great spot for taking photos and seeing the city from a different angle.
The Maiden’s Tower is a stunning piece of architecture. It combines old designs from Byzantine times with changes made during the Ottoman period and more recent updates. Each renovation adds to its unique look.
To get to the Maiden’s Tower, you take a short ferry ride. This trip is an adventure itself, letting you enjoy the Bosphorus Strait and arrive at a charming little island.
The Maiden’s Tower is an important part of Istanbul’s cultural heritage, filled with legends and stories. Visiting the tower gives you a deep dive into Turkish culture and history.
Great for those who like getting more with their tickets and have time to explore Istanbul fully. With this combo ticket, you get to visit the historic Maiden’s Tower and enjoy round-trip ferry rides across the Bosphorus.
Cancellation Policy: You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before your planned visit and get a full refund.
Perfect for visitors who just want to enjoy a boat ride on the Bosphorus and see the sights along the way. This ticket includes a 1-hour boat tour with free coffee, tea, and water.
Cancellation Policy: You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the tour starts for a full refund.
The Maiden’s Tower is a famous spot with a long history as a fortress and a lighthouse, and it’s surrounded by beautiful views. Every year, many people visit. To make sure you don’t miss out, it’s a good idea to buy your tickets online in advance.
When you buy your tickets online, you can make sure your visit is set, no matter how busy it gets. Your spot is saved right after you pay.
Buying tickets online means you can skip the long lines at the tower and walk right in.
Online tickets often come with special offers and discounts, helping you save money on your visit to the Maiden’s Tower.
The Maiden’s Tower is full of old legends and fascinating stories. When you visit, you'll hear about ancient emperors and famous love stories like that of Hero and Leander.
Enjoy incredible views from the Maiden’s Tower, looking out over Istanbul’s skyline, the bright Bosphorus Strait, and the busy city. It’s a perfect spot to see the beauty of Istanbul all at once.
Visit the Maiden’s Tower Museum to discover its history as a tax office, lighthouse, and defense tower. Learn about the tower’s past and the legends that surround this special place.
You can eat delicious meals in the tower's restaurant on the ground floor. With stunning views of the Bosphorus Strait, the great food makes for an unforgettable experience.
Maiden´s Tower is located on a small island near the Asian side of Istanbul.
Address: Salacak, Salacak Mevkii, 34668 Uskudar, Istanbul, Turkey.
Boat Services
• From Kabataş: Ferries start at 9:00 on weekdays and 10:00 on weekends, departing every 45 minutes until 19:00.
• From Üsküdar: Boats are available from 9:00 to 19:00 daily.
• From Galataport: Boats depart at 11:00, 12:30, 14:15, 15:30, and 17:00 daily. Located right in front of the tower’s ticket office, this route is convenient if you are near Galataport.
Note: The only access to the Maiden’s Tower is by sea. The Kabataş route takes about 10 minutes, while the Salacak route takes about a minute. If you’re on the Asian side, the Salacak route is quickest.
Topkapi Palace: Explore the grandeur of Ottoman history with its stunning architecture and gardens.
Hagia Sophia: Admire the exquisite Byzantine architecture and mosaics of this famous museum and former cathedral.
Spice Bazaar: Experience the vibrant market filled with spices, teas, and Turkish delights.
Dolmabahçe Palace: Visit the luxurious residence of the Ottoman sultans, with its impressive interiors and scenic Bosphorus views.
Opening Times: Daily operations from 09:00 to 19:00.
Suggested Duration: 1 hour
Optimal Visit Times: Early morning .
Duration of Visit
Plan to spend around 1 to 1.5 hours at the Maiden’s Tower to fully enjoy the tower, its museum, and the panoramic views.
Best Time to Visit
The ideal times to visit the Maiden’s Tower are during the spring or autumn when the weather is mild, and the skies are clear, providing optimal conditions for enjoying the views and exploring comfortably.
Check the weather: Ensure you check the weather forecast before visiting to enhance your experience, especially for enjoying views from the top.
Allocate enough time: Dedicate sufficient time to explore the museum, enjoy a meal, and take in the views for a complete experience.
Visit during weekdays: To avoid crowds, consider visiting on weekdays when it’s generally less busy.
Follow the rules: Adhere to the guidelines provided by staff, respect photography restrictions, and be considerate of other visitors.
Combine visits: Make the most of your day by also visiting nearby attractions like Topkapi Palace or Hagia Sophia.
Book tickets online: To avoid long lines and ensure entry, it’s wise to buy your tickets online in advance.
Maiden’s Tower is an old tower in Istanbul known for its beautiful views and interesting stories.
The best-known story about Maiden’s Tower involves a king who wanted to protect his daughter from a predicted snake bite by placing her in a tower built off Salacak. Despite his efforts, the prophecy came true when a snake in a basket of grapes bit her.
Maiden’s Tower has a rich history dating back to 1453 during the Ottoman capture of Constantinople. It first served as a military base and later as a lookout point under Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror’s rule.
The name „Maiden’s Tower“ comes from a tale about a princess who was locked in the tower because of a prophecy saying she would die from a snake bite, which eventually happened due to a snake hidden in a basket of grapes.
Maiden’s Tower offers great views of Istanbul and has a restaurant that serves tasty snacks. You can also learn about the tower’s exciting legends.
You can buy your tickets for Maiden’s Tower online. It’s easy and helps you save money and time.
Yes, you can buy Maiden’s Tower tickets on the internet. It’s quick and ensures you have a spot saved for your visit.
Tickets for Maiden’s Tower cost €30. This price includes a ferry ride there and back, plus entry to the tower.
Yes, if you buy your tickets online, you can find great deals and discounts.
There are two types of tickets you can buy. One is a combo ticket that includes the ferry trip and entry to the tower. The other is just for a one-hour boat ride on the Bosphorus River with snacks.
Maiden’s Tower is on a small island near Uskudar on the Asian side of Istanbul.
You can get to Maiden’s Tower by boat from Uskudar-Salacak or from Galataport pier.
Maiden’s Tower is open every day from 9:00 to 19:00. If you take a boat tour, you can stay out a bit later, until 20:00.
At Maiden’s Tower, you can use the restaurant, free Wi-Fi, wheelchair-friendly facilities, bathrooms, and a gift shop.
Yes, Maiden’s Tower has ramps and facilities to help visitors in wheelchairs enjoy their visit.
Yes, you can take photos in Maiden’s Tower. If you use big cameras, please make sure they don’t bother other visitors.
Yes, it’s a good idea to buy your tickets online before you go. This saves you time and makes sure you can get in, especially when it’s busy.
Yes, Maiden’s Tower is definitely worth visiting. It is an iconic part of Istanbul with a deep historical and cultural significance. It has been a symbol of the city for centuries and is a favorite spot for both tourists and locals.
