Üsküdar, just opposite Besiktas, is the most important district on Anatolian side, which was built during Ottoman Time was used as accommodation. Today, Üsküdar bears traces of the past and still houses many architectural structures.
The first name of the settlement in ancient times was Khyrsopolis, which means "golden city" in Greek. It is widely believed that the name Üsküdar derives from Scutarii, one of the armored cavalry units of the Roman army from Roman times, and the Scutarii barracks located there.
Neighborhoods of Uskudar
Üsküdar is divided into 33 districts/districts (Turkish Mahalle), including the more prominent neighborhoods of Acıbadem, Camlica, Haydarpaşa, Güzeltepe and Beylerbeyi.
What to expect in Uskudar, Istanbul
Stroll around Üsküdar Square, watch the crowd, relax and enjoy tea or coffee at various seaside cafes in the company of the Bosphorus, visit Fethi Paşa Korusu and Camlica Hill and Tower for a beautiful panoramic view the Bosphorus and visit the Maiden Tower the best attraction in Uskudar.
Things to do and places to visit in Uskudar
Üskudar is famous for its beautiful coast, Maiden Tower, Camlica Hill, Fethi Pasha Grove, historical sites such as Moscheen from the 16th century, fountains and much more.
Maiden Tower (Kız Kulesi)
The Maiden Tower, too Maiden Tower called, is one of the most popular monuments and landmarks of Istanbul. A sunset evening with a meal is one of the best things to do in and Istanbul can make. It is believed to have been around 340 BC. was built.
Supposedly one end of a large chain was fixed here, which is said to have been stretched across the Bosphorus during the attacks on the Byzantine Empire. The other end was attached to the tower of Mangana Palace.
The tower appears in the finale of the James Bond film The World Is Not Enough, where it served as a hideout for Bond's opponent, Elektra King (Sophie Marceau).
Fethi Pasa Grove (Fethi Paşa Korusu)
Dating from the Ottoman Empire, Fethi Pasha's Grove overlooking the Bosphorus takes its name from the Ottoman Pasha. It is currently open to the public as a social facility. This grove is a great place to enjoy Üsküdar that is affordable compared to many venues with views and sea views.
It covers 16 hectares of green space and offers a perfect panorama of the Bosphorus. It attracts many visitors, especially on weekends.
Camlica Hill (Çamlıca Tepesi)
Camlica Hill consists of two nearby hills on the Anatolian side of Istanbul between Üskudar and Ümraniye, Büyük Camlica Hill in the north and Küçük Camlica Hill in the south. The hill, which offers a unique 360-degree view of the Bosphorus at its feet, is the highest of the 7 famous hills in Istanbul. Because of this, it is a place visited by both tourists and residents of Istanbul.
Camlica Tower / Tower (Çamlıca Kulesi)
The Camlica tower was in June opened in 2021. With a final height of 369 meters, it is the tallest building in the world Turkey. It is also one of the tallest television towers in the world. The tower stands on the 218 meter high Küçük Çamlıca Hill in the Asian part of the Turkish metropolis and is a popular lookout tower.
Mihrimah Sultan Mosque (Mihrimah Sultan Camii)
It is one of the most important Ottoman buildings History. Due to the importance attached to the fact that the signature of its architecture belongs to Mimar Sinan, it is a structure that attracts tourists to Uskudar today. Very close to Üskudar Pier is the Mihrimah Sultan Mosque, which was built by order of Mihrimah Sultan, daughters of Suleiman the Magnificent and Hürrem Sultan.
More mosques
There are many historic mosques in Uskudar.
The mosques built by the mothers of the sultans during the Ottoman period are called Valide Mosques.
The Aziz Mahmud Hudayi Mosque was built in 1594 by Ayşe Hanım Sultan, daughter of Mihrimah Sultan and Grand Vizier Riistem Pasha. The Aziz Mahmud Hudayi Mosque is located in a complex built around the Dervish Lodge and Tomb. The mosque, built on the basis of the Dervish Lodge, received its final form during the reign of Sultan Abdulmecit.
The Çinili Mosque was built by Kösem Mahpeyker Valide Sultan, wife of Sultan Ahmed I. The construction of the mosque, which began in 1640, lasted 8 years and was completed in 1648.
Beylerbeyi Palace (Beylerbeyi Sarayı)
Beylerbeyi Palace, one of the most important historical palaces of the Byzantine Empire, is located on the Sea of Marmara, within the borders of Uskudar. This magnificent palace overlooking the Bosphorus was conceived and designed as the resting place of the Ottoman sultans and as a guest house for foreign rulers and heads of state.
Adile Sultan Palace (Adile Sultan Sarayı)
The Adile Sultan Palace offers a wonderful view of the Bosphorus. Palace operational since 2007; It has started to organize events such as weddings, graduations, conferences, seminars and various catering facilities.
Salacak Coast (Salacak Sahili)
Salacak Coast, located in Uskudar, is a Beach, which is a symbol of Istanbul with its landscape, which is always visited by tourists visiting Istanbul and the city's residents visit it. The magnificent silhouette of Istanbul appears on the beach where you will experience the most beautiful sunset in Istanbul.
Behind the Maiden's Tower, it's the best place to watch the sunset on the historical peninsula.
Emaar Aquarium (Emaar Akvaryum)
The large aquarium at Emaar Square Mall consists of 48 tanks. What sets the aquarium apart from the 20.000 underwater creatures from other underwater zoos, consisting of marine and river animals, are the king crocodiles brought from Australia. In addition, otters and penguins underline the richness of the aquarium as a species not found in other underwater zoos.
Fountain of Sultan Ahmet III
Fountain of Sultan Ahmet III. is a beautiful historic fountain built in 1728. The four sides of the fountain are decorated with poetry, some of which are from Sultan Ahmet III.
Cengelkoy
Cengelkoy is a very lively seaside district surrounded by centuries-old plane trees and picturesque mansions north of Üskudar, behind Kuzguncuk and Beylerbeyi.
The Cinaralti Mosque, the Cengelköy Fountain and the numerous fish restaurants and cafes at the ferry port are just a few of the places where guests can relax.
Kuzguncuk
Kuzguncuk is a colorful coastal district north of Uskudar towards the Bosphorus. For those who want to spend a busy day on the Bosphorus and relax in seaside cafes and restaurants, Kuzguncuk is a great place.
What can you buy at Uskudar?
Üskudar, one of the central districts of the Anatolian side, is characterized by both its nostalgic atmosphere and its location. Üskudar offers tourists a pleasant shopping experience and is a bazaar district where the city's residents just like Eminonu find everything you need. Üskudar Fishermen's Bazaar is one of the few places in the city that keeps the old bazaar culture alive. Here you can buy products such as homemade jam, tarhana and marmalade.
Eating out in Uskudar
From the seafront to the back streets, Üskudar is full of famous and delicious options for you to experience. Üskudar has a wide range of dishes and wines in Istanbul. In Uskudar you can find all kinds of food and drink, Turkish and international cuisine to suit your taste. Both on the coast and inland you will find beautiful tea gardens, cafes and restaurants.
Uskudar nightlife
Although Üsküdar is a neighborhood steeped in historical and religious structures, there are several places to party in the evenings. Gece Life Nakkastepe is a place to choose if you want to spend a pleasant evening in a quality atmosphere.
Üskudar In summary
- In the midst of the Bosphorus, you can enjoy a pleasant meal at the Maiden's Tower on Salacak Beach.
- You can take a brief journey into history by going to the Sultan Adile Palace.
- You'll get to know the city a little better by visiting the nostalgic backstreets of Kuzguncuk.
- You can explore the boutique cafes and dessert shops on Çengelköy's side streets.
Uskudar hotel and accommodation options
Üskudar is one of the oldest settlements of Istanbul and with its historical sites, Bosphorus view and an atmosphere that allows you to feel Istanbul, it is one of the must-see places.
Üskudar, which lies on the Anatolian side and is close to many of Istanbul's most important areas, appeals to all segments by offering 5-star, 4-star aparthotels, guesthouses and beach hotels.
Booking.comHow to get to Uskudar?
Reaching Uskudar is very easy. For example:
- From Kadikoy, by public bus or shared taxi (dolmus),
- From Besiktas, by public ferries or boats,
- From Blue and Eminonu, from Bagcilar-Kabatas tram (line T1) to Sirkeci and than from Sirkeci via the Marmaray or from Eminonu by public ferries.
The use of the IstanbulKart is a prerequisite for all public transport.
From Istanbul airports:
- from Istanbul Airport (IST) (52 km to Uskudar and takes about 110 minutes) – You can take a taxi or private transfer.
- from Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW) (35 km to Uskudar and takes about 50 minutes) – You can take a taxi or private transfer.
Address : Uskudar, Istanbul, Turkey
