Getting started About Üsküdar
Üsküdar’s neighborhoods
Before we delve into places to visit in Üsküdar, let’s discuss the historical district. As of May 2024, Üsküdar consists of 33 neighborhoods, including historical neighborhoods like Çengelköy, Kuzguncuk, and Kuleli along the Bosphorus, as well as important centers like Altunizade and Acıbadem.
Üsküdar’s former names
Üsküdar has been known by a number of names, according to the Üsküdar District Governorship, who noted some of them. To quote: “The “Chrysopolis” of Antiquity, the “Hrisopolis” of Persia, the “Scutari” of Rome, the “Skoutarion” of Byzantium, the “Askadar” of Persian, the “Eski Dar” of Evliya Çelebi and the beloved Üsküdar of the Turks…”. Conquered in 1078 by the Seljuks, Üsküdar became a Sanjak in 1867, a province in 1924 and a district in 1926. An interesting fact is that Üsküdar was a district of Kastamonu from the Fatih period until the republic.
What is Üsküdar renowned for?
The Maiden’s Tower, the Mihrimah Sultan Mosque, the sunset in Salacak, the kiosks in the square… Kuzguncuk’s cozy cafes, wooden houses, and the Kandilli Anatolian High School for Girls (Kandilli Kız Lisesi). The patso (chip butty), the blending of different lifestyles, and a peaceful ambiance even amid crowds…. In other words, there are as many responses to the question of what Üsküdar is famous for as there are respondents. Take a tour of Üsküdar and discover your own high point. ☺
Getting to Üsküdar
Üsküdar is literally the “heart of İstanbul” and, due to its historical significance and proximity to the sea, Üsküdar is also easily accessible. To enjoy places to visit in Üsküdar, we offer a summary of transportation options below.
Bus transportation to Üsküdar
You can get to Üsküdar directly from neighboring districts such as Beykoz, Ümraniye and Kadıköy by taking buses numbered 15, 9ÜD and 12, respectively. Bus lines also operate within Üsküdar and from various Üsküdar neighborhoods to those in other districts. For more information, please visit the IETT website.
Sea transportation to Üsküdar
Sea transportation to Üsküdar is practical and easy; it takes around 10-15 minutes to reach Üsküdar via daytime ferry and motorboat services from Beşiktaş and Kabataş. City line ferries and motorboats depart from Eminönü and Karaköy throughout the day and, in addition, there are the Kadıköy-Üsküdar-Ortaköy, Üsküdar-Aşiyan and Anadolu Kavağı-Üsküdar lines. Please visit the Şehir Hatları website for current schedule and timetable information.
Marmaray transportation to Üsküdar
On the Marmaray line, Üsküdar is the first stop on the Anatolian side. The Marmaray runs between Gebze and Halkalı and you can get to Üsküdar from either direction.
M5 Üsküdar-Samandıra metro line
Üsküdar is also accessible via the Üsküdar-Samandıra metro line, Türkiye’s first driverless metro line. Starting from Samandıra Central station, the line passes through Çekmeköy and the Ümraniye district center, terminating at Üsküdar Square.
Popular places to visit in Üsküdar
Simitçi, kahveci, gazozcu…: Üsküdar Square
Loosely translated as “simit shop, coffee shop, and soda shop”, this emblematic line refers to Üsküdar Square a first stop on any list of places to visit in Üsküdar. Blending historical texture with dynamic contemporary life, the square features works by Mimar Sinan such as the Mihrimah Sultan and Şemsi Pasha Mosques, the Yeni Valide Complex and the Fountain of Ahmed III, which reflect the square’s historical identity, while modern buildings and a lively vibe add to the overall atmosphere.
Üsküdar Square’s distinctive characteristics include views of the sparkling blue Bosphorus and the Historical Peninsula on the opposite shore. You can take in these vistas a cup of tea or hop on a ferry (drinking tea on the ferry is also an option☺). You can also sample some of İstanbul’s street delicacies at kiosks and stalls in the square – if you’re ready for a full meal, you can make your way to Kanaat Lokantası or Köfteci İsa Usta.
Fountain of Sultan Ahmed III
Set at the beginning of the main caravan route on the Anatolian side of İstanbul and the pier that provides the connection between the two sides of the Bosphorus, this four-sided square fountain is an Üsküdar landmark. The fountain was built in 1728-29 at the request of Sultan Ahmed III to commemorate his mother, Râbia Emetullah Gülnûş Sultan.
Facing the Maiden’s Tower: Salacak Beach
Salacak Beach, which extends from the shore of Üsküdar Square, offers a stellar view of the Maiden’s Tower, one of İstanbul’s most distinctive landmarks. Taking a stroll or sitting with a cup of tea while admiring the Maiden’s Tower is always an unforgettable experience. Usually, vehicles departing from Salacak Beach can take you to the Maiden’s Tower but, due to organizational work currently taking place on the beach, access to the Maiden’s Tower is now provided via Karaköy. To learn more about the current situation, visit the official website of the Maiden’s Tower. Let us remind you that MuseumPass (MüzeKart) holders can visit the Tower free of charge.
Kuzguncuk
Now let’s head to Kuzguncuk, one of the most beloved neighborhoods in Üsküdar, to experience the Bosphorus at its most serene. Kuzguncuk’s warm atmosphere invites you to have a coffee or tea amid the wooden houses and art galleries. Please note that Nail Kitabevi (Nail Bookstore) , one of İstanbul’s famous book cafes, is in Kuzguncuk.
Çamlıca Hill and Tower
İstanbul’s highest point, the Big Çamlıca Hill, rises 587 meters above sea level and is one of the city’s notorious seven hills. Naturally, the hill offers breathtaking views of İstanbul and at sunset, the views are even more spectacular. The parks and cafes at the bottom of the hill are another attraction.
Çamlıca Tower, completed in 2021 and also in Çamlıca, is the tallest building in Türkiye; 221 meters of this 369-metre-high, 49-storey reinforced concrete structure are open to the public. Çamlıca Tower can also be reached by cable car.
Nevmekan
Nevmekan Sahil, established in 2018 in Üsküdar’s former marriage registry office building, is another popular setting among Üsküdar residents and visitors from neighboring districts. Nevmekan is also a stellar example of the architectural idea of Millet Kıraathanesi (Nation Coffee House).
Çengelköy
Çengelköy, a neighborhood of Üsküdar famous for its warmth, has been the subject of television series. Here you can taste illustrious İstanbul street snacks such as kokoreç and mussels, and take a breather in one of the famous cafes on the beach. On the way, Vaniköy, one of the greenest neighborhoods of İstanbul, features people fishing, tea gardens and cafes on the Bosphorus.
Gastronomi Street
One of the most popular places to visit in Üsküdar is Üsküdar Gastronomy Street (Gastronomi Sokağı). Starting from Uncular Street and extending to Valide-i Cedid Mosque, (Yeni Valide Mosque) the street is the district’s new generation attraction center, offering a diverse range of culinary delights in its many coffee shops and restaurants.
Historical places of Üsküdar
Mihrimah Sultan Mosque
The first of the historical places to visit in Üsküdar is undoubtedly the Mihrimah Sultan Mosque (Mihrimah Sultan Camii). Built in the name of Mihrimah Sultan, the sole daughter of Suleiman the Magnificent by his wife Hürrem Sultan, the mosque is a tribute to the privileged status of the sultan in the dynasty. Built in the Golden City of Üsküdar in the 16th century, the building was the first of a planned succession of mosques in the urban landscape of İstanbul. Mihrimah Sultan Mosque is a place that gives soul to İstanbul with its light-scattering windows, finely crafted pulpit and peaceful terrace.
Maiden’s Tower
Like a pearl set in the blue waters of the Bosphorus, the Maiden’s Tower (Kız Kulesi) is an iconic symbol of İstanbul. The tower, which has overlooked the city for centuries, is famous for its history and legends. The history of the Maiden’s Tower dates back to the 5th century BC; built by the Byzantines as a lighthouse, the tower was also used as a defense fortress, a quarantine station, a tax point and a lighthouse in subsequent centuries. Now featuring a museum, the Maiden’s Tower is accessible by sea transport.
Şemsi Pasha Mosque
Located at the point where the Bosphorus opens to the Sea of Marmara, the Şemsi Pasha Mosque (Şemsi Paşa Camii) is considered one of Mimar Sinan’s masterpieces. Commissioned in 1580 by Vizier Şemsi Ahmed Pasha, the most interesting feature of the mosque is that no bird lands on it. For this reason, the building, also known as “Kuşkonmaz Mosque” among the locals, is an architectural beauty of Üsküdar worth seeing.
Şemsipaşa District Public Library (Şemsipaşa İlçe Halk Kütüphanesi)
Illustrating the historical texture of Üsküdar, the Şemsipaşa Public Library is set in the madrasah section of the complex built by Mimar Sinan in 1580 on behalf of Şemsi Ahmed Pasha. This impressive library stands out among the places to visit in Üsküdar as a treasure trove of information and a witness to history.
Aziz Mahmud Hüdayi Tomb
The Aziz Mahmud Hüdai Tomb, a spiritual oasis in the heart of Üsküdar, is one of the most-visited spiritual sites in the district.
Selimiye Barracks
The Selimiye Barracks (Selimiye Kışlası), erected in the early 1800s during the reign of Selim III, was constructed to serve the nizam-ı cedid army, which replaced the Janissaries within the framework of the modernization of the Ottoman army. One of the most notable historical places to visit in Üsküdar, part of the Selimiye Barracks has been converted into a museum.
Beylerbeyi Palace
Beylerbeyi Palace (Beylerbeyi Sarayı), where foreign state guests were hosted during the Ottoman Empire, is a summer palace overlooking the Bosphorus. Sultan Abdülhamid II, who died in 1918, spent the last six years of his life after his abdication in Beylerbeyi Palace and the palace is certainly a historical site worth seeing in Üsküdar.
