![\"places](\"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/uskudar-gezilecek-yerler-kuzguncuk.jpg\")
\u00dcsk\u00fcdar\u2019s neighborhoods<\/b><\/p><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Before we delve into places to visit in \u00dcsk\u00fcdar, let’s discuss the historical district. As of May 2024, \u00dcsk\u00fcdar consists of 33 neighborhoods, including historical neighborhoods like \u00c7engelk\u00f6y, Kuzguncuk, and Kuleli along the Bosphorus, as well as important centers like Altunizade and Ac\u0131badem. \r\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u00dcsk\u00fcdar\u2019s former names<\/b><\/p><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\u00dcsk\u00fcdar has been known by a number of names, according to the \u00dcsk\u00fcdar District Governorship, who noted some of them. To quote: \u201cThe “Chrysopolis” of Antiquity, the “Hrisopolis” of Persia, the “Scutari” of Rome, the “Skoutarion” of Byzantium, the “Askadar” of Persian, the “Eski Dar” of Evliya \u00c7elebi and the beloved \u00dcsk\u00fcdar of the Turks…\u201d. Conquered in 1078 by the Seljuks, \u00dcsk\u00fcdar became a Sanjak in 1867, a province in 1924 and a district in 1926. An interesting fact is that \u00dcsk\u00fcdar was a district of Kastamonu from the Fatih period until the republic.\r\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What is \u00dcsk\u00fcdar renowned for?<\/b><\/p><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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 K\u0131z Lisesi). The patso (chip butty), the blending of different lifestyles, and a peaceful ambiance even amid crowds\u2026. In other words, there are as many responses to the question of what \u00dcsk\u00fcdar is famous for as there are respondents. Take a tour of \u00dcsk\u00fcdar and discover your own high point. \u263a \r\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Getting to \u00dcsk\u00fcdar<\/b><\/p><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\u00dcsk\u00fcdar is literally the \u201cheart of \u0130stanbul\u201d and, due to its historical significance and proximity to the sea, \u00dcsk\u00fcdar is also easily accessible. To enjoy places to visit in \u00dcsk\u00fcdar, we offer a summary of transportation options below. \r\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bus transportation to \u00dcsk\u00fcdar<\/b><\/p><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
You can get to \u00dcsk\u00fcdar directly from neighboring districts such as Beykoz, \u00dcmraniye and Kad\u0131k\u00f6y by taking buses numbered 15, 9\u00dcD and 12, respectively. Bus lines also operate within \u00dcsk\u00fcdar and from various \u00dcsk\u00fcdar neighborhoods to those in other districts. For more information, please visit the IETT website. \r\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sea transportation to \u00dcsk\u00fcdar<\/b><\/p><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Sea transportation to \u00dcsk\u00fcdar is practical and easy; it takes around 10-15 minutes to reach \u00dcsk\u00fcdar via daytime ferry and motorboat services from Be\u015fikta\u015f and Kabata\u015f. City line ferries and motorboats depart from Emin\u00f6n\u00fc and Karak\u00f6y throughout the day and, in addition, there are the Kad\u0131k\u00f6y-\u00dcsk\u00fcdar-Ortak\u00f6y, \u00dcsk\u00fcdar-A\u015fiyan and Anadolu Kava\u011f\u0131-\u00dcsk\u00fcdar lines. Please visit the \u015eehir Hatlar\u0131 website for current schedule and timetable information. \r\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Marmaray transportation to \u00dcsk\u00fcdar <\/b><\/p><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
On the Marmaray line, \u00dcsk\u00fcdar is the first stop on the Anatolian side. The Marmaray runs between Gebze and Halkal\u0131 and you can get to \u00dcsk\u00fcdar from either direction. \r\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
M5 \u00dcsk\u00fcdar-Samand\u0131ra metro line<\/b><\/p><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\u00dcsk\u00fcdar is also accessible via the \u00dcsk\u00fcdar-Samand\u0131ra metro line, T\u00fcrkiye’s first driverless metro line. Starting from Samand\u0131ra Central station, the line passes through \u00c7ekmek\u00f6y and the \u00dcmraniye district center, terminating at \u00dcsk\u00fcdar Square. \r\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
Popular places to visit in \u00dcsk\u00fcdar<\/b><\/p><\/h2>\n\n\n\n Simit\u00e7i, kahveci, gazozcu\u2026: \u00dcsk\u00fcdar Square<\/b><\/p><\/h3>\n\n\n\n Loosely translated as \u201csimit shop, coffee shop, and soda shop\u201d, this emblematic line refers to \u00dcsk\u00fcdar Square a first stop on any list of places to visit in \u00dcsk\u00fcdar. Blending historical texture with dynamic contemporary life, the square features works by Mimar Sinan such as the Mihrimah Sultan and \u015eemsi 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.\r\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u00dcsk\u00fcdar 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\u263a). You can also sample some of \u0130stanbul’s street delicacies at kiosks and stalls in the square \u2013 if you’re ready for a full meal, you can make your way to Kanaat Lokantas\u0131 or K\u00f6fteci \u0130sa Usta. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Fountain of Sultan Ahmed III<\/b><\/p><\/h4>\n\n\n\n Set at the beginning of the main caravan route on the Anatolian side of \u0130stanbul and the pier that provides the connection between the two sides of the Bosphorus, this four-sided square fountain is an \u00dcsk\u00fcdar landmark. The fountain was built in 1728-29 at the request of Sultan Ahmed III to commemorate his mother, R\u00e2bia Emetullah G\u00fcln\u00fb\u015f Sultan.\r\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n Facing the Maiden’s Tower: Salacak Beach<\/b><\/p><\/h3>\n\n\n\n Salacak Beach, which extends from the shore of \u00dcsk\u00fcdar Square, offers a stellar view of the Maiden’s Tower, one of \u0130stanbul’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 Karak\u00f6y. To learn more about the current situation, visit the official website of the Maiden\u2019s Tower. Let us remind you that MuseumPass (M\u00fczeKart) holders can visit the Tower free of charge.\r\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kuzguncuk<\/b><\/p><\/h3>\n\n\n\n Now let’s head to Kuzguncuk, one of the most beloved neighborhoods in \u00dcsk\u00fcdar, to experience the Bosphorus at its most serene. Kuzguncuk\u2019s 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 \u0130stanbul’s famous book cafes, is in Kuzguncuk.\r\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u00c7aml\u0131ca Hill and Tower<\/b><\/p><\/h3>\n\n\n\n \u0130stanbul’s highest point, the Big \u00c7aml\u0131ca Hill, rises 587 meters above sea level and is one of the city\u2019s notorious seven hills. Naturally, the hill offers breathtaking views of \u0130stanbul and at sunset, the views are even more spectacular. The parks and cafes at the bottom of the hill are another attraction. \r\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u00c7aml\u0131ca Tower, completed in 2021 and also in \u00c7aml\u0131ca, is the tallest building in T\u00fcrkiye; 221 meters of this 369-metre-high, 49-storey reinforced concrete structure are open to the public. \u00c7aml\u0131ca Tower can also be reached by cable car.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nevmekan<\/b><\/p><\/h3>\n\n\n\n Nevmekan Sahil, established in 2018 in \u00dcsk\u00fcdar’s former marriage registry office building, is another popular setting among \u00dcsk\u00fcdar residents and visitors from neighboring districts. Nevmekan is also a stellar example of the architectural idea of Millet K\u0131raathanesi (Nation Coffee House).\r\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u00c7engelk\u00f6y<\/b><\/p><\/h3>\n\n\n\n \u00c7engelk\u00f6y, a neighborhood of \u00dcsk\u00fcdar famous for its warmth, has been the subject of television series. Here you can taste illustrious \u0130stanbul street snacks such as kokore\u00e7 and mussels, and take a breather in one of the famous cafes on the beach. On the way, Vanik\u00f6y, one of the greenest neighborhoods of \u0130stanbul, features people fishing, tea gardens and cafes on the Bosphorus.\r\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gastronomi Street<\/b><\/p><\/h3>\n\n\n\n One of the most popular places to visit in \u00dcsk\u00fcdar is \u00dcsk\u00fcdar Gastronomy Street (Gastronomi Soka\u011f\u0131). Starting from Uncular Street and extending to Valide-i Cedid Mosque, (Yeni Valide Mosque) the street is the district\u2019s new generation attraction center, offering a diverse range of culinary delights in its many coffee shops and restaurants. \r\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n Historical places of \u00dcsk\u00fcdar<\/b><\/p><\/h2>\n\n\n\n Mihrimah Sultan Mosque<\/b><\/p><\/h3>\n\n\n\n The first of the historical places to visit in \u00dcsk\u00fcdar 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 H\u00fcrrem Sultan, the mosque is a tribute to the privileged status of the sultan in the dynasty. Built in the Golden City of \u00dcsk\u00fcdar in the 16th century, the building was the first of a planned succession of mosques in the urban landscape of \u0130stanbul. Mihrimah Sultan Mosque is a place that gives soul to \u0130stanbul with its light-scattering windows, finely crafted pulpit and peaceful terrace.\r\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n Maiden\u2019s Tower<\/b><\/p><\/h3>\n\n\n\n Like a pearl set in the blue waters of the Bosphorus, the Maiden’s Tower (K\u0131z Kulesi) is an iconic symbol of \u0130stanbul. 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. \r\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u015eemsi Pasha Mosque<\/b><\/p><\/h3>\n\n\n\n Located at the point where the Bosphorus opens to the Sea of Marmara, the \u015eemsi Pasha Mosque (\u015eemsi Pa\u015fa Camii) is considered one of Mimar Sinan\u2019s masterpieces. Commissioned in 1580 by Vizier \u015eemsi Ahmed Pasha, the most interesting feature of the mosque is that no bird lands on it. For this reason, the building, also known as “Ku\u015fkonmaz Mosque” among the locals, is an architectural beauty of \u00dcsk\u00fcdar worth seeing.\r\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u015eemsipa\u015fa District Public Library (\u015eemsipa\u015fa \u0130l\u00e7e Halk K\u00fct\u00fcphanesi)<\/b><\/p><\/h3>\n\n\n\n Illustrating the historical texture of \u00dcsk\u00fcdar, the \u015eemsipa\u015fa Public Library is set in the madrasah section of the complex built by Mimar Sinan in 1580 on behalf of \u015eemsi Ahmed Pasha. This impressive library stands out among the places to visit in \u00dcsk\u00fcdar as a treasure trove of information and a witness to history. \r\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aziz Mahmud H\u00fcdayi Tomb<\/b><\/p><\/h3>\n\n\n\n The Aziz Mahmud H\u00fcdai Tomb, a spiritual oasis in the heart of \u00dcsk\u00fcdar, is one of the most-visited spiritual sites in the district. \r\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n Selimiye Barracks<\/b><\/p><\/h3>\n\n\n\n The Selimiye Barracks (Selimiye K\u0131\u015flas\u0131), erected in the early 1800s during the reign of Selim III, was constructed to serve the nizam-\u0131 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 \u00dcsk\u00fcdar, part of the Selimiye Barracks has been converted into a museum. \r\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n Beylerbeyi Palace<\/b><\/p><\/h3>\n\n\n\n Beylerbeyi Palace (Beylerbeyi Saray\u0131), where foreign state guests were hosted during the Ottoman Empire, is a summer palace overlooking the Bosphorus. Sultan Abd\u00fclhamid 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 \u00dcsk\u00fcdar. \r\n<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Getting started About \u00dcsk\u00fcdar \u00dcsk\u00fcdar\u2019s neighborhoods Before we delve into places to visit in \u00dcsk\u00fcdar, let’s discuss the historical district. As of May 2024, \u00dcsk\u00fcdar consists of 33 neighborhoods, including historical neighborhoods like \u00c7engelk\u00f6y, Kuzguncuk, and Kuleli along the Bosphorus, as well as important centers like Altunizade and Ac\u0131badem. \u00dcsk\u00fcdar\u2019s former names \u00dcsk\u00fcdar has been […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":53,"featured_media":43115,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[228,243,147,239],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-43126","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-historical-places-to-visit-and-routes","8":"category-istanbul-travel-guide","9":"category-trip-ideas","10":"category-city-vacation"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43126","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/53"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=43126"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43126\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":43130,"href":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43126\/revisions\/43130"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/43115"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=43126"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=43126"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=43126"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"places](\"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/uskudar-gezilecek-yerler-cengelkoy.jpg\")
\n\n\n\n![\"places](\"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/uskudar-gezilecek-yerler-mihrimah-sultan-cami.jpg\")