Maiden's Tower: The Little Island With a Big Legend
Suggested Duration
1-1.5 hours including the ferry
From
20 EUR
Good to Know
Details below before you go
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Free cancellation up to 24h before
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A tiny lighthouse on its own island, reachable only by boat, with a legend about a locked-away princess and one of the best 360 degree Bosphorus views in the city.
Highlights
- Ride a small boat out to a tower with its own island, dead center in the Bosphorus
- Hear the legend of the princess locked away here to escape a prophesied snake bite
- Get one of the widest unobstructed views of both the European and Asian skylines
Included / Excluded
- Round-trip boat transfer from Üsküdar or Kabataş
- Entry to the tower's viewing floors
- Restaurant dining (separate reservation and menu pricing)
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Good to Know
- Departures run from Üsküdar's Salacak pier most frequently, with a slower service from Kabataş
- The tower doubles as a restaurant in the evening, worth booking ahead for a sunset table
- Boat departures can pause in high winds or rough water, check conditions if visiting off-season
Available languages: Turkish, English
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get to Maiden's Tower?
A short public boat from Üsküdar's Salacak pier, included in most ticket packages, or a private boat from Kabataş on the European side.
What's the legend behind Maiden's Tower?
A sultan locked his daughter here after a prophecy said she'd die from a snake bite. A snake reportedly arrived hidden in a fruit basket anyway.
Is it worth visiting just for the views, without dinner?
Yes, daytime tickets cover the viewing floors without requiring a restaurant reservation.
