Üsküdar district
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Üsküdar, Beylerbeyi Harbor - by İhsan Deniz Kılıçoğlu (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Description
Üsküdar is a large district and municipality on the Anatolian shore of Istanbul, directly opposite Beyoğlu, and Eminönü across the Bosphorus which are nowadays linked by bridges, ferries and underground lines. The city was founded by Greek colonists as Chrysopolis in the 7th century BC, before Byzanthium and changed its name to Skoutarion (or Scutari) in the 12th century, a few decades before it fell to the Ottoman in 1338. Highlights include the Beylerbeyi Palace, the Maiden's Tower (150m off the shore), Yeni Valide Mosque, Salacak promenade, the Kuzguncuk neighbourhood, Mihrimah Sultan Mosque, Şakirin Mosque, and the Karacaahmet Cemetery.
Access & Transport
The best way to get there from the Eminönü side is by metro (Marmaray line to Üsküdar station) and ferry (Hatları and Turyol piers). From Beşiktaş and Kabataş, there are ferries across as well and the Bosphorus bridge is also an option. Within the district, the M5 metro line and buses are the best alternatives.
Instructions & Recommendations
We suggest allocating half a day to discover various monuments and neighbourhoods and visit the Beylerbeyi Palace (refer to separate review).
Environmental & Social
Urban environment with very few green spaces. Not overly commercial so some degree of tourism is economically helpful.
Conclusion
There may not be any "top 10" attraction in Uskudar but for anybody with more than 3 days in Istanbul, a visit would not be complete without a few hours spent on the Asian shores. There are mosques and neighbourhoods to discover as well as a much more "authentic" local life.
Key positive
Several attractions within walking distance of each other
Less touristy and less hustle
Key negative
None
Suitability
No restrictions
About this Rating
TYPE
Desktop
RESEARCHED IN
May 2024
PROVIDER
Koreval
av. transport time:0h 40m
est. visit time:2h 30m
Sunrise / early morningOk
MorningOk
Lunch timeOk
AfternoonOk
Sunset / eveningOk
Night – bef. midnightNo
Night – aft. midnightNo