Located on a small islet near the Marmara Sea in the Bosphorus, Kız Kulesi is the symbol of Üsküdar and the only remaining Byzantine structure in the area, dating back to 24 BC. Some historians call it the “Leander Tower.”

The current tower retains foundations and lower floors from the era of Mehmed II and bears the 1832 tughra of Sultan Mahmud II. The tower has served many purposes, including defense, quarantine, exhibition platform, and customs station, while maintaining its primary function as a lighthouse.

Restored in 2000, Kız Kulesi now operates as a restaurant and café. It can be reached by boat from Salacak or Ortaköy. Historically, chains were used to control ships passing through the Bosphorus, and the remains are still visible in the water.

🌐 www.kizkulesi.com.tr
📍 15-minute taxi or 10-minute boat ride from Kaftan Hotel