Photos: bluetime93, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Alexxx Malev, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Till Niermann, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo credits
Photos: bluetime93, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Alexxx Malev, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Till Niermann, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Üsküdar's waterfront mosques
Your local guide
Kaan Öztürk
View profile
Highlights
- Two mosques built for the water
- Windows designed to flood a room with light
- A mosque low enough not to block a view
- Üsküdar's waterfront, explained by a local
- The Asian shore's quieter monuments
About this tour
This session moves along Üsküdar's waterfront between two of its best known mosques, Mihrimah Sultan and Şemsi Pasha. You see how each building was designed with its relationship to the water in mind, from flooded light to a deliberately low silhouette. Kaan, who grew up in the neighbourhood, explains what each architect was solving for on this specific stretch of shore.
The call opens with a sound check outside the first mosque, then follows the waterfront on foot to the second. Kaan answers questions about the buildings as they come up and sends a short note afterwards on the architects behind each one.
This suits anyone curious about the Asian side of the city rather than only the historic peninsula. It also works well as a first stop before a wider Üsküdar session.
Included
- Live video walk with a local guide
- Questions to your guide all the way
- A short list of places to visit later
Not included
- Internet connection
- Travel to the city
Itinerary
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Welcome and sound check 5 min
The guide joins the video call, checks the picture and sound with you, and gives you a quick sense of Istanbul before heading out.
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Mihrimah Sultan Mosque 21 min
The camera stands before the mosque built for Mihrimah Sultan on Üsküdar's waterfront, and Kaan points out how its windows were designed to flood the interior with light from every direction.
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Şemsi Pasha Mosque 21 min
You see a smaller mosque sitting almost at the water's edge, and Kaan explains how its low profile was designed deliberately so it would never block the view of the strait behind it.
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Your questions 9 min
Time to ask anything about Istanbul: prices, safety, food, or whatever you are curious about.
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A short list to keep 4 min
Before you go, the guide sums up with a few things worth remembering: a dish to try: Turkish tea (çay) and Sultanahmet, worth a slower look.
Good to know
- A stable wifi or mobile connection makes the picture smoother than a shaky one.
- Any phone, tablet or laptop with a camera works. You watch, the guide does the walking.
- Times are shown in Istanbul time, so check the time where you are before you book.
- The session is not recorded, and recording it yourself is not allowed. Feel free to take your own notes.
- Ask questions any time, out loud or in the chat. The guide will pause to answer.
- Sessions run in small groups, up to 10 people, so there is room for everyone to ask something.
Questions about this tour
What will the session cover?
The guide walks through Istanbul, showing you Mihrimah Sultan Mosque and Şemsi Pasha Mosque live on camera, plus whatever else you would like to see.
What happens if my connection drops?
Rejoin with the same link within a few minutes and the guide will catch you up on anything you missed.
Can I ask the guide questions during the session, or is it a fixed script?
Anything, any time. Sessions leave room for your own questions throughout, not just at the end.
Do I need to know the history already?
No background needed. The guide explains everything as it comes up.
How it works
- You get one join link after booking.
- Join from any device: phone, tablet or laptop.
- We connect on Google Meet; the link comes with your booking. I walk Üsküdar live with my phone.
Times shown in Istanbul time (GMT+3)
Cancellation
Flexible
- Cancel up to 24 hours before the start: full refund.
- Cancel less than 24 hours before the start, or no-show: no refund.
- If the guide cancels or the date does not reach its minimum group: full refund.
- Cancel in My Account → Bookings; the refund is calculated from the start time in the tour's local time.
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Next: Wed 28 Oct · 10 seats left From 24,00 €
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