Sunset at Salacak: where the sun sets by season
Salacak is one of Istanbul’s best-known sunset spots: it faces west, with the Maiden’s Tower in front and the Old City across the water. Where exactly the sun goes down shifts a lot through the year. The directions below were measured from the Salacak shore.
Where the sun sets
Check the day’s sunset time in your phone’s weather app and arrive half an hour before.
- December–January: south-west, behind Seraglio Point and Topkapı Palace. Seen from in front of Filizler Üsküdar, the sun sets right behind the Maiden’s Tower.
- Late March and late September: due west, towards the Golden Horn and Galata.
- June–July: north-west, behind the Beyoğlu hills, to the right of the tower.
Where to sit
People sit on the shore rocks and benches along the waterfront road; weekend evenings get crowded. For a table, there are cafés and restaurants along the road.
Filizler Üsküdar is on this stretch (Harem Sahil Yolu No:61), open until 23:00. Window tables fill first at sunset; call ahead at weekends: +90 216 342 00 00.
Getting back
The Marmaray from Üsküdar station (~11 minutes’ walk) runs later than the last ferries and takes you back to Sirkeci in one stop.
Frequently asked questions
Where does the sun set when viewed from Salacak?
Behind Seraglio Point and Topkapı Palace in winter, towards Galata around the equinoxes, and behind the Beyoğlu hills in June and July.
More guides
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- Restaurant with a Maiden’s Tower view: where to eat in Salacak
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