Camlica Hill: Park, Viewpoint and How It Differs from the Tower

Camlica Hill is the hilltop park area in Üsküdar, on Istanbul’s Asian side, known for its open views over the Bosphorus. There are two hills: Büyük (Big) Çamlıca, home to a 154,147-square-metre public grove with tea gardens, picnic and viewing areas, and Küçük (Small) Çamlıca, where Camlica Tower stands at 218 metres above sea level. The hill is open to the public, while the tower’s observation decks require a ticket.

What is Camlica Hill?

Çamlıca is the name of two neighbouring hills in Üsküdar, on the Asian side of Istanbul. Büyük Çamlıca, the larger of the two, is covered by a public grove of 154,147 square metres with social facilities, children’s playgrounds, a sports area, picnic spots and viewing terraces overlooking the Bosphorus. Küçük Çamlıca, next to it, is where Camlica Tower was built to replace the many old broadcasting masts that used to stand on the hills.

Is Camlica Park the same as Camlica Hill?

Yes. When people search for «Camlica Park», they usually mean the public grove on Büyük Çamlıca Hill. It is managed as a public park and is open to everyone, with tea gardens and cafés where you can sit with a view of the Bosphorus.

What can you see from Camlica Hill?

From the viewing terraces of the park, the Bosphorus opens up below, with the European shore on the other side of the strait. Because you stand at ground level among the trees, the view is wide but not a full circle. For the complete 360-degree panorama, including the historic peninsula and, on clear days, the Princes’ Islands, you need to go up the tower — see what you can see from Camlica Tower.

What else is on Camlica Hill?

Çamlıca Mosque, which opened on 3 May 2019, stands on Çamlıca Hill. It can hold 63,000 people, has six minarets — the tallest of which rise 107.1 metres — and is the largest mosque built in the history of the Turkish Republic. The hills are also on the route of migrating birds, and bird-watching events are held in the Büyük Çamlıca grove; read more in rare birds around Camlica Tower.

Camlica Hill or Camlica Tower: which should you choose?

Choose Camlica Hill if you want a relaxed outing in the open air: a walk under the trees, tea with a view and space for children to play. Choose Camlica Tower if you want to see the whole city at once from 150 metres up, in any weather, or to eat with a panoramic view on the restaurant floors. You can also combine both: spend time in the park, then go up the tower before sunset. Tickets and opening hours are on the prices and opening hours page.

How do you get to Camlica Hill and Camlica Tower?

Both are reached from Üsküdar. A common route is to take the Marmaray train or the metro to Üsküdar and continue by bus or taxi up the hill. For detailed directions and public transport options, see how to get to Camlica Tower and metro lines near Camlica Tower.

Common misconceptions

• «Camlica Hill and Camlica Tower are the same place.» They are neighbours. The park is on Büyük Çamlıca; the tower stands on Küçük Çamlıca.
• «You need a ticket for Camlica Hill.» The grove is a public park; only the tower’s observation decks and restaurant require a ticket or reservation.
• «The hill gives the same view as the tower.» The hill offers a wide view of the Bosphorus from ground level; the tower adds about 150 metres of height and a full 360-degree circle.

For tickets, opening hours and dining packages, visit the Camlica Tower home page.

Questions answered in this article

• What is Camlica Hill? — Two neighbouring hills in Üsküdar; Büyük Çamlıca is a 154,147 m² public grove with views over the Bosphorus.
• Is Camlica Park the same as Camlica Hill? — Yes, it usually means the public grove on Büyük Çamlıca.
• Do you need a ticket for Camlica Hill? — No, the grove is a public park; the tower requires a ticket.
• Which hill is Camlica Tower on? — Küçük (Small) Çamlıca, at 218 metres above sea level.
• Hill or tower? — The hill for an open-air outing in a public park; the tower for a full 360-degree view in any weather.

Sources

• Çamlıca Kulesi (official operator) — location and ground elevation of the tower
• Büyük Çamlıca grove area, facilities and bird-watching events: Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, as cited by the Turkish Wikipedia article «Büyük Çamlıca Tepesi».
• Çamlıca Mosque opening date, capacity and minaret height: Anadolu Agency, as cited by the Turkish Wikipedia article «Çamlıca Camii».