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View from Eyup Cemetery over Eyup Sultan Mosque Istanbul Turkey

Ferry to Eyup Istanbul for Pierre Loti views and Eyup Sultan Istanbul Mosque 2018

November 28, 2013 By Jan Robinson 29 Comments

This post may contain compensated links. We may earn a small percentage if you book through a compensated link, but it won’t cost you any more by doing so. You can read our full disclaimer here.



Updated August 2018. The views from the Istanbul Pierre Loti Cafe at Eyup Istanbul are Panoramic. Sitting at the base of the hill is the Eyup Sultan Istanbul Mosque – a mosque that holds a special place in the hearts of Istanbulites.

I recommend arriving by ferry from Eminonu, ascending the hill via Eyup Gondola and taking tea at Pierre Loti Cafe, before descending through the delightful hill-side Eyup cemetery to the Eyup Sultan Istanbul Mosque.

This is one of my favourite Istanbul ferry trips (another being the Kadikoy Ferry).

 

What You Will Find in This Post

Pierre Loti Istanbul viewing platform overlooks the Golden Horn waterway and city.

The View from the Hill at Eyup Istanbul and how to get there

Eight reasons to take the Golden Horn Ferry to Eyup Istanbul.

I spent my childhood hanging around the Ferry Terminal where Dad was manager, so I find the smell of engine oil, diesel and salt water irresistible.  But if your Dad wasn’t a Ferry Fleet Manager here are some rather compelling reasons.

  • Budget Friendly
  • Food and Drink is available on board
  • Family Friendly
  • Easy to move around taking photos, etc.
  • Shelter from the sun and/rain
  • Offers a different View of Istanbul.
  • Hassle Free
  • Uncrowded

How to get to Eyup Sultan Istanbul Mosque from Sultanahmet.

Eyup Sultan Mosque is in Eyüp District of Istanbul, on the Golden Horn (Haliç in Turkish) water way.

The best way to get to Eyup is by Ferry on the Halic Hatti Line.

First of all make your way from Sultanahmet to Eminonu as shown below.

To find the correct jetty walk upstream from Galata Bridge, through the bus station to the far side, then turn right on the path by a double storey car park. Turn right again at the river to find the ferry terminal and jetty for the Eminonu to Eyup Ferry.

Stop Press: OCTOBER 2017 UPDATE. In Winter the Eyup ferry bypasses this jetty and Karakoy jetty. It is necessary to first catch a ferry from Eminonu to Uskudur and then catch the Eyup ferry from there. See time table here. Winter is Mid-September to May.

Eyup Ferry Haliç Hatti Station Istanbul

Looking across the Golden Horn Istanbul from Eminonu Estuary Jetty we could see Galata Tower jutting out on the skyline, where our Airbnb apartment was located.

Looking to Galata Tower from Eminonu Estuary Jetty

The ferry squeezes beneath the bridges.

Eyup Ferry goes under bridge, Istanbul

Leave the ferry at the Eyup Ferry Terminal and walk toward the Gondola Station and Eyüp Sultan Mosque.

Walking from the Eyup Ferry toward the Gondola and Eyup Sultan Mosque in Istanbul Turkey

Although you could go directly to the mosque, it is better to take the Eyup Gondola to the top of the hill first. It’s a 5 minute walk from Eyup Ferry Terminal (EyüpVapur Iskelesi) to the Gondola bottom terminal (Eyüp Teleferik). At the top visit the Viewpoint and Cafe before walking down Idris Köskü Cd. to the mosque and town.

If you wish to visit the mosque first turn left when walking from the ferry. Shown as Eyüp Sultan Camii on the below map.


Looking to the top of Pierre Loti Hill from the bottom Gondola Station.

Looking to the top of Pierre Loti Hill from the bottom Gondola Station in Eyup Istanbul Turkey

Eyup Gondola or Eyüp Teleferik Istanbul Turkey

At the top go to the viewing platform for panoramic views. This one looking back toward Eminonu.

View from Pierre Loti Hill back to Eminonu Istanbul Turkey

Pierre Loti Cafe/Pierre Loti Kahvesi.

Pierre Loti was a french novelist who loved visiting Istanbul and was a great supporter of Turkey. His first visit was in 1876. He supported the Turkish War of Independence and was made an honorary citizen in 1920.

As well as the Cafe and Hill there is a street named after Loti and in Sultanahmet the Pierre Loti Istanbul hotel. The hotel gets good reviews and is currently (October 2017) offering 25% off with a free airport transfer.

There’s no better way to enjoy the view from Pierre Loti hill, than finding an outer edge cafe table and ordering a glass of tea. It will cost twice as much as anywhere else, but is still affordable and anyway it’s all about the experience. You can also pick up a tosta (turkish toasted sandwich) or turkish coffee here also. Turkish coffee is an acquired taste!

Table with a View Pierre Loti Cafe Eyup Istanbul Turkey

Looking over the Golden Horn from the Cafe.

View up the Golden Horn from Pierre Loti Cafe Eyup Istanbul Turkey

Table view from Pierre Loti Cafe.

View over the Golden Horn from Pierre Loti Cafe Eyup Istanbul TurkeyPierre Loti Cafe Eyup Istanbul Turkey

Eyup Cemetery.

After a leisurely break, follow the pathway, past stalls selling ice-cream and gifts, down through the cemetery. It’s a beautiful walk, shaded by trees and frequented by a myriad of cats, who appear to be healthy. Eyup Cemetery is the oldest and largest cemetery for Muslims in Istanbul. Every day citizens are buried side by side with Ottoman Sultans and their Grand Viziers, Artists and Poets and high ranking officials. It is the kind of place where locals go for a family stroll while enjoying an ice-cream, but it’s best not to visit after dark.

Eyup Cemetery Istanbul Turkey

View of the mosque from the cemetery.

View from Eyup Cemetery over Eyup Sultan Mosque Istanbul Turkey

Eyüp Sultan Istanbul Mosque.

The fourth most sacred mosque in the world, behind Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem.

Abu Ayyub (Eyüp) al-Ansari, friend and standard bearer of prophet Muhammad is buried in a tomb within the mosque grounds. The tomb is not always open, but it’s covered in beautiful Iznik tiles, so check it out if you can.

Eyup Cemetery is a desirable place to be buried, due solely to it’s close proximity to Abu Ayyub al-Ansari’s tomb.

Male Circumcision. It is possible that you, like us, will see young boys dressed in elaborate white satin suits, trimmed in blue and crowned by a peaked cap and matching cape at the mosque. This is the dress code for boys celebrating circumcision. The circumcision itself will have been performed in hospital several weeks before the celebration. The boys can also be seen sitting regally in horse drawn carriages, preceded by vans blasting out music. The big day culminates in a huge no-expense spared, extended family and friends party.

Open 9 am to 6pm. Free.

Eyüp Sultan Mosque Istanbul Turkey

The streets that surround the mosque are pedestrianised and the atmosphere is happy and festive. All in all this is a lovely day out in Istanbul.

Frequently Asked Questions.

Can I get to Eyup by Bus?

Yes – Bus 399 B,C,D – but if the traffic is gridlocked – so are you. I’ve read horror stories of it taking 90 minutes to go 5km.

Istanbul transport costs?

Ferry/bus to Eyup:    4 tl  (2.30 tl using Istanbulkart)

Gondola Cost:     4 tl  (2.30 tl using Istanbulkart)

Eyup Sultan Mosque Cost:     Free

Costs at Pierre Loti:      One small glass of tea  5 tl.

Istanbulkart:       Costs a refundable 6 tl then you can charge it with credit.  It is also valid on buses, funicular, LRT, Subway, Commuter Trains and Trams. One card is valid for up to 5 people  (just pass it back in the queue).  They can be purchased from machines at major transport hubs (both airports) where you will be given credit in lieu of change.  Can also be purchased from booths/news-stands (there is one near the main Eminonu Ferry Square) where you can load different amounts of credit. Read more about it here.

Pin for Later.

Eyup Istanbul Turkey by Ferry for Pierre Loti and Eyup Sultan Mosque

Thanks for reading and commenting – we really appreciate it.

If you have a blog, please add a travel post to the link below for Nancie’s Travel Photo Thursday which we co-host with Ruth from Tanama Tales and Rachel from Rachel’s Rumination. All links to blogs are DoFollow. That means I am sharing SEO link juice with you; a good thing!

 

#Free Things to Do in Istanbul

An InLinkz Link-up


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Filed Under: Budget Travel Tips, Istanbul, Journey, Popular Posts

About Jan Robinson

Jan Robinson writes about travel on her Budget Travel Talk blog. A solo traveller in her teens, for the last 40 years Jan has travelled through Australia, Asia, Europe, Turkey and New Zealand with her husband. They specialise in road trips, caravanning and Independent travel without spending a fortune. Her favourite destination is Turkey and she is currently dreaming of Myanmar and Mexico.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Krista

    November 28, 2013 at 1:21 pm

    WOW!!! The views are incredible!! I’m really enjoying your pictures of Turkey. 🙂

    Reply
    • Jan

      November 28, 2013 at 3:45 pm

      That is good Krista – Lots more coming 🙂

      Reply
  2. Muza-chan

    November 28, 2013 at 4:30 pm

    Very beautiful place 🙂

    Reply
  3. Bronwyn Joy

    November 28, 2013 at 8:58 pm

    Incredible views, but you also get to go by ferry and chairlift? Who would say no? Not me, that’s for sure.

    Reply
    • Jan

      November 29, 2013 at 3:30 pm

      Agreed Bronwyn. I will go anywhere on a Ferry. It is all about the journey. 🙂

      Reply
  4. Nancie

    November 28, 2013 at 9:58 pm

    Love the kitty cat pic…(me cat lover…haha) I grew up in a city where the ferry was an important form of transport…love ferries. I want to sip some of that tea 🙂

    Reply
    • Jan

      November 29, 2013 at 3:30 pm

      I love cat photos too Nancie. Turkey is full of street cats. The people in Istanbul hang cat food containers out of their windows on ropes. When they are empty they pull them up and refill them 🙂

      Reply
  5. Leigh

    November 28, 2013 at 11:02 pm

    What a view from the top! Interesting how childhood smells are still so powerful after so many years. It’s been a long time since I was in Istanbul but loved taking the ferry up and down the Bosporus.

    Reply
    • Jan

      November 29, 2013 at 3:28 pm

      I am always remembering things through smell. It seems I am very connected that way.

      Reply
  6. Josie

    November 28, 2013 at 11:19 pm

    Hi Jan,
    Too bad we could not have met up in Turkey and shared an apple tea or two at that sweet cafe! We just crossed each other there, I think!
    Your pics a stunning and sunny. (No sun for us in Istanbul for us 🙁 ten days ago), and I love your description of loving the smell of engine oil, diesel, and sea water from your early days.
    Here is a FB post on the Turkish Bath we had:
    http://tinyurl.com/m6gjsz7
    Wishing you happy and safe travels,
    Josie

    Reply
    • Jan

      November 29, 2013 at 3:28 pm

      I know. Are you house-sitting in Turkey?

      Reply
  7. Michele {Malaysian Meanders}

    December 3, 2013 at 12:15 pm

    My dad was not a Ferry Fleet Manager, so thank you for sharing other reasons. Somehow, this is not how I pictured Istanbul. I like the pictures of the cableway and the modern skyline in contrast to all the ancient historical sites.

    Reply
    • Jan

      December 4, 2013 at 12:31 pm

      Istanbul is surprising for sure Michele. So many different facets. 🙂

      Reply
  8. Cathy Sweeney

    December 4, 2013 at 6:17 am

    The ferry ride sounds good to me! So does the chairlift to get those awesome views. Loved this tour of Eyup – a place I’d never heard of before.

    Reply
    • Jan

      December 4, 2013 at 12:30 pm

      Eyup is one of the many different experiences we had in Istanbul. It was one of my favourites.

      Reply
  9. Turkey's For Life

    April 28, 2015 at 1:21 am

    Wow, how many times have we been to Istanbul and still not been here. Love your pics by the way. 🙂 We’re in Istanbul right now and it was on our list for this time…except today is our last full day and we’ve not made it again! 🙂 We’ll save it for next visit.
    Julia

    Reply
    • Jan

      April 28, 2015 at 5:28 am

      Luckily you live in Turkey Julia – next Istanbul visit you’ll get there for sure!

      Reply
  10. Kathy Marris

    October 13, 2017 at 12:10 pm

    Oh I wish I’d known about this prior to travelling to Istanbul. We would have loved this ferry ride and gondola ride up that hill. The views are magical and the mosque looks as though it was worth exploring. We only did a cruise along the Bosphorus.

    Reply
    • Jan

      October 13, 2017 at 12:59 pm

      Hi Kathy – You can search Istanbul on budget travel talk lol. There are other posts about off the beaten track places in Istanbul too!

      Reply
  11. Ruth | Tanama Tales

    October 15, 2017 at 3:32 am

    Wow, Jan! The views you show in here are so gorgeous! I love discovering new places with you. It is the first time I hear about this area in Istanbul. Of course, I love the views but the opportunity to visit the mosque for free is good. #TPThursday

    Reply
    • Jan

      October 15, 2017 at 3:03 pm

      Thanks Ruth. Discovering new places is the wonderful thing about #TPThursday link up isn’t it! As the only place we’ve been to in America is New York I love reading all your posts too!

      Reply
  12. Anne Betts

    October 15, 2017 at 9:27 pm

    WOW, what an incredibly detailed post. I could have used this when I took my Istanbulkart for a spin and added Pierre Loti to my day’s itinerary. The ferry would have been enjoyable. Thank you for the clear directions and excellent photos.

    Reply
    • Jan

      October 16, 2017 at 9:11 am

      Glad you liked the post. I hope it will help people find the ferry to Eyup. 🙂

      Reply
  13. Fazlyana

    January 8, 2018 at 4:51 pm

    Thank you for the useful information.
    I have been to Istanbul fir 3 times but haven’t got chance to this hill.. but i have been to Eyup Mosque.
    Would like to visit on my next trip to Istanbul.
    I winter is the teleferik operated as usual?

    Reply
    • Jan

      January 8, 2018 at 8:17 pm

      Yes it operates from 8.00 till 22.00 in winter.

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Cengelkoy in a Hook of the Bosphorus says:
    July 4, 2014 at 7:06 pm

    […] neighbourhood that clings like it’s name says in a Hook shape on the Asian shores, screamed Ferry Ride, and we can never pass one of them […]

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  2. Galata is the best place for a first time stay in Istanbul says:
    January 27, 2015 at 8:01 pm

    […] right off the bridge for ferries to the Golden Horn including Eyup  – walk through open air Eminonu Plaza and the bus parking area, passing the double storey car […]

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  3. Ten Reasons Plus One to Visit Istanbul | Budget Travel Talk says:
    August 22, 2017 at 9:49 am

    […] The waters of the Golden Horn inlet from the hill district of EYUP. […]

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