Pierre Loti Cable Car & Golden Horn Tour

Eyüp Sultan Mosque

Eyüp Sultan Mosque stands beside the tomb of Abu Ayyub al-Ansari, a companion of the Prophet Muhammad who is believed to have died during an Arab siege of Constantinople in the seventh century. His tomb was rediscovered after the Ottoman conquest of 1453, and the first mosque was built here soon after. The current building dates largely from the early nineteenth century. Many Muslims from across Turkey come to pray here, and the atmosphere is calmer than at the better-known mosques of the old city.

On this Eyüp Sultan Mosque tour our guide explains the history of the site and the customs expected of visitors before you enter the courtyard and interior. Modest dress is required, with covered shoulders and knees and a headscarf for women, and quiet behaviour is expected. If you are wondering how to get to Eyüp Sultan from Sultanahmet, our vehicle takes you there and back, which avoids the changes of transport.

The Ottoman cemetery on the hillside

Behind the mosque the slope is covered by one of the largest and oldest Ottoman cemeteries in Istanbul. Centuries of carved headstones, many shaped like turbans or topped with calligraphy, climb the hill among cypress trees. For generations people have wished to be buried near the saint, and the cemetery is still visited by local families.

Our guide leads you along the paths and points out the styles of the older stones, explaining what the shapes and inscriptions tell us about the people buried here. It is a quiet, atmospheric stretch, very different from the crowded squares of the historic peninsula. The paths are uneven in places, so comfortable shoes with good grip are recommended.

The cable car up Pierre Loti Hill

From the station near the mosque and the cemetery you board the cable car for a short ride up Pierre Loti Hill. The cabin rises above the trees, giving a widening view of the cemetery, the mosque and the Golden Horn beyond. If you are searching for the Eyüp Pierre Loti cable car, this is the easy alternative to the steep footpath that also climbs the hill.

The ride itself takes only a few minutes, but the change of mood is clear: from the enclosed paths of the cemetery to an open view over the water. Queues at the cable car depend on the season and the weather, and our guide adjusts the pace of the visit around them. Our desk confirms in writing what your booking covers, including the cable car, before you pay.

Golden Horn views from the summit terrace

From the terrace at the top, the Golden Horn stretches below toward the historic peninsula, with the bridges crossing it and the newer districts on its northern bank. From this height you see the full shape of the waterway, which was a working harbour for centuries and a natural boundary within the city. It is one of the best viewpoints in Istanbul for photographs, especially in clear weather and at sunset.

Our guide points out landmarks and links the view to what you saw at ground level in Eyüp. Bring a light jacket, because the hilltop is breezier than the streets around the mosque. Many visitors ask whether Pierre Loti Hill is worth visiting, and the answer is yes if you value open views and a slower pace over a long list of monuments.

Pierre Loti and his hilltop cafe

The hill is named after Pierre Loti, the French naval officer and novelist who visited Istanbul in the late nineteenth century and wrote about the city and its people. He is said to have spent time at a cafe on this hillside, drawn by the same view you enjoy today. A cafe here still carries his name, and our guide shares what is known of Loti's connection to the city.

You have time to sit, order tea and take in the view before heading back down. Tea and snacks are at your own expense, so carry a little Turkish lira. Afterwards the group rides the cable car back to Eyüp and walks along the Golden Horn waterfront to the vehicle, a gentle end to the day.