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4 places to visit in the Eyüpsultan district of Istanbul: Eyüp Sultan Mosque and Tomb, Pierre Loti Hill and Eyüp Sultan Mezarlığı. Plan your trip to Eyüpsultan with local food, practical tips and transport information.

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Eyüpsultan, formerly known as Eyüp, is a district of Istanbul province on the European side. Founded in 1936 with parts of the Fatih, Beyoğlu and Sarıyer districts, Eyüpsultan covers an area of 228 km².

Name and Historical Significance

The district takes its name from Abu Ayyub al-Ansari, whose tomb lies within its borders. Eyüpsultan, the first settlement founded by the Turks outside the walls after the conquest of Istanbul, has numerous historic works from the Ottoman period, above all the Eyüp Sultan Mosque. The district’s name was officially changed to Eyüpsultan on 19 October 2017.

History

Although the area of Eyüpsultan lies outside the Walls of Istanbul, there was always a village here. In the 17th and 18th centuries, the Turkish community of the Balkans and people from the Caucasus came to the city because of wars, and the Eyüpsultan area lost its mystical atmosphere and became integrated with the city.

Culture and Historic Buildings

The imaret built in 1795 by Mihrişah Valide Sultan, mother of Selim III, has been in operation for 225 years. The Eyüp Sultan Mosque Kebir Hamam was rebuilt in its present form by the architect Mimar Sinan, and during its restoration it has been planned as the Water Civilisation Museum. In 2016, Eyüpsultan Municipality began work under the ESTAM (Eyüp Sultan Historic Centre) identity, renewing the district in line with its historic fabric.

Today’s Eyüpsultan

Recently, many factories have been closed or removed from the area, and the Golden Horn no longer smells.

History and Culture

Eyüpsultan is the first settlement founded by the Turks outside the walls after the conquest of Istanbul. The Eyüp Sultan Mosque is part of a complex consisting of a madrasa, an aşhane-imaret, a bath and a tomb. The Eyüp Sultan Mosque was built in 1458. The Sinan Pasha Mansion in front of the mosque’s main gate was demolished in 1798. Pierre Loti first came to Istanbul at the age of 26.

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Places to Visit in Eyüpsultan

  • 2 Religious
  • 2 Attraction
Eyüp Sultan Mosque and Tomb - Eyüpsultan Photo: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA) · Source
Religious

Eyüp Sultan Mosque and Tomb

A mosque commissioned by Mehmed the Conqueror after the conquest of Istanbul, built over the tomb of Abu Ayyub al-Ansari.

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Pierre Loti Hill - Eyüpsultan Photo: Wikimedia (CC BY-SA 2.1 es) · Source
Attraction

Pierre Loti Hill

Named after the French writer Pierre Loti, this hill has a spectacular view over the Golden Horn.

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Eyüp Sultan Mezarlığı - Eyüpsultan Photo: G.dallorto (CC BY-SA 2.5 it) · Source
Religious

Eyüp Sultan Mezarlığı

The historic Eyüpsultan cemetery contains the graves of important soldiers, statesmen, artists and scholars of the Ottoman period.

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Attraction

Pierre Loti Kahvesi

The hill is named after the Pierre Loti café on top of it.

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Places to Visit Around Istanbul Province

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While you are in Eyüpsultan, you can also see the highlights of Istanbul province. These places are in other districts.

  • Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya-i Kebir Mosque) — Built by the Byzantine emperor Justinian between 532 and 537, this was the largest cathedral in the world for about a thousand years; it was converted into a mosque in 1453 and a museum in 1934, and reopened for worship as a mosque in 2020. With its dome 55 metres high and its Byzantine mosaics, it is one of the turning points in the history of architecture.
  • Topkapı Palace — Built by Mehmed the Conqueror at Sarayburnu in the 1460s, the palace was the seat of government and residence of the Ottoman sultans for about 400 years; with its Harem, Treasury, Holy Relics and courtyards, it is now a museum.
  • Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Blue Mosque) — A six-minaret mosque built for Ahmed I between 1609 and 1616 by the architect Sedefkâr Mehmed Ağa; it is also known as the Blue Mosque because of the more than 20,000 İznik tiles decorating its interior.
  • Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnıcı) — A vast underground cistern built in the 6th century under Justinian and carried on 336 columns; the Medusa heads under two of the columns are its most famous corner.
  • Süleymaniye Mosque — Built by Mimar Sinan for Suleiman the Magnificent between 1550 and 1557, the mosque stands at the centre of a large complex with madrasas, a hospital, a soup kitchen and tombs; its silhouette on the hill overlooking the Golden Horn is one of the symbols of the city.
  • Grand Bazaar (Kapalıçarşı) — One of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world, made up of more than 60 streets and thousands of shops that grew up around the bedestens built under Mehmed the Conqueror; carpets, jewellery, copperware and leather goods are sold.

Practical Information for Visiting Eyüpsultan

Suggested time
1 day
Best time to visit
Spring and autumn (April–June, September–November)
Places to visit
4 places

What to Eat in Eyüpsultan

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  • Eyüp Sultan Lokumu

    Turkish delight sold in the historic shops around the mosque, in rose, pistachio and pomegranate flavours, is the gift most often bought by visitors.

  • Pierre Loti Stream

    Tea drunk at the historic tea garden on Pierre Loti Hill, accompanied by views of the Golden Horn, is an indispensable part of the Istanbul experience.

  • Eyüpsultan güveci

    A dish mentioned among the district's historic flavours on Wikipedia.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Eyüpsultan

  • Osmanlı Dini Kültürü

    Eyüpsultan is one of the religious centres of the Ottoman Empire. Sword-girding ceremonies of the sultans were held here, and thousands of people visited the mosque during Ramadan.

  • Haliç Kültürü

    Eyüpsultan, on the bank of the Golden Horn, has for centuries been one of Istanbul's spiritual and cultural centres. The region has been revived with the cleaning and greening of the Golden Horn.

Local Products

  • Dini Hediyelik Eşyalar — Shops around the Eyüp Sultan Mosque sell prayer beads, copies of the Quran, calligraphy works and religious souvenirs.

Economy

Eyüpsultan's economy is based on religious tourism, trade and industry. The area around the Eyüp Sultan Mosque attracts heavy visitor traffic. Industrial and commercial zones are found in the inner parts of the district.

How to Get to Eyüpsultan

Eyüpsultan can be reached by bus, minibus and cable car. It can also be reached by sea from Eminönü by Golden Horn ferries. The M7 metro line serves the district.

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Eyüpsultan: Frequently Asked Questions

What are the places to see in Eyüpsultan?

The 4 highlights of Eyüpsultan are: Eyüp Sultan Mosque and Tomb, Pierre Loti Hill, Eyüp Sultan Cemetery and Pierre Loti Café.

What should I eat in Eyüpsultan?

Eyüp Sultan Lokumu, Pierre Loti Stream and Eyüpsultan güveci are the standout flavours on Eyüpsultan's tables.

What is Eyüpsultan famous for?

Eyüpsultan is known for religious souvenirs and Ottoman religious culture. The shops around the Eyüp Sultan Mosque sell prayer beads, copies of the Quran, calligraphy works and religious souvenirs.

How do I get to Eyüpsultan?

Eyüpsultan can be reached by bus, minibus and cable car. It can also be reached by sea from Eminönü by Golden Horn ferries. The M7 metro line serves the district.

How much time should I set aside for a visit to Eyüpsultan?

Suggested visit length: 1 day. Best time to visit: spring and autumn (April–June, September–November).

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