Pierre Loti Hill
Duration
2 hrs
Admission
Free
Best time
Anytime
Budget
Free
About this place
Pierre Loti Hill is one of Istanbul's most romantic and atmospheric viewpoints, a wooded hilltop in the Eyüp neighbourhood on the western shore of the Golden Horn named after the French novelist who frequented its famous café in the late 19th century. The hilltop terrace café offers breathtaking panoramic views over the Golden Horn, the historic peninsula, and the city's iconic skyline, framed by one of Istanbul's most historic and serene cemeteries.
Tips
Take the cable car from the base of the hill near Eyüp Sultan Mosque for a scenic and effortless ascent with views over the Golden Horn on the way up. Visit in the late afternoon for the most atmospheric light and the finest views as the sun begins to set over the city. The hilltop café is the perfect spot to linger over a traditional Turkish tea while soaking up one of Istanbul's most romantic panoramas. Combine your visit with a walk through the historic Eyüp Sultan neighbourhood below, home to one of Istanbul's most sacred mosques and one of its most characterful and authentically local districts, well off the main tourist trail.