Istanbul Pierre Loti, Eyup and Balat Tour: Cable Car and Bosphorus Boat Cruise
#3239
This Pierre Loti, Eyup and Balat tour packs Istanbul's seven most beloved experiences into a single afternoon: you take in the Golden Horn from above, glide down by cable car, and cross between two continents by boat on the Bosphorus. The tour lasts about 4.5 hours, starting from Sultanahmet at 13:00 and ending back in Sultanahmet around 17:30.
The day opens with a panoramic drive along the Golden Horn in an air-conditioned vehicle. Your professional guide shares the stories, legends and little-known details of each neighborhood at every stop, leaving you free to simply enjoy the views and take photos. If you choose the hotel pickup option, you are collected from your centrally located hotel and dropped back there at the end of the tour.
Along the route you'll find the famous Pierre Loti Hill viewing terrace overlooking the Golden Horn, the scenic cable car descending from the hill to Eyup, the Eyup Sultan Mosque, home to the tomb of Abu Ayyub al-Ansari, Balat with its colorful houses and steep slopes, a Bosphorus boat cruise between Europe and Asia, and a traditional Turkish delight shop. Dolmabahce Palace, the Bosphorus bridges and the waterfront mansions drift past you from the boat like a postcard come to life.
The cable car ticket, Bosphorus boat cruise, guiding and air-conditioned transport are included in the tour price. At the delight shop you can taste Turkish delight, baklava and traditional sweets, and buy souvenirs if you wish; shopping is entirely optional. Lunch and drinks are not included, so we recommend eating lunch before joining the tour.
The tour is ideal for couples, families, groups of friends and first-time visitors who want to discover Istanbul in a short time but in depth. Guiding is in English. You can cancel free of charge up to 1 day before the tour. It is not suitable for wheelchair users, those prone to motion sickness, or guests over 95 years of age.
Tour Information
- Duration: 5 Hour
- Languages: en
- Categories: Daily Tours, Boat Tours, Istanbul Tours, Turkey Tours, City Tours & Cultural Trips
- Age Groups: Baby: 0 - 2 · Child: 3 - 11 · Adult: 12 - 99
Included Services
- Professional Guide
- Transportation by air-conditioned vehicle
- Boat / ferry ticket
- Cable car or funicular ticket
- Photo stops
Not Included
- Gratuities
- Personal expenses
- Alcoholic beverages
Meeting & End Points
- Starting Point: Buhara 93 Restaurant
- Ending Point: Sultanahmet Meydanı
Meeting Points
- Buhara 93 Restaurant — Sultan Ahmet, Nakilbent Sk. No:13 A 15, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye
- Sultanahmet — Sultanahmet
- Laleli — Laleli
- Taksim Square — Taksim Meydanı
- Karaköy — Karaköy
Tour Route
13:00 · Buhara 93 Restaurant — Meet Your Guide in Sultanahmet
Your guide welcomes you at the meeting point in Sultanahmet and you board the air-conditioned vehicle. With the hotel pickup option, you are collected from your hotel between 12:00 and 12:50 and join the tour directly. We recommend being ready 10 minutes before the meeting time.13:15 · Panoramic Drive Along the Golden Horn
As you travel along the shores of the Golden Horn in an air-conditioned vehicle, the historic silhouette of Fener, Balat and Ayvansaray glides past your window. Your guide shares the Golden Horn's harbor story spanning from Byzantine to Ottoman times and the secrets of the waterfront buildings.13:45 · Golden Horn Views from Pierre Loti Hill
The hill named after the French writer Pierre Loti is the Golden Horn's most famous viewing terrace. At the historic tea garden you can sip a Turkish tea while taking in the view and photograph the curves of the Golden Horn from the most beautiful angle. You will have free time here.14:30 · Scenic Cable Car Descent to Eyüp
You descend by cable car from Pierre Loti Hill to Eyüp. During this short but unforgettable ride, green slopes and the blue of the Golden Horn flow beneath your feet. The cable car ticket is included in the tour.14:45 · Eyüp Sultan Mosque and Tomb
You visit the Eyüp Sultan Mosque, one of Istanbul's holiest sites, and the tomb of Abu Ayyub al-Ansari. Your guide tells you about the spiritual atmosphere of the mosque, where Ottoman sultans held their sword-girding ceremonies. Clothing covering shoulders and knees is required; female guests are advised to bring a headscarf.15:30 · Walking Through the Colorful Streets of Balat
Take a guided walk through Balat with its colorful bay-windowed houses, steep slopes and charming cafés. The streets bearing traces of Greek, Armenian and Jewish heritage are among Istanbul's most photogenic corners. Since the roads are sloped and cobbled, comfortable shoes are recommended.16:15 · Bosphorus Boat Cruise Between Two Continents
Set out onto the Istanbul Bosphorus by tour boat and glide between Europe and Asia. Dolmabahçe Palace, Ortaköy Mosque, the Bosphorus bridges and waterfront mansions pass before you one by one. Feel the wind on your face on deck as you capture the city's most beautiful postcard-perfect shots.17:05 · Traditional Turkish Delight Shop
At a traditional delight shop, listen to the centuries-old story of Turkish delight and baklava and taste the different varieties. You can buy rose, pistachio or pomegranate Turkish delight as gifts for your loved ones; shopping is entirely optional.17:30 · Sultanahmet Meydanı — End of the Tour in Sultanahmet
The tour ends in Sultanahmet at approximately 17:30; with the hotel pickup option, you will be dropped off at your hotel. If you wish to spend your evening in the historic streets of Sultanahmet, you can ask your guide for dining and sightseeing recommendations.
Popular Points
- Fener
- Pierre Loti Hill
- Eyüp Cable Car
- Eyüp Sultan Mosque
- Balat
- Istanbul Bosphorus
- Sultanahmet
Tour Rules
What to Bring and Dress Code
- Allowed: Comfortable shoes
- Allowed: Clothing covering shoulders and knees
Not Suitable For
- Not Allowed: Wheelchair users
Good to Know
- Allowed: Program may change depending on traffic conditions
Booking Conditions
- Confirmation is required after reservation.
- (Taxes Included)
Upcoming Departures
Tap a date to open the booking calendar with that date selected.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Are taxes included in the tour price?
- Yes, taxes are included in the prices shown on this page.