Istanbul Tour Off the Beaten Path
Private Guided Istanbul Tour - Asian Side & Golden Horn
Today, on our private Istanbul tour, we will focus on places off the beaten track. In Eminönü, at the entrance of the Golden Horn, next to the Galata Bridge, there is a major dock for ferry boats, where our Golden Horn tour starts.
You will see the Golden Horn, the Eyüp Sultan Mosque, the old Ottoman cemetery of Eyüp, the famous Pierre Loti Cafe and the old district of Üsküdar on the Asian side of Istanbul. We will also explore one of the most popular landmarks of the city; Maiden's Tower.
Private Guided Istanbul Tour - Off the Beaten Track
Boat tour on the Golden Horn
The Golden Horn
Istanbul is also a city of waterways. Pretty much every visitor to Istanbul knows that you can take a boat trip on the Bosphorus. However, far fewer people know that it is also possible on the Golden Horn. If you really want to experience the old Istanbul, you should definitely view the city from the water side of the Golden Horn. We will take a boat ride along the Golden Horn, where you can view six of the seven hills of the old city and their landmarks.
The Golden Horn (Haliç) is a narrow bay that forms a 7km waterway between the historic old city and the hillsides of the Galata/Beyoğlu district. A boat trip along the Golden Horn offers fantastic views of the city. Along the waterway, you will see the old town on one side and the historical Byzantine district of Galata on the other. Anyway, those who take a boat ride along the Golden Horn will gain insight into a completely different and far less touristy part of Istanbul.
Guided tour of the Eyüp Mosque
The Eyüp Mosque
After the boat trip on the Golden Horn, we get off at the end of this waterway and visit the Eyüp Mosque, a site of pilgrimage for Muslims. Every day, hundreds of pilgrims come here as it is one of the holiest places for Muslims in Istanbul.
Walking Tour in Eyüp Cemetery
Eyüp Sultan Cemetery
Following the visit to the Eyüp Mosque, we are invited to take a walk in the enormous Islamic cemetery. Many religious Muslims have been buried here throughout history, and its proximity to the tomb of Ebu Eyyüb El-Ensari is considered particularly blessed. He was one of the close companions and the standard-bearer of the Prophet Mohammed.
Pierre Loti Hill & Cafe
Pierre Loti Cafe; a breathtaking space of Istanbul
After exploring the Eyüp cemetery on our private guided Istanbul tour, we take a cable car to Pierre Loti Cafe (a short journey of approximately 5 minutes). Here, you can enjoy a cup of Turkish tea while taking in the wonderful view of the Golden Horn and Istanbul.
Private Guided Istanbul Tour on the Asian Side
Walking Tour in Üsküdar
Üsküdar & Maiden's Tower
We return by boat along the Golden Horn and cross the Bosphorus to reach the old district of Üsküdar (Chrysopolis/Golden City) on the Asian side of Istanbul. This area is one of the oldest parts of Istanbul and was once the starting point for the great Roman roads leading from Byzantium into Asia.
The Maiden's Tower in Üsküdar on the Asian side of Istanbul
The silhouette of old Istanbul is exceptionally beautiful to enjoy from here!
The silhouette of old Istanbul is exceptionally beautiful to enjoy from here! Üsküdar's location on the Asian shore of the Bosphorus is its most enchanting feature. Therefore, it is definitely worth taking a walk along the coastline to the Maiden's Tower (Turkish: Kız Kulesi), a former lighthouse on the Bosphorus dating back to the 18th century. The silhouette of old Istanbul is exceptionally beautiful to admire from this spot, providing impressive photo opportunities.
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