Hotels near Eyüp and Pierre Loti Hill

Eyüp Sultan Mosque is one of the holiest sites in Istanbul, built over the tomb of Abu Ayyub al-Ansari, a companion of the Prophet Muhammad who died during an Arab siege of Constantinople in the 7th century. The courtyard is filled with pilgrims and families, and the neighbourhood around it keeps a traditional, devout atmosphere very different from the city centre.

From near the mosque, a short cable car climbs to Pierre Loti Hill, named after the French novelist who spent long afternoons at the cafe here in the late 19th century. The terrace looks down the full length of the Golden Horn to the city's skyline, and on cold afternoons it is the perfect place for a cup of hot salep. The cable car accepts the Istanbulkart.

Pro Tip: Walk up through the hillside cemetery path for atmosphere, then take the cable car down. Arrive about an hour before sunset to get a terrace table.