Pierre Loti the best outdoor cafes and hangouts in Istanbul. After visiting the Eyup Sultan Mosque, many visitors head north up the hill to the Pierre Loti, where the famous French novelist is said to have come for inspiration. Pierre Loti loved İstanbul, its decadent grandeur and the late-medieval customs of a society in decline. When he sat in this cafe, under a shady grapevine sipping tea, he saw a Golden Horn busy with caïques (long, thin rowboats), schooners and a few steam vessels. The water in the Golden Horn was still clean enough to swim in and the vicinity of the cafe was given over to pasture.
The cafe that today bears his name offers views similar to the ones he must have enjoyed. It’s in a warren of streets on a promontory surrounded by the Cemetery of the Great Eyüp where many important Ottomans are buried. To find the cafe, walk out of the mosque’s main gate and turn right. Walk around the complex until you see a set of stairs and a steep cobbled path going uphill into the cemetery. Hike up the steep hill for 10 to 15 minutes to reach the cafe. Alternatively, a cable car joins the waterfront with the top of the hill. There’s also a souvenir store here that sells postcards featuring historical views of the city.
Pierre Loti, Istanbul
Pierre Loti is considered as one of the best viewpoints in the world, at different times of days and seasons, a completely different view, and each time magically
Pierre Loti
beautiful … At the end of the peak of the Golden Horn you enter to Eyup , follow the signs which will guide you through the steep streets you are coming to the place where the French writer and poet of the early twentieth century spent some time of his life, and in love with Istanbul sung its beauty.
People say that Loti was sitting in this bistro on Eyup for months and wrote “Azijada.”
Aziyadé is semi-autobiographical and tells the story of Loti’s illicit love affair with an 18 year old harem girl named Aziyadé. She was his greatest love, proof of that is the golden ring holding her name that he wore for the rest of his life.
In prose: “As for you, you Pierre Loti! The typhous louse that passes between us through our tarpaulin hides is closer to us than you are, French officer.” Nonetheless, the Turkish government named one of Istanbul’s famous hills “Pierre Loti Tepesi” or “Hill of Pierre Loti”. Also, there is a coffee shop located at the top of that hill which changed its name to “Piere Loti Coffee Shop”, which suggests that most Turkish people Have not yet forgetten Pierre Loti.
If you have the time a trip up to the Pierre Loti hillside via the cable car gives a great view of Istanbul and the Golden Horn from the west.
Go there by boat from Eminonu and your will see Golden Horn from the sea. You can go with cable car or walk to the hill. If you are going with cable car prepare for possible waiting in ques for cable car.
I decided to take the cable car uphill – it was short and sweet. And then the look out area – the panorama view was just wow! The crowd wasn't too bad. Even saw a coffin on a green van, to be burried there I presumed. The walk downhill was pleasant and again offered an interesting view.
Wonderful view ! Photo opportunities. Nice turkish coffee at the coffee shop. Next time I will try to get the teleferic.
This hill is beautiful. The view you get of the Golden Horn, the mosques and parts of Istanbul is breath-taking. The cafes there are so pretty and are situated right onto the view, so you can sip away on some tea whilst enjoying the scenery. It's a pity i didn't visit it again during my stay!
We went there for a cup of coffee after visiting Eyup mosque. The place ,despite crowdness, was full of quietness and beauty. Panormic views of Eyup district and the golden horn were amazing. You can go up there by a cable car which is a different way in Istanbul.
Pierre Loti is a little out of the way, but I'd say it is worth it if you aren't pressed for time and don't feel compelled to cram in yet another mosque or museum. You won't find many better views of Istanbul.
After you have seen Istanbul's highlights this is a nice area to visit. Not only on the hill but also around in Eyup. It is nice to go up by cable car and walk down through the grave yard. It is a beautiful walk.
I used the cable car to climb this hill. The increadably fantastic view starts at this short trip. I started taking photos in the cable car. What a fantastic city Istanbul is!
Most of the Bosphorous cruise package takes you on top of Pierre Loti after the cruise of course…. The views on top of the hill are really amazing the only downside is waiting more than an hour for taking the cable car down the hill..