Eyup Sultan Mosque Audio Tour
The holiest Islamic site in Istanbul, built around the tomb of Abu Ayyub al-Ansari — a companion of the Prophet Muhammad who died besieging Constantinople in the 670s, some eight centuries before the city fell.
- At the gate
- £6.80
- Allow
- 1h 30m
- District
- Eyupsultan
- Closed
- Open daily
Eyu00fcp Sultan Mosque, in short
The holiest Islamic site in Istanbul, built around the tomb of Abu Ayyub al-Ansari u2014 a companion of the Prophet Muhammad who died besieging Constantinople in the 670s, some eight centuries before the city fell.
It is a working pilgrimage site rather than a monument. Families come for circumcision ceremonies and Ramadan prayers, and the atmosphere is quite different from the tourist mosques of Sultanahmet.
What it costs
Entry is free. The guided tour is u20ac8 separately and included on the pass.
Getting there
Eyu00fcp sits at the top of the Golden Horn, outside the old city walls. A ferry up the Horn is the pleasant approach; the T5 tram along the waterfront is the quick one.
How long to allow
Forty-five minutes for the mosque and tomb. Combine it with Pierre Loti Hill directly above u2014 the cable car up from beside the mosque takes a couple of minutes.
Why it matters
The tomb was said to have been rediscovered during Mehmed II's siege in 1453, and building a mosque over it was among his first acts as conqueror. Being buried nearby became the highest honour available, which is why the surrounding hillside is one vast Ottoman cemetery.
What to wear
Modest dress, and rather more strictly observed here than at the tourist mosques. Shoulders and knees covered, heads covered for women, shoes off. Fridays and religious holidays are extremely busy.
Frequently asked questions
- In the Eyu00fcp district, at the top of the Golden Horn beyond the old city walls.
- It holds the tomb of Abu Ayyub al-Ansari, a companion of the Prophet Muhammad, making it the most significant Islamic pilgrimage site in the city.
- Yes, outside prayer times and dressed modestly. It is an active place of worship, so visit quietly.
- Pierre Loti Hill sits directly above, reached by a short cable car from beside the mosque.