Eminönü guide: ferries, the Spice Bazaar and the Golden Horn shore
- Neighbourhoods
- Fatih, Istanbul
- Free
Family hotels closest to Eminönü
Visitor information
| Type | Historic port district and square |
|---|---|
| Neighbourhood | Fatih, Istanbul |
| Opening hours | The district can be explored at any time; the bazaars close in the evening |
| Admission | The district and mosques are free; ferries and Bosphorus tours are paid |
| Time needed | Half a day |
| Getting there | T1 Eminönü stop; 3 tram stops or a 20-min walk from Sultanahmet |
| From Sultanahmet Square | About 23 min walk (1.6 km) |
| Pushchair / stroller | Partly suitable. The square and pier are level; the bazaars and Tahtakale are very crowded |
| Best time | Weekday mornings; Saturday afternoons are very crowded |
Opening hours and prices can change; check the official website before you go. Map links open in Google Maps.
What is there to see in Eminönü?
- The New Mosque: The imperial mosque completed in 1665 that is the symbol of the square.
- The Spice Bazaar: The bazaar of spices, Turkish delight and nuts; open on Sundays too.
- The Rüstem Pasha Mosque: Mimar Sinan’s small mosque covered in İznik tiles.
- The Galata Bridge: Anglers and views of the Golden Horn.
- Sirkeci Station: The last stop of the Orient Express.
- The Hodjapasha Culture Centre: Whirling dervish and Turkish dance shows.
Ferries and Bosphorus tours
Regular city ferries leave the Eminönü piers for Üsküdar and Kadıköy; you board with an Istanbulkart and the crossing takes 15–20 minutes. Throwing simit to the seagulls on this short trip is one of the moments children remember most about Istanbul. Short Bosphorus tours of an hour and a half to two hours and a full-day long Bosphorus tour also leave from the piers. Ferry times change by season; check the boards at the pier or the Şehir Hatları announcements.
Exploring Eminönü
Eminönü is one of Istanbul’s busiest squares. The Tahtakale and Hasırcılar streets behind the Spice Bazaar are full of shops selling homeware, kitchen equipment and toys, but it is hard to get through them with a stroller. To avoid getting lost on the square, agree on the courtyard of the New Mosque as a meeting point. In the late afternoon you can walk uphill to the Süleymaniye Mosque in 15 minutes and end the day with a view of the Golden Horn.
Visiting tips
- Before boarding a ferry, make sure your Istanbulkart has enough credit.
- Eminönü and the Spice Bazaar are very crowded on Saturday afternoons; go on a weekday if you can.
- When feeding the seagulls, throw pieces of simit into the air rather than feeding them by hand; seagulls can peck hard.
- Walking downhill from Sultanahmet to Eminönü is easy; take the tram on the way back.
Our family hotels near Eminönü
Walking times are approximate and measured from the hotel door; where the hotel gives its own time, we show that.
-
Seven Roses Apart Hotel
Eminönü: 28 min walk (2 km) Walking route
Apartments with kitchens in Küçük Ayasofya, with roomy options for larger families
-
Emirhan Inn Hotel
Eminönü: 28 min walk (2 km) Walking route
A budget-friendly hotel with free breakfast in Küçük Ayasofya
-
Sareban Hotel
Eminönü: 28 min walk (2 km) Walking route
An alcohol-free family hotel in Küçük Ayasofya, looking out to the Marmara
-
Green Life Apart Hotel
Eminönü: 28 min walk (2 km) Walking route
Family-run apartments with kitchenettes and a sea-view roof terrace in Küçük Ayasofya
Frequently asked questions
Are there Bosphorus tours from Eminönü?
Yes. Short and long Bosphorus tours by city ferry and private tour boats leave from the Eminönü piers. Departure times change by season.
How do you get from Sultanahmet to Eminönü?
Take the T1 tram three stops from Sultanahmet and get off at Eminönü. Walking via Gülhane and Sirkeci also takes about 20 minutes.
