Eminonu Pier
Eminonu Pier
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The area
Neighbourhood: Grand Bazaar
Tourists, hawkers, and locals come together at the Grand Bazaar to comb its labyrinthine passageways in search of a bargain – be it a pair of brand name jeans, a handcrafted silk rug, or a perfectly brewed cup of tea. Outside the vast bazaar, worn, narrow streets wind their way down from its lofty perch to the southern shore of the Golden Horn, where the evocatively aromatic Spice Bazaar beckons alongside the elegant New Mosque (opened in 1665). Nearby, the famed Galata Bridge offers pedestrian access to urban delights across the river in Istanbul’s more residential and contemporary neighbourhoods, while the must-see sights of Sultanahmet are but a leisurely stroll away.
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4.0
752 reviews
Excellent
297
Very good
314
Average
109
Poor
21
Terrible
11
starlightShanghai
Victoria, Canada4,608 contributions
Mar 2024 • Solo
The Eminönü Pier is usually teeming with people. It’s a great place to just sit, relax and watch the world go by.
Easy access to trams 1 and 5 and to ferries. Leads directly onto the Galata Bridge, convenient for anyone wishing to stroll across the bridge to Karaköy. Lots of eateries nearby. Just across from the Yeni Camii and Spice Market.
A real bustling hub!
Easy access to trams 1 and 5 and to ferries. Leads directly onto the Galata Bridge, convenient for anyone wishing to stroll across the bridge to Karaköy. Lots of eateries nearby. Just across from the Yeni Camii and Spice Market.
A real bustling hub!
Written 3 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BrakiWorldTraveler
Belgrade, Serbia19,337 contributions
Sept 2020
The Eminonu pier is the central commercial and transport hub of Istanbul's most historic area. It's a gateway to Sultanahmet area with so many attractions starting from the Spice bazaar in front of it, further up to Kapali carsii and then to iconic Istanbul's sites like Topkapi and Hagia Sophia.
The place is always packed with both locals and tourists. Many ferry routes start from here and I suggest taking any of them, specially for Kadikoy or Uskudar as the journey to the Asian side is so impressive and beautiful.
If a fish lover do try their street sandwiches sold there on many stalls, as well corn and chestnut.
The place is always packed with both locals and tourists. Many ferry routes start from here and I suggest taking any of them, specially for Kadikoy or Uskudar as the journey to the Asian side is so impressive and beautiful.
If a fish lover do try their street sandwiches sold there on many stalls, as well corn and chestnut.
Written 7 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ginges_revenge
Brisbane, Australia5,860 contributions
Mar 2020
Its the gateway to Istanbul, the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus. You can get ferries to multiple destinations within Istanbul and Bosphorus cruise tours as well. Its an amazingly bustling, busy and vibrant pier. A central hub in your travel plans for seeing Istanbul.
Written 7 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravelQueenie365
Singapore, Singapore667 contributions
Nov 2012 • Friends
Tip 1: yes this is the must-visit site in Istanbul. You cannot miss it if you are visiting istanbul.
Tip 2: mind you, please do not go near the river if you are not a fish lover. There are several fish sandwich boats by the river and they are grilling fish 24/7, the smell of the fishy fish is quite strong.
Tip 3: i personally do not feel that you need to buy a Bosphorous ferry ticket. It is really not that spectacular. But if you are into river cruise or boat cruise, then go for it. There are ferry package like 65 lira for a Bosphorous sight seeing including lunch. We didnt take package because we went to Eyup and had a good look at the river view up on the hill
Tip 4: beware of your belongings because it gets very very packed.
Tip 5: if you are on a budget trip, have your meals settled near the bridge because there are tonnes and tonnes of push cart food sellers.
Tip 6: Yes! Last but not the least, like every reviews said, you have to try the very famous Eminonu fish sandwich that they sold on the boat parked at river bank. And also the infamous pickled drink which was quite refreshing even though it looks disgusting. It tastes very salty but worked very well by flushing the stinky fishy smell in your mouth after you finished the fish sandwich.
Tip 7: yes i will visit this location if i visit istanbul again. It has a very unique culture that no city has, especially the fishing scene.
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Tip 2: mind you, please do not go near the river if you are not a fish lover. There are several fish sandwich boats by the river and they are grilling fish 24/7, the smell of the fishy fish is quite strong.
Tip 3: i personally do not feel that you need to buy a Bosphorous ferry ticket. It is really not that spectacular. But if you are into river cruise or boat cruise, then go for it. There are ferry package like 65 lira for a Bosphorous sight seeing including lunch. We didnt take package because we went to Eyup and had a good look at the river view up on the hill
Tip 4: beware of your belongings because it gets very very packed.
Tip 5: if you are on a budget trip, have your meals settled near the bridge because there are tonnes and tonnes of push cart food sellers.
Tip 6: Yes! Last but not the least, like every reviews said, you have to try the very famous Eminonu fish sandwich that they sold on the boat parked at river bank. And also the infamous pickled drink which was quite refreshing even though it looks disgusting. It tastes very salty but worked very well by flushing the stinky fishy smell in your mouth after you finished the fish sandwich.
Tip 7: yes i will visit this location if i visit istanbul again. It has a very unique culture that no city has, especially the fishing scene.
If you think my reviews have been helpful to you, please click 'Yes' for 'Was this review helpful?'
Written 7 December 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Adventurer1453
London, UK63 contributions
Mar 2014 • Friends
Just to inform you, The fish they serve here is actually comes from Norvay, it is frozen mackarel, not Turkish fish.. I know the price is not bad because it is kinda fast food for us ( Turkish people ) but i is no Great. The way they cook is on the metal plate but best fish you can eat, even frozen mackarel should be cooked on charcoal grill,, not on a metal plate. Therefore as a Turkish , I never eat on this boats unless if it's cooked on Charcoal. ( some boats do on charcoal) There is one in the evenings near to Uskudar ferry sation in Eminonu and that one is more tasty believe me.
Written 6 March 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LynnB
Sweden295 contributions
Nov 2019 • Solo
So nice and busy place, views of the golden horn, boat selling fish sandwich a local speciality. Plenty of fish restaurants. I diffinitly coming back, soon...
Written 19 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
IstanbulRaine
Istanbul, Türkiye53 contributions
Jul 2016
Grab a fish sandwich and eat like the locals. Be daring and also order a pickled juice from the carts.
Written 7 June 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
headgreenkeeper
Scarborough, UK244 contributions
Nov 2012
Dont bother with the tourist boats, use the local ferry, starts at 10>35 from pier 3, and its a full day with a nice 2 hours lunchtime stop near the entrance to the Black Sea.
Written 11 November 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DrKnowHertfordshire
Hertfordshire28 contributions
Mar 2012 • Friends
Boats go from Eminonu, which is close to the Spice Bazaar (Misir Carsisi). A 2 hour cruise was enough for us, plus difficult to catch the drift of the pre-recorded sightseeing announcements so it would be good if you have your own map. However, If you walk north from the tram stop, along the side of the strait you will come to where a lot of the cruisers launch, there you will see lots of food stalls, including the sandwich selling boats moored up and bobing up and down. The hawkers for them are dressed like pearly kings. Delicious sandwiches, then try the doughnuts.
Written 21 March 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ashfaq A
Carteret, NJ85 contributions
May 2015 • Couples
Oh what a relaxing & heart touching part of Istanbul. You find so many Ferry Services there. A lot of varieties of Food and on reasonable price too.
You are alone, with a family or a group of tour or friends, it's a great attractable place and really safe & sound.
Nice view of other side of water. Don't forget to add in your plan when visiting Istanbul.
You are alone, with a family or a group of tour or friends, it's a great attractable place and really safe & sound.
Nice view of other side of water. Don't forget to add in your plan when visiting Istanbul.
Written 11 February 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Which pier do we need to get the full bosphorus tour up to the big island
Written 15 September 2018
On Eminonu pier you can get a public ferry that will take you up (North) the Bosphorus Strait to the Black Sea and also a ferry that will take one (south) to the Adalar Islands. Also from the same pier, you can get a tourist cruise which takes you to these places also. We found the public ferries to be excellent...always on time and by far cheaper. There are multiple ferry stations on Eminonu pier with destinations well marked. Enjoy as you open that Window of Wonder.
Written 16 September 2018
Gina M
Buenos Aires, Argentina
hola gente ,quiero tomar un cruis por el Bosforo ,quiero saber donde comprar lo ,en el mismo pier o desde una web o del hotel
Written 15 July 2018
We have a layover in June and would like to take the ferry and was wondering how long is the short circle cruise verses the full bosphorus cruise and what are their hours on Sunday's
Written 24 January 2016
depends how long is your Lay-over... if it's the whole day, then by all means get a tour of the Bosphorus, but if only a few hours, better stay in the airport because before you arrive in the city, it will take you an hour to an hour & a half due to traffic.
Written 28 January 2016
What is the cheapest and best way to do a bosphorus 2 hrs tour? and what are their timings?
Written 26 March 2015
Avoid all the people hawking bosphorus tours as they'll rip you off! They're hustlers and scam artists. They charge double or more for a shorter tour and their boats may or may not be seaworthy. And they're swarming all over the Eminönü pier. Stay away!
Definitely take the 2 hour "cruise". It's awesome to get on the water and see Istanbul from the ferries.
That said, I would recommend Şehir Hatları. They are Istanbul's official ferry company. They offer the Short Circle Bosphorus tour for 10 TL per person, Full Bosphorus Cruise for 25 TL pp and the Full Bosphorus Cruise by Night for 20 TL pp.
There's an excellent write up on Şehir Hatları online by Erlend Geerts in the Witt Hotels Magazine.
Written 26 March 2015
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