Views from the terrace
Viewing Terrace of Suleymaniye Mosque
Viewing Terrace of Suleymaniye Mosque - Istanbul, Turkey
The viewing terrace is located in the outer courtyard of the Suleymaniye Mosque on the Third Hill of Istanbul's historic peninsula. The mosque and the entire complex were designed by architect Mimar Sinan on commission from Sultan Suleiman I, with construction taking place from 1550 to 1557. The terrace runs along the north wall of the courtyard above the slope to the Golden Horn and is known as one of the best viewpoints in the city.
From here you get a wide panorama of the Golden Horn and the historic peninsula: the Galata Tower, the Beyoglu districts and the mouth of the Bosphorus are clearly visible. On clear days neighborhoods on the Asian shore across the strait can be made out. The roofs of the madrasas in the Suleymaniye complex and other buildings of the imperial kulliye are also visible from the terrace.
Entry to the courtyard is free and the site is open daily; access to the viewing terrace may be temporarily limited during prayers and events. Please keep quiet and follow the dress code - shoulders and knees should be covered; women need a headscarf only when entering the prayer hall.
The best times to visit are in the morning and at sunset when the light is softer and there are fewer people. Approaches to the mosque run along uphill, cobbled streets, so comfortable shoes are useful. You can walk here from the T1 tram stop Beyazit - Kapalicarsi in about 15 minutes uphill or from the M2 metro station Vezneciler in 10-15 minutes. Simple cafes serving Turkish cuisine operate in the area.
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The viewing terrace is located in the outer courtyard of the Suleymaniye Mosque on the Third Hill of Istanbul's historic peninsula. The mosque and the entire complex were designed by architect Mimar Sinan on commission from Sultan Suleiman I, with construction taking place from 1550 to 1557. The terrace runs along the north wall of the courtyard above the slope to the Golden Horn and is known as one of the best viewpoints in the city.
From here you get a wide panorama of the Golden Horn and the historic peninsula: the Galata Tower, the Beyoglu districts and the mouth of the Bosphorus are clearly visible. On clear days neighborhoods on the Asian shore across the strait can be made out. The roofs of the madrasas in the Suleymaniye complex and other buildings of the imperial kulliye are also visible from the terrace.
Entry to the courtyard is free and the site is open daily; access to the viewing terrace may be temporarily limited during prayers and events. Please keep quiet and follow the dress code - shoulders and knees should be covered; women need a headscarf only when entering the prayer hall.
The best times to visit are in the morning and at sunset when the light is softer and there are fewer people. Approaches to the mosque run along uphill, cobbled streets, so comfortable shoes are useful. You can walk here from the T1 tram stop Beyazit - Kapalicarsi in about 15 minutes uphill or from the M2 metro station Vezneciler in 10-15 minutes. Simple cafes serving Turkish cuisine operate in the area.
The best spot for panoramic photos and city views.
Panorama of the Golden Horn from the Suleymaniye terraces
The best viewpoint is located along the north terrace of the outer courtyard, by the stone parapet above the slope toward the inlet. From here the facade and minarets of Suleymaniye are behind you, and in front of you is the curved line of the Golden Horn and the neighborhoods on the opposite shore. The spot is convenient for photos with minimal obstruction by buildings.
From the terrace it's easy to watch ferry traffic and the city's contrasts - from the historic districts at the foot of the hill to the modern neighborhoods of Beyoglu. After taking photos you can visit the complex garden and the tombs of Sultan Suleiman and Hürrem Sultan, then walk between the madrasa buildings to see the classic layout of an Ottoman kulliye.
Nearby are the Suleymaniye hammam, Istanbul University on the adjacent hill, the Valens Aqueduct and markets not far away - the Spice Bazaar and the Grand Bazaar. On weekends the terrace can be crowded with tour groups, so allow some time to wait for a free spot at the parapet.
It's easy to reach on foot from the Eminonu waterfront in a 20-25 minute uphill walk or by taxi to the entrance from Mimar Sinan Caddesi.
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