ST615 Eyüp - Istanbul

The ST615 Eyüp – Istanbul is a short point-to-point urban stage of roughly 8 km in Istanbul, Turkey, gaining around 80 m of elevation in a single day. Rated easy, it is the ceremonial final leg of the 2,500 km Sultans Trail, leading walkers from the Eyüp Sultan Mosque along the Golden Horn to the Süleymaniye Mosque, the trail's symbolic end point.

About the ST615 Eyüp - Istanbul

The ST615 Eyüp – Istanbul stage is the closing section of the Sultans Trail, a 2,500 km cultural walking route that runs from St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna, Austria, all the way to the Süleymaniye Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey. The full trail crosses eight countries — Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Greece and Turkey — and is registered on the International Walking Network (IWN), placing it among the world's most significant long-distance routes.

The trail commemorates the 1529 campaign of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, who left Istanbul on 10 May 1529 and reached Vienna 141 days later on 23 September. Where that march was a military expedition, the modern Sultans Trail was conceived as "a path of peace and a meeting place for people of all faiths and cultures." It was developed by the Netherlands-based NGO Sultans Trail – A European Cultural Route using volunteers, and it partly overlaps the E8 European long-distance path.

The ST615 segment delivers walkers into the historic core of Istanbul. Eyüp (officially Eyüpsultan) sits at the head of the Golden Horn, just outside the old Byzantine land walls. From its famous mosque complex, the stage threads along the inlet's southern shore and climbs gently into the Fatih peninsula, ending at the Süleymaniye Mosque — the burial place of Suleiman and his wife Hürrem Sultan. As a final stage it is gentle in distance and gradient but extraordinarily rich in monuments, making it as much a cultural walk as a hike.

Route Overview & Stages

The ST615 is a single connecting stage rather than a multi-day section. The table below breaks the walk into logical legs so you can pace it around mosque visits and viewpoints. Distances are approximate and reflect the most direct waymarked line along the Golden Horn.

Most walkers finish in a relaxed 3 to 4 hours of walking time, but with mosque visits, photo stops and a tea break at Pierre Loti the stage easily fills a full half-day or longer.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• Eyüp Sultan Mosque — One of Islam's most revered sites in Turkey, built over the tomb of Abu Ayyub al-Ansari, a companion of the Prophet Muhammad. The square fills with pilgrims and Friday crowds.
• Pierre Loti Hill — A panoramic terrace above the Eyüp cemetery, named for the French author. The view down the full length of the Golden Horn is the classic opening image of this stage.
• Eyüp Historic Cemetery — Tiered Ottoman gravestones cascade down the hillside between the mosque and the viewpoint, shaded by cypress trees.
• Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople (Fener) — The spiritual centre of Eastern Orthodox Christianity, home to the Church of St. George, a reminder of the route's multi-faith character.
• Balat district — A historic Jewish and Greek quarter of steep, colourful lanes, antique shops and café terraces, now one of Istanbul's most photographed neighbourhoods.
• Aqueduct of Valens — A 4th-century Roman aqueduct striding across the Fatih peninsula, passed on the climb toward the trail's end.
• Süleymaniye Mosque — The architect Sinan's masterpiece and the official end of the Sultans Trail, housing the mausoleums of Suleiman the Magnificent and Hürrem Sultan, with sweeping Bosphorus views from its terraces.
• Golden Horn waterfront — The inlet shoreline links the stages, with ferries, fishing spots and parkland accompanying much of the walk.

Best Time to Hike the ST615 Eyüp - Istanbul

Because this is a low-elevation urban stage, it can be walked year-round, but comfort varies sharply by season. The single best month is May: daytime highs sit around a pleasant 21–24°C, rainfall is modest, the light is long, and the date echoes Suleiman's 10 May 1529 departure, giving the walk extra resonance.

Spring (April to early June) and autumn (mid-September to October) are the two prime windows as of 2026, with mild temperatures and clear Golden Horn views. July and August bring humid heat above 30°C that makes the uphill finish at Süleymaniye tiring, so start at dawn if walking in high summer. Winter is quiet and atmospheric but can be grey and wet, with December and January averaging the most rainfall; pavements around Balat get slippery. Friday around midday draws huge crowds to Eyüp Sultan Mosque, so plan visits for the morning or a weekday if you prefer calm.

Practical Information

Accommodation

As the finish line of a 2,500 km trail, the ST615 ends in a city with thousands of beds at every budget. Hostel dorm beds in the Fatih and Sultanahmet districts run roughly €12–20 per night, while simple guesthouse and pension rooms in Balat or Fener cost about €35–60. Mid-range boutique hotels near the Süleymaniye and Eminönü area typically run €70–120. There is no camping along this urban stage — tents are only relevant on remote earlier sections of the trail in Hungary and Bulgaria. Book ahead in the May and October peaks, when Istanbul's historic peninsula fills quickly.

Getting There & Back

Istanbul is served by two airports: Istanbul Airport (IST) on the European side, about 30–45 minutes by Havaist shuttle bus to the city centre, and Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) on the Asian side, around 60–90 minutes away. To reach the start at Eyüp, take the T5 Cibali–Alibeyköy tram or a Golden Horn ferry to Eyüp pier; from central Sultanahmet it is roughly 20–30 minutes. The finish at Süleymaniye is a 10-minute walk from Eminönü, a major ferry, tram (T1) and Marmaray rail hub, so onward connections are simple. A rechargeable Istanbulkart covers trams, ferries, metro and buses.

Permits & Fees

No permit is required to walk the ST615 or any part of the Sultans Trail, and there is no trail fee. Mosques — including Eyüp Sultan and Süleymaniye — are free to enter but ask for modest dress; women should carry a headscarf, and shoulders and knees should be covered. Mosques close to visitors during the five daily prayer times and the Friday midday service. The Ecumenical Patriarchate and most museums charge small entry fees, generally under €10.

Gear & Packing List

This is a half-day urban stage, so you can travel light — but if you are walking the ST615 as the finale of a longer Sultans Trail journey, your pack matters for the whole route. A comfortable daypack or lightweight backpack such as the 2400 Windrider is ample for a city stage, while thru-hikers carrying camping kit on the rural sections will prefer the larger 3400 Windrider or the supportive Aether 65. For a fast, run-friendly urban day, a vest pack like the ADV Skin 12 works well.

Bring breathable layers for changeable spring weather, sturdy walking shoes for cobbled Balat lanes, a refillable water bottle, sun protection, and a scarf or shawl for mosque visits. For route planning and food, see our guide on how many calories you need hiking a full day to fuel longer stages, and if you are still choosing a pack for the wider trail, our roundup of the best ultralight backpacks of 2026 compares seven tested options.

Similar Trails You Might Like

If the cultural sweep of the Sultans Trail appeals, Turkey offers more outstanding long-distance walking. For a wilder, coastal counterpart with serious mileage and Mediterranean scenery, explore the Likya Yolu, Turkey's famous Lycian Way along the southwest coast. Hikers drawn to dramatic mountain crossings might also enjoy our guide on how to hike the Theth to Valbona trail in Albania, a Balkan classic that shares the same cross-cultural spirit as the Sultans Trail's path through southeastern Europe.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to hike the ST615 Eyüp – Istanbul?
May is the single best month, with comfortable highs of about 21–24°C, modest rainfall and long daylight. Spring (April to early June) and autumn (mid-September to October) are both excellent. Avoid the humid 30°C-plus heat of July and August, and expect large crowds at Eyüp Sultan Mosque around Friday midday prayers.

How difficult is the ST615 stage?
It is rated easy. The route covers roughly 8.5 km of paved city streets and waterfront paths with only gentle climbs — about 210 m of cumulative ascent, mainly the short rises to Pierre Loti Hill and Süleymaniye. No technical terrain or navigation skills are needed, making it suitable for casual walkers, families and anyone finishing the longer trail.

How long does the ST615 take to walk?
Pure walking time is around 3 to 4 hours, but most people spend a full half-day or more. The stage is packed with mosques, viewpoints and historic neighbourhoods like Fener and Balat, so factor in time for visits, tea at Pierre Loti and photos along the Golden Horn shoreline.

Where can I stay near the route?
Istanbul offers accommodation at every budget. Hostel dorms in Fatih cost about €12–20 per night, guesthouses in Balat and Fener run €35–60, and mid-range hotels near Süleymaniye are roughly €70–120. There is no camping on this urban stage. Book early during the busy May and October periods.

Do I need a permit or pay any fees?
No permit is required and there is no charge to walk the ST615 or the wider Sultans Trail. Mosques including Eyüp Sultan and Süleymaniye are free but require modest dress and close during prayer times. Museums and the Ecumenical Patriarchate charge small entry fees, usually under €10 each.