Golden Horn Tramway Line

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On the 4^th of January 2021 a new tramway line that runs the length of the Golden Horn opened. In Turkish Golden Horn translates as Haliç, meaning mouth or inlet. It’s named for the horn-like shape of this estuary which stretches approximately seven kilometres from the point where the Sea of Marmara and the Bosphorus meet up to the inland neighbourhood of Alibeyköy.

Settlements around the Golden Horn date back to 660BC but by the late 20th century it was the site of heavily built up residential areas, shipbuilding facilities and assorted factories. At one time it was the city’s most important port but as ships have increased in size the Golden Horn is no longer able to carry much large marine traffic.

I took my first trip on the T5 Golden Horn Tramway a few weeks after the opening. It was a lovely sunny day and I travelled all the way up to Alibeykoy Otogar at the very end of the water source and alighted at the Eyüpsultan Teleferik on the way back. Back then the trams ran every 15 mins and trundled rather than raced along the line. This was due to large numbers of seagulls on the line, who squawked angrily when required to move. This is a short video I took that gives a taste of what it was like.

Tram stops on the Golden Horn

Now the tram runs every 10 minutes. The following is some brief information about each of the stops and what you can see when you alight.

Eminonu
The starting point of the Golden Horn Tramway is at the end of the waterfront where you can get trams and ferries to other areas in the city. You can also head inland on foot through Eminonu and visit the Grand bazaar and elsewhere in Istanbul.

Kucukpazar
This is a recently added stop. If you get off here you’ll be at the edges of the Eminonu wholesale a district which continues uphill to Beyazit.

Cibali
You can catch the M2 metro line that runs from Yenikapi to Hacıosman from here. It’s useful if you want to link up with the Marmaray or go to Taksim, Şişli etc.

Fener
Alight here for St Stephens church and The Greek Patriarchate. You can also see Gül Camii, a former Byzantine church located in the Dexiokratous quarter of Istanbul near Aya Kapı (Holy Gate). It’s Turkish name comes from the belief that when Byzantium fell to the Turks on May 29, 1453, the church was full of roses to commemorate St. Theodosia. As of February 2021 the oldest part of the structure is usually closed.

Küçuk Mustafa Paşa Hamam is opposite Gul Mosque. This hamam was built by Kara Mustafa Pasha in 1477 during the reign of Mehmet the Conqueror. Kara Mustafa was executed by Abdulhamid I in 1483, because Mustafa favored Cem Sultan during a dispute between the two brothers over who would rule after Fatih Sultan Mehmet. This structure operated as a hamam until 1995. It was restored in 2015 and became a privately owned exhibition space only open when they have a new show on display.

Balat
You’ll see the Balat Or-Ahayim Hastanesi, a private hospital formerly used by the Jewish community on waterfront, and then can head inland to Meryem Ana Kanlı Kilise (St Mary of the Moghuls Church) as well as the Ahrida Synagogue. To gain access to the latter you have to apply in advance to the Chief Rabbi in Istanbul.

Ayvansaray
This is a good starting point to see the city walls and to visit the Vlaherna Ana Meryem Kilise (Church of St Mary of Blachernae).

Feshane
This former fez making factory was an exhibition hall with a Luna Park funfair in the grounds until the early 21st century. It was a great place to enjoy Ramazan entertainments. Now it’s an art gallery, library and study centre. The rather grand but distinctly 80s style Haliç Congress Centre is on the opposite bank. You’ll sometimes see lots of wooden caiques moored on the shore.

Eyüpsultan Teleferik

From here you can catch a cable car up to Pierre Loti cafe. If you stay on low ground you can visit the famous Eyüp Sultan Camii, Reşad Camii, Mihrişah Valide Sultan Mosque complex and lovely back streets lined with wooden buildings to explore.

Eyüpsultan Devlet Hastanesi
Look out for the two small islands in the middle of the Golden Horn.

Silahtarağa Mahallesi

Üniversite
After this stop the route is less than scenic.

Alibeyköy Merkezi

Alibeyköy Metro
Between this stop and the next the tram passes a gasilhane – place where bodies are washed and prepared for burial.

Alibeyköy Cep Otogarı
If you board at Eminonu, the Alibey Cep Otogari is the last stop on the Golden Horn Tramway line. Do note each tram is quite short so if you want to get a window seat it’s probably best to travel outside peak hours.

I hope you’ve enjoyed the ride. I’ll be adding more links to posts about the area in the future so don’t forget to check in again for more ideas on where to go exploring.

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City tours and day trips beyond the Golden Horn 

Discover more of Istanbul with my bespoke guide book Istanbul 50 Unsung Places. I know you’ll love visiting the lesser-known sites I’ve included. It’s based on using public transport as much as possible so you won’t be adding too much to your carbon footprint.

Browse the GetYourGuide website or Viator to find even more ways to experience Istanbul and Turkey with food tours, visits to the old city, evening Bosphorus cruises and more!

Over on the Asian side let me guide you around Kadikoy with my audio walking tour Stepping back through Chalcedon.

Then read about what you’ve seen and experienced in my three essay collections and memoir about moving to Istanbul permanently.

I’m a big advocate of public transport, but know it’s not suitable for everyone all the time. When I need to be picked up from or get to Istanbul Airport or Sabiha Gokcen Airport, I use one of these GetYourGuide website AIRPORT TRANSFERS.

However you travel, stay safe and have fun! Iyi yolculuklar.