Where to stay in Istanbul, Turkey? Our guide to the best areas of the city

It took us five trips to Istanbul to finally catch feelings and want to return to the city again and again. It turned out that the area you stay at is an essential part of any trip to Istanbul.

After our first visit, we decided to try out as many neighborhoods of the largest city in Turkey as we could to finally uncover the best area to stay in Istanbul. The journey was a success, and the results are in: Instead of dealing with constant traffic noise, overwhelming kebab aroma and crowded bazaars, you can wake up with an open window to birds chirping outside and have a latte with some Eggs Benedict for breakfast on the terrace, just like in the finest European hotels.

Istanbul’s many neighborhoods (of which there are almost 40) can greatly vary in vibes — many of them are as different as chalk and cheese. We are not here with the intent to enlighten you on each and every one of the neighborhoods (this might take a while, plus it’s not as riveting as one would guess). Consider this article to be just the highlights of our “research” of where to stay in Istanbul, Turkey.

Article contents

1. Rundown of tried and tested hotels
2. Nine popular neighborhoods of Istanbul:
   ● Sultanahmet
   ● Cihangir
   ● Eminönü
   ● Karaköy
   ● Galata
   ● İstiklal and Taksim
   ● Beşiktaş
   ● Balat
   ● Kadıköy and Üsküdar
3. Some things to know before traveling to Istanbul
4. 7 guided tours you shouldn’t miss

Our favorite hotels in Istanbul

I used to pick Cheers Midtown Hostel when I was traveling alone or needed somewhere cheap, clean, and close to the chic Cihangir area

Our favorite travel blog pieces to read are the ones that have lists of tried-and-tested hotels to choose from — even if (especially if) the destination is completely foreign to us. The things that make our hearts beat faster are pretty pictures of said hotels, reasonable pricing, and an occasional discount. If all of these requirements are met, we definitely consider booking some of the listed places for our next adventure!

Istanbul is the city bursting with options — it’s almost as if a new hotel, hostel, or a guesthouse pops up every day here. To make your process of choosing where to stay in Istanbul easier, we collected some places that are up-to-standard in all of the required areas.

Here’s our curated list of hotels in Istanbul we personally found worth staying at. We chose places in around the same price range, guided by our innate “Scrooge-ness” and reluctance to spend more on a room than we would in Europe (well, we did break this rule for one hotel on this list). You can look through the main players first, or come back to this list after you’ve made yourself familiar with the neighborhoods to stay in Istanbul.

• 4* Walton Hotels Galata (from $110 per night) — one of our last hotel stays in Istanbul in summer 2026. We chose it for a few reasons: It’s close to Galata Tower (we love this neighborhood), the price was right, and there’s a metro station nearby with easy connections to IST Airport. A few nice bonuses were a decent Turkish breakfast, an elevator — something you definitely can’t take for granted in Istanbul! — and a rooftop terrace overlooking the city and Galata Tower. There are a couple of downsides, too: The cheapest rooms don’t have windows, and if you arrive or leave by taxi during the day, chances are you’ll have to walk the last couple of hundred meters. The street leading to the hotel is extremely narrow and almost always jammed with traffic.

• Cheers Midtown Hostel (from $65 for a private room; from $25 for a bed in dormitory room) — the only hostel on our list, Cheers Midtown still provides separate rooms (if you’re not a big fan of dormitory-style accommodations). The double rooms are fairly priced if you count the location of the hostel — it’s super close to several Istanbul neighborhoods, such as Galata, Cihangir, and Karaköy. Plus, the best coffee in Istanbul at Probador Colectiva is just around the corner.
• Hotel Miniature Istanbul (from $150 per night) — a pretty hotel not far away from the Blue Mosque and other main sites. The place is located on the authentic Turkish street that has all the components of local charm: “ablas” (or aunties) loudly discussing latest gossip, revving motorcycles, and muezzins’ songs echoing off the buildings. The breakfast is a big plus! This hotel was the only exception to our “no-more-expensive-than-a-room-in-Europe” room.
• 4* Great Fortune Design Hotel (from $130 per night) — if you are craving luxury and round-the-clock access to Turkish sauna and hammam, you might enjoy staying in the Fatih district at this hotel. A 10-minute walk to the Blue Mosque and complete peace and quiet outside the windows are two more big advantages of this hotel.
• 3* Endican Sultanahmet Hotel (from $80 per night) — this hotel provides best value for your money! It’s great if you’re planning to explore most of the city on foot. The rooms are small but clean, the price is decent, and the sights of Fatih are right around the corner. If you want to head over to Beyoğlu, just hop on the T1 tram — the stop is a minute away — and enjoy the scenic ride across Galata Bridge.

❗️ Just remember that Booking.com doesn’t show hotels in Turkey if you’re already in the country. For the last minute bookings or for checking all the possible discounts, we suggest using Trip.com.

What districts are there in Istanbul?

Sultanahmet is undoubtedly one of Istanbul’s most important neighborhoods, but we prefer admiring it from a distance. For example, from the Karaköy waterfront

First things first, Istanbul is a unique city that exists on the crossroads of Europe and Asia, which means it consists of two sides: One with mainly Western influences and another with Oriental. The two sides are separated by the Bosphorus (not by the Golden Horn, like we believed up until our first trip to Istanbul).

The European side of the city has the biggest chunk of the districts we’re about to explore together. This part of Istanbul has the widest range of places to visit — the historic Sultanahmet, the merchant Laleli (mainly textiles), the prestigious Beşiktaş, the cozy and colorful Balat, the modern Yeşilköy, the upscale Şişli, the lively Eminönü, and the waterfront Bebek. The districts morph into each other and we suggest exploring them all on foot to see where one neighborhood ends and another begins — you can almost feel the change in the air once you cross from Laleli into Eminönü! The European side of Istanbul is your answer if you’re thinking where to stay in Istanbul if it’s your first time here. You have the heart of the city at your front door, what more could you ask for?

On the Asian side of the city, there are two main districts: Kadıköy and Üsküdar, which are both mainly residential, while still having some degree of allure for tourists. You can get to the Asian side via the Bosphorus Bridge, which is officially known as the 15 July Martyrs Bridge (this less-than-jolly name was given to the bridge after the attempted 2016 coup). You can also get to the other side by metro or ferry.

When looking at the map of Istanbul, it’s hard not to be in awe of its sheer size and reach. The biggest hunk of the most popular tourist attractions can be located by the Golden Horn waterfront. The deeper into the continent you go, the more frequently you encounter skyscrapers and new residential buildings.

The best areas and neighborhoods to stay in Istanbul for tourists are:

• the historic Fatih (Sultanahmet, Eminönü)
• the hipster Beyoğlu (Cihangir, Pera, Taksim, İstiklal, Galata)

Because the main two districts are too big to describe as a whole, they are usually divided into smaller areas and neighborhoods (we listed in brackets above the particularly nice ones that are great for short trips).

If you’re planning to move to Istanbul (whether for a short amount of time or for good), you should consider the following areas to choose for your home base:

• Beşiktaş
• Bebek
• Şişli
• Kadıköy and Üsküdar

Sultanahmet (Fatih district)

Being arguably the most popular and picturesque neighborhood in Istanbul, Sultanahmet (or the Old City) is the center of the city’s culture and history. Situated on the banks of the Golden Horn, Sultanahmet attracts thousands of tourists from all over the globe to marvel at its sights:

• Blue Mosque
• Hagia Sophia
• Istanbul Archaeological Museum
• Topkapi Palace
• Grand Bazaar
• Süleymaniye Mosque

Once inside the neighborhood, you can endlessly stroll its little side streets, finding hundreds of mosques and ancient historical sites depicting stories from the times of Byzantine and Constantinople.

It’s fairly easy to end up staying in Sultanahmet without really meaning to — the area is filled with cheap hostels, hotels, and the Turkish otels (without the “h”) that provide you with a place to rest for less than $50 a night. This fact was the original reason for our slightly negative first impression of Istanbul, and who can blame us? The neighborhood is less than ideal for a comfortable stay: Constant crowds, vendors shouting at the numerous bazaars, and roasted-chestnut street carts standing always getting in the way — it can feel like a nightmare.

After several trips to Istanbul, we decided to stay away from Sultanahmet for the most part, making exceptions only to show friends around the neighborhood and take the occasional photo for our blog. The area is a must-visit if it’s your first time in Istanbul, but other than that, you can find other places to explore without the swarms of tourists in your way.

Pro tip: One of our biggest fears is suddenly getting hungry in Sultanahmet (chestnuts from street vendors do not exactly count as a meal, let’s be honest), so we would like to share a couple of tried-and-tested places we found in the area: Kral Kokoreç Sirkeci for trying kokoreç (you might google this one first, it’s not for everybody); and Viyana Kahvesi Sirkeci for a coffee and a sweet treat.

Pros of Sultanahmet:

+ it’s cheap
+ central location
+ lots of tourist attractions
+ opportunity to take a ferry ride to anywhere in Istanbul from the Eminönü port
+ lots of bazaars with tons of things to buy (from souvenirs to Turkish delights)
+ mostly flat, with no steep hills or climbs

Cons:

— noisy
— too crowded
— not exactly the prettiest part of Istanbul (although the mosques, in particular, are stunning)

Sultanahmet hotels we’d opt for:

🔸 Hypnos Design Hotel (from $100 a night) — the location couldn’t be more central: Topkapı Palace, Hagia Sophia, Gülhane Park, and a tram stop for getting over to Beyoğlu are all right nearby. The hotel also has free parking. In central Istanbul! On top of that, there are only 10 rooms, each decorated in a quirky style and with its own little balcony and a view. There’s also an elevator, so you won’t have to drag your suitcase up to the fifth floor, and breakfast is already included in the rate. The weak point is that it doesn’t feel particularly fresh… but with this many advantages, you can forgive the hotel for that.

🔸 The First Ottoman Dream (from $80 a night) — an alternative to staying in Fatih near the Golden Horn is to base yourself on the opposite side by the Sea of Marmara. There are fewer tourists here, more locals, and the area is overflowing with authentic Istanbul character. The hotel has plenty of character too: Staying here feels more like spending the night at your Turkish granny’s house. There’s even a small kitchenette, despite breakfast already being included. The rooftop terrace is another bonus, with views over the sea, minarets, and church domes of the neighborhood. There’s a ferry stop nearby for crossing over to the Asian side of Istanbul, as well as a tram stop for a ride along the waterfront to Galata Bridge. ❗️There’s a lively street with restaurants right below the windows, so it can get noisy up until the midnight.

If you want to stay in the same area with similar views, but would prefer a proper 4-star hotel with more standard rooms, stronger service, and a spa, take a look at Skalion Hotel (from $120 a night)

🔸 New Inn Hotel Old Town (from $130 a night) — if you’re willing to sacrifice being within walking distance of the main sights for a newer, more modern hotel with stylish rooms, this is a great option. The most beautiful room category is the Family Suite, where you wake up to city views right from your bed. Morning coffee is easy to sort out (there’s an Espressolab coffee shop in the building next door), but getting to the main attractions, however, means taking a bus, as the nearest metro station isn’t useful for sightseeing.

Sultanahmet overview: Important tourist sights are right around every corner, so you can visit them early in the morning before the crowds arrive. The location, however, loses some of its appeal because of the noise, traffic, crowds, and hustlers. The area is great for a short layover, but if you have three or more days in Istanbul, and don’t have a tight budget for accommodation, we suggest looking into other neighborhoods.

Cihangir (Beyoğlu district)

To continue the point we’ve made above, Cihangir is the top answer when you ask us where to stay in Istanbul. It’s the essence of the city, filled with renovated historical buildings, cool breakfast and dinner spots, artsy hipster crowd, and the overall flair of bohemia.

Cihangir’s architecture is quite distinctive: It’s the Art Deco and Art Nouveau buildings that get most of the attention from tourists. You can’t help but wonder how a neighborhood like this came to be right in the middle of Istanbul! The ground floors of these beautifully decorated buildings are home to numerous cafes, stylish bars, modern coffee shops, antique stores, and small galleries. The neighborhood feels like a Turkish treasure chest, it’s so much fun to explore.

Fun fact: Even the local supermarket gets an upscale makeover in Cihangir — instead of the usual name “Carrefour” it’s “Carrefour Gurme”.

The area of Cihangir is set atop a hill, so your dream of booking a cozy sun-filled room on the top floor with a view of the Bosphorus can easily come true here. Well, maybe not that easily, unless you have a very generous budget, as experience like this will cost you a pretty penny. If you’re not keen on blowing all of your savings on the trip to Istanbul, you can still come to Cihangir for a breakfast or dinner, while staying in a more budget-friendly neighborhood.

We recommend you navigate the area’s metaphorical borders by food places, of which we love the following:

✔️ Norm Coffee, Gramaj, Kronotrop Cihangir, Espressolab Cihangir — coffee shops with a nice atmosphere; the last one is good for a productive break with a laptop on the second floor (the coffee is mediocre, though)
✔️ Cuppa, Van Kahvalti Evi, Cuma are extremely good for breakfast
✔️ The finest examples of Turkish cuisine are Keyfeder Künefe Katmer (try “katmer” — a delicious flaky pastry), 1932 Cihangir Doyum Manti (their manti, Turkish dumplings, are super tasty), Tomtom Kebap (restaurant-level kebabs)
✔️ Vegan Istanbul — a popular, cafeteria-style vegan place where all the dishes are already prepared

Pros of Cihangir:

+ read the first two paragraphs of the Cihangir section again to get a feel for the area
+ the whole neighborhood is one big tourist attraction
+ lots of restaurants serving both modern and traditional Turkish food

Cons:

— the area is very steep, which can be a bit of a challenge in the summer heat
— expensive accommodation
— few hotels
— no public transportation

Cihangir hotels and apartments we’d opt for:

🔸 Cihangir VAV Suites (from $120 a night) — this isn’t a hotel but an apartment building with units for rent. They’ve been around for quite a while and have earned a solid rating — thanks to the location, the generous amount of space even in the most basic apartments, the fully equipped kitchens, and the washing machine. Instead of a hotel lobby open to everyone, you get something much better here: A rooftop terrace with views over the Golden Horn.

🔸 Element Garden (from $90 a night) — so what’s the catch behind the good price for Cihangir? The rooms are fairly basic in terms of design, there’s no elevator despite the several floors in the building, and noise from the hallways can get into the rooms. None of these would be deal-breakers for us personally, though — we’d stay here.

🔸 4* Marble Hotel (from $95 a night) — everything about this hotel is pretty average, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It’s a no-frills kind of place: You come here when you need somewhere comfortable to spend the night before heading out to explore the city again the next morning.

Cihangir overview: Once you’ve stayed here, you may not want to stay in any other Istanbul neighborhood! It’s great for appreciating the city’s beauty and not so great for your wallet.

Eminönü (Fatih district)

Eminönü area might not be the most obvious choice when you decide which part of Istanbul you want to stay in, but it’s an okay choice nonetheless. Technically, it is part of the Fatih district, and is situated near Sultanahmet (remember all the crowds we were talking about? same thing here).

The neighborhood is named after the Eminönü pier — one of the main piers in Istanbul. It’s a good starting point for your ferry trips to other parts of Istanbul. If you don’t mind walking, all the must-see attractions are a short distance away — a 10-minute walk will have you reach Hagia Sophia, Gülhane Park, and Grand Bazaar, five minutes more and you’re looking at Galata Bridge anf Galata Tower. Get ready to take lots of pictures!

The central location of the neighborhood can also help you save money on transportation, which is perfect if you’re traveling on a budget. Eminönü area also has a wide range of differently priced hotels — from B&Bs to luxury five-star hotels, so it’s easy to find something that fits your budget.

Staying in Eminönü also puts you right next to some Istanbul’s most famous markets. The Egyptian Bazaar is more than 350 years old, and the Grand Bazaar is one of the biggest covered markets in the world. While tourists come here from all corners of the city, you’ll already be there, ready to explore countless stalls selling spices, clothes, foods, coffee, and souvenirs. The area is also packed with cafes, including several fish restaurants serving freshly cooked fish.

Pros:

+ great location near the ferry pier and the Old City
+ a wide variety of accommodation, including budget-friendly choices
+ proximity to the central bazaars

Cons:

— very crowded
— noisy
— not that many nightlife options

Eminönü hotels we’d opt for:

🔸 4* Han 1772 Hotel (from $130 a night) — we call hotels like this “a blogger’s dream”. It stands out from the usual Istanbul hotels thanks to its design and concept: Exposed stone walls and ceilings, soft lighting, Turkish-inspired patterns — all while being modern. The gorgeous inner courtyard is home to an incredibly popular restaurant Olden 1772, which also happens to be the hotel’s biggest downside — the music keeps going until midnight!

🔸 Biter Hotel (from $60 a night) — if all you need from a hotel is a bed, clean sheets, air conditioning, a fridge, a private bathroom, and a location close enough to the city’s biggest sights, this one fits the bill. Any major attraction is a 20-40-minute walk away. And if you don’t feel like walking, you can always hop on a bus — just make sure you’ve bought and topped up an Istanbulkart first (local transport card).

🔸 Livro Hotel (from $120 a night) — finding a hotel on a quiet street in the Old City (with no restaurants and no constant stream of cars outside) is quite a challenge. Well, here’s one answer! It’s a fairly new hotel that ticks all the boxes of a modern stay: Well-designed lighting, blackout curtains, minimalist interiors, and neutral colors. Add breakfasts consistently described as excellent in reviews and great service, and there really isn’t much to complain about.

If you’re after something more luxurious and design-forward, there’s a great and pricier option right nearby — 4* Levni Premium Hotel (from $200 a night)

Eminönü overview: Staying here is the perfect opportunity to go all out on souvenir shopping — you don’t have to carry heavy bags back to your hotel in another part of Istanbul, because your place is just around the corner. The crowds and noise can be a little (or a lot, on some streets) annoying, but if you love a good bargain, you’ll be perfectly placed to snap one up before everyone else!

Karaköy (Beyoğlu district)

One of Karaköy’s highlights is its small waterfront overlooking Fatih

Karaköy really does have everything that an Istanbul visitor might need during their stay here — from affordable kebab shops to upscale dining experiences, from bar crawl opportunities to prominent historic monuments, from happening nightlife and to long evening promenades along the waterfront. If other neighborhoods on our list haven’t impressed you yet and you’re still wondering where to stay in Istanbul, look no further!

Historically, Karaköy got itself a bonne bouche location right near all the tourist attractions — a walking distance from Sultanahmet, a cablecar ride from Galata, and a tram ride from İstiklal. The downside to the easy access of other Istanbul neighborhoods is the constant traffic noise.

Main things to remember when choosing Karaköy neighborhood to stay in:

✔️ The area is full of amazing hotel options (keep in mind though that it will be hard to find budget-friendly accommodation here, as most of the places in Karaköy are mid-range to luxury). Our recommendation for a stay in the neighborhood is SuB Karaköy Hotel — a perfect place to feast your eyes on stunning interiors and enjoy the top-tier service away from the loudest streets of the area (from $130 a night).

✔️ Some must-see landmarks include, but are not limited to: Istanbul Museum of Modern Art, Tünel (a historic underground funicular line connecting Karaköy and Beyoğlu), Galata Bridge, and an elongated waterfront with spectacular views of Istanbul’s minaret-studded skyline all the way to Atatürk Bridge. If you look the other way, you can see the newly developed Galataport Istanbul promenade, built specifically for cruise ships passengers giving them plenty of opportunities to spend money in Istanbul without venturing too far into the city.

✔️ Our favorite places in Karaköy are a little hidden and very popular with locals, so make sure you save them to your map for easy navigation: Kronotrop Karaköy (a great coffee shop), Karaköy Çorba Evi (you should try their lentil soup), Sokak Lezzeti Tarihi Balık Dürümcü Mehmet Usta (balık ekmek–fish sandwich, a staple of Turkish street food scene), Karaköy Köşkeroğlu Tophane (their pistachio baklava is to die for), Namlı Gurme (for a traditional Turkish breakfast experience).

Pros:

+ close to Galata Bridge and Fatih area
+ long waterfront, perfect for an evening promenade
+ lots of cafes and restaurants
+ an entire street of bars

Cons:
— the bustling nightlife comes with quite a bit of noise after sunset
— no cheap accommodation

Karaköy hotels we’d opt for:

(There are so many gorgeous boutique hotels here that it’s almost impossible to choose just three! But they all come with a price tag of $150+ a night…)

🔸 3* The Wolf Hotel (from $65 a night) — possibly the cheapest option you’ll find in ultra-popular Karaköy. A small room, air conditioning, and a private bathroom — that pretty much sums up the standard room, although there are larger and nicer categories too. There’s a bar on the ground floor, and a street full of restaurants outside the hotel.

🔸 3* Karakoy Hotel De La Chapella (from $90 a night) — one of the newest additions to Karaköy’s growing hotel scene, opened in 2026. And at such a surprisingly good price! Book it before the rates go up. We’ve actually booked it ourselves for this fall. A word of warning: It won’t be for everyone, especially if you can’t stand bare walls, exposed concrete, and unfinished ceilings. We love the loft aesthetic, when it’s paired with cinematic design like in this hotel.

🔸 Les Temps Istanbul Karakoy, by Hilton (from $230 a night) — set slightly away from all the action of Karaköy, this hotel is part of Hilton’s Curio Collection. Essentially, it’s a Hilton with a more individual, design-led twist. The hotel occupies a 1909 building designed by an Italian architect and originally home to an insurance company, which has since undergone a meticulous restoration. Today, its historic shell hides luxurious interiors that anyone can admire. Right next door are SALT Galata (modern art museum) and the Kamondo Stairs, which lead you up toward Galata Tower.

Karaköy overview: Less fancy alternative to Cihangir with well-developed infrastructure and lots of entertainment options. A perfect neighborhood to stay in Istanbul for couples.

Galata (Beyoğlu district)

There are always crowds around Galata Tower, even at 1 a.m.!

Galata is the area centered around Galata Tower, Istanbul’s sight that you can spot from almost anywhere in the city. If you are traveling to Istanbul with some cash burning a hole in your pocket, you’ve come to the right place.

In our minds, Galata will always be synonymous with shopping. You’ll find all sorts of great places here: Both local and tourist-oriented shops, little cafes where you can take a break for a couple of hours from all the walking and spending money. Judging by the prices of food and souvenirs, Galata is arguably one of the most expensive parts of Istanbul.

Pro tip: You have to keep in mind that if you live near the Galata Tower, you have to embrace the everyday climb back home — the Tower is located on a hill.

There are still so many places in Galata that we haven’t yet explored but desperately want to! Just to give you an idea, here are a few of them:

✔️ Arada Beyrut — yes, we’re in Turkey, but who says you can’t pop into a Lebanese restaurant for breakfast and literally drown in an endless spread of tiny, delicious, ridiculously photogenic plates known as a Turkish-Lebanese mixed breakfast?
✔️ Viyana Kahvesi Galata which is considered to serve the best San Sebastian cheesecake in Istanbul. We’re curious to see makes this particular coffee shop so special, since you can find the cheesecake all over the city
✔️ SALT Galata — a modern coworking place located in the former bank building, which also includes a library and an exhibition space. The magnificent views of the Bosphorus from the upper floors alone make us want to stay here
✔️ Old Java Coffee Roasters is rumored to have incredible specialty coffee
✔️ Kamondo Stairs — one of the more unusual ways to reach Galata Tower, this beautiful Art Nouveau staircase is a spot for unique Istanbul photos, while also giving you a glimpse into the city’s history. It was built in the mid-19th century by a well-to-do local Jewish banker.

Pros:

+ central location
+ you can’t get lost as the Galata Tower can be seen from everywhere

Cons:

— crowds are similar to those in Sultanahmet
— no matter where you come from, the road to your hotel is always uphill

Galata hotels we’d opt for:

🔸 4* Aspera Hotel Golden Horn (from $140 a night) — a newly opened high-rise hotel where you can even book a room overlooking the Golden Horn. The interiors are stylish, breakfast gets good reviews, and there’s a rooftop terrace with panoramic views that’s open to all guests. The metro station and Galata Tower are both just a couple of minutes away on foot.

🔸 PeraNox Boutique Hotel (from $80 a night) — it’s always great to see a budget hotel where the owners have put some thought into creating harmonious, well-designed rooms instead of simply filling them with basic furniture. The hotel only offers single and double rooms, but all of them come with crisp white walls and dark-walnut wood accents. And despite being so close to Galata Tower, nights here are peaceful — it’s blissfully quiet.

Galata overview: A safe choice when deciding where to stay in Istanbul, nothing out of the ordinary, just the area around the Tower.

Taksim and İstiklal (Beyoğlu district)

You can find Istiklal Street almost empty early in the morning!

Taksim Square is the main square of Istanbul. The Taksim neighborhood is your first introduction to the city should you decide to take a Havabus from the airport. Taksim is one of the major transport hubs, and you can get anywhere from here. There’s a metro station, plenty of buses, a tram stop, and İstiklal Street — the main pedestrian street — either starts or ends here, depending on which direction you’re coming from.

İstiklal and Taksim are also among the best areas in Istanbul for budget accommodation. There’s a reason for the lower prices: Some hotels fall short in one way or another — whether it’s bedbugs, paper-thin walls, or a popular bar right outside your windows. Sometimes the compromise is worth it — the location is about as central as it can get, and putting up with a couple of nights in earplugs may not seem so bad (given it saves you around $30 a night).

Some note-worthy places of the area:

✔️ U2 Istanbul Irish Pub (Taksim) — the Irish owner has Guinness on tap and is always up for a chat
✔️ Asmalı Mescit Dürümcü (İstiklal) — we’re not usually big fans of döner kebabs (or dürüms in Turkish), but the one we tried here was out-of-this-world delicious! We also recommend you try their lentil soup, it’s also très magnifique!
✔️ Espressolab İstiklal Caddesi Staylab (İstiklal) — a three-storey coffee shop, which, for the reasons unknown, has become a meeting place for Istanbul’s students and foreigners working remotely
✔️ Türk Alman Kitabevi & Cafe (İstiklal) — a Turkish-German bookstore/café, less popular than the coworking giant due to its cramped space and dim lighting
✔️ Ali Baba Bufe (Taksim) — its Pakistani food is simply too good to miss while you’re in Istanbul

Pros:

+ one of the many “centers” of Istanbul
+ lots of cheap accommodation
+ easy to get around Istanbul from here by metro, bus, or tram
+ surrounded by neighborhoods packed with Istanbul’s major landmarks
+ lots of shopping and entertainment options

Cons:

— both road traffic and foot traffic are intense, İstiklal street can sometimes feel almost limpassable because of the sheer number of people
— some hotels and apartments can be a bit questionable in terms of quality (like paper-thin walls that let you hear every word your neighbors are saying)
— noisy

Taksim and İstiklal hotels we’d opt for:

🔸 3* The Marions Suite (from $110 a night) — the design flaws are easy to forgive given the spacious rooms, good breakfasts, and a location that lets you be close to both Taksim Square and Cihangir.

🔸 Palazzo Donizetti Istanbul (from $160 a night) — another example of a historic building taken under the wing of a hotel giant (Hilton) and carefully restored before being transformed into an upscale hotel. Every detail, color, material, and design choice is meant to preserve and revive the atmosphere of the palazzo in its heyday. If you’re after a truly unique stay, this is exactly the kind of place to choose.

🔸 Yellow Mansion (from $60 a night) — it’s incredibly hard to find a decent hotel once you move the “how much are you willing to spend per night?” slider down to $60 or less. There always seems to be a catch — bad reviews about cleanliness, noise, or the staff. This hotel is a rare find: Guests leave positive reviews, the rooms are decent, and the location is just a short walk from Taksim Square.

Taksim and İstiklal overview: If you’re choosing where to stay in Istanbul — Taksim or Sultanahmet — we’d definitely lean towards Taksim, since it’s easier to get away from the crowds and reach quieter parts of Istanbul. Sultanahmet is a bit harder to escape from because of its location.

Beşiktaş

When we first found ourselves in Beşiktaş, we were in a taxi and could literally see how our surroundings change the deeper we drove into the neighborhood. The dingy bars gradually gave way to fancy and stylish cafe and restaurants; there were hardly any tourists on the streets — just locals going about their day. Cheap souvenirs shops were replaced by designer boutiques. We could even see the greenery of parks and public gardens and, surprisingly, some huge supermarkets. “Toto, I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore!” — we thought to ourselves, bewildered by the sudden change of scenery.

Our knowledge of Beşiktaş is fairly limited (as it is with some of Istanbul’s other more residential areas — Bebek, Şişli, Nişantaşı). Most of what we do know comes from the occasional brunch with friends who live in these areas and are always happy to tell us about the ups and downs of life there. The general consensus is that neighborhoods like Beşiktaş offer a comfortable quality of life — far enough from the major tourist attractions and the crowds that come with them, yet still well connected to the rest of the city. Long-term rents are also much more reasonable. Residents of Beşiktaş really do get to have their cake and eat it too!

Even though Beşiktaş may not be the best choice for a short stay, there’s nothing stopping you from coming here for coffee, brunch, or sushi! Here are some of the best places to do just that:

✔️ Hygge Coffee Shop and Petra Topağacı (we had the best coffee of our lives here)
✔️ Grandma for brunch — their quiches and galettes are worth coming here for alone
✔️ Sushi&Spice for a quick sushi fix

Pros:

+ lots of cheap long-term accommodation options
+ hotels are also cheaper
+ peace and quiet

Cons:
— not great for tourists as it’s too far from the city center

Beşiktaş overview: A more local way of life with plenty of coffee shops and restaurants, far from the epicenter of Istanbul. Perfect for those who plan to settle in first rather than plunge straight into the whirlwind of sightseeing and nightlife.

Hotels in Beşiktaş >>

Balat (Fatih district)

If you’re interested in learning about the neighborhoods’ heritage, their history, and the way different communities shaped the places they lived in, you should definitely check out charming Balat, Istanbul’s former Jewish quarter, and nearby Fener known as the city’s Greek quarter.

You are probably already familiar with parts of Balat — the brightly colored 📍 Merdivenli Yokuş Evleri and 📍 Colorful Stairs are all over Instagram. Add steep hills, cute cafes, and oh-so-many cats, and you’ve got yourself a dream destination!

Alas, both Fener and Balat are still largely overlooked by tourists, even though they can give the renowned Galata a run for its money when it comes to atmosphere and culture (plus, remember all those kitties in the streets!). We may be biased when we say this is the most swoon-worthy part of Istanbul, but to each their own.

There are so many cute places in Balat that lean heavily into all things vintage and antique. Here are our recommendations:

✔️ Rota Balat Coffee — a perfectly cozy place to wait out the rain with a cup of coffee and a tasty treat
✔️ Café Naftalin K — now that’s the name you’ll definitely remember! The food here, obviously, is not toxic to humans (or moths, for that matter, despite what the name have you believe). One of our favorite cafes in Istanbul!
✔️ Coffee Department — serves some pretty decent (okay, very decent) coffee and has a great atmosphere

We would recommend taking guided tour of Balat first to get a better understanding of the neighborhood and its history ($19 per person). Don’t be like our friend who decided to explore the area on their own and bolted the second they wandered into a lesser-known (and slightly rougher) part of the neighborhood.

Pros:

+ unique architecture
+ super fun, colorful and weird (definitely not the Istanbul you see in the official brochures)

Cons:

— not that popular and definitely not for overly pampered tourists (you know the type) because of its rougher, run-down corners
— too far away from the center
— no hotels

Balat overview: An area of stark contrasts where the less-than-ideal stretches of streets sit side by side with colorful, picture-perfect backdrops for tourists’ photos.

Kadıköy and Üsküdar (Asian side)

The wide-open sea views you get from the Kadıköy waterfront!

Kadıköy is famous for its seaside promenade and beaches, Üsküdar is known for its mosques. Overall, the Asian side of Istanbul reminded us of Barcelona’s residential areas (like Sant Marti).

We didn’t spend much time on the Asian side of the city because our trips were usually short, and we didn’t think it made much sense to spend extra time getting to the main tourist attractions from Kadıköy’ or Üsküdar’s hotels. However, it isn’t like these neighborhoods have nothing to show in terms of tourist entertainment.

If you travel to Kadıköy in the summer, don’t forget to bring your swimsuit and make the most of its beaches — even if you just dip your toes into the Sea of Marmara. The area’s nightlife can hold its own against the European side, with tons of bars and clubs staying open into the wee hours of the morning.

Üsküdar’s must-see places include:

✔️ Nevmekân Sahil — a multifunctional cultural space with a cafe, an art gallery, and a huge library
✔️ Mihrimah Sultan Mosque and Şemsi Pasha Mosque — two beautiful mosques that greet you as you arrive in the area by ferry. The first was commissioned by a daughter of Suleiman the Magnificent, which is pretty sick!
✔️ Maiden’s Tower — located on the island in the Bosphorus, the tower is surrounded by legends about its former inhabitants. There used to be a restaurant inside, but it’s closed now, so bring some snacks for your boat trip past the island — you don’t want to get hungry while listening to riveting stories about princesses and ghosts

Pros:

+ peaceful and safe residential neighborhoods by the water, filled with nice cafes and restaurants
+ a long waterfront promenade
+ hotels are a bit cheaper

Cons:

— it still takes around half an hour to reach the European side, even by ferry

Kadıköy and Üsküdar overview: These neighborhoods are less popular with tourists because they sit away from Istanbul’s main cultural and historical sights. They’re great places to settle down, if you ever decide to move to Istanbul.

Hotels in Kadıköy >>

Things to know before traveling to Istanbul

Based on our extensive (but still, far from complete) knowledge of Istanbul, here are a few things we wished we’d known before our first visit to the city.

1) If you have no idea how to fill your itinerary when planning a trip to Istanbul, check out our article on the top things you absolutely have to see and do in the city. Even though Istanbul is huge, many of its main attractions are close to one another, so we recommend exploring them on foot. That way, you’ll notice more of the little details of everyday life and the local character of the area.

2) It’s impossible to see and learn everything Istanbul has to offer in just a few days, so if you can, allow yourself a little more time for the trip.

3) If you’re short on time, make use of Istanbul’s extensive public transport network. Just remember that you have to pay for every transfer on the metro (we suggest getting an IstanbulKart for 165 liras / $3,5 to make your life easier).

4) We wouldn’t recommend renting a car in Istanbul just because of the amount of traffic in and around the city center. But if you’re planning a little getaway beyond the city limits, use the services of Localrent. Here’s our step-by-step guide to renting a car in Turkey.

5) Don’t hail a cab in the street — use apps like Uber or BiTaksi instead. They can save you a fair amount of money. These services work in the airports as well! Sp skip the local yellow taxis.

6) Pre-book your accommodation as Booking.com doesn’t work while you’re in Turkey.

7) If you’re too tired to go out for dinner after a long day of sightseeing, use Yemeksepeti to order from some of the restaurants we mentioned above and have the food delivered straight to your hotel room.

8) Most ATMs here charge a withdrawal fee, so do some research beforehand to find the ones that don’t, or bring some cash with you. You can use a credit card almost everywhere, but having a few banknotes comes in handy when buying grilled corn from a street vendor.

9) Most mosques are free to visit (although tourists have to pay €25 to visit Hagia Sophia), just be mindful of you wear and avoid anything too revealing. It’s all about respect.

10) Buy some earplugs before your stay in Istanbul, especially if you know your hotel is near a mosque (hello, 5 a.m. wake-up call!) or a bar or club (hello, insomnia until 5 a.m.).

11) Do haggle at the bazaars — it’s not only acceptable, but sometimes expected! Try to knock at least 20% off the asking price (you can get it down even further).

12) And do take lots of pictures to remember your trip to Istanbul by!

Where to stay in Istanbul?

Our advice on where to stay in Istanbul as a tourist is as follows:

• Avoid staying on the Asian side of Istanbul if sightseeing is your priority, as most of the major tourist attractions are concentrated on the European side. Commuting to and from the center every day is tiring (although the ferry rides are very beautiful)
• If you’re looking for somewhere budget-friendly while still staying close to the center, check out the areas around İstiklal Street, such as Galata or Cihangir. It may be a little too hipster for some, but the location near the heart of Istanbul is hard to beat
• Looking for a prestigious and upscale neighborhood? Consider Beşiktaş — one of Istanbul’s pricier areas, but a great choice if safety and a more polished atmosphere are important. You can comfortably walk around here at night
• Sultanahmet, despite being Istanbul’s most touristy neighborhood, is not our favorite place to stay. Hotel quality can be hit or miss, and some of the quieter back streets may feel less comfortable after dark
• Istanbul also has some incredibly unique neighborhoods, such as Arnavutköy (not to be confused with a district of the same name near the airport) with some truly spectacular architecture. The area is known for its colorful wooden yalis — waterfront mansions built from timber and decorated with ornate period details
• If you’re visiting Istanbul but still want a taste of a seaside holiday, head to the Princes’ Islands — the most naturally beautiful escapes around Istanbul, about an hour away by ferry

Side note: We love putting together little lists of hotels with the highest number of reviews in a city, just to see what travelers choose when price isn’t part of the equation. But only if they also have a great rating.

And here’s what the picture looks like in Istanbul:

— 5* CVK Park Bosphorus Hotel Istanbul (close to Taksim and Cihangir; from $300 a night) — the city views are mesmerizing, especially the Bosphorus Bridge lit up at night. Add an enormous spa area and an overall sense of luxury!

— 5* Hilton Istanbul Bomonti (Şişli; from $200 a night) — once again, incredible views from the rooms and all the usual perks of a Hilton. It’s also often described as the best Hilton in Istanbul

— 5* Gleam Collection Hotel (Şişli; from $150 a night) — this is where luxury wins on price!

Guided tours to take in Istanbul

Our favorite way to learn about the history and little quirks of the places we visit is by taking a guided tour. There are so many to choose from, and so many great experiences waiting for you!

Here are some tours we’ve either taken ourselves or are planning to take on our upcoming trips to Istanbul:

❤️ Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Show	Spend a spectacular evening on the mega yacht on the Bosphorus, with stage performances and a private table	from $38 per person
❤️ Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and Basilica Cistern combo ticket	Visit three of Istanbul’s most famous attractions without waiting in line to buy tickets, enjoy an audio guide app, and uncover all the juicy secrets and fascinating history behind these iconic buildings	$150 per person
❤️ Hodjapasha Whirling Dervishes Show	Experience an awe-inspiring traditional performance by whirling dervishes — a one-of-a-kind opportunity to delve deeper into Turkish culture	$40 per person
❤️ Guided Food Tour in Istanbul	Not suitable for anyone on a strict diet, this tour takes you through Üsküdar to sample the best food the area has to offer — fish sandwiches, kaymak, and simit included, and plenty of other Turkish treats	$133 per person
❤️ Taste of Two Continents Food Tour	Another food-focused tour, this one takes you through Taksim, İstiklal Street, Beyoğlu, Karaköy, and Eminönü, exploring Istanbul’s food culture along the way before ending at the Spice Market	$135 per person
❤️ Fener and Balat Walking Tour	Enjoy a tour of the most interesting areas of Istanbul!	$20 per person

Final thoughts

We hope our article has thoroughly answered your burning question of where to stay in Istanbul, while also giving you plenty to look forward to in some of the most popular neighborhoods of the city. If you want to dive deeper into the things to do in Istanbul, we recommend reading this article next. And if you have already sorted out your stay in Istanbul and want to figure out how to rent a car in Turkey — head over here for our detailed guide, where we share our experience with Localrent.

Leave us a comment below and tell us which neighborhoods and hotels you’ve stayed in while visiting Istanbul, or which ones you’d love to try next!