In Istanbul you can wake up to views of centuries-old mosques, start your day between trendy coffee bars, or hop on a ferry to a completely different continent. All in the same city! Istanbul is huge, and the neighbourhood you stay in shapes much of how you experience it. You can visit the same famous sights from anywhere, of course, but daily life feels completely different from one area to the next.
Do you go for historic Sultanahmet, with Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque practically around the corner? Or would you rather sleep among the lanes, street art and coffee bars of Karaköy? Maybe lively Kadıköy on the Asian side suits you much better. From atmospheric old quarters to modern districts full of restaurants and shops, Istanbul has it all. Below, we list the best areas to stay in Istanbul, including the pros and cons of each neighbourhood.
Best areas to stay in Istanbul at a glance
Short on time? Here’s the quick version. Below, you’ll find more about each area and our favourite hotels there.
- Best for first-timers and historic sights: Sultanahmet (our pick: Celine Hotel – Ottoman Mansion)
- Best for coffee bars and street art: Karaköy (our pick: Ferman Port Hotel)
- Best for atmosphere and rooftop views: Galata (our pick: Doruk Palas Hotel)
- Best for a practical, central base: Sirkeci (our pick: Mest Hotel Istanbul Sirkeci)
- Best for lively streets and vintage shops: Cihangir & Taksim (our pick: Witt Istanbul Suites)
- Best for local life on the Asian side: Kadıköy & Moda (our pick: İkiz Konak Boutique Hotel)
- Best for staying on the Bosphorus: Beşiktaş (our pick: The Stay Bosphorus)
Practical Tips for Istanbul
How many days do you need in Istanbul?
We’d plan at least three days for Istanbul, but even that is pretty short. The city is enormous and the best places are spread across different neighbourhoods. With four or five days, you have time not only for the famous sights but also to wander a little longer through the nicest areas. We loved spending half a day on the Asian side, for example. So don’t pack every day full, because strolling the streets and a spontaneous coffee stop are part of a city break in Istanbul too!
What is the best area to stay in Istanbul?
That mostly depends on what you want to do during your trip. In Sultanahmet you sleep right among the most famous historic monuments, while Galata and Karaköy have plenty of good restaurants, coffee bars and fun shops. Would you rather stay among the locals? Then take a look at Kadıköy on the Asian side. We especially loved the mix of trendy streets and the green coastline there. In our guide to Istanbul with young kids, you’ll find our favourite things to do in the city.
How do you get around between Istanbul’s neighbourhoods?
Istanbul is enormous, but luckily getting around by metro, tram, bus and ferry is easy. Buy an Istanbulkart from a machine at a metro station. You can top up this travel card again and again and use it on almost all public transport, including from the airports. From Istanbul Airport (IST), the metro gets you to the centre in about 60 to 90 minutes, and from Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) you reach Kadıköy in about 50 minutes.
We’d also definitely recommend the ferries. We sailed to Kadıköy and enjoyed the view of the skyline along the way. A mini sightseeing cruise for the price of a public transport ticket! Avoid taxis where you can, because traffic in Istanbul can get completely gridlocked.
Is Istanbul expensive to visit?
Istanbul has become a lot more expensive in recent years. We were especially shocked by the entrance fees at the big tourist attractions, certainly compared to my previous visit years ago. Topkapı Palace and the Basilica Cistern, for example, have become pretty pricey. Luckily, you can explore Istanbul’s best neighbourhoods completely for free! Wander the colourful streets of Balat, explore the lanes around Galata Tower or walk along the water in Moda without spending a penny. Many of the beautiful mosques are free to visit too. So a city break in Istanbul doesn’t have to be extremely expensive, especially if you mix paid sights with free activities.
When is the best time to visit Istanbul?
We visited Istanbul in October and found it a great time to explore the city. On a city break you spend a lot of time outdoors and often walk long distances, so pleasant temperatures really make a difference. That’s why April, May, September and October are popular months. Summer can get very hot, which makes walking through the hilly neighbourhoods a lot less pleasant. Winter is usually cooler and wetter, but has the advantage that some tourist spots are quieter. Istanbul is a lively city all year round, though, so there’s plenty to do outside the high season too.
How do you get mobile data in Istanbul?
Turkey isn’t covered by EU roaming rules, so if you’re travelling with a European phone plan, mobile data can get very expensive. During our trip through Turkey we used an eSIM, which lets you install a data bundle in advance and be online the moment you land. Ideal when you’re walking through unfamiliar neighbourhoods, using Google Maps or quickly checking which ferry to take. A big advantage of our eSIM was that we could switch between different Turkish mobile networks. In one place Vodafone worked better, while somewhere else Türk Telekom was faster.
The 7 Best Areas to Stay in Istanbul
#1 Sultanahmet: Stay Among the Historic Highlights
Want to focus on Istanbul’s famous sights? Then Sultanahmet is the place for you. You’ll be sleeping in the historic heart of the city, within walking distance of Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Basilica Cistern and Topkapı Palace. Ideal for a first visit, as you’ll hardly need public transport. The downside? Sultanahmet is very touristy, with lots of souvenir shops and restaurants aimed mainly at visitors. It also gets fairly quiet in the evening. For good coffee bars, fun boutiques and lively streets, we much prefer other neighbourhoods.
#1 Celine Hotel – Ottoman Mansion is a picture-perfect hotel! You stay in a beautifully restored Ottoman mansion with high ceilings, wooden details and atmospheric interiors. And all that just a few minutes’ walk from the Blue Mosque.
#2 Catch Sultanahmet is set in a group of historic houses close to the Sea of Marmara. The rooms are modern and stylish, and the terrace looks out over the water. Also handy: there are spacious family suites, which makes it a good choice for a city break with kids.
#3 Seraglio Hotel & Suites is on a quiet side street near the Blue Mosque. It’s a small hotel with a friendly atmosphere and a pleasant roof terrace. Some rooms even have their own terrace overlooking the Blue Mosque! Families will find spacious suites and apartments here too.
#4 Blu Ma’Cel Sultanahmet Boutique Hotel is a small hotel where it’s all about the details. The rooms are bright and nicely decorated, but the extensive Turkish breakfast might be the best reason to stay here. You’re also within walking distance of the Blue Mosque and other historic highlights, without ending up in a big, impersonal hotel.
#5 AJWA Sultanahmet is the place to really treat yourself. The hotel has an impressive interior with richly decorated ceilings, handmade furniture and beautiful Ottoman details. With a luxury spa and pool, a stay here feels almost like a little holiday within your city break.
#2 Karaköy: Trendy Coffee Bars and Characterful Streets
As far as we’re concerned, Karaköy is one of the best places to stay in Istanbul. This old harbour district is full of trendy coffee bars, street art, little shops and good restaurants. The side streets especially are fun to explore, with terraces and handsome old façades everywhere. And it’s incredibly convenient too! You can walk across the Galata Bridge to the old city, the tram takes you straight to Sultanahmet and Galata Tower is an uphill walk away. Traffic can be pretty hectic and the area has become popular with tourists, but if you love lively streets and good places to eat and drink, Karaköy is a great base.
#1 Casa Rosa Suites is a small boutique hotel in the middle of Karaköy’s lively lanes. The rooms are stylish and the personal welcome gets lots of praise from previous guests. You’re surrounded by fun coffee bars and restaurants, within walking distance of Galata Tower. Do bear in mind that the rooms are fairly compact and there’s no lift.
#2 Ferman Port Hotel is housed in a beautiful historic building, with high ceilings and an atmospheric interior. The absolute highlight is the roof terrace, where you look out over the rooftops of Istanbul and the water during breakfast. And with the ferry, tram and Galata Bridge nearby, the location is very handy too.
#3 10 Karaköy shows how well old and new can work together. The hotel is in an impressive historic building where high ceilings and classic architecture meet modern design. The large central hall is a real eye-catcher. And after a day of wandering through Istanbul, you can flop down on the roof terrace among Karaköy’s rooftops.
#4 Ada Karaköy Hotel doesn’t need over-the-top luxury. Here it’s all about location: you sleep right in Karaköy, with the ferries, tram and lively streets practically on the doorstep. The rooms are fairly basic, but there’s a small roof terrace. An affordable choice for anyone who mainly wants to spend all day exploring Istanbul.
#5 The Wings Hotels Karaköy is a great hotel if you like waking up to views over Istanbul. Some rooms look out over the water, and the roof terrace offers a superb panorama of the historic skyline. The rooms are spacious and stylish, with a luxurious feel. Especially recommended if you want to spoil yourself a little on your city break.
#6 The Bank Hotel Istanbul might be the most unusual hotel on this list. You sleep in a former bank on historic Bankalar Caddesi, where classic architecture is beautifully combined with modern design. The hotel has a rooftop bar and a spa, and is within walking distance of both Galata Tower and Karaköy’s lively streets.
#3 Galata: Atmospheric Stays Around the Famous Galata Tower
With its narrow streets, old façades and charming boutiques, Galata may well be one of Istanbul’s most photogenic neighbourhoods. The famous tower rises above everything, and the streets around it are packed with good coffee bars, restaurants and little shops. You can easily walk to Karaköy or İstiklal, the big shopping street, so the location is great too. Do keep the steep slopes in mind, as Galata sits on a hill. That’s not always handy with a pushchair. It can also get very busy around the tower, so we’d mainly look for a hotel on one of the quieter side streets.
#1 Doruk Palas Hotel is a small, welcoming hotel just a few minutes’ walk from Galata Tower. The personal welcome and the generous breakfast get especially high marks. Book a room with a balcony and sea view if you want to wake up looking out over the rooftops and mosques of Istanbul. With a Booking score of 9.6, this is one of our favourites!
#2 Art Nouveau Galata is almost next door to the famous Galata Tower. The rooms are snug and modern, and some even have a balcony with a view of the tower. A fun extra is that breakfast is served at a café nearby. Do keep the stairs in mind, as the hotel has no lift.
#3 Meroddi Galata Mansion is on one of those Galata streets where you’d happily linger for a while. Step outside and you’re right among the little shops, coffee bars and old façades. Inside, things are a bit simpler, but with a generous breakfast and Galata Tower around the corner, it’s a great starting point for exploring Istanbul on foot.
#4 Georges Hotel Galata is a beautiful boutique hotel in a historic building, with high ceilings, stylish rooms and a wonderful roof terrace. From the restaurant you look out over the Bosphorus and the Istanbul skyline. Some rooms also have their own balcony with views of the water. A fantastic choice if you like to book something special!
#5 DeCamondo Galata is a stylish design hotel in the historic banking district, between Galata Tower and Karaköy. The interior blends old architecture with modern details, and the hotel has two restaurants. You’re also within walking distance of Galata’s lively streets and the tram and ferries at Karaköy.
#4 Sirkeci: A Central Base Without the Sultanahmet Crowds
Sirkeci lies between the historic old town and the Golden Horn and is an extremely handy place to stay in Istanbul. You can easily walk to Hagia Sophia, the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar, while the tram and ferries take you to other parts of the city in no time. Around the old Sirkeci railway station you’ll find plenty of hotels, shops and restaurants, but the area has fewer of the atmospheric streets and trendy coffee bars we like to hang out in. It’s mainly a practical base, often with more affordable hotels than in the most popular neighbourhoods. Ideal if you want to see a lot of Istanbul and care less about the atmosphere right outside your hotel.
#1 Mest Hotel Istanbul Sirkeci may have one of the best breakfast spots in the area. From the roof terrace you look almost straight at the impressive New Mosque, with the Golden Horn and Galata Tower in the background. And downstairs? You step right out among the stalls and shops of the Spice Bazaar! The hotel is in a historic building with a modern interior. If you stay here, book a room with a balcony and a view.
#2 Romance Istanbul Hotel takes its Ottoman theme pretty seriously. The rooms are full of special details, from ornate furniture to decorations that nod to Istanbul’s history. And after a day exploring the city, a spa with an indoor pool and Turkish hammam awaits downstairs. You’re also close to Gülhane Park and the tram, so the location is excellent too.
#3 Neorion Hotel has something you don’t expect from every hotel in central Istanbul: its own swimming pool! There’s also a hammam and sauna, and the roof terrace looks out over the city. Especially with kids, that pool is a fun extra after a day of sightseeing. Meanwhile, Hagia Sophia, the Spice Bazaar and the tram are all within walking distance.
#4 Hotel Sultania is anything but an ordinary city hotel. The rooms feature Ottoman influences, graceful furniture and striking details you’d sooner expect in a palace. The rooftop restaurant with views over the historic centre is another plus. And even though you’re right in old Istanbul, you can take a dip in the indoor pool.
#5 Cihangir and Taksim: Trendy Coffee Bars and Lively Streets
Around Taksim and Cihangir you’ll find a very different side of Istanbul from the historic centre. Taksim is busy and lively, with the famous İstiklal shopping street and countless restaurants and shops that stay open late. A few streets away lies Cihangir, where everything feels a bit more relaxed. Here you’ll find friendly coffee bars, vintage shops, small terraces and handsome old apartment buildings. We especially like Cihangir as a place to stay, while Taksim is handy for its metro connections and wide choice of hotels. Do expect crowds, nightlife noise and steep hills. We’d rather pick a hotel on a quiet street in Cihangir than right on Taksim Square.
#1 Witt Istanbul Suites is one for design lovers. Think spacious suites with retro furniture, wooden floors and a small kitchen of your own. But the best spot is up on the roof, where the terrace looks out over the rooftops of Istanbul. And all that in the heart of Cihangir, with good coffee bars and restaurants around the corner!
#2 Faik Pasha Hotels feels almost like staying at the home of an eccentric collector. Everywhere you look there are antique furniture, vintage finds and unusual details. The hotel is spread across historic buildings in Çukurcuma, a neighbourhood full of antique shops and little cafés. It even has its own hammam! If you love hotels with plenty of character, this is a fantastic address.
#3 The Marions Suite is especially interesting if you’re travelling with kids or staying in Istanbul a bit longer. Instead of just a bed and a bathroom, some suites also come with a seating area and a small kitchen. Handy for a relaxed breakfast in your room before heading out into the city. And with Cihangir on one side and Taksim Square on the other, you never have to walk far for good restaurants or the metro.
#4 Ayramin Deluxe Hotel Taksim is just around the corner from the famous İstiklal shopping street. Perfect if you like being right in the thick of it, with restaurants, shops and cafés open until late. The rooms are colourful and atmospheric, and some even have their own jacuzzi. A welcome treat after a day of walking what feels like all of Istanbul!
#5 Mukarnas Taksim Hotel is close to İstiklal, the famous shopping street that buzzes from early morning until late at night. Inside it’s a lot calmer, with modern rooms and an extensive breakfast buffet. You’re also close to the metro, so you can easily head off in every direction from here.
#6 Kadıköy and Moda: Local Life on the Asian Side
Want to experience Istanbul a little beyond the well-known tourist districts? Then take a look at Kadıköy, on the Asian side of the city. Around the market streets you’ll find plenty of small restaurants, bakeries, coffee bars and shops, while neighbouring Moda is quieter and has great spots for walks along the water. Here it’s less about famous monuments and more about everyday life in Istanbul. The ferry easily takes you to the European side, which is also a great way to see the city from the water. The downside is that you have to cross the Bosphorus every time for the big sights. But if you like staying among the locals and don’t have a packed sightseeing schedule every day, it’s a wonderful choice.
#1 İkiz Konak Boutique Hotel is set in a beautiful old mansion, with high ceilings, wooden floors and a charming courtyard garden. It feels more like staying in a characterful Istanbul townhouse than in a hotel. Meanwhile, Kadıköy’s busy market streets and the ferries are just a short walk away.
#2 Khalkedon Hotel Istanbul might not have the most spectacular rooms, but wait until you’re up on the roof terrace! Here you have breakfast overlooking the rooftops of Kadıköy, while city life below gets going again. You’re right among the restaurants, coffee bars and shops, with the ferry a few minutes’ walk away.
#3 Riva’s Moda is all about location. You’re close to the Moda waterfront, where locals love to stroll along the water and gather to watch the sunset. Some rooms even look out over the Sea of Marmara and the Princes’ Islands. With a garden and restaurant at the hotel, you have plenty of room to escape Istanbul’s crowds for a while.
#4 BFlatz is a different kind of place. Instead of classic hotel rooms, you get modern apartments with your own kitchen and plenty of space. That’s especially nice with kids or for a longer stay. You can walk straight into Moda’s relaxed streets, full of coffee bars, restaurants and little shops.
#7 Beşiktaş: A Lively Neighbourhood on the Bosphorus
Beşiktaş lies on the European shore of the Bosphorus and is a lively, busy neighbourhood where you’ll meet lots of students and locals. Around the market area you’ll find narrow streets full of eateries, cafés and shops, while along the water you can walk towards the impressive Dolmabahçe Palace. The ferries also make Beşiktaş a good base for exploring other parts of Istanbul. You are a bit further from the historic sights in Sultanahmet, though, and there’s no tram or metro stop right in the centre of the neighbourhood. That means journeys can take a little longer. Beşiktaş is especially fun if you want to experience local city life and enjoy staying among good restaurants and cafés.
#1 Meydan Beşiktaş Hotel is right in the busy heart of Beşiktaş, where the streets are packed with restaurants, shops and little cafés. The rooms are modern and comfortable, but the location is the big selling point. You can easily walk to the ferries and Dolmabahçe Palace. Some rooms even have a balcony with sea views!
#2 Conrad Istanbul Bosphorus is one for when you really want to treat yourself. From the higher floors you look out over the Bosphorus and the Istanbul skyline. There are two pools, a spa and several restaurants, but the best part might be the view from the terrace. It’s also an appealing choice with kids, with spacious family rooms and two-bedroom suites.
#3 The Stay Bosphorus may well be the most special hotel on this list! You sleep in a beautifully restored nineteenth-century mansion right on the Bosphorus, with high ceilings, historic details and a stylish interior. From the sea-view rooms you look out over the water and the famous Bosphorus Bridge. And you’re in the heart of Ortaköy, close to its photogenic waterfront mosque.
#4 Saygın Beşiktaş is mainly for those who like being in the middle of city life. Step outside and Beşiktaş’s busy market streets, local eateries and cafés are right around the corner. The rooms are modern and fairly simple, but there’s a sauna to unwind in after a long day in Istanbul.
