Where to stay in Istanbul
Below you can see all my hotel recommendations in Istanbul.
1. Sultanahmet, you will be close to the main places to visit
Sultanahmet, the historical and cultural heart of the city, is a great option to stay in Istanbul, especially if it is your first time visiting the city or if you are only visiting for a short period of time. Emblematic places like the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, the Basilica Cistern and the Topkapi Palace, several of the main places to see in Istanbul, are located in the old part of Istanbul. You will also be quite close to the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar.
Since Sultanahmet is the main tourist center of the city, hotels and restaurants prices are higher, something to consider if your budget is tighter. Don’t worry, there are other great neighborhoods with more affordable prices.
Another aspect about Sultanahmet to keep in mind is that the nightlife is not very lively, something that can be a good or bad thing, depending on the type of traveler you are. However, during the day you will come across many locals and tourists who visit the city.
Recommended hotels in Sultanahmet
Here are several excellent hotels in the area:
- Sofia Corner: This hotel is less than a 10-minute walk from the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. It offers single, double, and triple rooms and features a rooftop terrace with stunning views of the city.
- Barbera: A modern hotel located just 10 minutes from Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace. It offers double and triple rooms, some with private terraces. The hotel also has an on-site bar and restaurant.
- Kupeli: A 3-star hotel situated close to many popular tourist attractions. It offers double, triple, and family rooms, with the added bonus of a rooftop terrace.
2. Karaköy, a lively and well-located area
The following 3 neighborhoods that I am going to recommend below are located in Beyoğlu. Beyoğlu is a district in the European part of Istanbul, located on the other side of the Golden Horn. It is my favorite area to stay in Istanbul as it is very lively and has more cafes and restaurants than areas like Sultanahmet or Eminönü. In addition, despite also being a touristic area, it has a somewhat more local atmosphere.
Within Beyoğlu, one of the areas closest to the Sultanahmet neighborhood, where you’ll find places like the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace, is Karaköy. Karaköy is a small neighborhood located on the banks of the Bosphorus river, near the Galata Bridge, which connects Eminönü to Sultanahmet.
The Karaköy neighborhood was once on of the most important ports in the city. Today, it is one of the liveliest and most attractive neighborhoods in the city. Karaköy has so many restaurants, small shops and cool cafes. In addition, it offers wonderful views of the rest of the city. Do not forget to stroll through the streets in search of charming corners.
Apart from being an area well connected to the old quarter of Istanbul, if you stay Karaköy, it will also be very easy for you to get to know the Asian part of Istanbul. You’ll just have to go to the Karaköy pier and take the ferry.
Recommended hotels in Karaköy
In Karaköy, you’ll find some fantastic hotels, such as:
- Ada Karaköy: A highly rated hotel with excellent facilities. It offers double and triple soundproofed rooms, ensuring a peaceful stay. The hotel also features a terrace with scenic views.
- Sherry Suites Karaköy: This accommodation provides both rooms and apartments, fully equipped for a comfortable and convenient stay.
- Ferman Port: A beautiful hotel with a cozy common room and a terrace offering stunning views. They offer double, triple, and family rooms.
3. Galata, one of the most beautiful neighborhoods to stay in Istanbul
We continue to one of my favorite neighborhoods in Istanbul; Galata. This neighborhood has it all: good location, places of interest close by, great food options and incredible views of Sultanahmet. You’ll be able to enjoy an amazing view by going to Galata tower, the main tourist attraction in the area. You’ll also find several rooftop bars with incredible views of the old part of Istanbul, like Konak Cafe.
What else will you find in Galata? Cobbled streets, beautiful buildings and charming places. This area is lively both day and night, although the streets are packed with people during the day. At night it can be quieter. Whether you stay in Galata or not, I’m sure it will become one of your favorite neighborhoods to walk around in Istanbul.
There is one downside to staying in Galata that you should consider. Galata is located on a steep hill. This means that when you return to your hotel after visiting other parts of the city, such as Karaköy, Sultanahmet or Eminönü, you will have to walk up very steep streets. This isn’t a problem for me… It’s great to burn off all the local food you eat during your trip! However, for other people it can be inconvenient.
On the other hand, Galata is very well connected by public transport with other parts of the city. Within a few minutes’ walk, you’ll find a metro station, tram and even a funicular.
Recommended hotels in Galata
Galata is a fantastic area to stay in Istanbul, and these hotels are sure to impress:
- DeCamondo Galata Hotel: Housed in a stunning building, this hotel offers rooms in various categories with excellent facilities. It features a bar, restaurant, and terrace, making it one of the top choices for accommodation in Istanbul.
- Walton Hotels Galata: Located just 200 meters from the iconic Galata Tower, this hotel is surrounded by restaurants, shops, and nightlife spots. The hotel’s stylish decor includes contemporary artwork and wooden floors. It also has a bar and restaurant for guests to enjoy.
4. Taksim, liveliest neighborhood where to stay in Istanbul
Taksim is one of the busiest and liveliest neighborhoods in Istanbul. Its neuralgic center is Taksim Square. Istiklal, one of the main streets in the city, starts in Taksim square. It is a long pedestrian avenue full of shops, bars and restaurants. It is possibly the liveliest street in the entire city, it’s full of people at any time of the day!
This is my first recommendation if you decide to stay in Taksim. Around Istiklal Street there are many bars and clubs, which is great if you want to party. However, it may not be the best option to stay in Istanbul, since there’s usually loud music at night. For this reason, my recommendation is that you stay in the surroundings of the square or in a street a little further away from this avenue.
There are many well-known hotel chains in Taksim. These hotels can be good options if you are looking for a hotel that offers all great service and amenities. Apart from more luxurious hotels, you will also find a wide variety of hotels for average and low budgets.
Another positive aspect of staying in Taksim when you visit Istanbul is that you have a metro station (line 7), which crosses the entire European part of Istanbul.
To go to Sultanahmet, you will have to take metro line 7 to the Yenikapi stop and then the train (Marmaray) to the Sirkeci stop. Another option is to walk half an hour to the Galata Bridge, the one that crosses the Golden Horn to the old quarter. Still, I recommend staying here only if you are going to spend at least 3 full days in Istanbul.
Recommended hotels in Taksim
Here are some hotels in Taksim that might interest you:
- Taksim Avenue: A design hotel just 200 meters from Istiklal Avenue. It offers basic double rooms equipped with everything you need for a comfortable stay in Istanbul.
- The Trinity Hotel Taksim: Located near Istiklal Avenue, this hotel boasts excellent facilities and stylish decor. Guests can enjoy a bar and a terrace with beautiful views.
- Room Mate Emir: A vibrant 4-star boutique hotel with bold, colorful decor. It offers double rooms and family suites, along with amenities like a gym and sauna.
5. Near the Grand Bazaar (Eminönü), where to stay in Istanbul
Eminönü is located right next to Sultanahmet. It’s one of the areas that has the most to offer that surrounds the Grand Bazaar. If you want to stay close to the historic center but are looking for cheaper hotels, this area is a great option. Aside from being steps away from the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar, you won’t have to walk more than 15 minutes to get to places like Sultanahmet Park.
While you stroll through the streets of Eminönü, you will feel trapped in the past. You will be surrounded by decaying architecture, narrow alleys and some abandoned buildings. Beyond the two famous bazaars, Eminönü neighborhood is full of streets with local shops. This makes the main avenues of the neighborhood quite bustling during the day. At night they are much quieter.
One of the best parts about staying in Eminönü is how well-connected it is to rest of the city by public transportation. You will have a nearby metro station, tram station and docks where ferries are available.
Recommended hotels in Eminönü
Here are some recommended hotels:
- Burckin Suleymaniye: This hotel is ideally located for exploring the city. It offers double rooms in various categories and a suite. Guests can enjoy a Turkish restaurant and a terrace with scenic views.
- Mest Hotel Istanbul Sirkeci: A charming 4-star hotel perfect for an unforgettable stay in Istanbul. It features double rooms, family rooms, and suites. The hotel also has a terrace with views, a restaurant, and serves a highly-praised breakfast.
6. Besiktas, a more luxurious area to stay in Istanbul
Besiktas is an area that mixes the modern with the traditional to offer a unique atmosphere in the city. It is a good choice for those who want to be in the heart of it all, but without the tourist chaos that is sometimes experienced in places like Sultanahmet or Taksim. If you like luxury, it is also a good area, as some of the best hotels in Istanbul are located here.
Within Besiktas, the neighborhoods of Sinanpasa, Türkali, and Ortaköy are highly recommended. Here you will find many cafes, lively bars, local markets, and spectacular views of the Bosphorus.
Despite being an area further away from the main tourist spots of the city, it has plenty of public transport connections, allowing you to move around Istanbul without any problems. You can also take the ferry and cross to the Asian side of the city.
Recommended hotels in Besiktas
If you choose to stay in this area, here are some of the best options:
- Bosphorus Bridge: A budget-friendly hotel in the Ortaköy area with excellent reviews. It offers double, triple, and quadruple rooms, as well as a common lounge and shared kitchen for guests.
- Çırağan Palace Kempinski: A luxurious 5-star hotel for those seeking an opulent experience. It features a gym, spa, restaurant, bar, and more. Its stunning location by the Bosphorus offers a picturesque, almost cinematic setting.
Conclusion: Best areas to stay in Istanbul
Between the Asian side and the European side, I recommend staying on the European side, both in Fatih and Beyoglu (the two districts on the Golden Horn).
If you are only staying a couple of days in Istanbul, I recommend the Sultanahmet and Eminönü neighborhoods, as they are the closest to the must-see places in Istanbul: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, the Basilica Cistern, the Grand Bazaar, etc. These are areas with a lot of movement during the day and quieter at night. There are not so many restaurants.
Galata and Karaköy are just outside the old part of Istanbul, on the other side of the Golden Horn. Still, it takes little time to reach the center on foot; you will only have to cross the Galata Bridge. Both neighborhoods are well served by public transport.
Points in favor compared to the old part (Sultanahmet and Eminönü): you will find more accommodation options, much more variety of restaurants, the streets have more charm, and at night there is still atmosphere.
Finally, Taksim is a good area if you are going to spend several days in Istanbul. You can reach the old quarter in just over half an hour walking or by public transport. It is one of the liveliest areas of the city. I do not recommend staying near Istiklal Street, as it can be quite noisy at night.
There are other neighborhoods that I have not mentioned in this list that, despite being a bit far from the historical center, have a lot of vibe. They could be a very good option if you are going to spend a lot of time in Istanbul. These neighborhoods are Balat, Besiktas, and Şişli.
Map of the best hotels in Istanbul
I have created this map to help you choose a place to stay in Istanbul.
You’ll find the main areas to stay in Istanbul marked in red (with a house icon). These are not only great neighborhoods for accommodation but also worth exploring during your trip. Hotels I recommend are marked in orange (with links to Booking), and places to see in Istanbul are marked in blue.
You can click on each box in the map’s drop-down menu to view the areas, hotels, or sights. This makes it much easier to plan your trip and choose where to stay in Istanbul.
Don’t forget to check out my Turkey travel guide to help plan your visit to other regions, like Cappadocia.
I hope this article on where to stay in Istanbul helps you find the perfect hotel in this beautiful city. If you have any questions or need further advice, feel free to leave a comment or send me an email. See you next time!
