Best Places to stay in Istanbul – You don’t know where to sleep in Istanbul? Istanbul  is a very large capital, and if you are planning to visit the city for the first time, you are probably wondering where the best place to settle down will be. In this short guide, I will introduce you to the most pleasant areas of the city and give you some advice and some examples of welcoming establishments, to help you find  where to sleep in Istanbul . And if you come to visit Istanbul but you don’t yet know what to do, don’t hesitate to consult my complete article on the subject! 

How to choose where to stay in Istanbul?

The city of Istanbul extends over more than  5,500 km² , it is the same area as the Northern Department. It is therefore not difficult to understand that the choice of where you will sleep will have a very big impact during your stay. Even though the  tram  and  metro operate in Istanbul, the entire city is very far from being served.

Plus, virtually all historical sites and tourist attractions are close to the city center. The most central neighborhoods  are therefore clearly those to favor during your stay. There are quite a few of them and they offer very different atmospheres, and you should therefore be able to find the neighborhood that will perfectly match what you want to discover during your visit to Istanbul.
In the rest of this guide, I will detail  the most pleasant  and best located areas of the city, so that you can choose the one that suits you.

To see the different accommodation options available in the city, click here

Istanbul is a city very popular with tourists, and even if there are many accommodations there, I recommend that you anticipate and reserve  your rooms as soon as possible , as soon as your travel dates are set, or even before by choosing an establishment that offers free cancellation. This can allow you to save money and have a wider choice.

MY ACCOMMODATION  IN ISTANBUL

Located in the heart of Istanbul’s Old City, Grand Sirkeci Hotel offers spacious and elegant rooms with unique views of the historic peninsula. The property is close to the city’s tourist attractions and various public transport links. The Spice Bazaar is less than 500 meters away and the Grand Bazaar and Hagia Sophia are less than 1 km away. Sirkeci and Marmaray Tram Stations are 200 meters away and Istanbul Airport is 40 km from the hotel. For a night at the Grand Sirkeci Hotel, count around €130 

Click here to see more photos & property availability

Taksim and Beyoğlu

Taksim  is the most central district of Istanbul, which extends around the square of the same name. In this very lively district there are many shops  of all kinds, cafes and restaurants. Taskim is the favorite area for shopping enthusiasts in Istanbul.

Beyoğlu  is another dynamic neighborhood located right next to Taksim, which also has a lot of shops, but is especially famous for its  nightclubs  and its particularly lively atmosphere at all times of the day and night. Beyoğlu is truly the temple of partying in Istanbul.
In these two modern neighborhoods, you can find a nice variety of accommodation to spend a few nights in the heart of the city and enjoy a festive atmosphere, while remaining very close to the historic district and many tourist sites.

Where to sleep in Taksim and Beyoğlu?

• Germir Palas Hotel  is located in the heart of Istanbul and directly overlooks Taksim Square. It is notably equipped with a gym, a bar and a restaurant. You will find large rooms for two people, for around  €80 per night.

• Story  Hotel Pera  is a charming hotel located in the Beyoğlu district, close to shops and restaurants and just 100 meters from the metro. It offers large, very quiet rooms for around  €50 per night.

To see more photos and availability of Story Hotel Pera, click here

Sultanahmet

Sultanahmet  is the historic city of Istanbul. It is located on the  Golden Horn peninsula , which is right in the center of the city. This is a very touristy area, since it is here that many of Istanbul’s most popular attractions are concentrated. Here you can see major historical monuments like the  Blue Mosque , Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace . It is also in the streets of this district that you can find the  Grand Bazaar . Sultanahmet is a very central district, which has the advantage of also being very well served by the tram.

If you are looking for where to sleep in Istanbul, you can find a lot of accommodation in Sultanahmet. This district is undoubtedly one of the most pleasant where you can put your bags in Istanbul, especially for stays of 2 or 3 days, since you will be close to everything. A very good place if you don’t yet know where to sleep in Istanbul

Where to sleep in Sultanahmet?

• Sunlife Oldcity  is a hotel located in the Old City of Istanbul, less than a 5-minute walk from Sultanahmet Tram Station. You will find simple and comfortable double rooms there, accessible for around  €90  per night.

Click here to book your room at Sunlife Oldcity

• Holiday Inn Istanbul Old City  is a 4-star hotel located about ten minutes on foot from the Grand Bazaar, 300 meters from a metro station. It has a spa, gym, restaurant and bar, and offers rooms for two for around  €75  per night.

• Hotel Saint Sophia is housed in a building dating from the 19th century and offers views of the courtyard of Saint Sophia. It enjoys an excellent location, close to all important sites. If you want to spend a night in one of its luxurious rooms, plan on around €120 per night.

Karakoy

Karaköy  is one of the trendiest neighborhoods in the city. It is the district of artists, especially fashion designers  . Here you can find a lot of branded boutiques and designers of clothing and fashion accessories. It is also one of the districts where the  nightlife  is very lively.

Karaköy is without a shadow of a doubt one of the best places where you can look for accommodation in Istanbul, because this large district is both festive and commercial, close to tourist attractions located in the center of the city and particularly well served. by public transport.

In terms of accommodation, you can find all types of establishments in this part of Istanbul, from very affordable youth hostels to luxury hotels.

Where to sleep in Istanbul near Karaköy?

• Ferman Port Hotel  is 500 meters from Galata Tower and just 100 meters from Karaköy Port, where ferries across the Bosphorus depart. This very elegant establishment has a gym and a restaurant with a beautiful terrace offering superb views of the city. You will find double rooms there for around  €75 per night.

To see availability at the Ferman Port Hotel, click here

• Royal Tophane  is a well-located hotel about a 5-minute walk from the port and metro stations, on a street lined with restaurants. Its elegant and spacious double rooms are available for around  €80  per night.

• Wings Hotel  has a garden, terrace, restaurant and bar and is located close to the Galata Bridge and many restaurants. Expect from €190 per night in a deluxe room.

Check availability for this hotel by clicking here

Where to sleep in Istanbul? In Galata

Galata  is a small, separate neighborhood in the Karaköy district, which is located between the Bosphorus and Taksim, north of the Golden Horn. The main attraction of the area is the  Galata Tower , a large medieval tower from which it is possible to enjoy a magnificent panoramic view of the city.

This very charming district is made up of small steep streets, and to reach the upper part of the district, you will have to use the Tünel funicular , or don’t be afraid to climb! On the streets of Galata there are many bars, cafes and restaurants. This neighborhood is sometimes considered the hipster neighborhood of Istanbul.

 Where to sleep in Galata?

• The Galataport Hotel  is just 200 meters from the Galata Tower, around a 5-minute walk from the nearest metro station. It notably has a restaurant with a terrace which offers a magnificent view of the tower, the Golden Horn and the sea. Its double rooms are offered from  around €60  per night.

Book your accommodation at the Galataport Hotel by clicking here

• Walton Hotels Galata  is a hotel located next to the metro station, 3 minutes from Galata Tower and 500 meters from Taksim Square. You can find comfortable rooms there, with modern decoration, for around  €50  per night.

Cihangir

This is another very trendy district of Istanbul. Cihangir  is located in the center of the city, close to Taksim Square. It is a chic district  , with a bohemian atmosphere  , which is very popular with artists and foreign visitors. There you can find upscale restaurants and cafes, as well as boutiques that sell high-end products, antique shops, art galleries, and like everywhere in Istanbul, lots of cats.  Cihangir is also a neighborhood where you will have no trouble finding trendy
bars and clubs  where you can spend your evenings and nights.

This well-located area served by the tramway could be a very good base if you want to stay in a place with a chic and relaxed atmosphere. Accommodation prices are often higher here than in the rest of the city.
This chic and atypical neighborhood can be a very good compromise if you don’t yet know where to sleep in Istanbul

HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT BOOKING YOUR ACTIVITIES IN ISTANBUL? 

Are you planning to visit the city of Istanbul but you haven’t yet thought about what activities you would like to discover? Do not panic ! Istanbul is a very large capital with no shortage of things to do. You can notably take a guided tour of the Topkapi Palace , take a cruise in the Bosphorus Strait or even go on an excursion to admire the flight of hot air balloons in the Cappadocia region However, remember to book your activities in advance to avoid bad ones. surprises, especially during high season.

For an overview of activities to do in Istanbul, click here

Where to sleep in Istanbul? In the Cihangir district!

• Hotel Villa Zurich  is well located in Cihangir, about 700 meters from Taksim Square. It has a restaurant serving fish specialties and a panoramic roof terrace. You can find double rooms there for around  €50 per night.

• Cihangir Hotel  is a 3-star property located a 5-minute walk from the Taksim district, close to a metro station, on a lively street with cafes and restaurants. It itself has a restaurant offering Turkish specialties. Its double rooms are available from around  €70  per night.

Book your room at Cihangir Hotel by clicking here

Üsküdar and Kadıköy

The city of Istanbul is divided into two parts, one European and the other Asian. The Asian side of Istanbul is often considered to be much more authentic. If you want to stay in this part of the city, the Üsküdar  and  Kadıköy districts  are the most pleasant. They are located on the other side of the Bosphorus, just opposite the European part.

Kadıköy is a lively and pleasant neighborhood, which is home to many restaurants and shops, and which offers a particularly authentic atmosphere. Üsküdar is a more popular and charming place, both  modern and conservative , which forms a real city within a city, with its mosques, market and much-loved green spaces.

For a long time, taking the boat was the only way to reach the other side of the Bosphorus. These boat trips are always very pleasant, but living in this part of the city could quickly become quite restrictive during a stay in Istanbul. Today, the  metro  passes under the river, which can allow you to quickly reach the European part of Istanbul. Hotels are often particularly affordable in these areas.

Where to sleep in Üsküdar and Kadıköy?

• Garden Hill Hotel  is a property located in Kadıköy, just 2 minutes from the metro station and close to cafes, restaurants and many shops. It offers double rooms available from around  €30 per night.

• Ghan Hotel , also located in Kadıköy, is a 3-star hotel that has a garden, a shared lounge, a terrace and a restaurant. The staff is very welcoming and warm. For one night, count on €75 .

Click here to see availability for this hotel

• Holiday Inn Istanbul – Kadikoy  is a 4-star hotel which features a spa, sauna, fitness center and restaurant. It is about ten minutes walk from the metro station. There you will find spacious and elegant rooms for two, for around  €40 per night.

• If you want to stay in Üsküdar, I recommend the A11 Hotel Bosphorus , a beautiful hotel with garden, terrace, restaurant, bar, sauna, hammam and hot tub. Some rooms offer a view of the garden. For a night in this hotel, plan on at least €135 .

Book a stay at this hotel by clicking here

Ortako

Ortaköy  is a very lively neighborhood, located north of Taksim. Throughout history, the different cultures that lived here lived together in harmony, which is why this area of ​​Istanbul is home to a good number of mosques, synagogues and churches, such as the  neo-baroque Ortakoy Mosque , the  Etz Ahayim Synagogue  and the Haghios Phocas Orthodox Church . It is also here that the Martyrs’ Bridge is located  , the first suspension bridge on the Bosphorus, which connects the Ortaköy district to that of Beylerbeyi, in the Asian part of the city.

Today, Ortaköy is a district frequented by artists and the city’s youth, where you can find several very lively shopping streets. This district is a little more out of the way, but it remains particularly well served by public transport. Hotels located along the Bosphorus are often quite expensive.

The atmosphere of the Ortaköy district is very pleasant, the streets are lined with numerous bars and restaurants, and you will have the opportunity to taste Ortaköy’s specialty : Kumpir , a baked potato stuffed with different ingredients.

Where to sleep in Istanbul? In the corner of Ortaköy

• Bellezza Hotel Ortakoy  is about 600 meters from the mosque and less than 5 minutes’ walk from Yildiz Park. This modern establishment offers large double rooms for around  €65 per night.

• Ortaköy Hotel  is located on the banks of the Bosphorus, a few steps from Ortaköy Port and a few minutes from the suspension bridge. This luxurious establishment offers beautiful rooms, from which you will enjoy a magnificent view of the city, the sea and the bridge. Its double rooms are available from  around €110 per night.

Click here to see more photos & availability of Ortaköy Hotel

And this article ends here! I hope it will help you know where to sleep in Istanbul according to your desires and your budget. Don’t hesitate to leave a quick comment if you have a question! If you want to go to Cappadocia from Istanbul or if you want information on SIM Cards in Turkey , I have articles. for you !