Best place to stay in Istanbul
Updated on the 7/4/2020
Istanbul is a sprawling city. It has a staggering population of 16 million. That makes Istanbul one of the biggest metropolitans in the world. If you are going to Istanbul, you need to choose the best place to stay in Istanbul properly.
If you choose a strategic area to stay in Istanbul, it will save you so much time and money! That means you have more time to explore this sensational Turkish capital!
My top four favourite areas to stay in Istanbul are Kadikoy, Eminonu, Taksim and Besiktas.
I will break down the reasons why.
Kadikoy
Kadikoy is located on the Asian side of Istanbul. It is one of the most loved areas to stay in Istanbul.
Being one of the younger neighbourhoods, Kadikoy is up and coming. It hasn’t attracted too many tourists yet so I highly recommend staying here.
To me, it is the best place to stay in Istanbul.
Some of the highlights in Kadikoy include (but not limited to):
Favourite restaurant
Rulo Lezzetler
Favourite dessert shop
Asi Kunefe
Favourite cafe
Siginak Cafe
Favourite bar
Zeplin Pub and Delicatessen
Transport options:
- Dolmuz (minivan) to Taksim
- Kadikoy metro station
- Multiple ferry wharves (departing for many destinations at the European side including Eminonu, Yenikapi and Besiktas)
- Many bus lines
Accommodation options:
I loved my stay at Kuzen Otel (I am not paid to write this).
If you wanna be in the middle of the action of Kadikoy, stay with Kuzen Otel where you can literally walk to all the places you want in Kadikoy, including the metro station and the ferry wharf!
Moreover, it costs less than 50 euros for 2 people per night! PS: the decor is sensational.
Eminonu
Eminonu is on the European side of Istanbul. Have your heard of the famous Spice Market? Yesh, it is in Eminonu.
It is located just next to most of the dearly loved national monuments including Haghia Sofia, Blue Mosque, Suleymaniye Mosque and Topkapi Palace.
For that reason, Eminonu made it as one of the best places to stay in Istanbul as well.
Favourite restaurant
Balkan Lokantasi
Favourite dessert shop
Hafiz Mustafa
Favourite cafe
Yeditepe Teras Cafe
Favourite bar
Pierre Loti Roof Pub
Transport options:
- Sirkeci railway station
- Halic metro station
- Ferry wharves (to Besiktas, Uskudar, Kadikoy and other destinations)
- T1 Tramway line (access to Sultanahmet, Karakoy, Kabataş and other destinations)
- Many bus lines
Accommodation options:
It doesn’t cost too much to splurge in Istanbul.
Imagine sipping a cocktail at the rooftop bar of the hotel overlooking the glorious Blue Mosque.
That’s what Tan Hotel can offer amongst many other things. Stay at this modern (and super new) hotel for 80-110 euros depending on the kind of room that you reserve.
Eminonu has some cheaper options too.
For less than 50 euros, you can stay at the wonderfully decorated Le Safran Suite Hotel.
Furthermore, it’s walking distance to all the major tourist attractions. This could certainly be a good place to stay in Istanbul if you only in Istanbul for a short trip and wish to do as much as you can!
Taksim
Taksim is one of the busiest areas I have seen in my entire life. That makes it one of the best place to stay in Istanbul because of the easy access to everywhere in Istanbul!
Filled with all the hustle and bustle you could possibly imagine, Taksim is one of the most central places in Istanbul to stay.
If you are based here, it would be super easy for you to navigate around.
However, the downside of Taksim – it is super touristy. If that’s what you like, you should totally stay here!
Besides Kadikoy, I also stayed at Taksim for a while (so that I can party till 7am and not worry about getting home).
Favourite restaurant
Hayvore
Favourite dessert shop
Sakarya Tatlıcısı
Favourite cafe
Konak Cafe/ Arada Cafe
Favourite bar
Flekk
Transport options:
- Taksim Square Dolmuz (to multiple destinations)
- Taksim Square Metro Station
- Taksim Square buses
- T1 Funicular
- Istiklal Tram
- Sishane station.
- Walk further and you will have Karakoy wharf and other transport options offered at Karakoy.
Accommodation options:
I think one of the highlights of my stay in Istanbul is my stay with Apartof (again, not paid to write this).
I rented it for a week so got a little discount. It costs less than 40 euros per night for 2 people.
Located super close to Istiklal street, you will see all the action once you get out of your apartment.
Besiktas
Besiktas is another bustling neighbourhood in Istanbul.
Located close to many universities, it is one of the cheaper places to stay in Istanbul.
Favourite restaurant
Midyeci Ahmet
Favourite dessert shop
Beşiktaş Pide Güveç
Favourite cafe
Terrace cafe
Favourite bar
Joker No.19
Transport options:
- Besiktas wharf going to Karakoy, Uskudar, Eminonu and Kadikoy
- Funicular
- Dolmuz to Taksim and Kadikoy
Accommodation options:
The Hub Hostel offers both private rooms and hostel dorm rooms.
I suggest getting the private room as you can still meet people while still enjoy your own privacy.
The price difference is not huge so if you have some extra pennies, get a private room!
Going to Istanbul soon? Here is the Ultimate Istanbul Itinerary for 3 Days!
Read more about Food in Istanbul and find out all about the restaurant recommendations!
About travel insurance
I lost my luggage in Bangkok thanks to the airline that shall not be named here. The airline company was really irresponsible and I did not get my luggage back in the end.
It’s not unusual for these kinds of unfortunate event to happen at times.
Get insured with World Nomads!
In my experience, they have been wonderful to help. They responded to my email in 15 minutes with a quick plan.
The plus side, World Nomads is quite cheap as well – considering the service and the benefit that you’d get.
Reimbursement comes in quick and they’ve always got your back! I never leave without getting insured.
Get a Turkish Sim Card
It’s really hard to navigate around without a sim card in Istanbul. English proficiency is limited here.
People are really keen and friendly to help but sometimes you just need to have some internet connection.
Get the 15GB Sim Card by the official tourism board of Turkey!
It’s subsidised by the government to promote tourism. You get 15GB of data and 1000 minutes of international calls on top of other amazing perks. Everything comes just under 30 euros!
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