Where to stay in Istanbul – Best Areas, Hotels & Airbnbs
Are you wondering where to stay in Istanbul? Choosing the best area to stay in Istanbul can be quite overwhelming. That’s why, in this article, I’ll show you the seven best areas to stay in this incredible city.
Overview: Top 7 best areas to stay in Istanbul
On this map (see picture), you can my seven recommended areas to stay in Istanbul. My recommendations on where to stay in Istanbul depend on your preferences and travel styles:
1. Karaköy (first-time visitors)
2. Close to Taksim Square (area with many large hotels)
3. Cihangir (most popular Airbnb area)
4. Kadiköy Moda (Airbnb area, popular with digital nomads)
5. Nisantasi (fashion district of Istanbul)
6. Üsküdar center (a bit more conservative district on Asian side)
7. Besiktas center (young people love to hang out on European side)
I will explain each of these areas and also give concrete hotel recommendations.
You can find an interactive map with the exact locations at the end of this article.
1) Karaköy (first-time visitors)
For first-time visitors, Karaköy is the best area to stay in Istanbul. It’s perfectly located between the historical peninsula and Taksim Square.
In the evenings, you can enjoy Mumhane street and Galataport, which are just minutes away. I especially recommend Karaköy if you’re staying less than a week in Istanbul.
Also check this article for a detailed look at Karaköy and available hotel categories.
Hotel recommendations:
I can recommend five hotels fitting various budget restrictions:
A. Opale Hotel (good budget-friendly option)
B. Novotel Istanbul Bosphorus (great value for money)
C. Burdock Hotel Istanbul (fairly newly built)
2. Close to Taksim Square (area with many large hotels)
If you prefer to stay in a large hotel in Istanbul with all the amenities, look at this area close to Taksim Square. Major hotel chains like Hilton, Hyatt and the Intercontinental are located here. The location is central.
The focus is on getting the standard hospitality you’re familiar with.
Personally, it’s not my top choice, but it works well if you want a well-known hotel experience.
Hotel recommendation:
In this area, you’ll find the well-known major hotel chains. Click on the following links for photos, reviews and prices:
If you want to stay in an upscale hotel just next to Taksim Square, I can recommend
3) Cihangir (most popular Airbnb area)
In contrast, Cihangir is perfect if you’d rather stay in an Airbnb in Istanbul instead of a hotel. It is one of the two best neighbourhoods for Airbnb Istanbul stays.
Cihangir is just a few minutes from busy Taksim Square, but offers a relaxed and artsy vibe. It is ideally located. You can easily reach all the major historical sights by tram.
I recommend to book a nice Airbnb apartment, if you choose to stay in Cihangir.
4) Kadiköy Moda (Airbnb area, popular with digital nomads)
Number four is the hipster neighborhood of Kadiköy Moda. This is the other top choice, if you prefer an Airbnb in Istanbul. Kadiköy Moda is especially popular with digital nomads and travelers staying for a few months.
Here, you’ll find the best casual restaurants and the highest concentration of pubs in Istanbul. Both Kadiköy Moda and Cihangir are favourites among young Western visitors.
I recommend to book a nice Airbnb apartment here.
Also check this article for more details on Kadiköy Moda and Cihangir.
5) Nisantasi (fashion district of Istanbul)
Number five is Nisantasi, the fashion district of Istanbul. There aren’t any tourist attractions here. It’s about enjoying the modern and upscale Istanbul lifestyle.
Many young women interested in fashion choose to stay here on their second or third visit. You’ll find plenty of boutique stores from well-known local designers. It is centrally located and well connected by metro.
Hotel recommendation:
A very popular choice is The Stay Boulevard Nisantasi. This hotel is right in the center of Nisantasi. The moment you step out, you feel the fashion heart of Istanbul. Click on this link for photos, reviews and prices.
6) Üsküdar center (a bit more conservative district on Asian side)
Number six is Üsküdar, which is a bit more conservative district on the Asian side of Istanbul. It’s very well connected to the European side by ferry and metro.
In the evenings, you can enjoy the beautiful Üsküdar promenade with amazing views of the historical peninsula.
I recommend Üsküdar if you’re staying at least five nights in Istanbul and want a bit more traditional atmosphere.
Hotel recommendation:
There aren’t many newish hotels in Üsküdar center. I can recommend The Palm Bosphorus Hotel. Four of my friends and relatives stayed there and were very happy. It is super centrally located. Prices are also very reasonable. Click on this link for photos, reviews and prices.
7) Besiktas center (young people love to hang out on European side)
Number seven is Besiktas center. This is where young people on the European side love to hang out. There are almost no historical sights. Here, you’ll find the best casual restaurants on the European side. There are also many cafes to hang out.
This area also has several luxury hotels in Istanbul (check the article below for more details).
Hotel recommendation:
My recommendation is very close to Besiktas center. It is the Conrad Istanbul Bosphorus. This is a large hotel with all known amenities. Also note, the hotel is on a hill and it is a bit steep to walk there. Click on this link for photos, reviews and prices.
Bonus: Best luxury hotels in Istanbul
Are you looking for an unforgettable experience in the best luxury hotels in Istanbul? Then check out this article here:
Interactive map
This is an interactive map with the best areas to stay in Istanbul (green areas) and the most popular touristic sights (red marks):
Disclaimer
Please note that if you book a hotel through the links provided in this article, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support my content creation efforts.”
You can explore other articles about Istanbul by clicking on one of the following categories: