Where To Stay In Istanbul, Turkey For Your First Visit (5 Best Neighbourhoods And Hotels)
Best Areas To Stay In Istanbul – For Every Traveller
Are you frantically Googling where to stay in Istanbul? This magnificent city straddling two continents offers numerous neighbourhoods, each with its own distinct character and charm. As a first-time visitor, choosing the right area can truly make or break your experience in Turkey’s cultural capital
After spending three wonderful weeks based in Sultanahmet, I discovered firsthand how this historic district perfectly suits couples, solo travellers, and families.
The hospitality I experienced was remarkable.
I still remember when our hotel reception went above and beyond by arranging a private hummer taxi for my mum’s airport transfer, simply because they wanted to ensure she had a comfortable journey.
Throughout this guide, I’ll share my personal insights into Istanbul’s best neighbourhoods, helping you decide where to stay based on your specific needs. Whether you’re travelling on a tight budget, looking for active nightlife, exploring with children, enjoying a romantic getaway, or adventuring solo.
From the ancient sites of Sultanahmet to the trendy atmosphere of Beyoğlu and the authentic local vibe of Kadıköy on the Asian side, I’ll walk you through all the best places to stay in Istanbul to ensure your visit becomes a treasured memory.
Make sure you check out my One Day Istanbul Itinerary and, more importantly, how many days in Istanbul are enough.
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Map Of Best Places To Stay In Istanbul
Here is a map of the best areas to stay in Istanbul.
I spent three weeks moving around the city. It’s true that most of the iconic places to visit are on the western side (European side).
While the Asian side has lots of fun things to do, I didn’t include any hotels or neighbourhoods in this part. This was due to the fact that I feel it’s best to take a ferry to visit during the day rather than base yourself there.
When I visited the Asian side, I found it to be beautiful, artsy and peaceful. However, I don’t think people come to Istanbul for peace.
Of course, everyone is different, but more than likely, you’ll want to jump into the heart of the city.
Some noise, amazing food and easy access to the main attractions are what you will likely want.
Sultanahmet (Fatih)
After spending three weeks in Sultanahmet in the district of Fatih, I must say I absolutely loved staying here.
While the hotel I stayed in has since closed, there were loads of options here for a great first-time visit.
It felt wonderfully quiet – apart from the occasional football fans driving through the streets at night, beeping their horns when their team won a big game.
Many couples and families choose to base themselves here, and I can see why. The biggest advantage of my experience was its location. It’s only a 5-7 minute walk to the city’s biggest attractions – the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace and Basilica Cistern.
While it is a flat area, the streets are full of character. I discovered many quirky shops selling interesting souvenirs like flags and handmade bags, plus tasty restaurants where some of the best Turkish food could be found.
There were a couple of hidden gems in this part of Fatih that I hadn’t known about, like Cundi Park and Little Hagia Sophia Mosque.
When I visited these places, there were few people, if any, around. I recommend having a Turkish tea or two outside the Little Hagia Sophia Mosque. There’s a beautiful outdoor seating area where a few artisans work, selling handmade jewellery and ceramics.
We bought a necklace and enjoyed tea there numerous times before starting our day, exploring the more popular places in Istanbul.
A fun place I recommend for some food and drinks is Hookah Gardenya Food & Drinks.
This was only a short 30-second walk from our hotel. We visited a few times and chatted with the staff, who were very curious about us and gave us some free tea.
Why I liked Sultanahmet
- I felt like I had more privacy and peace in the evenings
- Close to the best attractions like Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque
- Can easily make it to the river for ferry service
What I didn’t like about Sulthanamet
- Lots of hills to climb when going to other parts of Fatih
- Expensive meals and drinks
- can easily get lost in the streets without Google Maps
Budget Hotels in Sultanahmet
Mid-Range Hotels in Sultanahmet
Luxury Hotels in Sultanahmet
Eminönü (Fatih)
Another great place to stay in Fatih is Eminönü.
The main appeal of Eminönü is its proximity to Eminönü Square, the Spice Bazaar, numerous ferry terminals for those incredible river cruises, and the Suleymaniye Mosque.
Solo travellers would thrive here. You can make it your base because of its central location and explore easily on foot, tram or ferry. The T1 tram line is great for the European side, and the M2 metro line will help you navigate the city and save energy walking if you need to visit further afield, like Taksim.
If you’ll be visiting all the sites around Sultan Ahmet Park, it’s a great option.
I couldn’t tell you how many times I explored Eminönü, and I genuinely think it would be a great place to stay if you’re travelling solo.
I recommend visiting Tarihi Eminönü Balık Ekmek. This spot is right beside the bridge where locals fish along the river. It’s quite busy but has such a wonderful atmosphere. People-watching here is delightful for a few minutes, which I loved doing whenever I needed a rest.
My biggest tip is to visit the Yeni Mosque and the Spice Bazaar. These two epic attractions are usually full of people, but are absolutely worth your time.
I recommend sitting and enjoying a Turkish dark coffee right beside Hatice Turhan Valide Sultan Türbesi. This square is bustling, and you can enjoy a magnificent view of Yeni Cami with your fresh brew.
Another great spot for tea was Meşhur Unkapanı Pilavcısı, just opposite the street from the Gazanfer Ağa Mausoleum. There were barely any people around when we visited, and it felt nice to have our own space for a lovely Turkish tea.
Why I liked Eminönü
- Amazing river pier to walk along and take ferries
- Great atmosphere with things happening all the time
- Ferry terminal for quick access around the city
What I didn’t like about Eminönü
- Busy streets can be overwhelming at times
- Very noisy with constant activity all around
- Hotels can be expensive
Budget Hotels in Eminönü
Mid-Range Hotels in Eminönü
Luxury Hotels in Eminönü
Karaköy (Beyoğlu)
Karaköy is a fun and lively place where you can eat on any budget.
There are also stunning views along the Bosphorus, and the area is much closer to Taksim, a very popular part of Istanbul that you can easily reach.
If you’re travelling on a budget, staying here offers cheaper alternatives to Sultanahmet, with more affordable dining options too.
There is a ferry terminal less than 200 metres from Galata Bridge (Galata Köprüsü), making trips along the river fast and easy.
Interestingly, I discovered that this was historically a very important maritime hub for the city. It’s somewhat small compared to Fatih and other districts.
I recommend not skipping Umbrella Street for some quirky and fun colours! Walking around Karaköy felt more commercial and like it would be a great base to stay before heading out in the day to see the attractions.
There are some amazing mid-range and luxury hotels to choose from here. However, they tend to be expensive.
Why I liked Karaköy
- Amazing location north of Golden Horn
- Fast access to river ferries
- Close to Galata Tower
What I didn’t like about Karaköy
- Not so many interesting sites to see
- It can be expensive to eat out
- Noise level is higher than in other parts of Istanbul
Budget Hotels in Karaköy
Mid-Range Hotels in Karaköy
The Business Class Suit Karakoy
Luxury Hotels in Karaköy
Novotel Istanbul Bosphorus Hotel
JW Marriott Istanbul Bosphorus
Galata (Beyoğlu)
Inside the small area of Galata is Galata Tower.
There are lavish bars, and it’s a hilly area, so it’s best to avoid pulling a suitcase along the street here if you can.
When I visited Galata Tower, it offered incredible views of the city. If you want panoramic views across Istanbul, make sure you climb to the top. We learned about the city’s trade with the Venetians and the Genoese.
While there was construction work going on at the top of the tower when we visited, there were barriers around the tower, which made entry a little more complicated. Still, we got in and made our way around the tower and loved the experience.
You can also visit the nearby Jewish Museum of Turkey, Galata Mevlevi Lodge Museum, and the Camondo Stairs, which took my breath away. No surprise, it was exhausting climbing these, but I must admit they’re beautiful.
I couldn’t believe how many people were shopping here. The streets were lined with people carrying bags. If that’s your thing, it could be a good place to stay in Istanbul.
A great place to eat close to Galata Tower was Kahve Limani. We ate right on the street, and while tons of people walked past, it really made it lively and energetic.
I recommend eating here for a nice outdoor dining experience with Galata Tower right over your shoulder.
For a nice place to drink and watch the world go by, I recommend sitting outside at Eskici Pera with a Baileys right on the street. I loved going here and probably visited three times during my trip.
Why I liked Galata
- Affordable places to eat, even around Galata Tower
- Beautiful cobblestone streets and narrow alleyways
- Incredible atmosphere during peak visiting hours
What I didn’t like about Galata
- It can get very busy at times
- Legs will burn after climbing so many hills
- Feels less authentically Turkish
Budget Hotels in Galata
Mid-Range Hotels in Galata
Luxury Hotels in Galata
The Galata Hotel Istanbul – MGallery Collection
Taksim (Beyoğlu)
Further north of Galata, you will find Taksim, famous for Taksim Square.
It was here that mass demonstrations took place against the Turkish government in 2013, so it carries some history.
Why would you want to stay in Taksim on your first visit? Well, it’s a great location with so many shops as well as Istiklal Avenue, which leads to Galata.
When I visited, I loved walking the streets here and seeing the number of locals and tourists spending money on clothes, souvenirs and whatever else they needed.
There is also Saint Anthony of Padua Church, which attracts many visitors every year. And of course, Taksim Mosque is another great reason to make Taksim your home for your trip to Istanbul.
Taksim Square is lively with loads of people hanging around, drinking Turkish tea and socialising.
Travel tip for getting around Istanbul: The nearest tram to Taksim is downhill and about 1.5 km away. This is the T1 line. Be aware that your Istanbulkart needs to be activated, and once you spend 500 lira, you’ll need to buy a new card.
This caught me out a couple of times, so just make sure your card is properly activated.
I also once took the funicular from Kabataş all the way up to avoid the steep hill climb and prevent my legs from hurting.
It cost 25 lira, which is about €0.50 per person.
Why I liked Taksim
- Fun and active Taksim Square
- Many shops to browse
- Affordable restaurants and cafés
What I didn’t like about Taksim
- Hotels can be pricey if not booked in advance
- Extremely crowded streets during peak times
- The tram is not very close (but there’s a metro stop at the square)
Budget Hotels in Taksim
Mid-Range Hotels in Taksim
Luxury Hotels in Taksim
Istanbul Tours You Should Seriously Consider
Nothing makes a trip easier and less stressful than enjoying an organised tour.
Below are some of the best and highly rated, most important tours in Istanbul.
They include many of the top attractions which I have personally visited. When I return to Istanbul, I will surely do more group tours for a more complete and stress-free experience:
Istanbul: Basilica Cistern Fast-Track Entry and Audio Guide
Istanbul: Topkapi Palace and Harem Ticket with Audio Guide
Istanbul: Hagia Sophia Skip-the-Line Ticket & Museum Option
Istanbul: Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Sultanahmet Tour
Safety Wing Travel Insurance
Final Thoughts/Conclusion
Istanbul is such a huge city with literally too many choices.
I urge people to stay in Sultanahmet based on my experience; it was perfect. It’s close to the best attractions and the ferries, too.
I travelled as a couple, but also family members came to join us, so I have diverse travelling experiences during my time in Istanbul.
If you want more active nightlife, then consider Taksim and Cihangir.
In the end, where you choose to stay in Istanbul will affect your trip. However, no matter where you stay, you’ll still fall in love with the city just as I did.
Any questions? Just drop me a message.
Thanks for reading,
James
FAQs
Which Part Of Istanbul Is Best To Stay In?
The best area to stay in Istanbul will depend on what kind of experience you want. Are you travelling solo or as a couple? Or as a family? For me, Sultanahmet was brilliant because it was so close to the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and Basilica Cistern, among many other great attractions. If you need a more active nightlife, then Galata or Taksim could be for you.
Where To Stay In Istanbul For First-Time Visitors?
I recommend staying in Sultanahmet for first-time visitors. Why? Well, you can access many of Istanbul’s best attractions. They are found in Fatih and only a short walk from Sultanahmet. There are great restaurants and easy access to other parts of the city via the T1 tram line, which I used many times. All things considered, Sultanahmet is a great option for first-time travellers.
Which Side Of Istanbul Is Better To Stay On?
Both sides have advantages. The European side has numerous options and tends to attract more travellers for both short and long-term stays. Meanwhile, the Asian side is nice and trendy with popular areas like Kadıköy and Moda. It’s generally accepted that most travellers stay on the European side for better hotel options and easier access to major attractions, and visit the Asian side during the day.
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