Best Areas To Stay in Istanbul-First Timers & Repeat Visitors

Istanbul, the nation's cultural capital, is one of Turkey's most popular tourist destinations.

Many visitors fly there to spend their time and base their vacation plans on seeing the city's landmarks, neighborhoods, and stores. 

But knowing where to stay in Istanbul would be essential if you were considering visiting this city. To make the most of your experience and make your vacation unforgettable, you should be aware of the most well-known areas in Istanbul and the reasons behind their notoriety.

Where to Stay in Istanbul?

Both the European and Asian sides of Istanbul have charming districts, which we will discuss in this post so that you may plan your vacation more effectively.

1. Sultanahmet

Sultanahmet is, without a doubt, the city's most well-liked tourist destination and the best Istanbul area for visiting the city's attractions. Since it was the core of Istanbul while it was still known as Constantinople, this location is where many famous landmarks can be found.

Istanbul's cultural and historical center is undoubtedly Sultanahmet, one of the city's many fascinating neighbourhoods. It is the oldest part of the city and is surrounded by oceans to the south, east, and north.

Visitors may find the bulk and most significant of the city's numerous cultural, historical, and religious landmarks among the meandering alleys and lovely alleyways. Nearly all of these most famous sites are within a distance of one another in this area.

Landmarks:

• Hagia Sophia
• Sultanahmet Square
• Blue Mosque
• Arasta Bazaar
• Topkapı Palace Museum
• Basilica Cistern
• Gülhane Park
• Archeology Museum
• Carpet Museum

Best gift shops:

• Tree Of Life Ceramics and Gift Shop
• Jennifer's Hamam
• Tuncer Gift Shop
• Heritage Nomadic Art Gallery
• Ruby ceramics & gift shop

Best restaurants:

• Balıkçı Sabahattin
• Hamdi Restaurant
• Can Oba
• Matbah Restaurant
• Şehzade Cağ Kebap

Top Luxury Hotels: Armada Istanbul Old City Hotel, Four Seasons Hotel at Sultanahmet, Seven Hills Palace Hotel, and Obelisk Hotel & Suites.

Top Midrange Hotels: Romance Istanbul Hotel, Arcadia Blue Istanbul, Sura Hagia Sophia Hotel, and Sultanahmet Palace Hotel.

Top Budget Hotels: Perapolis Hotel, Boutique Saint Sophia Hotel, Alzer Hotel, and Hotel Perula.

2. Karaköy & Galata

Galata, distinguished by the iconic Galata Tower, successfully combines Istanbul's traditional and modern characteristics. Tourists staying in Galata may travel one way to visit the historical sights before traveling to "modern" Istanbul to take advantage of the shopping and exciting nightlife.

A busy neighborhood, Galata comes to life at night. Visitors come to take advantage of the outdoor cafés and eateries with views of the Galata Tower. Additionally, boutique hotels, antique stores, and hip cafés draw the young and stylish.

It might be challenging to identify the Galata neighborhood from Karaköy nearby. Karaköy & Galata are the best Istanbul areas for the nightlife vibes and to enjoy the waterfront views. They each have individual buildings with similar colonial architecture. However, despite being right next to one another, Galata is busier and noisier than Karaköy.

Landmarks:

• Galata or Galta Tower
• St. Anthony's Church in Padua
• Istanbul Museum of Modern Art
• Komando Stairs
• Galata Bridge
• Istiklal Street

Best Gift shops:

• Galata Moda
• Clandestino
• Galata Leather
• Aponia Store
• A Hidden Bee
• Gökhan Zinc

Best restaurants:

• Old Ottoman Cafe & Restaurant
• Güney Restaurant
• Canim Cigerim
• Meze by Lemon Tree
• Leb-i Derya
• Golge Kahve

Top Hotels: GalataCo Hotel, Adahan DeCamondo Pera, Galata Door Hotel, and Hotel MGallery.

3. Taksim

Taksim is the beating heart of contemporary Istanbul, with Sultanahmet serving as its historical core. Both are on Istanbul's European side but are divided by the Golden Horn and connected by the Galata Bridge. If you want terrific shopping and lively nightlife, Taksim is the ideal neighborhood to stay in for the first time visiting Istanbul. If you want to visit many of the country's sites and learn about its history, Sultanahmet is the finest option.

Although still a component of Beyoglu, Taksim merits its mention because it is considered the center of Istanbul's European side. It is situated straight up the rocky hill from the Dolmabahce Palace and the Vodafone Stadium, overlooking the Bosphorus.

Taksim is also one of the best Istanbul areas to stay with family. It has various low-cost and mid-range lodging options in addition to luxury hotels, many of which have breathtaking views of the Bosphorus.

Landmarks: 

• Istiklal Caddes
• Buyuk Mecidiye Cami
• Cicek Pasaji
• Taksim Maksemi

Best Gift shops:

• Anna Laudel Gallery
• Tarlabasi Pazari
• Pera Family - Pera Soaps
• Cashmere Bosphorus
• Watsons

Best restaurants:

• Nomads
• Taksim Sütiş
• Zübeyir Ocakbaşı
• India Gate
• Hayvore

Top Luxury Hotels: The Marmara Taksim, Grand Hyatt Istanbul, The Ritz-Carlton, Hilton Istanbul Bosphorus, and InterContinental Istanbul.

Top Midrange Hotels: Ayramin Hotel Taksim and Sentire Hotels & Residences.

Top Budget Hotels: Pera Imperium Taksim, Peradays Hotel, and Royal Taksim Suites.

4. Beşiktaş

A sizeable seaside community called Beşiktaş may be found a little further down the Bosphorus Strait near Karaköy. Due to its riverside position, all of Istanbul's top locations are easily accessible by ferry. However, it's not practical for tourists who want to spend time in ancient Istanbul. As one of the best Istanbul areas, Besiktas is also considered a luxury neighborhood.

Visitors will find a mixture of contemporary high-rises and old structures in this neighborhood, which has developed into a significant business sector.

Beşiktaş is a fantastic option if you wish to stay in a posh part of Istanbul remote from most tourists. However, the typical tourist would find Beşiktaş's location below ideal due to its distance from Sultanahmet and the difficulty of getting there by metro.

Landmarks:

• Dolmabahçe Palace
• Dolmabahçe Clock Tower
• Yıldız Hamidiye Mosque
• Grand Mecidiye Mosque
• Naval Museum
• Rumeli Fortress

Best Gift shops:

• Sani Grand Bazaar
• Hediye Paketim
• Gizem Hediyelik
• İstinye Park Alışveriş Merkezi

Best restaurants:

• Balkan Lokantası
• Vogue Restaurant & Bar
• Feriye Lokantasi
• Ulus 29

Top Luxury Hotels: Çirağan Palace Kempinski, Shangri-La Bosphorus, and Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus.

Top Midrange Hotels: Cheya Beşiktaş Hotel & Suites and Hotel Bosfora.

Top Budget Hotels: Meydan Beşiktaş Hotel

4. Balat & Fener

Want to upload a lot of amazing photos on Instagram? Balat & Fener is the best Istanbul area for taking captivating photographs. Reviving what formerly was one of Istanbul's more attractive areas, the old Balat and Fener districts are undergoing redevelopment. The area's colorful, stunning, historic buildings are undergoing an extensive refurbishment project. The streets of Amasra have a similar quirky appeal to those we discovered there, and many of the old Ottoman homes are now bursting with color. The narrow alleyways are a photographer's paradise to stroll around.

Balat and Fener were formerly historic Jewish and Greek districts. But when these populations mainly dispersed, the district attracted more conservative occupants. Today, the neighborhood is an intriguing fusion of residents who practice orthodox religions living near to hip cafés and eateries.

Be informed that Sultanahmet is not reachable on foot from Balat or Fener. These two emerging neighborhoods are ideal for those seeking slightly off-the-beaten-path communities with a decent number of trendy cafés and eateries.

Landmarks:

• Fatih Mosque and Complex
• Mihrimah Sultan Camii
• Cathedral Church of St George
• Vlaherna Meryem Ana Church
• Zeyrek Mosque

Best Gift shops:

• Rawcrafts
• Galeri Sirvan
• Dervis Bath Accessories & Ethnic Textiles
• Pages Bookstore
• Horror Antique Mall

Best restaurants:

• Assistance
• Pier Cafe Restaurant
• Cook life Balat
• Forno Balat
• Balat Antik Cafe

Lodging Notice: Lodging cannot be found in the Balat area. Accommodation between Kariye Mosque and Fatih Mosque should be sought if you intend to stay in the Balat neighborhood.

5. Eminonu / Sirkeci

Istanbul's Eminonu was previously a significant administrative area. It encompassed Sultanahmet since it included the area formerly known as the city of Byzantium. Even though it no longer serves an administrative purpose, the locals readily recognize the name.

The Sultanahmet is close by, Taksim is only a short boat ride away, and Sirkeci is also close to Kabataş, home to the renowned Bosphorus Strait. This is the best Istanbul area for families to stay in.

The Golden Horn, Eminonu, and Karikoy are connected to Asia by the Galata Bridge. During the Ottoman era, Eminonu's harbor served as the location for the arrival of products, and industrialization and steamships came even more. Here, Sirkeci Station is the last destination of the Orient Express.

The focal point of the Eminonu area, Eminonu Square, is always crowded with tourists and residents. Strolling about the market area and taking in the vibrant city ambiance with its ancient buildings is one of the most extraordinary things to do near Eminonu Square. You can also take a break at nearby restaurants or cafés.

Landmarks:

• Rustem Pasha Mosque
• Sokollu Mehmet Pasha Mosque
• Sirkeci Station

Best Gift shops:

• İstanbul gift shop sirkeci
• Aslan gift shop
• Shoar Gift Shop

Best restaurants:

• Cafe Esmer Shef
• Maranda Döner
• HuQQabaz Sirkeci
• Fileto Restaurant

Top Luxury Hotels: Phosphorion Hotel, Empire Suite Hotel, and Miss Istanbul Hotel & Spa.

Top Midrange Hotels: Lalahan Hotel, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Istanbul – Sirkeci, and MEG Hotel

Top Budget Hotels: Old Port Hotel, Venue Hotel Istanbul Old City, and Sayeban Gold Hotel

6. Sisli & Nişantaşi

High-class neighborhoods may be found in Maçka and the nearby suburb of Nişantaşi on the northern peninsula. Most affordable midrange hotels appeal to business travelers and Turkish visitors since they are free of tourist buses and tour groups. The cafés, restaurants, and boutiques are priced for locals rather than visitors, and the views of both the city streets and Bosphorus Strait are stunning, which makes this neighborhood one of the best Istanbul areas. Some areas are unexpectedly opulent, with a selection of upscale stores and hotels to compete with any European metropolis. The impressive teleferik (cable car), not on a metro line, connects the suburbs to Taksim, a significant shopping area with a metro station.

Landmarks:

• Tesvikiye Mosque
• Hamidiye Meşrutiyet Cami
• Abdülmecit Nişan Taşı
• Said Bey Çeşmesi

Best Gift shops:

• Select Hediyelik Esya
• Nisantaschi
• MacKenzie-Childs Turkey
• Zmix

Best restaurants:

• Nişantaşı 22
• Nişantaşı Başköşe
• Ranchero Restaurante Mexicano
• Cipriani Istanbul
• Develi Nişantaşı

Top Luxury Hotels: Nish Palas Istanbul, The Stay Nişantaşi, and Park Hyatt Istanbul – Maçka Palas.

Top Midrange Hotels: Gallery Residence, Nishant Boutique Hotel, and AC Hotel Istanbul Maçka

7. Kabataş

With its history, beauty, convenience, and accessibility, this district may be the most alluring and one of the best Istanbul areas; however, there are shockingly few options to stay there. The region crammed between the main highway and the Bosphorus Strait, just a few metros stop down the coast from the bridge towards the northern peninsula, is flanked with intriguing museums, crowded with magnificent waterside bistros and cafés, and connected by ferry to all areas of the city. The region is easily accessible by metro to the ancient city, tramway to Taksim, a major shopping center, and bus farther up the coast to Beşiktaş. The streets upward away from the ocean also provide lots of upscale businesses.

Landmarks:

• Kabataş Anıt
• Gümüşsuyu Palas Apt
• Mehmed Paşa Çeşmesi
• Mihrişah Valide Sultan Çeşmesi
• Tophane-i Amire Sanjak Tower

Best Gift shops:

• Arm gift shop
• La Moda gift & art shop
• Çağla's gift shop
• Sinova_giftshop
• Gift station

Best restaurants:

• Kaiser Kabatas
• Delı By Setup
• Bal Köfte
• Genç Restaurant
• Feride

Top Luxury Hotels: Artisan Istanbul MGallery

Top Budget Hotels: Dreamer's B&B Cihangir

Top Midrange Hotels: Maroon Bosphorus

8. Moda

At the southernmost point of the Bosphorus, on Istanbul's Asian side, sits the area known as Moda. Most of the top tourist destinations are in Europe, across the river, yet this area merits more attention. You should ride a ferry or two wherever your base in Istanbul is since regular boats often cross the Bosphorus.

In Moda, there are several gorgeous restaurants as well as top-notch stores. It is a neighborhood that draws young people. Moda is a better place to experience Turkish living than some of the more popular tourist areas on the European side.

In addition to a marina and yacht club, Moda features a coastline and a beach. The nightlife is enjoyable, and the lodging is reasonably priced. If you want to visit one of the city's highlight neighborhoods, Moda is the best Istanbul area.

Landmarks:

• Moda Pier
• Sarıca Paşa Köşkü
• Mert Enginer
• Moda Sundial Statue

Best Gift shops:

• Müze Shop
• Lemur Store
• Kanki Shop
• Shoko

Best restaurants:

• Moda Teras Buselik
• The Candy Shop Moda
• Lita Mantı Cafe &Restaurant
• Bomonti Moda
• Kolombo Kebap

Top Hotels: Riva's Moda Butik Otel, DoubleTree by Hilton Istanbul – Moda, Moda Suites, and Juliet Rooms&Kitchen.

9. Cihangir

Despite being adjacent to Taksim and directly across from Galata, the neighborhood of Cihangir is similar to Taksim in terms of style.

It contains a park, several old buildings, and tiny streets. Having a green space might be a respite in such a hectic metropolis. This was a woodland and hunting land during the early Ottoman period.

Cihangir Istanbul is a neighborhood with a local feel, but it's also youthful and stylish and has many foreigners living there; therefore, there are many excellent restaurants and cafes.

It is also well-known for its antique stores, where you can find many fantastic items. You can also enjoy a delicious Turkish breakfast and a mug of coffee and experience daily life in Istanbul while simultaneously seeing the city's other famous landmarks.

Landmarks:

• Cihangir Mosque
• Tarihi Çeşme
• Köşe Çeşme
• Ahmet Efendi Çeşmesi

Best Gift shops:

• Mozk
• Opus3a
• Cihan Antika

Best restaurants:

• Kaktüs Cihangir
• Jash İstanbul
• Pürtelaş Ocakbaşı, Cihangir
• 22 Restorant Bår

Top Hotels: Cihangir Palace Hotel, Union Hotel, Urban Suites Istanbul, and Metropolitan Hotels Bosphorus.

Bottom Line

Istanbul can, if only sometimes is, overwhelming. Where to stay in Istanbul is one of the most challenging questions for travelers to answer because there are so many fascinating and historic neighborhoods to discover.

The fact that there are about 40 unique districts spread out over the large metropolis on both banks of the Bosphorus makes this more complex.

The secret to finding the best Istanbul areas to stay in a while arriving in Istanbul for the first time is getting to know the district's features that most closely align with a person's preferences.