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Where to stay in Istanbul

Travelling for the first time in a city, is always difficult to decide which is the best area to stay. Especially when it comes to Istanbul! 

Dozens of beautiful areas and numerous hotels for your accommodation. Each neighborhood provides different pros and cons... so it depends on your preferences which one  you will choose.

The most convenient, lovely, famous, central and historical places, are:

1. Taksim-Istiklal

Considered the city center, which means you are close to the nightlife, public transportation, shopping centers, restaurants, cafes and also close to other areas of the city. Taksim offers dozens hotels, but a bit more expensive than other areas. The main metro station, buses and the funikuler, provide access to other parts of the city

2. Sisli-Nisantasi

An upper class area, located close enough to the city center but far from the main sightseeing. There are many high class shopping stores, luxury hotels and restaurants. On the main road you can find 2 metro stations and many buses

3. Cihangir

A beautiful district of the city, located next to the center, offering a totally different ambience, with many lovely cafes, bars and antique shops. A quiet and safe choice

4. Levent/Maslak

A district of the city, far from the center and the touristy areas, offering great hotels mostly for business travelers. In the area, there is the Levent and Gayrettepe metro station and of course many buses to the city center

5. Sirkeci

One of the most known places in the old part of the city, which extends from the Eminonu area to Topkapi palace, providing easy access to the tramway line

6. Akbiyik

Located very close to Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, on the side of Marmara Sea. An area with many accommodation options, providing terracces with great views to the city. At nights, you can visit the Kumkapi area, where you can find a square full of traditional Turkish restaurants

7. Beyazit-Laleli

One more nice option, while staying in the Old part of the city. Located close to the Grand Bazaar offering easy access to the tramway line

8. Sultanahmet

The heart of the old part of the city! The place where you can find many of the most significant monuments, all within walking distance. There are many reasonable priced hotels but Sultanahmet turns into a pretty empty neighborhood later in the afternoon

9. Galata

A lovely area, extending from the end of Istiklal Street to Karakoy. The famous Galata Tower is located in the area among many cozy cafes, small stores, restaurants and narrow side roads. Easy access to the tramwayline to Karakoy and the Sishane metro station

10. Besiktas

One of the most lively areas of the city, located almost on the banks of Bosphorus, offering not only many choices for your nights out but also luxury hotels. There is no metro or tram, only buses to other areas of the city

11. Kadikoy

Located on the Asian Side of the city, you will feel like a local as soon as you arrive. A place neither very touristy but nor too high class. Although it is on the other side of the city, taking the ferry you can reach the Old city or Taksim, within 20 minutes. The center in Kadikoy offers numerous bars, cafes, shops in reasonable prices