Best Districts in Istanbul for Choosing a Hotel

Every tourist city has its own character. While some highlight main points of attraction, others operate with entire districts. Istanbul falls into the second category. Of course, it has its main list of sights, but the question "which district in Istanbul is best to stay in" didn’t come out of nowhere. One has more museums, another buzzes with parties, and a third boasts five-star hotels. Therefore, we built this list based on the demands tourists place on Turkey’s largest city. Decide on your preferences and let’s go!

Closer to the Sights

Let’s start with the essential program for first-time visitors. You can’t come to Istanbul and not see the cathedrals, mosques, palaces, and museums. If your plan prioritizes a cultural program, it’s best to stay in the European part of the city.

Sultanahmet

Judge for yourself: Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace Museum, Archaeological Museum, Basilica Cistern, Mosaic Museum, Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts, Hürrem Sultan Hamam, Grand Bazaar. Is that enough, or do you need more proof? This is the place to go if you are making a layover in Istanbul and only have a few free hours. This district, near the Golden Horn bay, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. And it is, perhaps, the most touristy part of the city. So don’t expect to take selfies on deserted streets! But you won’t have to spend much time traveling from one historical monument to another. Step out of the hotel, and you’re immediately in the thick of things. Plus, in the evenings, the crowd flows into other, more lively districts of Istanbul.

Where there are tourists, there is all the infrastructure for them: souvenir shops, cafes, restaurants at every turn. In addition, hotels compete for every visitor who comes to see the heart of the former Ottoman Empire, so finding a budget option is quite realistic. Almost all hotels are located in old buildings: don’t expect large room sizes. Nor is there good transport accessibility. Although, it would seem, such popularity! The nearest metro station in the center is Sirkeci. However, the T-1 tram line runs near all the attractions. With its help, you can reach Eminönü pier, Karaköy, and Kabataş.

Balat and Fener

If you do stay here, it’s best to be as close to the shore as possible, because the deeper you go into the district, the less safe the surroundings become. The streets narrow and turn into an endless, tangled labyrinth. ‘Then why do people come here at all?’ you might ask. For the unique architecture and unparalleled local flavor.

Colorful narrow houses with old signs, covered in greenery and stretching upwards — the views here are exceptional. On the ground floors, you can easily find an antique shop or a charming cafe. Eastern and Western motifs are intricately intertwined here, which is why tourists come to stroll around. There will be problems with the metro again: the nearest station is Emniyet-Fatih. However, the T-5 line runs through both districts—from Eminönü to Alibeyköy bus station.

For Productive Shopping

Istanbul and shopping are inseparable. If sweets, spices, and coffee don’t interest you, there are always vintage shops with clothes and accessories, modern shopping malls, and world-famous brands. All you have to do is decide what to bring from Turkey.

Beyoğlu

Let’s start with a disclaimer: if a district is included in this part of the list, it doesn’t mean it lacks attractions or other entertainment. On the contrary, Beyoğlu is home to the Galata Tower, one of Istanbul’s symbols, Istiklal Street, and Taksim Square, which we will discuss separately. This is because Beyoğlu covers a large area. It often even has distinct sub-districts with their own atmospheres. In the early 2000s, this part of the city was neglected, but then it began to be actively renovated, restored, and attracted local bohemians. And now the district is considered modern and vibrant thanks to a combination of tourist spots and upscale new developments.

They build not only residential complexes here but also shopping centers. If you stay in Beyoğlu, it will be convenient to go shopping at Galataport Mall, which gathers mass-market brands and the middle segment. However, you don’t necessarily have to spend the whole day moving from one store to another inside a huge shopping center. In Beyoğlu, you can combine shopping with a stroll through charming streets. Just consider Serdar-ı Ekrem and its surroundings, with a string of multi-brand boutiques and interesting second-hand shops. A true paradise for those willing to dig through endless racks in search of treasures.

Laleli

Shopping in Laleli is highly popular among international visitors. They say there are over five thousand shops and stalls here, known historically for wholesale deals. And there’s a logical historical explanation for all this: the market of the same name appeared back in the 15th century. So literally everything in the district is imbued with the desire to profitably buy and sell something, and haggle along the way.

In Laleli, you can find almost everything imaginable: clothes, home appliances, carpets, jewelry made of precious metals. But it’s important to consider a couple of nuances. Firstly, most shops deal in wholesale quantities, so for a single purchase, you’ll either have to be very persistent or choose another place. However, nothing prevents you from viewing Laleli as an immersion into local culture with its own customs. Secondly, in such a noisy and crowded area, you can lose money not only due to impulsive purchases but also due to your own absentmindedness. Keep a close eye on your belongings.

Eminönü

Does the name ‘Grand Bazaar’ ring a bell? That alone can justify Eminönü’s title as a center of local trade. Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar has existed for over 500 years and is an important attraction in itself. Add to it the Egyptian Bazaar and the Spice Market, and here’s your ready-made plan for shopping in Istanbul. Jewelry, fabrics, ceramics, glass, spices — you’ll find everything and more here. But even if shopping isn’t on your agenda, a stroll here is definitely worthwhile: after all, it’s a very colorful, ancient, and atmospheric place.

For Parties and Clubs

After sunset in Istanbul, life doesn’t stop; on the contrary, it gets a second wind. There’s no shortage of bars, restaurants, and clubs in the city. If you don’t want to call a taxi in the pre-dawn hours and travel across the city to your hotel, we suggest staying closer to the epicenter of Istanbul’s nightlife.

Karaköy

Once exclusively a port district, it now looks completely different. It’s full of great restaurants and coffee shops, and as a bonus, there’s a promenade with all the classic delights like beautiful views and sea air. Or vice versa?) In any case, there’s plenty to do here: stroll along the Golden Horn bay, visit art galleries or brand stores, and ride the old covered funicular. Don’t forget to try some street food in Istanbul. The district is small, so if you stay late at one of the local bars, you can easily walk back to your hotel.

Taksim and Istiklal

Taksim Square is an attraction in itself. Istiklal is almost synonymous with shopping. So why are they in this category? Because this is the very center of the European part of Istanbul, and life here never stops for a second. It’s easy to find inexpensive apartments or hotels here (though it might seem otherwise!), but upon arrival, you’ll find a loud bar under your windows, and everything will fall into place. For young people craving parties, it’s perfect. Coffee shops, bookstores, cafes, and co-working spaces are also included. There are several places traditionally on must-visit lists for party-goers, like 360Istanbul and Klein, but it’s best to explore this side of Istanbul independently, without hints. This way, the impressions will be more authentic.

Kadıköy

And now, finally, we move to the Asian side of the city. It is usually considered calmer, but Kadıköy demonstrates how rapidly everything is changing in the modern world. Now it is a progressive, trendy district with everything a tourist needs — from comfortable accommodation to an excellent restaurant open until midnight.

What’s great about Kadıköy is that trendy establishments still coexist with long-standing shops, and prices in both can be lower than in the European part of Istanbul. If you really want to get the best of both halves, we suggest staying in the Moda neighborhood. There’s a ferry terminal nearby, a metro station, and colorful cafes with terraces.

For Peace and Leisure

Have we mentioned that Istanbul is a city of contrasts? Although you’ve probably heard that expression yourself. And every letter of it is true. Because here you can equally well party until morning or sleep soundly all night. If you know where.

Cihangir

That very ‘quiet center’ where everyone dreams of living. From this small district to Taksim Square is just a few minutes’ walk, but the atmosphere changes dramatically. Historically, this area was chosen by European newcomers invited to the city by sultans: professors, artists, architects, engineers. And their vision couldn’t help but influence Cihangir’s appearance. The streets are quiet, the houses are in Art Deco and Art Nouveau styles, and the ground floors are occupied by stylish coffee shops and galleries. There are also attractions here, for example, the Kılıç Ali Pasha Mosque.

Cihangir is located on a small hill, so it’s especially great to rent an apartment on the upper floors to see the bay from the window. If, of course, you’re not deterred by the need to go up and down stairs daily.

Üsküdar

Another Asian district in our selection. It is considered non-touristy, although it has everything tourists need — cafes, supermarkets, markets. But it’s quiet at night, so no one will disturb your sleep. Yes, there is a slight distance from key tourist spots, but Üsküdar also has plenty to see. Fethi Pasha Park, Beylerbeyi Palace, the Museum of Islamic Civilizations, and a scattering of mosques — quite enough for an extraordinary excursion program. And from the embankment, there’s the best view of the Bosphorus Strait and the Maiden’s Tower. But still, the main advantages of the district are its tranquility and measured pace of life.

Princes’ Islands

Every major city has a similar district. A place for those who both want and don’t want to live in a metropolis. Those who prefer peace and privacy but are forced to keep their finger on the pulse and stay close to the business center. You know: East Hampton in New York. And in Istanbul — Princes’ Islands. This archipelago of nine islands is located in the Sea of Marmara, closer to the Asian side of the city. Regular ferries run here. Lush greenery is interspersed with Victorian architecture and red tiled roofs. Among the downsides — accommodation will be more expensive. Among the upsides — cars are even banned on the islands, so nothing will disturb your sleep.