Where to Stay in Istanbul (Best Areas and Places)

Jump To: Best Areas | For First Timers | Nightlife | Cool Area | Budget | Food | History | FAQs If you’re thinking of visiting Istanbul, or of staying longer as a digital nomad, don’t wait a second longer; take this as your sign to book and go. This is my favorite city in … Read more

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Jump To: Best Areas | For First Timers | Nightlife | Cool Area | Budget | Food | History | FAQs

If you’re thinking of visiting Istanbul, or of staying longer as a digital nomad, don’t wait a second longer; take this as your sign to book and go. This is my favorite city in the whole world, and no matter how many times I visit, I’m not sure it could ever be enough. However, knowing where to stay in Istanbul is important because get it wrong, and you’re going to be stuck in that famous Istanbul traffic for half your vacation.

There are so many places to visit in Turkey, but I can’t even count how many times I’ve traveled to and stayed in Istanbul. Several times I’ve stayed for more than a month at once and really felt like a local. It’s a city that’s drenched in history, and is completely absorbing – you could call the entire city an outdoor museum of sorts, there are so many things to do. And the food; oh my life, the food!

That being said, I can’t deny that understanding this huge urban sprawl can be complicated for a first-time visitor. Within this post, I’m going to help you choose the best area to stay in Istanbul, Turkey so you have a strong foundation on where to begin your exploration. I love this city so much that I’m already excited about your trip too!

SEE ALSO: Best Time to Visit Istanbul (Weather and Costs)

Best Areas to Stay in Istanbul

Quick Look: Best Areas to Stay in Istanbul

• Sultanahmet: First Time Visitor
• Taksim/Beyoğlu: For Nightlife
• Galata: Trendiest/Coolest Area
• Üsküdar: With Family
• Beşiktaş: On a Budget
• Beşiktaş: For Foodies
• Sultanahmet/Fatih: For History

Sultanahmet: The Best Place To Stay in Istanbul for Your First Time

If you want to know where to stay in Istanbul for the first time, I’d highly recommend Sultanahmet. While this isn’t the perfect neighborhood entirely (where is?), it is home to the majority of Istanbul’s top historic spots, and you’ll be able to get a snapshot of the city as a whole by basing yourself here.

This is where you’ll find the Grand Bazaar, Basilica Cistern, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sofia, and Topkapı Palace. There are also countless hotels in this part of the city, as well as a million and one (I didn’t count) cafes and restaurants.

Pros of Staying in Sultanahmet

• You’re close to the must-visit attractions for a first-time visitor
• One of the best places in Istanbul for iconic photo opportunities
• Fairly quiet after midnight, so it’s great for getting a good night’s sleep
• It’s easy to get around from here by tram and bus
• Very multicultural and most people in this area speak English

Cons of Staying in Sultanahmet

• The food isn’t the best and is quite overpriced – you’ll be told it’s traditional, but it’s touristic-traditional
• If you’re looking for where to stay in Istanbul for shopping, this isn’t it – you’ll only find souvenirs
• If you’re looking for vibrant nightlife, you won’t find it here

Best Places to Stay in Sultanahmet

Sultanahmet has countless accommodation options, including some very impressive hotels:

1. Radisson Hotel Istanbul Sultanahmet: If you’re looking for where to stay in Istanbul, and a central location is important to you, this is a great choice. It also offers one of the best breakfasts I’ve experienced in a hotel, allowing you to fuel up and feel satisfied for the day ahead. Click here for details.

2. Sultan Tughra Hotel: This hotel is one of the most unique places to stay in Istanbul located within a restored 100-year-old mansion. However, it’s packed with all the mod-cons you could need, and it features a fantastic on-site restaurant. Click here for details.

3. Cronton Design Hotel: This hotel is stunning! With elegant accommodation, an onsite restaurant and terrace for dining, and world-class service, you can’t go wrong. Click here for details.

Top Things To Do in Sultanahmet

There’s no shortage of things to see and do in Sultanahmet, but make peace with not being able to do them all within one visit. Here are my most highly recommended points of interest:

1. Blue Mosque: Located right in the heart of Sultanahmet and surrounded by beautiful gardens, directly opposite Hagia Sofia, you simply must visit the Blue Mosque. The mosque is closed to visitors during prayer times, and is free to enter, although donations are always welcomed. A guided tour is a good idea here. Click here for tour details. and Click here for tour details of the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sofia and click here for directions.

2. Basilica Cistern: Dating back to the year 532, this underground attraction is a must-visit. I loved the atmosphere, as it felt like history was all around me and the echoes felt like ghosts from the past. Places like this are exactly why Sultanahmet is the best place to stay in Istanbul for tourists. The only downside is the queues but you can take a tour to avoid that. Click here for tour details and click here for directions.

3. Topkapı Palace: This huge palace and its stunning gardens were the official home of the Ottoman sultans in Istanbul, and the opulence is off the scale. The view over the Bosphorus blew me away – it’s breathtaking. I took an audio-guided tour and it really helped me grasp what I was seeing. Click here for booking information and click here for directions.

Where to Eat and Drink in Sultanahmet

You’ll find lots of restaurants in Sultanahmet, many are worth the money, and some aren’t. Here are some of my top picks:

1. Tarihi Sultanahmet Köftecisi Selim Usta: In my opinion, this restaurant does the best köfte in the area, and it’s been open since 1920, so that says a lot. For dessert, make sure you try İrmik helvası, which is one of my favorites. Click here for directions.

2. Matbah Restaurant: There are a lot of restaurants in Sultanahmet that say they make traditional Ottoman cuisine, but a lot don’t do it so well. That’s not the case at Matbah. This restaurant is upmarket, and you’ll enjoy a wonderful view as you dine. Click here for directions.

3. Şehzade Cağ Kebap: This is one of my go-to places in Istanbul; even if I’m not staying in Sultanahmet, I’ll travel there for this restaurant alone. Cağ kebap is a lamb shish-style dish but this restaurant does it like nowhere else and locals flock