Where to stay in Istanbul

If you want to choose the best area to stay in Istanbul, you should decide what exactly you are going to do in Istanbul. Do you want to visit historical places, have shopping or enjoy your vacation in a peaceful place?

Istanbul is a very big city and is split on two parts by the Bosphorus channel. These two big areas of Istanbul, called European side and Asian side. The European side of Istanbul also divided into two parts by the Golden Horn bay, but connected with three bridges: Galata, Halich and the Ataturk bridge. Therefore, we have at least three big areas to stay.

So, where to stay in Istanbul?

There are two international airports in Istanbul and both are placed on different sides of Istanbul: The Ataturk Airport in the European side of Istanbul and the Sabiha Gokcen airport in the Asian side.

If you arrived to the Ataturk airport, for you will be better to stay in the Sultanahmet, Galata or Taksim districs. But, if you arrived to the Sabiha Gokcen, I advise you to stay in the Kadikoy. Istanbul is very famous with its terrible traffic, so better to choose accommodation in the part of Istanbul where your airport is.

Well, now we have choosen the right side to stay.

Lets choose the area in each side, due to it`s particular qualities. 

Look at the picture bellow to define areas that we will talk about.

1) Sultanahmet area;
2) Galata area;
3) Taksim area;
4) Kadikoy area;
5) Kalamis area;
6) Buyukada island.

Lets speak about each area more detail.

Sultanahmet district

The Sultanahmet district is a historical center of Istanbul city. In that area you can find all the most famous historical places and objects like: AyaSophia and Blue Mosques, Topkapi palace with Harem, Sultanahmet square with obelisks, Grand Bazaar and many other famous sights. That area will be the best area to stay if this is your first time in Istanbul and you have limited time for your trip.

Positive aspects.

• Easy to reach all important historical places

Negative aspects.

• Very crowded and noisy area
• A lot of pickpockets and thieves
• Prices are higher than in other parts of Istanbul

The Galata area of Istanbul

The Galata district it is an area between historical center of Istanbul (Sultanahmet) and the central part of Istanbul (Taksim), from where very easy to reach both of them. Staying in Galata you will be in less crowded and noisy place then in center, but you will need to use public transport in case you will decide to see historical center and don`t like to walk by foot.

Positive aspects.

• Not too much crowded, in some places even very silent
• Possible to reach seafront in few minutes walking
• Very easy to reach all main parts of Istanbul using public transport

Negative aspects.

• Should pay attention on thieves and pickpockets.

The Taksim area of Istanbul.

The most central part of Istanbul. All main events and activities take place on the Taksim square and central streets that are connected to the square, like Istiklal street.

Positive aspects.

• Good for shopping
• Perfect for nightlife

Negative aspects.

• All riots take place on that area, so can be dangerous for tourists
• Very crowded and noisy place

  The Kadikoy area of Istanbul.

The central area of Asian part of Istanbul near the sea. Small streets with a lot of restaurants with live music, bars and shops. Very beautiful, cute and relaxing place. One of the best place to reach every direction of Istanbul.

Positive aspects.

• Perfect for shopping.
• Very good transportation to reach each part of Istanbul.

Negative aspects.

• A bit far from the historical center of Istanbul

The Kalamis district.

Positive aspects.

Kalamis area its one of the luxury, calm and save area for living. Very quite, enough cute and close to the sea. If you are going to stay for a long period in Istanbul, more then a week, I advice you to rent a house in that area. You can walk to Kadikoy by foot about 20 minutes along the sea or use a bus and in few stations you will be in Kadikoy, from where you can reach any direction. 

Negative aspects.

Really far from all historical places.

Buyukada island.

 Positive aspects.

Buyukada island is situated not far from Istanbul, just about 35-45 minutes by ship. On Buyukada cars and other transport, except of bicycles and horses is forbidden. You can enjoy living on island just in case you have really long holidays, about two weeks and you can separate days to stay on island and relax and some days visit Istanbul to have excursions.

On Buyukada island you can climb to the top of the mountain to have amazing view from the top on Istanbul and sea, sitting in very very silent place among nature, listening birds, near the Church of st. George, where you can wish your dream to come true.

Negative aspects.

If your own goal to see as much historical places as possible during your holiday, that place is not for you. Also, meaningless to choose that place to stay in cold period. Its just for summer.