Where To Stay In Istanbul First Time 2025 - Most Useful Guide Available
Wondering where to stay in Istanbul first time?
This enormous city offers a rich history in the older parts of the city but is simultaneously a modern city.
The impressive architecture along with some of the most important buildings in history like the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and Topkapi Palace makes Istanbul a dream destination for many.
Many civilizations such as the Greeks, Roman,s and Ottomans occupied what is now called Istanbul and the remnants of these civilizations are still on display.
These are all ingredients for an amazing trip.
In this guide, I’ve carefully considered how easy it is to get around Istanbul, ensuring you’ll have seamless access to its iconic attractions, lively bazaars, and delicious eateries.
From budget-friendly stays to luxury escapes, I’ve highlighted neighborhoods that cater to every type of traveler—whether you’re a history buff, a nightlife enthusiast, or someone seeking serene waterfront vibes.
With that being said, let’s jump straight to the recommendations.
The best areas to stay in Istanbul for first-time visitors are Sultanahmet & Sirkeci, Karakoy & Taksim, Eminönü & Grand Bazaar, Balat, Central Beşiktaş, Uskudar and Kadikoy.
While intuitively, you want to stay near the historical centre where most of Istanbul’s attractions are located, there are several other options for first-time visitors in Istanbul as moving around the city can easily be done by public transportation.
This allows you, for example, in more modern parts of the city and even the nightlife area of Istanbul.
It also allows you stay in the Asian side of the city.
To keep it as simple as possible, have a look at the following explanation.
- 1. Sultanahmet & Sirkeci: You’re staying right in the middle of the tourist epicentre with good access to public transport. It’s one of the most desired areas to stay at.
- 2. Galata, Karakoy & Tophane: An area full of affordable hotels that’s also a bustling area during the evening with a central location.
- 3. Taksim (Square): Known for its luxurious hotels, good access to public transport, and bustling area.
- 4. Eminönü & Grand Bazaar: Vibrant area with shopping and nightlife options.
- 5. Balat: The perfect area for couples as it’s a romantic area with colourful houses, although it’s quieter compared to other areas.
- 6. Beşiktaş: Beautiful views, luxurious hotels and a vibrant area with plenty of nightlife.
- 7. Uskudar: Alternative area with beautiful architecture, viewpoints and neighbourhoods.
- 8. Kadikoy: Huge shopping street, plenty of things to do during day and night, and a great food scene.
You can also easily navigate to each recommended area by tapping the link. Or simply go straight to the overview of the best areas to stay in Istanbul first time at the bottom of this article.
The best areas to stay in Istabul first time are:
1. Sultanahmet & Sirkeci – Sightseeing epicentre in Istanbul
When it comes to the best area to stay in Istanbul for first-time visitors, both Sultanahmet and Sirkeci are arguably your best options.
Why? This is the historical part of Istanbul where you can find some of the most important attractions Istanbul has to offer.
This part of Istanbul is also called Fatih, also known as the Old Constantinople, and Sultanahmet and Sirkeci are located in the far east of Fatih.
The Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Cami), Tomb of Sultan Mehmed III, Topkapi Palace Museum and the Hagia Sophia are all located here and for sightseeing purposes, there is no better place to stay than here.
But when the night starts, this area isn’t bustling anymore, and that’s the only downside of this part of Istanbul.
If you’re looking for a bustling nightlife area, you should stay in other areas.
Also, these two areas are not the cheapest ones, but in general, Istanbul offers mostly decent-priced hotels in the first place.
2. Galata, Karakoy & Tophane – Vibrant nightlife area in Istanbul
On the opposite side of the Golden Horn from the historical centre, you will find a few smaller neighbourhoods that are far more bustling during the evening than the previously recommended Sultanahmet & Sirkeci.
If you love to discover the city at night and find yourself in a nightclub in the middle of the night, then stay in one of these three areas.
Galata in particular is known for its nightlife and offers quite a romantic experience too when you walk through the narrow cobblestone streets.
Karakoy is often dubbed a budget area, although Istanbul offers a wide variety of reasonably priced hotels throughout the city.
Tophane is a neighbourhood that is known for its hookah cafes where they offer shisha.
While remaining centrally surrounded by beautiful architecture and near the top attractions, these three neighbourhoods are excellent for those looking for a fun night out.
3. Taksim (Square) – Modern area in Istanbul
If you’re looking to stay in a more modern part of Istanbul, Taksim is among the best the city offers.
Here, you can find all the comforts a modern city has to offer, ranging from great access to public transportation to an abundance of higher-end hotels, boutique shops, restaurants, bars and cafes.
During the evening, Taksim is, similar to the previously recommended three areas, a bustling area.
Taksim is home to İstiklal Avenue, which is the most famous avenue in the city.
The nearby Dolmabahçe Palace is a must-visit when you’re staying in this particular area.
If you want to indulge yourself in some luxury and comfort, Taksim is among the best options you have.
4. Eminönü & Grand Bazaar – Alternative sightseeing area
These two areas are located “behind” the popular Sultanahmet and Sirkeci (first recommendation).
The Grand Bazaar is among the oldest covered market in the world and one of the main attractions of Istanbul.
When you’re looking for souvenirs, herbs and spices, definitely check out this area.
There are several other shopping venues to discover in this part of the city, such as Mısır Çarşısı.
To move around easily through the city, it’s recommended to stay near Vezneciler station, which is basically opposite the Grand Bazaar.
When you’re staying in one of these areas, you’re still located centrally near the touristic highlights of the city, but you also have good access to cross the Golden Horn and dive into Istanbul’s nightlife.
The only disadvantage is that the city’s highlights, except for the Grand Bazaar, are not as close to you then when staying in other areas like Sultanahmet or Sirkeci (they are located far more centrally).
5. Balat – Most colourful area in Istanbul
Balat is home to Istanbul’s iconic colourful houses known as the Balat Renkli Evler. It’s located inside the Fatih district and attracts many tourists.
It’s not as easily accessible as other parts of Istanbul and you don’t have direct access to the metro, which is one of the few disadvantages of this area.
Balat is actually a Jewish neighbourhood and has a laid-back atmosphere.
A stroll through the narrow cobblestone streets and taking Instagrammable pictures in front of the colourful houses is one of the top attractions, although the nearby Kariye Mosque is spectacular too.
Balat is a bit of a romantic area and especially in the evening, when most sightseeing tourists have left this area, it’s perfect to stroll around and watch the world go by.
Getting to the main attractions in the old historical centre is a bit challenging and actually only doable by taking a taxi.
Alternatively, you can stay at Fener, the neighbouring area which borders the Golden Horn.
The good thing about both areas is that you can find some unique hotels that are located inside the well-known colourful houses.
6. Beşiktaş
Beşiktaş is among the oldest neighbourhoods of Istanbul and is actually more of a residential and commercial area than a tourist hotspot.
However, staying in this part of Istanbul comes with a few perks.
First of all, you have access to an important public bus terminal.
Secondly, you’re facing Bosphorus Strait and as you can find several upscale hotels here, you have quite the view from your hotel room which makes it certainly a bit romantic.
Thirdly, as you can expect from an important and old neighbourhood like Beşiktaş, the area is vibrant with many bars, bistros, and restaurants. It’s far less touristy than other parts and you’re avoiding the tourist crowd, but definitely not a quiet area. So, the last perk is authenticity.
If you want to experience the daily lives of the people from Istanbul, Beşiktaş is an amazing option.
So, if you’re looking for luxurious 5-star hotels with amazing views while staying in a less touristy area, Beşiktaş is without a doubt the area you’re looking for.
Is there anything not to like aside from the premium price tag?
Well, although you’re in the city centre, you’re not located near many of the tourist attractions, except for Palacio de Dolmabahçe. That’s why it’s less touristy. You can’t have both.
Also, you don’t have direct access to the metro that takes you to the tourist parts of the city.
7. Uskudar
Uskudar is a large area on the Asian side of Istanbul and is like the previously recommended area more of a residential area.
But while Besiktas has high-rise buildings, Uskudar is more like a village. So, for those seeking authenticity and a local vibe, Uskudar is one of those alternative areas that offer that and is away from the tourist masses.
As it has its own metro system and ferry terminal, it’s quite easy to reach the tourist parts of the city.
What you get in return when staying in this part of the city is a stunning-looking shoreline.
Uskudar is far from boring with beautiful architecture, Instagram-able neighbourhoods (Kuzguncuk), unique mosques (Marmara Ilahiyat Cami), beautiful parks (Fethipaşa Korusu) and historical places (Kız Kulesi).
And the best part of Uskudar is the viewpoints. One of the best viewpoints in Istanbul, Büyük Çamlıca Tepesi, is located in this part of the city.
So, what are the downsides?
First of all, there is not much nightlife and definitely not many bars. Also, hotels don’t come cheap here compared to the other parts of the city.
But in return, you stay at one of the most authentic parts of the city with a fully local experience.
8. Kadikoy
Kadikoy is yet another alternative area on the Asian side of Istanbul and is known for the fish market and also the food scene.
Now, this sounds like it’s a working-class area, but this is not completely the case.
Kadikoy is an upcoming part of the city where people with wealth like to settle. You can expect high-end shops and restaurants and contrary to the previous conservative area, at Kadikoy you can find plenty of nightlife and entertainment.
But not all parts of Kadikoy are so well-developed so you can find budget options here as well.
Those who love shopping should definitely check out Bağdat Caddesi (Baghdad Street), which is a whopping fourteen kilometres long shopping street where you can find everything you can possibly think of.
Unfortunately, there are no major city highlights in this part of Istanbul, but with public transport, you can quite easily reach the historical parts of the city.
It’s a bustling area that mostly attracts younger tourists.
About the author
My name is Joost, a travel enthusiast and a true foodie with a deep passion for exploring new places and cultures. Since 2017, I’ve been living abroad, immersing myself in diverse communities and cuisines. I spent four unforgettable years in Southeast Asia, where I fell in love with its vibrant street food, unique history, and beautiful landscapes. Since 2021, I’ve been calling South America home, continuing my journey of discovery and sharing tips to help fellow travelers make the most of their adventures.