Hi everyone, this is the SantoriniDave guide to Where To Stay in Istanbul Turkiye.
This amazing city straddles both the geographic and cultural divide between Europe and Asia,
and has long been seen as one of the great cities of the world.
In this video, we’re going to introduce you to Istanbul, and help you to decide where
you might want to consider staying during a visit.
Before we go there, know that we’ve got lots more detailed information about Istanbul,
plus in depth travel guides to Europe’s other great cities, including deep deep coverage
of Greece, and Italy at our website SantoriniDave.com and across this YouTube channel.
With fifteen million residents, Istanbul can look and feel overwhelming, especially for
first-time visitors, but it’s actually remarkably compact and relatively easy to get around,
between many of the city’s main areas and top attractions.
One tip for visitors is to purchase the City Museum Pass which gets you a discount to many
of the top museums and monuments across the city, and enables you to skip ticketing lines.
Let’s take a look at the city’s best areas to stay in, that include Sultanahmet, Sirkeci,
Karakoy, Galata, Taksim, and, Macka, Kabatas and Besiktas along the Bosphorous.
The older part of the city along the southern peninsula is generally called Fatih, and is
divided into two distinct areas, Sultanahmet and Sirkeci.
Sultanahmet, is home to four of the city’s main attractions: The Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia
Museum, Topkapi Palace, and Grand Bazaar.
This is a great area to stay for first time visitors, or those who prefer a historical
area, where the neighborhood is also dotted with museums, markets, mosques, and hammam
Turkish baths.
Hotels in this area tend to be more boutique style guesthouses inside renovated older buildings.
Some of our favorite hotels in this area include The luxurious Four Seasons, the Boutique Hotels
Amira, and Ibrahim Pasha, and the Seven Hills Palace, and Armada Istanbul along the waterfront.
Nearby Sirkeci offers a mix of old and new, that’s also within walking distance of the
4 top historical sites mentioned previously.
It’s a more residential and less touristy area, with a busy urban feel packed with restaurants
and shops.
There is great access to other parts of the city via all modes of transportation, and
excellent views out over the bustling harbor, and across the water toward Beyoglu.
Some of our favorite hotels here include Regie Ottoman, Mercure Istanbul, Empire Suite Hotel,
Phosphorion Hotel, and Miss Istanbul.
Across the bustling Galata Bridge, lined with fishermen and vehicles above, and restaurants
below, are the popular neighborhoods of Karakoy and Galata.
Karakoy is a bustling and hip waterfront area, that looks out over the harbor, facing toward
Sirkeci and Sultanahmet.
There’s a long waterfront promenade, and the whole area is packed with happening bars,
restaurants, and boutique shops.
Just slightly up the hill, the Galata neighborhood is home to the city’s most famous landmark,
Galata Tower, which rises above the local buildings and is visible from many other parts
of the city.
Packed with cafes and shops catering to a young, and affluent audience, with international
vibes, the zone is especially rich with rooftop bars and cafes that are perfect for a late
afternoon snack or sunset cocktail.
Both Karakoy and Galata offer a broad selection of accommodation, primarily in the budget
to mid-range category.
Here are a few of our suggestions: The Wings Hotel, The Galata Istanbul Hotel, Haze Karikoy,
and The Wings Hotel DeCamondo.
Heading up the hill away from Karakoy, the long, central, mostly pedestrian artery of
Istiklal St. brings you to Taksim Square, the symbolic heart of modern Istanbul.
The square is a huge pedestrian plaza, and includes a large park filled with trees, fountains,
and benches.
A newly constructed giant mosque fronts the square, with a metro station and transit hub
underground below.
Luxury hotels look out over the square, and commercial streets in every direction, lined
with dining and commerce, offer everything from high end international department stores
to cheap tourist souvenirs.
In and around Taksim are some of the finest hotels in the city, including The Marmara
Taksim, Grand Hyatt Istanbul, Hilton Istanbul Bosphorous, The Ritz Carlton, and The CVK
Park Bosphorous.
Not far from Taksim, via a cable car that traverses a large forested park, is the upmarket
residential area of Macka.
Here, tree lined streets are filled with ritzy boutiques, though food at drinks can be found
at more local prices.
The area features some high end hotels, many catering to business travelers and Turkish
tourists.
Some of our favorites include The Park Hyatt, The St Regis, and The Stay Nişantaşi.
Along the picturesque Bosphorous River, separating Europe and Asia, are two busy areas, Kabatas
and Besiktas.
Kabatas is a transit hub, where ferries from around the city, trains, and buses all meet.
Many tourists also visit the area via funicular, an underground tram that runs back and forth
going the short distance between Taksim and Kabitas with no stops in between.
A main boulevard runs along the long waterfront here, lined with beautiful monuments and museums,
and many waterfront cafes to enjoy fabulous views from.
This is also where you’ll find some of the city’s finest hotels and resorts, with palatial
grounds and gardens.
These include The Ciragan Palace Kempinski, The Four Seasons, and Shangri-La.
Despite being a giant metropolis, Istanbul is a relatively easy city to navigate, with
an efficient and cheap public transportation system.
One easy-to-buy electronic card gives you access to metro, trams, buses, ferries, funiculars,
and cable cars.
With a mix of walking and some use of public transit, you will be able to easily traverse
the city.
The tramway that runs between Sultanahmet and Kabitas, is one line that connects many
popular areas, or is also just good for a scenic ride in either direction across the
Galata Bridge, through the city, and past Karakoy.
And, double decker hop on-hop off buses are a great way to see the city as well.
Istanbul is a city where the continents of Europe and Asia meet, surrounded by water
in all directions, and a harbor packed with vessels of all shapes and sizes.
One particularly enjoyable way to experience the city is by hopping on a ferry over to
the Asian side, then stopping to have a meal and explore, or just turning around and coming
back on the next boat are both great choices.
In addition to frequent commuter ferries, sightseeing and tour boats circle the harbor
and run up the Bosphorous toward the Black Sea and back on longer day trips.
Check out our Istanbul Travel Guide for more in depth information about the city, including
Where To Stay, eat, and shop.
Plus lots more great content from across Turkiye, Greece, Italy, and more at SantoriniDave.com.
Thanks for watching.