Sultanahmet
You can walk to the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace and the Basilica Cistern. The Blue Mosque is an active mosque with free entry.
- Best for
- First-timers, Muslim travellers, history lovers
- Getting around
- T1 tram stops at Sultanahmet, with Eminönü (ferries) and the Grand Bazaar a few stops away. Sirkeci Marmaray station is close by for the Asian side.
- Muslim-friendly
- The Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque) is an active place of worship in Sultanahmet. It closes to non-worshippers around prayer times and on Friday mornings until 2:30 pm.
- Keep in mind
- The T1 tram between Eminönü and Sultanahmet gets very crowded at rush hour.
Hotels in Sultanahmet ↗Beyoğlu (Taksim and Galata)
Beyoğlu covers İstiklal Avenue, Taksim Square, Galata Tower, the Pera Museum and İstanbul Modern. It hosts the city's big film and music festivals.
- Best for
- Culture lovers, food lovers, nightlife
- Getting around
- The Tünel funicular and walkable streets. From Istanbul Airport, the M11 to Gayrettepe then M2 to Taksim takes about 45 to 50 minutes plus transfers.
- Keep in mind
- Known for its nightlife, so it can be lively late.
Hotels in Beyoğlu ↗Karaköy
Karaköy, by the old docks, mixes historic buildings with cafés, galleries and waterfront restaurants. Galata Tower and İstiklal Avenue are walkable.
- Best for
- Couples, café lovers, transit convenience
- Getting around
- T1 tram stop (Sultanahmet is a few stops away) and ferries. Take the tram to Kabataş and the funicular to Taksim.
Hotels in Karaköy ↗Kadıköy
Kadıköy on the Asian side has cafés, street art, independent shops and a strong food scene. Yeldeğirmeni's quiet streets are less crowded than the old city.
- Best for
- Food lovers, repeat visitors, local feel
- Getting around
- Ferries cross to the European side. Söğütlüçeşme Marmaray station serves Kadıköy, and Marmaray trains cross the Bosphorus in 4 minutes.
- Keep in mind
- Far from Istanbul Airport: there is no simple metro route, and the HVL-6 Havaist bus takes about 2 hours.
Hotels in Kadıköy ↗Üsküdar
Üsküdar is an old, conservative, residential district on the Asian shore with over 180 mosques, including Mimar Sinan's Mihrimah Sultan and Şemsi Pasha mosques and the huge Çamlıca Mosque on the hill.
- Best for
- Muslim travellers, quiet stays
- Getting around
- Marmaray rail, the M5 metro, and ferries to Eminönü, Karaköy, Kabataş and Beşiktaş.
- Muslim-friendly
- Over 180 mosques, including Mihrimah Sultan Mosque near the ferry terminal and Çamlıca Mosque.
Hotels in Üsküdar ↗Price levels ($ to $$$) appear only where an official tourism source rates them. Hotel links search Booking.com, and some earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.
