Experience City Breaks in Istanbul – Hotels to Stay

Istanbul is a culturally and geographically interesting city. On a Turkey walking holiday in this fascinating metropolis, you could see some amazing architecture and even do some shopping at buzzing local markets, getting a feel for the dynamic and diverse culture.

Istanbul deserves to be among the first choices for anyone considering a short city break. Few European cities have anywhere near as much to offer. With three and a half thousand years of history there’s no shortage of attractions and, as the only city on earth that straddles two continents, a visit to Istanbul is truly a unique experience.

Istanbul has a number of hotels to stay during your holidays. Some of the best budget hotels include:

Hanedan Hotel

If you’re going to stay around the old city’s main tourist drag, Akbiyik Caddesi, the Hanedan is the natural budget choice. Despite being owned and run by four friends, it has a friendly family feel about it, with the interior decor mixing the modern with mock-Ottoman flourishes. Rooms have air-conditioning and central heating as standard, with polished wood floors and chiffon-draped four-poster beds adding a touch of interest.

Sumo Cat

Tucked-away down a quiet, cobbled street within a stone’s throw of the city’s landmark Galata Tower, this boutique hostel has been converted from a 19th-century townhouse by the quartet of hip young Turks who run it. They’ll happily point you in the direction of the best bars, clubs, galleries and restaurants in vibrant Galata and adjoining Beyoglu.

Cheers Hostel

Most old city hostels are concentrated on and around Abkiyik Caddesi, the most tourist-oriented street in Istanbul. Fashioned from a characterful 1920s building, this clean, friendly and welcoming hostel offers a choice of four, six, eight and 10-bed dorms plus doubles and family-friendly triples and quadruples.

Devman Hotel

A functional modern block at the lower end of one of Beyoglu’s most boisterous alleys, the noise from restaurants and bars on the street below, and neighbouring clubs, goes on into the small hours – probably best avoided at weekends unless you are also planning to stay out late. Breakfast, served in a brightly-lit basement room, is passable, and the staff are friendly.

Hotel Niles

Situated down a very untouristy street just a short hop from the main sights of the old city, the Niles is an immaculately-appointed, very professionally-run hotel. The traditional rooms have plain walls and crisp white bed linen, and safe-boxes and flat-screen TVs are standard.

World House Hostel

Set on dramatically steep, cobbled Galipdede Caddesi, just down from the Galata Mevlevihanesi whirling dervish monastery, this was one of the first hostels to open on this side of the Golden Horn. Light, bright and clean, the functional World House concentrates on providing the impecunious with the cheapest dorm beds in town.