Istanbul is a city full of different cultures thanks to the diversity of its influences. It’s recently been getting a lot more coverage in the media and over the internet, and this has spurred a rise in tourism in the city. This means that a lot of new Airbnb listings have been put up to cope with the demand. In this article, you can find the best AirBNB locations in Istanbul in 2022.
If you plan to stay in Istanbul for a week or more, then you’ll save a lot of money by staying in an Airbnb in a location that caters to your needs. Whether it’s indulging in the nightlife, exploring the culture or even diving into the culinary scene, here are the best places to Airbnb in Istanbul.
Best Places to Airbnb in Istanbul 2022
The list of Best Places to Airbnb in Istanbul consists of 10 titles. The most popular AirBNB districts in 2022 are Beyoglu (aka Taksim), Sultanahmet (aka Old City), Besiktas (Bosphorus) and Kadikoy (Asian Side).
Each of the tourist places in Istanbul has its own pros and cons. As an insider, I will try to give you helpful suggestions on choosing the best AirBNB in Istanbul in 2022. Let’s start by hoping it will be useful.
1. Beyoglu
Beyoglu is, without a doubt, one of the most interesting places to visit in Istanbul. It’s situated on the European side of Istanbul and the modern architecture and attractions reflect this. There are historical monuments such as Galata Tower, crowded streets such as Istiklal Avenue and first-class restaurants such as Mikla in Beyoglu.
Beyoglu is actually the name of a large district and contains many popular neighborhoods. In the following five titles, we will be talking about tourist spots in Beyoglu such as Karakoy, Cihangir, Galata, Istiklal Avenue and Taksim Square.
2. Karakoy
Karakoy is one of the best places to stay in Istanbul for couples because it’s simply a beautiful place. It’s a multicultural area that is full of surprises; from modern streets that make you feel like you’re in London to the colorful side streets and intricately decorated mosques around the area, there’s no shortage of romantic destinations to visit.
Karakoy is also one of the best places for AirBNB in Istanbul in 2022. Because Istanbul Cruise Port, which has been reopened under the name Galataport, also adds liveliness to the district. Cruise ships on a Mediterranean tour arrive in Istanbul after Italy and Greece and anchor at Karakoy.
You can find luxury restaurants and street food together in Karakoy. Likewise, there are cheap bars and cafes as well as luxury nightclubs. For this reason, Karakoy is a recommended place for young travelers and couples.
3. Cihangir
Cihangir is a hip neighborhood thanks to its variety of traditional things to do. There are antique shops to explore, traditional Turkish bathhouses (also known as hamam) to soak in and lots of art galleries and museums for you to browse. This makes it a fantastic place to stay if you want to get to know Istanbul’s diverse cultural background.
4. Galata
Galata is a social and cultural hotspot that is full of unique experiences, shopping streets and even a bustling nightlife scene. Galata is primarily a tourist destination, meaning there are countless bars and clubs to visit and also many unique shopping attractions to get stuck in with.
Galata also has 19th century neo-classical and baroque apartments. You can have a great local experience by staying at AirBNB around Galata Tower. With a mix of delicious food, classic drinks and friendly locals, this is a must-visit area if you’re in Istanbul.
5. Istiklal Avenue
Istiklal Avenue is known for its shopping districts, busy streets, the mix of attractions and incredible architecture. Here, you can also visit Cicek Pasaji (Flower Passage), which is full of local taverns, and the neighboring fish market that offers the most delicious street food in Istanbul.
The night life is very colorful in the streets surrounding Istiklal Avenue. For example, Asmalimescit Street, full of fish restaurants, is a favorite of locals on weekends. Likewise, you can have a good time at the bars on Nevizade Street.
6. Taksim Square
Taksim Square is the ultimate tourist destination thanks to its hip selection of bars, variety of stores and breathtaking architecture. It’s actually one of the best places for students to stay in Istanbul because it’s filled with modern attractions and a busy nightlife scene that is incredibly hospitable.
Taksim Square is the heart of Istanbul. From here, you can easily reach Sultanahmet with historical monuments, Sisli and Levent with its shopping malls and Nisantasi with luxury boutiques. With all these features, Taksim Square is one of the most suitable places for AirBNB in Istanbul in 2022.
7. Kadikoy
Kadikoy is the best place for foodies to stay in Istanbul. This is because Kadikoy is the home of Istanbul’s culinary scene, mixing a variety of European and Asian-inspired eateries with the Kadikoy Fish Market which is loved by foodies all over the world. If you’re a lover of fresh foods and ingredients then you’ll love strolling through the large markets here in Kadikoy.
One of the best ways to relax in Istanbul is to take a leisurely journey through Kadikoy and visit some of the many traditional Turkish coffee houses. You can find them everywhere, but we recommend taking a trip through the Moda neighborhood where you’ll find some of the best cafes and patisseries in the whole of the Asian side of Istanbul.
In addition, Kadikoy is without a doubt the best place for expats to live in Istanbul period. It’s incredibly welcoming to outsiders because in Kadikoy, food is a secondary language. Sharing experiences through food, appreciating the cuisine here and learning about culture through cuisine is an enlightening experience that you can’t get in many of Istanbul’s other neighborhoods.
8. Besiktas
Besiktas attracts attention as one of the central districts of Istanbul. You can walk from Besiktas to the most beautiful districts of the Bosphorus, such as Ortakoy and Bebek. In addition, the city’s largest shopping malls are only 10 minutes away.
Besiktas is also home to Dolmabahce Palace and Yildiz Park, two of the city’s most important tourist attractions. In Besiktas Fish Market, you can have fish and drink in local taverns and then walk along the Bosphorus.
It makes a fantastic place to stay in Istanbul because it’s very easy to take a ferry over to the Asian side from Besiktas, and you’ll also find some lively clubs, hotels and restaurants to explore. Nearby parks are fantastic for strolling and you can even go to Besiktas Soccer Team’s match and spend a weekend like the locals.
9. Sultanahmet
Sultanahmet is the best place to stay for those who visit the city to get to know the history and culture of Istanbul. This is one of the best places to Airbnb in Istanbul because it’s simply surrounded by buildings with historical significance such as Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, and you’ll find many amenities such as restaurants and coffee shops.
However, it’s worth mentioning that Sultanahmet is not the type of place you visit if you want to party or get romantic. It’s a great place to explore the culture of Istanbul, but it lacks the boisterous nightlife that areas like Besiktas, Beyoglu and Kadikoy have. In short, if you’re after a more laid-back and enlightening experience, then Sultanahmet is the place to go.
10. Balat
Balat has been increasingly popular in recent years. Attracting attention with its colorful houses, unique cafes and cozy streets, Balat is one of the best places for AirBNB in Istanbul.
Istanbulites love to take a weekend walk in neighboring Fener and Balat districts. These centuries-old districts have great cafes and restaurants and are also excellent places to take pictures.
Conclusion
In this post, we shared the best places for AirBNB in Istanbul. However, you can find many other articles about accommodation in Istanbul on this site. For example, Best Places to Stay in Istanbul article can offer you a broader perspective.
If you decide to stay at the hotel instead of AirBNB, I can suggest three articles. The best hotels in Sultanahmet surrounded by historical artifacts, the best hotels in Beyoglu, the most energetic district of the city, and the best hotels on the Bosphorus with magnificent sea views may also be useful.
Best Airbnb in Istanbul 2022 by Serhat Engul
I read this post a few months ago, but my boyfriend and I ultimately ended up staying in a really cool designer flat in Galata that we both loved. The location is super central, the flat is gorgeous, and the host (Jordan) was really nice, too.
https://airbnb.com/rooms/plus/27100319
Hi Rachel, thank you for your contribution.