The 7 Greatest Hostels in Istanbul (Up to date 2023)

Posted: 1/3/23 | January third, 2023

Istanbul is a dynamic, sprawling, and historic metropolis referred to as the bridge between Europe and Asia. For hundreds of years it was probably the most necessary cities on this planet, a hub for commerce and tradition between the 4 corners of the earth.

Like Rome, Istanbul has layers upon layers to unravel as you wander its bustling streets. Now residence to over 15 million folks, it was as soon as the capital of the Byzantine Empire (the heir of the Roman Empire). Then it was the middle of the Ottoman Empire, which lasted over 600 years earlier than dissolving in 1922.

Istanbul was once a really low-cost place to go to. Nonetheless, costs have risen in recent times because of rampant inflation. Nevertheless it’s nonetheless comparatively cheap and residential to a number of enjoyable, social, and inexpensive hostels that may prevent some cash — cash you’ll be able to then spend on scrumptious meals, fragrant Turkish espresso, and any of the superb sights and actions the town has to supply, such because the Hagia Sophia or enjoyable in an genuine hammam (steam bathtub).

However earlier than you guide your hostel in Istanbul, listed here are 4 issues you want to bear in mind:

1. 1. Location – Istanbul is large. It’s divided by the Bosphorus Strait, so choosing a hostel in a location you need to be primarily based in is important.
2. 2. Worth – As in any metropolis, you get what you pay for. If you happen to decide a extremely low-cost hostel, you’re in all probability going to get one that’s small and cramped and doesn’t provide nice service.
3. 3. Facilities – Each hostel on the town has free Wi-Fi, and most have self-catering services so you’ll be able to prepare dinner your personal meals. Many — however not all — embody free breakfast, so make sure you do your analysis to search out the one which greatest meets your wants.
4. 4. Workers – All of the hostels listed right here have superb workers who’re tremendous pleasant and educated. Even if you happen to don’t find yourself staying at one of many locations listed beneath, make sure you search for opinions so that you’ll know you’ll have workers who’re useful and pleasant. They’ll make or break a hostel!

Under is my checklist of the very best hostels in Istanbul. If you happen to don’t need to learn the longer checklist beneath, the next are the very best in every class:

Greatest Hostel for Funds Vacationers: Second Dwelling Hostel or Hostel Le Blanc
Greatest Hostel for Partying: Bahaus Guesthouse and Hostel
Greatest Hostel for Solo Feminine Vacationers: Cheers Hostel
Greatest Hostel for Digital Nomads: Second Dwelling Hostel
Greatest Hostel for Historical past Buffs: Cheers Hostel
Greatest Total Hostel: Hostel Le Blanc

Need the specifics of every? Right here’s my breakdown of the very best hostels in Istanbul and why I really like them:

Worth legend (per evening)

• $ = Underneath 400 TRY
• $$ = 401-500 TRY
• $$$ = Over 501 TRY

1. Tilas Home

Positioned on a quiet facet avenue in Kadiköy, a cool, laid-back residential neighborhood, Tilas Home is a favourite amongst finances vacationers and backpackers. The 150-year-old constructing is full of comfy furnishings, colourful drapes, and eclectic artwork, and every room’s partitions in are hand-painted and mirror numerous facets of the tradition and historical past of this metropolis. It feels much less like a hostel and extra like a big household residence.

The workers listed here are legendary for his or her heat and friendliness. The hostel can also be near the whole lot you would possibly want (eating places, grocery shops, the metro) and is stored very clear (together with the loos). Whereas the dorms aren’t something fancy, the beds are comfy.

Tilas Home at a look:

• $$$
• Nice location close to cafés and eating places
• Distinctive, historic constructing
• Very welcoming workers

Beds from 1,340 TRY per evening, personal rooms from 1,354 TRY.

2. Hostel Le Banc

If location is your precedence, Le Banc is the hostel for you. It’s situated steps from Taksim Sq., the trendy coronary heart of the town, so if you happen to yearn to really feel the depth that’s central Istanbul, that is the place to remain.

Le Banc has a comfortable frequent room the place you’ll be able to hang around, chat with different vacationers, and calm down after a day of exploring. It additionally gives a complimentary, hearty natural breakfast. The stunning terrace has an impressive view of the skyline too. The dorm beds are cozy, with privateness curtains and thick mattresses, and the loos are fashionable and clear.

Hostel Le Banc at a look:

• $
• Wonderful central location close to Taksim Sq.
• Complimentary breakfast
• Good on-site café, frequent room, and terrace with views

Beds from 335 TRY per evening, personal rooms from 970 TRY.

3. Yolo Hostel Kadiköy

Yolo is a really social hostel. The workers organizes a number of gatherings and actions, plus there’s a beautiful terrace, leafy communal backyard, and open, totally geared up kitchen in which you’ll be able to calm down and speak to different vacationers (and prepare dinner your personal meals if you happen to’re on a finances).

The picket dorm beds are extensive and have privateness curtains and cozy mattresses. There are additionally lockers in every dorm room.

Yolo Hostel Kadiköy at a look:

• $$
• Positioned close to a number of galleries and hip cafés
• Organizes a lot of actions
• Absolutely geared up kitchen

Beds from 430 TRY per evening, personal rooms from 935 TRY.

4. Cheers Hostel

Positioned on the European facet of the Bosphorus and just some minutes’ stroll from a few of Istanbul’s most iconic historic websites (together with the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque), Cheers gives common strolling excursions (in English and in Spanish) for simply 185 TRY.

The hostel additionally has a terrace and bar with nice views overlooking the town. Breakfast is included, and the Cheers Café offers a comfortable place to sip Turkish espresso within the morning or nurse a beer within the night.

The bunks are fundamental (they’re wooden and there aren’t any privateness curtains), however the beds are cozy, and there are lockers out there to retailer your baggage. There are additionally female-only dorms.

Cheers Hostel at a look:

• $$
• Organizes common strolling excursions
• Stress-free frequent areas (together with a café and a terrace)
• Feminine-only rooms out there

Beds from 428 TRY per evening, personal rooms from 1,080 TRY.

5. Stanpoli Hostel

At Stanpoli, simply steps from the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome, the Basilica Cistern, and the enduring Hagia Sophia, you’ll be able to bask in a Turkish-style breakfast feast on the beautiful rooftop terrace, which has an ideal view of the historic Sultanahmet district. The hostel additionally has a pleasant workers who additionally know the town nicely and may share their insider suggestions and recommendation that can assist you profit from your journey.

Every mattress within the spacious dorms has its personal studying gentle, energy outlet, and privateness curtain. The mattresses are thick, so you’ll be able to really get an honest evening’s sleep too!

Stanpoli Hostel at a look:

• $$
• Wonderful location within the coronary heart of the Sultanahmet space
• Tasty complimentary breakfast on the rooftop terrace
• Very pleasant workers

Beds from 430 TRY per evening, personal rooms from 1,210 TRY.

6. Bahaus Guesthouse Hostel

Social actions are the secret at Bahaus, situated on the European facet of Istanbul, only a brief stroll from quite a few historic websites (such because the Blue Mosque). Bahaus gives every day strolling excursions — which embody a deep dive into the Grand Bazaar, a stroll across the Asian facet of city, and a tour of the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia — in addition to some organized gatherings within the evenings for barbecue and drinks on the rooftop terrace.

The in-house bar stays open late each evening. If you happen to’re touring alone and need to meet fellow vacationers, that is the place to remain.

All of the bunk beds have wrap-around curtains for further privateness, and all rooms have an hooked up toilet, air-con, and ceiling followers, so that you gained’t be sweltering through the scorching summer time months.

Bahaus Guesthouse Hostel at a look:

• $$
• Wonderful location within the coronary heart of the Sultanahmet space
• Complimentary breakfast on the rooftop terrace
• Numerous actions make it straightforward to fulfill folks

Beds from 430 TRY per evening, personal rooms from 1,136 TRY.

7. Second Dwelling Hostel

If it’s important to work whilst you’re on the highway otherwise you’re a digital nomad, Second Dwelling (situated on the European facet of city) is the best choice. Not solely is the Wi-Fi quick all through the property, however there are desks within the visitor rooms and the frequent room.

The hostel gives a pleasant Turkish breakfast for simply 55 TRY and common communal dinners so you will get to know your fellow vacationers. The workers arrange strolling excursions and pub crawls too.

Whereas the beds are fundamental (low-cost metallic bunks with no curtains), there’s a chill rooftop terrace for hanging out, the loos are clear and spacious, and the workers go above and past to make you are feeling welcome.

Second Dwelling Hostel at a look:

• $
• Wonderful location within the Sultanahmet space
• Tasty and inexpensive Turkish breakfast
• Numerous organized actions so it’s straightforward to fulfill different vacationers

Beds from 335 TRY per evening, personal rooms from 835 TRY.

Istanbul is likely one of the most historic, iconic cities on this planet, actually bridging the hole between east and west. It’s full of life and energetic, and whereas costs have risen in recent times, it’s nonetheless very inexpensive — particularly if you happen to keep in one of many metropolis’s enjoyable, secure, and low-cost hostels.