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

Istanbul is a dynamic, sprawling, and historic metropolis often called the bridge between Europe and Asia. For hundreds of years it was some of the 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 a really low-cost place to go to. Nonetheless, costs have risen in recent times because of rampant inflation. But it surely’s nonetheless comparatively cheap and residential to a number of enjoyable, social, and reasonably priced hostels that may prevent some cash — cash you possibly can then spend on scrumptious meals, fragrant Turkish espresso, and any of the wonderful 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 e book your hostel in Istanbul, listed here are 4 issues it’s essential keep in mind:

1. 1. Location – Istanbul is big. It’s divided by the Bosphorus Strait, so selecting a hostel in a location you need to be primarily based in is important.
2. 2. Value – As in any metropolis, you get what you pay for. In case you decide a very 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 possibly can prepare dinner your personal meals. Many — however not all — embody free breakfast, so make sure you do your analysis to seek out the one which finest meets your wants.
4. 4. Employees – All of the hostels listed right here have wonderful employees who’re tremendous pleasant and educated. Even for those who 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 employees who’re useful and pleasant. They’ll make or break a hostel!

Under is my listing of one of the best hostels in Istanbul. In case you don’t need to learn the longer listing beneath, the next are one of the best in every class:

Greatest Hostel for Funds Vacationers: Second Home 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 Home 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 one of the best hostels in Istanbul and why I really like them:

Value legend (per night time)

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

1. Tilas Home

Situated on a quiet aspect avenue in Kadiköy, a cool, laid-back residential neighborhood, Tilas Home is a favourite amongst price range 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 elements of the tradition and historical past of this metropolis. It feels much less like a hostel and extra like a big household residence.

The employees listed here are legendary for his or her heat and friendliness. The hostel can be near every thing you may 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 employees

Beds from 1,340 TRY per night time, personal rooms from 1,354 TRY.

2. Hostel Le Banc

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

Le Banc has a comfortable widespread room the place you possibly can hang around, chat with different vacationers, and loosen up after a day of exploring. It additionally presents 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, widespread room, and terrace with views

Beds from 335 TRY per night time, personal rooms from 970 TRY.

3. Yolo Hostel Kadiköy

Yolo is a really social hostel. The employees organizes lots of gatherings and actions, plus there’s a stunning terrace, leafy communal backyard, and open, totally outfitted kitchen in which you’ll loosen up and speak to different vacationers (and prepare dinner your personal meals for those who’re on a price range).

The wood dorm beds are large and have privateness curtains and comfortable mattresses. There are additionally lockers in every dorm room.

Yolo Hostel Kadiköy at a look:

• $$
• Situated close to lots of galleries and hip cafés
• Organizes a lot of actions
• Absolutely outfitted kitchen

Beds from 430 TRY per night time, personal rooms from 935 TRY.

4. Cheers Hostel

Situated on the European aspect 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 presents 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 comfortable, 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 widespread areas (together with a café and a terrace)
• Feminine-only rooms out there

Beds from 428 TRY per night time, personal rooms from 1,080 TRY.

5. Stanpoli Hostel

At Stanpoli, simply steps from the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome, the Basilica Cistern, and the long-lasting Hagia Sophia, you possibly can take pleasure in a Turkish-style breakfast feast on the stunning rooftop terrace, which has a terrific view of the historic Sultanahmet district. The hostel additionally has a pleasant employees who additionally know the town nicely and may share their insider ideas and recommendation that will help you take advantage of your journey.

Every mattress within the spacious dorms has its personal studying gentle, energy outlet, and privateness curtain. The mattresses are thick, so you possibly can truly get an honest night time’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 employees

Beds from 430 TRY per night time, personal rooms from 1,210 TRY.

6. Bahaus Guesthouse Hostel

Social actions are the secret at Bahaus, positioned on the European aspect of Istanbul, only a brief stroll from quite a few historic websites (such because the Blue Mosque). Bahaus presents each day strolling excursions — which embody a deep dive into the Grand Bazaar, a stroll across the Asian aspect 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 night time. In case you’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 additional privateness, and all rooms have an connected rest room, air-con, and ceiling followers, so that you received’t be sweltering throughout the sizzling summer season months.

Bahaus Guesthouse Hostel at a look:

• $$
• Wonderful location within the coronary heart of the Sultanahmet space
• Complimentary breakfast on the rooftop terrace
• A number of actions make it simple to satisfy folks

Beds from 430 TRY per night time, personal rooms from 1,136 TRY.

7. Second Dwelling Hostel

If you must work whilst you’re on the highway otherwise you’re a digital nomad, Second Dwelling (positioned on the European aspect of city) is your best choice. Not solely is the Wi-Fi quick all through the property, however there are desks within the visitor rooms and the widespread room.

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

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

Second Dwelling Hostel at a look:

• $
• Wonderful location within the Sultanahmet space
• Tasty and reasonably priced Turkish breakfast
• A number of organized actions so it’s simple to satisfy different vacationers

Beds from 335 TRY per night time, personal rooms from 835 TRY.

Istanbul is without doubt 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 reasonably priced — particularly for those who keep in one of many metropolis’s enjoyable, protected, and low-cost hostels.