The 7 Best Hostels in Istanbul (Updated 2023)

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

Istanbul is a dynamic, sprawling, and historic metropolis identified for bridging Europe and Asia. For centuries it was one of the vital 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 house to over 15 million individuals, 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. However, costs have risen in recent times on account of rampant inflation. But it’s nonetheless tremendous inexpensive 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 wonderful sights and actions town has to supply, akin to visiting Hagia Sophia or enjoyable in an genuine hammam.

But earlier than you ebook your hostel in Istanbul, listed here are 4 issues you must keep in mind:

1. 1. Location – Istanbul is large. It’s separated by the Bosphorus Strait, so choosing a hostel in a location you wish to be primarily based in is crucial.
2. 2. Price – As in any metropolis, you get what you pay for. If you choose a extremely low-cost hostel, you’re most likely going to get one that’s small and cramped and doesn’t provide nice service.
3. 3. Amenities – Every hostel on the town has free Wi-Fi, and most have self-catering amenities so you’ll be able to prepare dinner your personal meals. Many — however not all — embody free breakfast, so you should definitely do your analysis to seek out the one which finest meets your wants.
4. 4. Staff – All the hostels listed right here have wonderful workers who’re tremendous pleasant and educated. Even when you don’t find yourself staying at one of many locations listed beneath, you should definitely lookup opinions so that you’ll know you’ll have workers who’re useful and pleasant. They could make or break a hostel!

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

Best Hostel for Budget Travelers: Second Home Hostel or Hostel Le Blanc
Best Hostel for Partying: Bahaus Guesthouse and Hostel
Best Hostel for Solo Female Travelers: Cheers Hostel
Best Hostel for Digital Nomads: Second Home Hostel
Best Hostel for History Buffs: Cheers Hostel
Best Overall Hostel: Hostel Le Blanc

Want the specifics of every hostel? Here’s my breakdown of the very best hostels in Istanbul and why I like them:

Price legend (per night time)

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

1. Tilas House

Located on a quiet facet road in Kadiköy, a laid-back residential neighborhood, Tilas House is a favourite amongst funds vacationers and backpackers. It has a really homey environment and is stuffed with snug furnishings, colourful drapes, and eclectic artwork. It feels much less like a hostel and extra like a big household house in a cool neighborhood. Each room’s partitions within the 150-year-old constructing are hand-painted and mirror numerous features of the tradition and historical past of this metropolis.

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

Tilas House at a look:

• $$$
• Unique, historic constructing
• Very welcoming workers
• Great location close to cafés and eating places

Beds from 1,340 TRY per night time, non-public 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 Square, the trendy coronary heart of town, so when you yearn to really feel the depth that’s central Istanbul, that is the place to remain. Le Banc has a comfy widespread room the place you’ll be able to hang around, chat with different vacationers, and loosen up after a day of exploring. It additionally affords a complimentary, hearty natural breakfast. The beautiful terrace has an impressive view of the skyline too. The dorm beds are cozy, with privateness curtains and thick mattresses, and the loos are trendy and clear.

Hostel Le Banc at a look:

• $
• Complimentary breakfast
• Nice on-site café, widespread room, and terrace with views
• Excellent central location close to Taksim Square

Beds from 335 TRY per night time, non-public rooms from 970 TRY.

3. Yolo Hostel Kadiköy

Yolo is a really social hostel. The workers organizes plenty of gatherings and actions and there’s a stunning terrace, leafy communal backyard, and open kitchen in which you’ll be able to loosen up and speak to different vacationers. The picket dorm beds are broad and have privateness curtains and cozy mattresses. There are lockers in every dorm room in addition to a fully-equipped kitchen so you’ll be able to prepare dinner your personal meals when you’re on a funds.

Yolo Hostel Kadiköy at a look:

• $$
• Organizes a lot of actions
• Located close to plenty of galleries and hip cafés
• Fully outfitted kitchen

Beds from 430 TRY per night time, non-public rooms from 935 TRY.

4. Cheers Hostel

Located on the European facet of the Bosphorus and only a few minutes’ stroll from a few of Istanbul’s most iconic historic websites (together with the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque), Cheers affords common strolling excursions (in English and in Spanish) for simply 185 TRY. The hostel additionally has a terrace and bar with nice views overlooking town. Breakfast is included, and the Cheers Café supplies a comfy place to sip Turkish espresso within the morning or nurse a beer within the night. The bunks are primary (they’re wooden and there are not any privateness curtains), however the beds are cozy and there are lockers accessible to retailer your luggage. They even have female-only dorms too.

Cheers Hostel at a look:

• $$
• Organizes common strolling excursions
• Relaxing widespread areas (together with a café and a terrace)
• Female-only rooms

Beds from 428 TRY per night time, non-public rooms from 1,080 TRY.

5. Stanpoli Hostel

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

Each mattress of their spacious dorms has its personal studying mild, an influence outlet, and a privateness curtain. The mattresses are thick, so you’ll be able to really get an honest sleep too!

Stanpoli Hostel at a look:

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

Beds from 430 TRY per night time, non-public rooms from 1,210 TRY.

6. Bahaus Guesthouse Hostel

Social actions are the secret at Bahaus, positioned on the European facet of Istanbul, only a quick stroll from quite a few historic websites (such because the Blue Mosque). Bahaus affords each 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 lodge’s rooftop terrace.

The in-house bar stays open late each night time. If you’re touring alone and wish to meet fellow vacationers, that is the place to remain. All the bunk beds have wrap-around curtains for further privateness and all rooms have an hooked up lavatory, air-con, and ceiling followers, so that you received’t be sweltering through the sizzling summer time months.

Bahaus Guesthouse Hostel at a look:

• $$
• Complimentary breakfast on the rooftop terrace
• Excellent location within the coronary heart of the Sultanahmet space
• Lots of actions make it simple to fulfill individuals

Beds from 430 TRY per night time, non-public rooms from 1,136 TRY.

7. Second Home Hostel

If you could have work to do when you’re on the highway otherwise you’re a digital nomad, Second Home (positioned on the European facet of city) is your best choice. Not solely is the Wi-Fi quick all through the property, however there are desks positioned in visitor rooms and within the widespread room. The hostel affords a pleasant Turkish breakfast for simply 55 TRY and common communal dinners so you may get to know your fellow vacationers. They set up strolling excursions and pub crawls too.

While the beds are primary (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’re feeling welcome.

Second Home Hostel at a look:

• $
• Tasty & inexpensive Turkish breakfast
• Excellent location within the Sultanahmet space
• Organizes a lot of actions so it’s simple to fulfill different vacationers

Beds from 335 TRY per night time, non-public rooms from 835 TRY.

Istanbul is among 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 when you keep in one of many metropolis’s enjoyable, secure, and inexpensive hostels.

div class=”photo-credits”>Photo credit: 1 – Tilas House, 2 – Hostel Le Banc, 3 – Yolo Hostel, 4 – Cheers Hostel, 5 – Stanpoli Hostel, Bahaus Hostel, Second Home Hostel.