The 7 Best Hostels in Istanbul (Updated 2023)

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

Istanbul is a dynamic, sprawling, and historic metropolis recognized for bridging Europe and Asia. For centuries it was one of the crucial necessary cities on the 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. However, costs have risen in recent times resulting from rampant inflation. But it’s nonetheless tremendous reasonably priced and residential to a number of enjoyable, social, and reasonably priced 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 the town has to supply, resembling visiting Hagia Sophia or stress-free in an genuine hammam.

But earlier than you ebook your hostel in Istanbul, listed below are 4 issues it is advisable bear in mind:

1. 1. Location – Istanbul is large. It’s separated by the Bosphorus Strait, so choosing a hostel in a location you need to be primarily based in is crucial.
2. 2. Price – As in any metropolis, you get what you pay for. If you 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. Amenities – Every hostel on the town has free Wi-Fi, and most have self-catering services so you’ll be able to cook dinner your individual meals. Many — however not all — embrace free breakfast, so remember to do your analysis to search out the one which finest meets your wants.
4. 4. Staff – All the hostels listed right here have wonderful employees who’re tremendous pleasant and educated. Even in case you don’t find yourself staying at one of many locations listed under, remember to lookup critiques so that you’ll know you’ll have employees who’re useful and pleasant. They could make or break a hostel!

Below is my checklist of one of the best hostels in Istanbul. If you don’t need to learn the longer checklist under, the next are one of the 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 one of the 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 aspect road in Kadiköy, a laid-back residential neighborhood, Tilas House is a favourite amongst funds vacationers and backpackers. It has a really homey ambiance and is stuffed with snug furnishings, colourful drapes, and eclectic artwork. It feels much less like a hostel and extra like a big household residence in a cool neighborhood. Each room’s partitions within the 150-year-old constructing are hand-painted and replicate varied features of the tradition and historical past of this metropolis.

The employees listed below are legendary for his or her heat and friendliness. The hostel can also be near every little thing you want (eating places, grocery shops, the metro) and is saved very clear (together with the bogs). While the dorms aren’t something fancy, the beds are snug.

Tilas House at a look:

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

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 situated steps from Taksim Square, the fashionable coronary heart of the town, so in case you yearn to really feel the depth that’s central Istanbul, that is the place to remain. Le Banc has a comfy frequent room the place you’ll be able to hang around, chat with different vacationers, and chill out after a day of exploring. It additionally gives a complimentary, hearty natural breakfast. The pretty terrace has an impressive view of the skyline too. The dorm beds are cozy, with privateness curtains and thick mattresses, and the bogs are trendy and clear.

Hostel Le Banc at a look:

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

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 numerous gatherings and actions and there’s a beautiful terrace, leafy communal backyard, and open kitchen in which you’ll chill out and discuss to different vacationers. The picket dorm beds are broad and have privateness curtains and comfortable mattresses. There are lockers in every dorm room in addition to a fully-equipped kitchen so you’ll be able to cook dinner your individual meals in case you’re on a funds.

Yolo Hostel Kadiköy at a look:

• $$
• Organizes plenty of actions
• Located close to numerous galleries and hip cafés
• Fully geared up kitchen

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

4. Cheers Hostel

Located on the European aspect 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 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 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 out there to retailer your luggage. They even have female-only dorms too.

Cheers Hostel at a look:

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

Beds from 428 TRY per night time, personal 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 pretty rooftop terrace, which has an incredible 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 employees who additionally know the town nicely and may share their insider ideas 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 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, situated on the European aspect of Istanbul, only a brief stroll from quite a few historic websites (such because the Blue Mosque). Bahaus gives every day strolling excursions which embrace 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 resort’s rooftop terrace.

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

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

7. Second Home Hostel

If you could have work to do when you’re on the street otherwise you’re a digital nomad, Second Home (situated on the European aspect of city) is the best choice. Not solely is the Wi-Fi quick all through the property, however there are desks situated in visitor rooms and within 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. They manage 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 bogs are clear and spacious, and the employees go above and past to make you are feeling welcome.

Second Home Hostel at a look:

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

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

Istanbul is among the most historic, iconic cities on the 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 in case you keep in one of many metropolis’s enjoyable, secure, and reasonably priced hostels.