Istanbul is quickly becoming a popular city for tourists from all over the world. The city merges modern Turkey with traditional buildings and attractions such as the Blue Mosque, which have been staples of the city for centuries. There are so many things that you can enjoy in this city, from the food to the nightlife.
The first thing that you’re going to need, though, is a great place to stay. Finding the right Istanbul hostel for your trip can elevate your experience in a massive way. Picking the wrong spot that’s full of fleas just because it’s near the city center may make you promise never to return.
Since we want to make sure that you have the time of your life on your Istanbul trip, we’ve explored some of the best hostels in Istanbul. Any of the options that we’re going to be talking about in a bit are a decent pick. However, if you are a pickier traveler, you may want to stick to a boutique hostel over cheaper options. You’ll want to keep that in mind before making any reservations in the city!
Experience the Top-rated Hostel in Istanbul
Cheers Hostel is often recognized as one of the best-rated hostels in Istanbul. Many people who see the place for the first time may wonder why. It’s not necessarily the most luxurious spot in town, but then again, that’s not what you would expect from a hostel.
It’s located about a 10-minute walk from the Grand Bazaar. That may seem like a bit too much for some people, but keep in mind that you’ll walk more on a trip than you typically do at home. Also, some of the cheap hostel options that are closer to the Grand Bazaar are very low quality.
The rooftop terrace that features a bar in this place is certainly one of the things that guests tend to enjoy the most. We wouldn’t necessarily consider it a party hostel, but you can get your groove on if you want to. In fact, we’d say one of the best things about this option is the versatility that it offers.
If you want to stay in the bunk beds with other travelers, you can do that. People who are looking for more of a private option Cheers Hostel also has you covered. Among the amenities in this popular spot, free breakfast is certainly one of those that stands out!
There’s no question that the private rooms at Cheers Hostel Istanbul provide a massive upgrade over their dorm room options. The shared rooms, though, are reasonably clean, which is the least that you can ask for in these types of places. If you’re looking for a place to stay that’s well-located, decently priced, and clean, you won’t go wrong with this pick.
Unveiling the Best Hostel in Istanbul: A TripAdvisor Guide
If you ask Trip Advisor, their top pick for the best hostel in Istanbul is Second Home Hostel. The first thing that jumped out to us about this option is that it features more of a traditional Turkish decor. That’s something that, as a tourist, you do appreciate.
It’s also a place that puts a heavy emphasis on the communal areas, and they want the people in the hostel to get along. The dorm rooms are smaller, so if you’re traveling with, let’s say, four friends, that would turn into a private room for you. What really stands out about Second Home Hostel is the terrace that overlooks the entire city.
You’ll have to take a few steps to be able to reach some of the main attractions and restaurants in the city. However, there are plenty of low-cost restaurants within that area as well that you’ll be able to enjoy. Its location, not be ideal for some people, could be perfect for budget travelers.
What many guests love about this hotel is the vibe. Let’s face it: many of you who are here looking for hostels in Istanbul could be in it for the “hostel experience.” You know, getting the chance to meet new people while you travel.
If that’s something that you’re into, Second Home Hostel will be right up your alley. It’s also true that if you want a more quiet place to lay back when you return from your tours around the city, it may not be the place for you. Speaking of the walking tours, you can take plenty of these just a few steps from the front door of this hostel.
Reviewing the Best Island Hostel in Istanbul
If you want to stay in a hostel that’s close to the sea and offers decent facilities, the Old Town Istanbul Hostel is going to be your best choice. You’re going to be able to come out onto the terrace if your room features one and overlook the Princes’ Islands. It’s essentially the hostel that’s closest to the sea.
The dorm rooms feature decently sized beds and lockers for each person staying in the room. This can be one of the best ways to ensure that your belongings remain safe even when you’re not in the room. Don’t expect too much out of the rooms, the main selling point here is location.
Why are we saying that this is the best island hostel if it doesn’t really offer much? Well, it’s the one with the best view, and for the lack of luxury in the rooms, it does feature a very interesting dinner area. That part overlooks the sea, and you can take in the entire vibe of the place from there perfectly.
Other hostels in Instabul will offer the chance to stay in private rooms. That’s not going to be the case here. If you want to stay in the Old Town, you’re probably going to have to share a bunk bed.
Exploring the Charming Best Island Hostel in Sultanahmet
The Sultan Hostel is one of the best in the Sultanahmet District. It’s true that both the building and the rooms inside are showing their age a bit. You’ll be getting a bit more of a boarding house experience in this spot. In fact, you could find a good deal for a long-term stay.
There are some things that could be a bit better, but the Sultan Hostel does offer large beds in the private rooms. It’s located in a very popular part of the historic Sultanahmet district. If you’re looking for a place where you’re going to be able to mingle with the locals, this may just be it.
You’ll be surprised by the bathrooms in this hotel for sure. The place does have a bit of an old-school vibe to it, and sometimes not in a great way. However, the bathrooms are recently renovated and the staff are typically on hand to make sure that everything looks clean.
This hotel runs a caffe that’s on the ground floor of the building. That means that you’ll probably get a free breakfast when you book. It also means that you might find plenty of people outside on the street even if you leave the place really early. The cafe is a rather popular breakfast spot.
Unforgettable Stay: Best Island Hostel in Istanbul
We’re not necessarily sure why the Cheers Lighthouse Hostel doesn’t top every Istanbul hostels list. It features one of the best views in the city, out towards the ocean. There are plenty of rooms that have a terrace that overlooks the area, so you can really appreciate the location.
Some rooms even feature a sauna, and all of them have modern furniture and air conditioning. That’s not necessarily standard for hostels in Istanbul. You may be thinking that the private rooms in this place would go for the same rates as some of the local hotels.
That’s not the case; you could be paying as little as $40 for a room. It’s actually also one of the best cheap hostels as well because a bed in their shared rooms can go for as little as $8. Other hostels in Istanbul that offer those rates don’t have this great location.
Keep in mind that this is not the same place as the original Cheers Hostel that we talked about earlier. We got the sense that this lighthouse version was the luxury option from the same brand. That’s especially evident from the decor, particularly in the private rooms.
Turkish Delight: Best Island Hostel in Istanbul
The Bahaus Guesthouse Hostel has to be the option that we’ll go within this category. Our reason for picking this place as the “Turkish Delight” is precisely because it looks like what you would expect a hostel in Istanbul to look like. That’s not necessarily a great thing for some people because the decor is rather old.
This is going to be evident in the rooms as well. If you want to sleep in a place filled with the typical local rugs and wake up to your cup of Turkish coffee, this is going to be the spot for you. It’s another one of those hostels in Istanbul that has smaller shared rooms.
If you’re traveling with a medium-sized group, you can take the room for yourselves. That’s one of the best ways not to be so grossed out by the shared bathroom experience. The rooftop terrace is certainly one of the highlights of this place.
Sure, the furniture in the area is nothing special, but you do get some of the best views of the entire city from that spot. Don’t expect to have your pick between a local and international breakfast while you’re up there. It’s still worth it, though, to head to that part of the hostel to have a look.
Getaways in Istanbul: Best Island Host
We couldn’t talk about hostels in Istanbul without mentioning the Stay Inn Taksim Hostel. This place is branded as a “luxury” hostel option. It’s helped out by the fact that it’s within the more European side of the city. Some people may snark at that, but this is very much a “thing” in Istanbul.
There’s the old city center and places such as the Blue Mosque and the Spice Bazaar, which make up the more traditional side of the city. Then you have places like Taksim Square, where you’ll find a more modern atmosphere. That modern city is many times refered to as the European side of Istanbul.
Getting back to the Stay Inn Taksim Hostel, we have to highlight the fact that you can book private rooms for around 40 dollars. That rate includes free wifi, but not free breakfast. If you’re planning a trip to Istanbul and you want to stay in the best hostels, make sure to reserve a room ahead of time.
Although private rooms in some of the best hostels that we’ve talked about can go for as low as $40 a night, they can also climb to over $80. The $8 that you’d pay for the cheapest hostels with a dorm room could also climb if you don’t book ahead of time.
Final Thoughts on the Best Hostels in Istanbul
Picking truly the best hostels in Istanbul is a difficult task. What we’ve tried to do is talk about a wide variety of options. There are certain spots that are great because they offer low rates on private rooms. Really, many of these spots have facilities that could rival a hotel, and you’re getting a room for a fraction of the price.
Other options feature more of the dorm room and traditional hostel experience. We’re not saying that one type of travel is better than the next. Our hope in talking about the best hostels in Istanbul was to provide options for all sorts of travelers.
Truthfully, in our book, the best hostel is not necessarily the one that’s closest to the Blue Mosque but the one that meets your needs. We’re pretty confident that with the variety of options that we’ve provided, you’ll be able to find the right spot for you.
Our last tip for when you’re looking for hostels in Instabul is to make sure you check out rates from different travel sites. You never know if you’re missing out on a deal!
About Peter C.
Peter is a digital nomad who largely writes from Asia, Europe, and South America. Always following the "vibe," he sets up shop in hostels and AirBNB's and continues to entertain us with wild stories from life abroad. Ask him anything in our community forum.
