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Aparthotels & serviced apartments in Istanbul

300 stays · 295 aparthotels and 5 serviced apartments

Istanbul spreads across two continents, split by the Bosphorus and again by the Golden Horn, and getting between districts can take longer than the map suggests. Aparthotels and serviced apartments in Istanbul let you settle into one neighbourhood, shop at its markets and cook between days of sightseeing, which is far easier with a family or on a stay of a week or more than living out of a hotel room.

300 stays

Where to stay in Istanbul

Sultanahmet and the Historical Peninsula

  • first-time visitors
  • sightseeing
  • families

The walled old city of Constantinople, holding most of Istanbul's famous monuments within walking distance of each other. Tram T1 runs through the peninsula to the ferry piers at Eminönü and on to Karaköy and Kabataş, and the Marmaray line stops at Sirkeci. Late April brings the tulip displays in Sultanahmet.

Stays in or near Sultanahmet and the Historical Peninsula

Galata and Beyoğlu

  • nightlife
  • culture
  • couples

Across the Golden Horn, the old European quarter climbs from Karaköy up to İstiklal Avenue and Taksim Square, the most central point of city life. The 1875 Tünel funicular links Karaköy with the lower end of İstiklal, while the F1 funicular joins Taksim with Kabataş for trams and ferries. Metro M2 serves Şişhane and Taksim.

Stays in or near Galata and Beyoğlu

Beşiktaş and Nişantaşı

  • shopping
  • long stays
  • dining

Beşiktaş begins the European bank of the Bosphorus, lined with palaces, parks and waterfront mansions, and has a busy ferry pier. Uphill, Nişantaşı is the city's designer fashion district. Metro M7 reaches Yıldız, about a kilometre above the Beşiktaş jetty.

Stays in or near Beşiktaş and Nişantaşı

Kadıköy and Moda

  • long stays
  • local life
  • food

The locals' favourite district on the Asian side, known for its cultural scene, nightlife and residential streets running down to the Moda shoreline. Ferries cross to Eminönü and Karaköy in about 20 minutes, metro M4 runs east towards Sabiha Gökçen Airport, and Bağdat Avenue is the Asian side's main shopping street.

Stays in or near Kadıköy and Moda

Levent

  • business travel
  • long stays

The city's main business district of skyscrapers and offices, next to the upscale neighbourhood of Etiler. Metro M2 runs south to Taksim and the old city, M6 shuttles to Etiler and Boğaziçi University, and M11 to Istanbul Airport starts nearby at Gayrettepe.

Stays in or near Levent

Getting around Istanbul

Istanbul Airport (IST) is about 30 km north-west of the centre, near the Black Sea. Metro M11 runs from the airport to Gayrettepe (for M2) and Kağıthane (for M7); Havaist coaches go to transport hubs such as Aksaray; and official taxi ranks sit outside each level, though traffic can make the trip slow. Sabiha Gökçen (SAW), on the Asian side, is linked to Kadıköy by metro M4 in about an hour and by Havabüs coaches to Taksim and Kadıköy. Atatürk Airport closed to passengers in 2019.

Use the İstanbulkart smart card on metro, tram, Marmaray, buses and municipal ferries; it is sold at stations and kiosks, and one card can be tapped for several travellers. The Marmaray tunnel line crosses under the Bosphorus between Sirkeci and Üsküdar, tram T1 serves most old-city sights, and ferries are the most pleasant way between continents. Avoid T1 in rush hours, when walking is often quicker. Transfers between metro lines usually mean exiting and re-entering, and stations can be far apart.

Living in Istanbul for longer

Pick a base near a ferry pier or metro station and plan your week around it; the IETT Mobiett app shows routes and stops. The mobile version of İstanbulkart needs a Turkish phone number, so keep the physical card. Regular commuters can ask about the personalised blue card, which bundles a set number of trips for one named user.

Winter drizzle can last a week at a time, and umbrella sellers appear on street corners as soon as it starts, but a proper raincoat serves better. Upmarket shopping is concentrated in Nişantaşı and along Bağdat Avenue; Kadıköy, the locals' favourite district, is a good base for living rather than just visiting. If you are combining the city with the coast, see our pages for Antalya and the rest of Turkey. Allow extra time for walking: pavements are often under construction, and many metro entrances involve long tunnels or footbridges.

When to visit Istanbul

Istanbul has an oceanic climate with Mediterranean influences. Late May to early June and late September to early October are the most pleasant times to visit. July and August average around 26°C by day and feel muggy, with occasional heavy downpours; winter (December to March) is chilly and damp with frequent drizzle and occasional heavy snow.

Notable dates include the tulip displays in late April, the Istanbul Half Marathon in April, the Istanbul Jazz Festival every July, and the Istanbul Marathon in November, whose course spans both Asia and Europe.

The right base depends on the trip. The Historical Peninsula keeps you close to the Byzantine and Ottoman monuments; Galata and Beyoğlu put you in the centre of modern city life; the Asian side around Kadıköy is where many locals choose to spend their evenings; and the business district of Levent suits work trips. Not sure which format fits? Our guide to aparthotels versus hotels sets out the differences.

Long-stay tips for Istanbul

Of the 300 properties here, 145 offer an in-apartment washing machine, 81 list a laptop-friendly workspace, 182 include some form of housekeeping and 212 have a 24-hour front desk. If you are staying more than a few nights, compare the facts box on each property page first.

210 properties list a full kitchen and 90 only a kitchenette, so check the room type if you plan to cook more than simple meals.

Where room sizes are published, the median apartment here is 45 m².

Moving for work? Our guide to serviced apartments for relocation explains what to look for.

Aparthotel brands in Istanbul

You will find these brands here: Fraser (2), Somerset (1), Marriott Executive Apartments (1) and Residence Inn (1).

Other cities in Turkey

Planning a longer trip? See aparthotels in Antalya, Alanya, Trabzon, Fethiye, Marmaris, Çaykara, Kas and Bodrum.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best area to stay in Istanbul?

First-time visitors usually stay in Sultanahmet for the monuments or Galata and Beyoğlu for restaurants and nightlife. Kadıköy suits longer, more local stays, and Levent suits business trips.

How do I get from Istanbul Airport to the city centre?

Take metro M11 to Gayrettepe and change to M2 for Taksim and the old city, or use a Havaist coach to hubs such as Aksaray. Taxis leave from official ranks on each level.

How do I get from Sabiha Gökçen Airport to Kadıköy?

Metro M4 runs from the airport to Kadıköy in about an hour; Havabüs coaches also serve Kadıköy and Taksim, and İstanbulkart is accepted on board.

Do I need an İstanbulkart?

If you are staying more than a day or two, yes. It works on metro, trams, Marmaray, buses and municipal ferries, and it pays for itself after a few trips.

When is the best time to visit Istanbul?

Late spring (late May to early June) and early autumn (late September to early October) offer warm days with less rain than winter and less humidity than midsummer.

How many aparthotels are there in Istanbul?

We currently list 300 aparthotel and serviced apartment properties in Istanbul.

Do aparthotels in Istanbul have kitchens?

300 of the 300 properties we list have a kitchen or kitchenette in at least one apartment type.

Which aparthotels in Istanbul have a washing machine?

145 properties list an in-apartment washing machine. Use the facts box on each property page to check.

Sources

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