Istanbul is a city where the east meets the west. So, whether you want to experience its culture, cuisine, art, or lively atmosphere, it has everything that you’d want. It’s a city where everyone appears to have a clear direction. It’s vibrant and is a great place to linger for a few days, or even longer.
By Lizzy
Top 4 Hostels in Istanbul:
The 4 Best Party Hostels in Istanbul
World House Istanbul
Price: $11.95 to $23.90
Situated near Istiklal Street, you will find plenty to see and do in the nearby areas. At the many bars and restaurants close to the hostel, there is a constant stream of live music of every type, including dance music, Turkish music, and international hits. Also, the staff is knowledgeable about the best places to go, and they can give you more insight into where locals go for a good time. Despite its closeness to all of the action, this hostel manages to stay reasonably quiet, so if you’re hoping to sleep soundly, this hostel is still the right choice. It’s the perfect mix of activity and partying in the nearby New Town and a relaxed place to sleep at night.
The hostel itself is situated in a 150-year-old building with a vibrant history. So, it has a lot of charm due to the grand architecture of the building.
- Convenient location
- Helpful staff
- Great ambiance
Bahaus Guesthouse Hostel
Price: $13.14 to $19.12
Bahaus Guesthouse Hostel has been a favorite among travelers, and it’s located in the heart of the old city. Aside from that, it is very close to the Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, Topkapi Palace, and many of the area’s other major attractions. It’s also close to public transport links.
There are many ways to meet fellow backpackers at the hostel. You can enjoy a barbecue or drinks on the rooftop terrace while you take in the beautiful views of Istanbul. There is also a lot of common space that has traditional Turkish cushions and a free belly dancing class. There are also many movie nights.
The hostel also offers other amenities, including Wi-Fi on all rooms, a pleasant, multilingual staff, security lockers, and 24-hour reception service. There’s also a complimentary buffet breakfast. Read more..
- Great location
- Access to public transportation
- Good amenities
Cheers Hostel
Price: $15.5 to $24.92
Cheers Hostel is in a perfect location as it is in the heart of the Old City of Istanbul, in Sultanahmet. It is only a short walk away from the most famous sights like the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, the Underground Cistern, and Topkapi Palace. Aside from these places, you can also visit the Grand Bazaar and a lot of other sightseeing attractions on the eastern side of the city.
The hostel also offers a comfortable, clean, and budget stay in a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. In the lounge area with a flat-screen TV and free Wi-Fi access, you can drink a cup of coffee or Turkish tea, read a book, play backgammon or talk with other guests visiting the city.
The hostel also has an on-site bar, the Wintergarden Panoramic Terrace Bar, which offers breathtaking views of the city’s skylines overlooking the Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, and Taksim. It is also open all year long. During the summer months, you can enjoy a cool self-mixed Mojito while sunbathing and lounging. Meanwhile, in winter, you can enjoy a hot drink. Aside from that, you stay warm by making yourself comfortable next to a very cozy fireplace and sip from a glass of wine. The hostel also serves a delectable Turkish breakfast buffet on the terrace.
The hostel’s rooms are 6, 8, and 10-bed dormitories with individual lockers, but they also have several budget double rooms, triple rooms, twin-bed rooms, and family rooms. The private rooms are in separate buildings. There are shared showers and bathrooms in the halls. Also, dorm rooms and private rooms have air-conditioning, and all rooms have heating. Linen and towels are included. [affiliate id=”26778″ text=”Read more..”]
- Great location
- Amenities
- Room options
Chillout Lya Hostel Bar
Price: $11.33
Chillout Lya Hostel Bar at Taksim puts you close to famous shops and nightlife spots in the city. From the hostel, it’s only a five-minute walk away to the metro station and all public transportation. The hostel also has an on-site bar that is open from 8 pm to 4 am. Also, there is an open buffet where you can get your breakfast in the traditional Turkish way from 09:00 to 12:00, get Turkish tea and coffee for free. At the same time, you meet people from all over the world, chill in the lounge room, watch world channels, DVDs or get books and magazines from the library, or play some of the several games available. In the evening, you can drink your cocktails and beers while listening to a background of world music. The hostel features free amenities like buffet-style breakfast, tea and coffee, linen, towels, Internet and WIFI, air conditioning, board and card games, movies to watch, drinking water, and use of iron and hairdryer. Read more..
- Located in a convenient spot for partying
- The right place for meeting new people
- Great amenities
How is the Nightlife in Istanbul?
At the end of a working day, İstanbullus love nothing more than going to a fashionable bar, welcoming cafe, or a fascinating çay bahçesi (tea garden). They also love to catch up with friends and agree on which of the city’s many clubs or live-music venues they will kick on to later in the evening.
Opening Hours
- The opening hours of bars, cafes, çay bahçesis (tea gardens), and clubs vary wildly between each establishment.
- Clubs are the most crowded on the weekends, and the action doesn’t kick off until 1 am. Also, there are cover charges levied at m
- ost clubs during these nights.
Entry Tips
Long queues are ubiquitous at the famous Beyoğlu clubs past midnight on weekends; some clever clubbers arrive earlier than most people to skip these.
Male-only groups may find it difficult to gain entry due to the door staff, so it’s a good idea to go with a mixed-sex group.
Dress Code
When İstanbullus go out clubbing, they dress to kill. If you don’t do the same, you’ll be unlikely to get past the door staff at the Bosphorus clubs or into the rooftop bars and clubs in Beyoğlu. Fortunately, what you’re wearing won’t affect entry at the live-music venues, meyhanes (taverns), or grungier clubs.
Nightlife Rip-Offs
Foreigners, especially single foreign males, are sometimes targets for a classic İstanbul rip-off whereby they are approached by a friendly local, or group of locals, who asks them if they would like to visit a bar or nightclub. Unfortunately, these guys are luring their victims into places run by organized crime groups, where drinks and the company of hostesses cost an absolute fortune and where refusing to pay the bill can lead to nasty, often physical confrontations. Be very wary of any such invitations.
The Best Bars and Clubs in Istanbul
1. 5 Cocktails & More
Busy at the weekend, casual on weekday nights, 5 Cocktails & More is a fun place to go for drinks with friends. Going there early at night might be a good idea to find a seat, but you might find yourself dancing in a couple of hours.
2. The Populist
The Populist has a vast list of their crafted beers, and the decoration is excellent. The staff is always friendly and helpful. It is located in a small complex of restaurants and quite a lovely concert hall by the name of Babylon. Drop by for a delicious beer, and if it’s your lucky night, you can catch great jazz or new music concert.
3. Salon Iksv
Salon is one of the coolest stages in Istanbul which hosts international and local indie bands, theatre and dance performances, etc. on a period from October to May. Also, Salon is successful at creating a friendly and warm atmosphere, especially watching the stage from the mezzanine is so much fun. Take a look at the event calendar on their website before you visit.
4. 360Istanbul
360Istanbul is a famous rooftop restaurant, bar, and night club located in a 19th-century apartment building overlooking the old embassy row in Beyoglu on the famous Istiklal Street. It offers 360 degrees breathe taking views of Istanbul. 360 is open for lunch and dinner, providing the right twist on the modern Turkish meze fused with international cuisine and an exclusive wine selection. 360Istanbul, later on, turns into Club360 night club.
5. Babylon Bomonti
Founded in 1999 to host the very best of progressive music in an emerging neighborhood in the heart of Istanbul, Babylon Bomonti transformed the city’s music scene and became a famous club for international and local music culture. Babylon moved to the Bomontiada Campus in 2015 to start a new cultural transformation and host its community at its state of the art and multi-purpose live performance center.
About Istanbul
Istanbul is a city of foreign culture, history, and beauty. It was once called Byzantium back in ancient times. In 324 CE, the city’s name was changed to Constantinople when it was rebuilt by the first Christian Roman Emperor, Constantine the Great. The name “Istanbul,” which – may be surprising – was derived from Greek and could be translated as an alteration of “to the city.” While the term had been used widely for centuries, it only became the official name of the city when the Republic of Turkey was founded in the 1920s.
The most densely populated city in Europe, Istanbul, is the financial center of Turkey and confidently straddles between the borders of Asia and Europe as it has for millennia. It is the result when you mix ancient Christendom, a medieval city, and the modern Middle East. Located on either side of the Bosphorus Strait, Istanbul keeps its metropolitan status to this day. The city’s population is composed of more than 14 million people, making it one of the biggest cities in the world.
Lauded in ancient times as “the second Rome,” this is a city where you most should roam — culture and excitement lie around every corner, and more than 2,000 years of history await you.
Lizzy
Traveler & Blogger
Hi, I’m Lizzy! In the past 10 years I’ve travelled 60 countries and I’m still counting. While I was backpacking I could not find a website that provides valuable information about hostels. After months of thinking, doubting and brainstorming, hostelstobook.com was born.
I hope to make your trip easier, so you’d only stay in the best hostels around the globe. Do you have any questions? Don’t hesitate to send me a message.
Related Questions
Istanbul is very safe to visit. Although there may be the continuing threat of terrorism, it’s still okay. This world city is enormous.
Best Times to Visit Istanbul. The best times to visit Istanbul are from March to May and between September and November. That’s when crowds at the city’s attractions are manageable, room rates are average, and daytime temperatures generally sit in the 60s and 70s.
10-12 days where you should go and visit in Turkey. Istanbul is the number one place and minimum we suggest to spend three days in Istanbul. The second place is Cappadocia and at least spend in Cappadocia 1 night and two days. Pamukkale is another exciting place and just needs one day. If you want some more adventure, you can also visit nearby cities around Istanbul like Bucharest and Reykjavik.
An average meal at a typical cafe will cost around $3.38-$4.22 with the drinks. You should figure about $50 to $70/person/day, including lunch and dinner, transportation, small souvenir purchases, museum entrance fees, incidentals, etc.
Even though it’s not recommended to swim in the Bosphorus, you can take a drive outside Istanbul to check out the beautiful beaches in the north. When summer rolls around, Suma Beach, the city’s favorite beach and nightclub, also starts its season.