Top 10 Old City Hotels of 2026

A coastal cityscape with a large cruise ship docked near a historic building with a prominent tower.

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Where to stay in Old City

Find the best Old City areas for the activities you enjoy most.

A fountain with water jets in a circular pool, a mosque with multiple minarets, and palm trees in the foreground.

Sultanahmet

Gourmet restaurants interesting history and top sights from Blue Mosque to Hagia Sophia – discover Sultanahmet, a destination also famous for its shopping.

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A red tram with the number 115 on a busy street.

Taksim

Enjoy the popular shops in Taksim. Taksim Square is a worthwhile stop, and you can jump on the metro at Taksim Station or Findikli Station to see more of Istanbul.

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An aerial view of a coastal town with houses, a marina, and lush greenery.

Büyükada

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A sunset over a calm river with a boat, a distant city skyline, and a prominent building with towers.

Kadıköy

You might take some time to check out the abundant dining options in Kadıköy. Spend some time visiting top spots like Bosphorus, and catch the metro at Bahariye Station or Acibadem Station to see more of the area.

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A grand neoclassical building with ornate columns and a symmetrical facade, surrounded by manicured gardens and a clear blue sky.

Beşiktaş

Spend some time visiting places like Bosphorus while getting to know Beşiktaş, and be sure to check out the abundant dining options. You can hop aboard the metro at Nispetiye Station or Etiler Station to see more of the area.

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Top Old City Hotel Reviews

AJWA Sultanahmet

10/10 Excellent

"Amazing stay"

Recital Hotel

10/10 Excellent

"Helpful and friendly staff, great location, and breakfast included! Stayed here for 4 evenings and we enjoyed our time. Friendly and flexible front desk that coordinated our hotel transfer, so one less thing to worry about when visiting an unfamiliar place for the first time. Cleaning staff was cheerful and helpful. Breakfast was included and you get a European style breakfast with a slight Turkish twist. Good way to start off the day! Location was very walkable to the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque and other sights. Lots of dining options within 1 to 5 min walk. Felt safe walking around, even at night in the area. I would definitely consider staying here again!"

Sura Hagia Sophia Hotel

10/10 Excellent

"The breakfast was amazing. The rooms were ok and did not give a feeling of a 5 star hotel. But definitely worth choosing it. The staff helped us in boarding our taxi. The staff always approached us to ask if we need anything else. The spa/massage facility was charging us 20% more if we pay by card. We did not have cash then so we skipped it."

GLK PREMIER Sea Mansion Suites & Spa - Special Class

10/10 Excellent

"This was my first time staying at GLK Hotel in Istanbul, and we had a wonderful experience. The staff were incredibly friendly and welcoming, especially Salah at the front desk, who went out of his way to make us feel welcomed on our first arrival. The hotel is in a fantastic location, situated in a quieter part of Istanbul’s Old City. The Blue Mosque is within walking distance, along with many of the other key tourist attractions, making it very convenient for exploring the city. We booked a sea-view room, which was absolutely lovely. The room was comfortable, clean, and had all the facilities we needed for our stay. We also included breakfast with our booking and really enjoyed the delicious Turkish breakfast each morning. During our stay, we also used the hotel’s hamam for a private booking. It was clean, relaxing, and a lovely experience. Overall, we really enjoyed our stay and would definitely recommend GLK Hotel. We would happily stay here again on our next visit to Istanbul!"

Armada Istanbul Old City Hotel

10/10 Excellent

"The Amarda is a traditional hotel. I had a Junior Suite and it was great. The jewel in the crown has to be the rooftop terrace restaurant. The Blue Mosque forms a huge backdrop and it quite spectacular when it is lit up at night. The food was lovely. The hotel serves alcohol but as with all of Turkey, it is relatively expensive. The hotel is close to the water's edge and so that was nice too. The hotel is quite, but close to the main road and so taxi's are easy to get. It is about a fifteen minute stroll up a gentle incline to get to Sultanhamet Square, where most of the tours set off from. The benefit, I suppose, is that it is a fifteen minute downhill stroll when you are tired, at the end of the day."

Emerald Mansion Hotel – Special Class

10/10 Excellent

"This was a wonderful hotel to stay at for my first visit to Istanbul. It is in the heart of everything. There are like a million restaurants around you, many shopping sites and the tram is right up the street. The room was VERY clean. The staff were friendly and helpful. Mel the main receptionist that I saw was wonderful. The room did feel hot the first night and I tried to change the thermostat but the guests are not able to change it on their own. You just let the receptionist know. They changed it for me to make the room cooler. If this is your first time visiting Istanbul this is a great place to stay as it's within walking distance of most of the tourist attractions and there are tons of restaurants and shopping all around you. I felt welcomed by the staff and would stay here again."

Four - G Hotel Premium

10/10 Excellent

"This property is outstanding. Absolutely loved it. First, the location is right in the center of all the historic places to visit. I loved the room layout and design, and the bed is absolutely fabulous. The reception staff were friendly and incredibly courteous. Sevde at the front desk was outstanding in answering our questions and helping us solve a few challenges with getting around and finding places. Definitely a great place to recommend in Istanbul. Thank you, 4_G Premium."

Frequently asked questions

What's it like in Old City?

Old City is an historic neighbourhood known for its charming cafes and stunning cathedral. Experience the best of Old City with a visit to Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque and Grand Bazaar.

Where is the best place to stay in Old City?

Based on our traveller data, Sultanhan Hotel - Special Class is one of the top choices for your stay in Old City. This hotel is a short 5-minute walk from Sultanahmet Square, and it offers a full-service spa and a restaurant. Other good choices for your stay in the neighbourhood include Carina Gold Hotel and Restaurant and Hotel Arcadia Blue Istanbul.

How many hotels will I find in the Old City area?

If you're searching for places to stay in Istanbul, Expedia has something to meet your needs with 1134 Old City hotels and other accommodation options to choose from.

If I need to cancel my hotel reservation in Old City, will I receive a refund?

Yes! Most hotel reservations are fully refundable if cancelled prior to the accommodation's cancellation deadline, which in most cases is within 24 or 48 hours of your check-in date. If you have a reservation that's non-refundable, you may still be able to cancel and get a refund within 24 hours of booking. Add dates, click "Search", then use the "fully refundable" filter to view top deals in Old City.

What is there to do around this Istanbul neighbourhood?

Looking for a little shopping break? A shopping trip to Grand Bazaar, Egyptian Bazaar and Arasta Bazaar might be just the ticket while you're in Old City. Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque are some other stops worth a visit in the neighbourhood. Don't miss favourite places to visit in the surrounding area, such as Sultanahmet Square, Topkapi Palace and Bosphorus. When you're sightseeing in Istanbul, Taksim Square and Galata Tower are also worth a stop.

How can I get around Old City and the greater Istanbul area?

If you want to see more of the city, Cemberlitas Station is the closest metro stop. Others nearby include Sultanahmet Station and Gulhane Station. If you want to venture out of town, Sirkeci Marmaray Station is the closest train station. You can also catch a ride at Istanbul Cankurtaran Station.

Hotels in Old City, Istanbul

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Our top choices for Old City hotels

1. Sultanhan Hotel - Special Class

2. Hotel Arcadia Blue Istanbul

3. Soie Boutique Hotel

4. Amiral Palace Hotel Boutique Class

5. Niles Hotel Istanbul - Special Class

6. Adamar Hotel - Special Class

7. Carina Gold Hotel and Restaurant

8. Seven Hills Palace & Spa

9. Armada Istanbul Old City Hotel

10. Fer Hotel

11. Sura Hagia Sophia Hotel

12. Sirkeci Mansion

13. Seven Hills Hotel - Special Class

14. Kare Hotel Sultanahmet

15. Dersaadet Hotel - Special Class

16. Sultanahmet Palace Hotel - Special Class

17. GLK PREMIER Sea Mansion Suites & Spa - Special Class

18. Hotel Sultania - Boutique Class

19. Sura Design Hotel and Suites - Boutique Class

20. Mest Hotel Istanbul Sirkeci

Where to stay in Old City

Sultanahmet

Taksim

Büyükada

Kadıköy

Beşiktaş

Top Old City Hotel Reviews

AJWA Sultanahmet

Frequently asked questions