Orientbank Hotel Istanbul, Autograph Collection

In Istanbul we can find a wide variety of hotels to stay. In this article I share with you which are the areas that we recommend to stay at and the pros and cons of each, depending on what you are looking for, you can choose the one that you find most convenient. We also include 3 accommodation lists *low, mid and high-end budget hotels/hostels* This guide is LIVE, meaning that I update it every time I discover new hotels/hostels that worth recommending. The guide will automatically sync the changes even after you get it WITHOUT an extra cost!

From modern to traditional, from luxury to convenient…dining, shopping and sightseeing in this amazing city! You’ll find several options for great accommodation, as well. Istanbul is where Europe meets Asia and here you'll encounter elements from both continents. Mind yourself - this city is huge and really crowded. Traffic can be horrific at times and getting from one point to another could take up some time. Still, it's full of savory contrasts, echoes of the past and glimpses of the future and could easily get you addicted! 💡Tip: visit the less-touristy areas Fatih, Fener and Balat! Highlights: ☕️ Turkish coffee - whether it’s made in sand, over fire or on stovetop, it is prepared in a “cezve” (ibrik) using very finely ground coffee beans without filtering; 🫖 Turkish tea - called “çay” (pronounced chai) in Turkish - is a kind of black tea brewed in a dual teapot and served in tulip-shaped small glasses called “ince belli”. 🥨 Simit (Turkish Bagel) a sesame-bathed, circular Turkish bread. Very common - the cheapest street food in Turkey. 🍥 Turkish delight - also called lokum, jellied confection with different flavours (may contain pieces of fruits/nuts) commonly found in the markets. 🥟 Baklava - is a layered pastry dessert made of filo pastry, filled with chopped nuts, and sweetened with syrup or honey. It was one of the most popular sweet pastries of Ottoman cuisine. 🏺 The Nargile, also known as hookah or hubble-bubble or sheesha or Turkish water pipe, is an old tradition in Turkey for smoking Turkish tobacco (plain or fruit flavored - with or without nicotine). 🧿 Evil Eye Symbol - the Nazar Boncuk symbolizes the jealous and envious look of others, which, according to the popular belief, would have the power to cause various misfortunes to a person or his property. Turkish people believe that this amulet protects its holder from the bad energies by absorbing them. In addition, Turkey is famous for its sweets/desserts, ceramics, silver/gold jewelry, spices. Don’t forget to bargain - it is kind of a national sport. 😉

Istanbul is a city that breathes with a thousand years of history, where ancient traditions blend seamlessly with modern life. East meets West here in a dance as old as time, with the city’s contrasts reflected in its skyline and streets. Every corner reveals a new facet of Istanbul’s soul, leaving you with a feeling and rhythm that lingers long after you've left—a memory of a place where time flows like water, connecting everything in its path ❤️