The 15 best hotels in the Old City of Istanbul

This is as good as a hotel gets in the Old City. This pioneering five-star hotel offers a transformative luxury experience in the confines of a former prison near Sultanahmet Square. The meticulously restored three-storey neoclassical building offers 65 spacious rooms and suites with vaulted ceilings, arched windows, and a stunning marble staircase surrounding a well-manicured courtyard. Here, you will find yourself mere steps away from Istanbul's iconic landmarks. The hotel's rooftop lounge Süreyya Teras offers you awe-inspiring views of the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque.

TIME OUT TIP: Savour modern Anatolian cuisine at the in-house Avlu Restaurant, or fish and mezze at Lingo Lingo Bar & Restaurant.

Located right behind the ancient Byzantine walls of the Old City, Armada offers 108 rooms transporting guests to a realm of understated elegance typical of old Ottoman houses. For those seeking an extended stay, Armada Hotel also presents a charming alternative with Armada Apartments. Housed in a meticulously renovated Art Deco edifice adjacent to the hotel, these eight units offer a stylish and comfortable retreat. Additionally, guests can opt for a nostalgic stay in the hotel's historic wooden house, while enjoying the convenience of hotel amenities such as breakfast and cleaning services. For a memorable cruise along the Bosphorus, the hotel offers Armada Boat, heralded as one of the city's most handsome wooden excursion boats.

TIME OUT TIP: Adding to the allure of Armada Hotel is its timeless tradition of milonga nights, a classic affair that has been held once a week since 1995. Weekend brunches of Armada Terrace have also been a local sensation for decades, inviting residents to enjoy a lavish open buffet and feel like a tourist for a day within their own city.

This collection of mansions is located no more than a block away from the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. At the centre of it all is a 19th-century elegant Ottoman wooden mansion, which served as the groundbreaking “Yeşil Ev” hotel for decades, before being updated by the Hilton group. The rooms and suites have elegantly been fitted with custom-made furniture, bed heads, and plush textiles. The hotel spa is hidden in a 500-year-old underground cistern, renovated to encase a striking jacuzzi pool, a beautiful Turkish bath and a modern gym. Green House Garden Restaurant and Bar are like a secret garden where you can enjoy local flavours.

TIME OUT TIP: Visit Istanbul Sanatları Çarşısı (Bazaar of Istanbul Arts) to see the masters produce traditional Turkish-Islamic crafts like calligraphy, water marbling and miniatures in small rooms encircling a peaceful courtyard —a good spot to buy souvenirs as well. 

In the Sultanahmet region, where Ottoman influence often verges on the realm of kitsch, it is rare to find a hotel like Ibrahim Pasha, where contemporary design meets artistic flair. Across the 24 rooms, guests are enveloped in an ambience evoking the warmth of traditional Turkish homes, with divans, or long cushioned seats, and a selective blend of antiques. Being located on a quiet street, the hotel’s rooftop terrace offers amazing views of Sultanahmet Square with majestic monuments of two empires and the Marmara Sea as the backdrop.

TIME OUT TIP: The hotel is named after the neighbouring 16th-century palace (now the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts) built by Ibrahim Pasha —the childhood friend and grand vizier of Suleyman the Magnificent.

Here is a hidden gem near Sultanahmet Square, where chariot races were once held in an ancient Roman hippodrome. With its 23 rooms and suites spread across several houses surrounding a picturesque garden decorated with archaeological artefacts, it truly offers an oasis in the heart of the city. The hotel's authentic style is highlighted by the use of wood and stone, luxurious Turkish fabrics, marble baths and showers, and captivating murals. The rooftop terrace provides sweeping views of the Marmara Sea, as well as the majestic domes, towers, and minarets of the Old City.

TIME OUT TIP: Empress Zoe was one of the four women in the Byzantine Empire to rule in her own name, and has also been depicted in a famous mosaic made of pieces of gold and glass in the Hagia Sophia nearby — the largest Christian temple of the Byzantine times.

Serving as the headquarters of the Deutsche Orientbank in the early 20th century, this architectural marvel has undergone a remarkable transformation to serve as a luxurious Art Deco-style hotel in Sirkeci, the historic commercial heart of the Old City. With its circular facade and grand marble staircase, the hotel bears the distinctive touch of German architect August Jasmundi, who served the Ottoman court and designed elegant mansions for the Istanbul elite of the time. The in-house Gregor Jazz Club sets the stage for live performances three days a week and a fine dining menu that draws a jazz-loving crowd.

TIME OUT TIP: Sirkeci Train Station, another architectural masterpiece designed by the same architect, is just a few streets away. This iconic landmark once welcomed European travellers disembarking from their legendary journey aboard the Orient Express. Today, the station serves as a vital transportation hub connecting visitors to the city's metro network.

The Legacy Ottoman Hotel stands as a rare example of a grand 5-star hotel located in the densely populated Old City of Istanbul. This monumental edifice was built for a local Armenian charity institution in 1911 by the pioneering Ottoman architect Kemaleddin Bey, who imagined it with a colossal body and two imposing domes. The rooms and suites are airy with high ceilings and large windows, yet a bit bland in terms of their design. For a culinary adventure, ascend to the rooftop Adella Seafood Restaurant, where the rich array of local mezes and seafood delights is served against a backdrop of breathtaking views over the Golden Horn and the iconic Galata Tower.

TIME OUT TIP: The Egyptian Bazaar, or Spice Market, is just around the corner for those who would like to stock spices, freshly ground Turkish coffee, and dried fruits and nuts.

This cosy hotel is housed in a historic building overlooking the gardens of Topkapı Palace, which is Gülhane Park today. The rooms have simply and tastefully been decorated with specially designed upholstered wooden headboards. Opt for a deluxe retreat on the top floor for enhanced space and balconies overlooking the verdant expanse below. The in-house Neyzade Restaurant serves flavours from Turkish cuisine at a rooftop terrace, while guests are treated to delightful amenities including complimentary tea and snacks during afternoon teatime, as well as free Turkish culinary classes and guided city tours.

TIME OUT TIP: Immerse yourself in history at the newly revamped Istanbul Archaeological Museums, nestled in Gülhane Park. Discover a trove of antiquities, from intricately adorned marble statues to captivating sarcophagi here.

Crafted by the illustrious local architect Mimar Kemaleddin, with baroque details gracing its facade, this architectural gem emerged as a beacon of hope following the devastating Cibali Fire of 1918. Initially conceived as a collective housing unit, comprised of four interconnected blocks enveloping courtyards, it swiftly evolved into a luxury residence, welcoming esteemed families of the era. Transformed into a 257-room retreat, the historic building now plays host to travellers as part of an international chain, blending heritage with modern comforts. Within its restaurants and cafes, guests savour local fare amidst polished marble courtyards.

TIME OUT TIP: A pleasant stroll will take you to one of the main entrances of the Grand Bazaar in Beyazıt Square.

This tastefully restored 18th-century wooden house serves as a small hotel nestled in the winding side streets of the Sultanahmet district. The multilayered history of the city is best revealed by the remnants of the old walls and fortifications of the Great Palace of the Byzantine Istanbul still visible in the hood, while visitors can walk through corridors on top of glass-encased archaeological remains found during the hotel’s construction. The hotel owes its charming vibe to wall and floor panels made with Iznik tiles, hand-made floral wall motifs and bathrooms fitted with Marmara marble used in historic hammams.

TIME OUT TIP: Visit Little Hagia Sophia nearby, the oldest surviving Byzantine church of Istanbul that serves as a mosque today. The old scriptures on the walls and the baptism font are testaments to the storied past of the edifice.

As a family-owned small hotel currently managed by the second generation, this property is a 3-minute walk away from the Grand Bazaar. This elegant 19th-century building houses 29 rooms, 8 junior and one duplex suites, as well as a penthouse suite with a Turkish-style marble bathroom. The breakfast is served at a charming, glass-encased rooftop terrace offering panoramic vistas of the Marmara Sea and the Princes’ Islands. 

TIME OUT TIP: The Grand Bazaar might be full of kitsch and fake designer bags, but remember that this maze of covered streets still hides the country’s best jewellery makers and textile traders. 

This contemporary hotel hides 56 rooms and suites surrounding a light-filled atrium in a renovated historic building in the Nuruosmaniye neighbourhood. Located mere steps away from the Grand Bazaar, a hotel could not get more central than this in the Old City. A pleasant open buffet breakfast served at the hotel’s rooftop restaurant spoils guests with a large selection of local staples, including freshly baked simit (crisp sesame-crusted bread rings), local cheeses, olives, as well as fresh fruits and dried nuts.

TIME OUT TIP: Among the 11 entrances of the Grand Bazaar, Nuruosmaniye is perhaps the most impressive one. Passing through the courtyard of the Nuruosmaniye Mosque and the arched gate of the bazaar will transport you across centuries. 

This 5-star hotel is conveniently located right on the main artery of the Old City, which will easily connect you through a tram line to Sultanahmet Square, as well as to Eminönü, Karaköy and Beşiktaş harbours. Istanbul University, the city’s oldest, and the Grand Bazaar are just a stone’s throw away. A modern steel and glass building encases sleek rooms and suites that will satisfy both business and leisure travellers. The spa and gym area is a bonus, while the hotel’s rooftop restaurant and bar are a good alternative in a commercial area where many restaurants close at dinner time.

TIME OUT TIP: The nearby Kumkapı area is famous for its historic taverns where one can savour grilled fish, rakı (the local anise-based liqueur) and meze (Turkish tapas), along with melancholic tunes performed by local musicians.

Sirkeci is an ages-old commercial hub where the pulse of the city is still felt at its highest, and this 59-room cosy hotel occupies one of the most strategic corners of the neighbourhood. At the street level, the hotel welcomes guests with the Huqqabaz restaurant, which serves only non-alcoholic beverages, eye-catching fountains of fresh fruit juices and hookahs.

TIME OUT TIP: Right across the street stands the Big Post Office, an iconic building that serves as a museum today. New Mosque and the adjacent Spice Market are also a few steps away from the hotel.

Those who are looking for a fantasy of “1001 Nights” in Istanbul should not look further. Each centimetre-square of this 61-room hotel is decorated with exquisite marble work, silk Tabriz carpets, and specially commissioned tiles and mother-of-pearl furniture, while all the aspects of the service adhere to the halal standards. The character of the hotel is more Middle Eastern than Turkish, while the scenic rooftop Zeferan Restaurant serves predominantly Azerbaijani food.    

TIME OUT TIP: A short walk away from the hotel, Çorlulu Ali Paşa Medresesi, a 300-year-old former madrasa, charms hookah lovers with its misty atmosphere. Here, one can enjoy the fruity aromas of tobacco, and chill in a manner called “a la Turca”.