Karakoy, the city’s old port area, should be your choice if you want the best of both worlds: the Old City charms with Ottoman domes and minarets on the one side, and the 19th-century European-style neighbourhoods encircling the Istiklal Street on the other. SUB Karaköy is a sleek and stylish hotel in the midst of all this, drawing inspiration from its maritime surroundings. Step inside, and you'll be greeted by elegantly designed rooms that pay homage to Karakoy's nautical heritage, with hardwood floors echoing the sturdy docks and bespoke Harbour Beds crafted from iron. Ascend to the 6th floor of the hotel, where Up Karaköy awaits, offering panoramic vistas of Istanbul's breathtaking skyline.
TIME OUT TIP: Cross Galata Bridge on foot to reach Eminönü, where you can explore the Spice Market with its rich array of aromas and the lively commercial streets surrounding the Grand Bazaar. Alternatively, a historic funicular at Tünel will whisk you up to Istiklal Street with its Levantine architecture and to Taksim Square, the cultural epicentre of the city.