The 10 Best Airbnbs in Istanbul

Arnavutköy, one of the most charming districts on the Bosphorus, owes its appeal to its breathtaking views and the neighbourhood's preserved ambience. Reflecting the city's vibrant energy while offering a tranquil atmosphere, this home in Arnavutköy is an ideal choice for your stay. The 80-square-meter apartment is warm and welcoming. It features a relaxing bedroom, a cosy living room, a fully equipped kitchen for culinary exploration, and a well-equipped bathroom. Enjoy the breathtaking views of the Bosphorus while sipping your morning coffee, or relax in the evening. The house's private terrace is the perfect place to create unforgettable memories of Istanbul, especially in summer. For an evening adventure, a 15-minute walk from Arnavutkoey will take you to Bebek. Immerse yourself in the nighttime vibrancy of the neighbourhood, and don't miss the lively cafes, restaurants and taverns.

Rooms? 1 bedroom. Sleeps three guests.

The mood? A blend of modernity and functionality.

Location perks? In a neighbourhood that best preserves the spirit of the Bosphorus, within walking distance of the sea

Time Out tip: Take early morning walks along the Bosphorus

One of the best places to stay while exploring the sights of Istanbul is the Fener/Balat neighbourhood. You have to experience the unique character of Balat for yourself: the proximity to the historical peninsula and other sights of the city, the nostalgic ambience and the lively cafés and restaurants. The flat is within walking distance of the Golden Horn and public transport and is an ideal base for exploring the history of Istanbul. Located on the second floor of a traditional Greek house in Balat, this charming flat offers comfort and utility in its 40 square metres. The house has been extensively renovated and now offers a modern look. It has a bedroom with a cosy double bed, a wardrobe and a desk. The living room has a comfortable sofa and a dining table with chairs. The kitchen has everything you need: a fridge, a cooker and all the necessary kitchen utensils. The adjoining bathroom has a spacious shower, toilet and washbasin. The flat also has central heating and free Wi-Fi access.

Rooms? 1 bedroom. Sleeps four guests.

The mood? Spacious and modern.

Location perks? The district has retained the charm of old Istanbul and offers colourful houses, quaint shops and traditional bakeries.

Time Out tip: The Chora Church, home to Istanbul's best Byzantine mosaics, is worth exploring.

Beykoz, one of the neighbourhoods on the banks of the Bosphorus in Istanbul, is one of the special areas of the city where you can get in touch with nature thanks to its location in the middle of forests. Nevertheless, it is not far from the dynamics of Istanbul, and from Beykoz, both airports and popular places such as Taksim and Kadıköy are very easy to reach by car. You can enjoy fresh air and nature in this three-storey, spacious house, which is located right next to the forest. The house with six rooms and two kitchens is an ideal choice for large families or groups of friends. On the ground floor there is a kitchen, a large bedroom and a bathroom. The living room with high ceilings enhances the spaciousness of the house. In addition to two gardens, the house also has a veranda where you can drink your tea or coffee and even have a barbecue.

Rooms? 4 bedrooms. Sleeps eight guests.

The mood?  More spacious and airy than you would expect.

Location perks? For an extra dose of green, the Fatih Grove, the Beykoz Grove and the Mihrabad Grove are waiting for you.

Time Out tip: The Glass Furnace Foundation in Beykoz is the largest and best-equipped centre for glass art in Turkey, nestled in a lush, tranquil riverside setting.

Cihangir, the bohemian neighbourhood of Beyoğlu, the heart of Istanbul, is a great base for those who want to keep their finger on the pulse of the city. This particular flat in Cihangir is very close to the city's most vibrant museums, art galleries, activity centres and the Historic Peninsula. The flat is located on the 5th floor and is 130 m² in size. It has a special rooftop with a 180° view and a spacious interior of 150 m². You may want to spend most of your time on the roof terrace, which is furnished with wooden lounge chairs, sofas and a garden swing. Every corner of the house has been designed with comfort and luxury in mind. Each bedroom has a king-size bed and there is a projection screen with a soundbar in the living room. There are also 3 air conditioning units, a 24/7 security system and a private car park for comfort and convenience. The kitchen is equipped with modern appliances and all the necessary kitchen utensils, while the main bathroom has a washing machine, tumble dryer and other essentials.

Rooms? 3 bedrooms. Sleeps eight guests.

The mood? Although the location of the house is great for exploring the city, it might be difficult to leave the terrace, the unique view and the comfort behind.

Location perks? Enchanting for those who want to see every kind of beauty the city has to offer.

Time Out tip: Even if it has lost its old charm, you should take a walk from Istiklal Street to Galata and go through the historic tunnel to Karaköy.

Burgazada is an island paradise, a ferry far away from the crowds of Istanbul, where time flows slowly, where you can breathe in the scent of the sea as you stroll through the streets, and where green and blue embrace. This is a place where you can wake up to the sound of seagulls in the morning and take a walk with unique views at sunset. There is a house called Flisvos on this tranquil island, and the story of its name alone fascinates people. Flisvos is a Greek word that refers to the melody in which the waves dance with the pebbles on the shore. The house is an accommodation with a panoramic view of the sea, right on Çamakya beach, which reflects the unique melody of the island. The wooden house is set in a large garden and has a usable area of 70 square metres; it has a ground floor of 50 square metres and a pretty mezzanine of 20 square metres. It has a terrace where you can sip your morning coffee and watch the colours of the sea.

Rooms? 2 bedrooms. Sleeps two guests.

The mood? The house and its natural surroundings appear as wild and unspoilt as possible.

Location perks? If you want to go island hopping, the ferry is only a few minutes' walk away.

Time Out tip: Visit the Greek Orthodox church of Aya Yani, whose magnificent dome you can see from afar as you approach the island. If the church is open, light a candle and make a wish before you start your tour.

Büyükada, the largest of the Princes' Islands, is characterised by its natural beauty, historic buildings and tranquil lifestyle. The island offers a peaceful retreat, especially on weekdays, away from the hustle and bustle of the city, and its buildings, which bear the traces of the past, convey the feeling of travelling back in time. Amidst the magic of this island is a detached wooden house in the garden of a historic manor house that is over a hundred years old. The house is set in an enchanting garden with a veranda that will make your stay on the island unforgettable. The more than 1000 square metre garden of the house is a natural wonder full of organic vegetable gardens, trees and cute cats. The facilities of the house leave nothing to be desired, even the basic supplies have been thought of and the cleanliness is exceptional.The quiet neighbourhood is away from the hustle and bustle of the city, but still easy to get to.

Rooms? 1 bedroom. Sleeps two guests.

The mood? This house offers you a unique opportunity to experience Büyükada with all its natural beauty and history.

Location perks? The house is located in a quiet area, away from the crowds, just a 15-minute walk from the centre of the island.  The ferry port is within easy walking distance via a flat road, which is very convenient for travellers with large luggage.

Time Out tip: The pleasure of walking into town for dinner and returning home in comfort after sunset is priceless.

Galata; with the historic Galata Tower, bustling Istiklal Street and easy access to the Historic Peninsula, it is one of the best starting points for travelling to Istanbul. As soon as you step out of the house, which is just a three-minute walk from Galata Tower, you will find yourself surrounded by historic buildings, the city's most popular restaurants, bars and cafés. The flat is located in a historic residential building on a quiet and peaceful street. Brick walls, fabric curtains and furniture create a rustic atmosphere in the house. With its historic atmosphere and modern facilities, it is the ideal choice to experience the spirit of Istanbul.

Rooms? 1 bedroom. Sleeps two guests.

The mood? The carefully renovated house offers a modern ambience while reflecting the spirit of the historic building in which it's housed.

Location perks?  A walk in this old and colourful district of Beyoğlu is the best way to enjoy both historical and modern Istanbul.

Time Out tip: To avoid long queues, you can buy your tickets for the Galata Tower online and if you wish, you can opt for a guided tour accompanied by a historian. You can listen to the story of Hezarfen Çelebi here.

Kuzguncuk is a colourful district on the banks of the Bosphorus and impresses with its historical and cultural wealth. The 700-year-old White House in Kuzguncuk, which has been carefully restored, attracts attention with its four-storey wood and brick building overlooking the Bosphorus and the surrounding city parks. The house with its predominantly wooden design offers a warm atmosphere and provides guests with all modern amenities. Each floor of the house offers special details, from the master bedroom to the terrace, from the chef's kitchen on the ground floor to the fully equipped bathroom and laundry room in the basement. The hosts go out of their way to make you feel at home.

Rooms? 3 bedrooms. Sleeps five guests.

The mood? After a short stay in the house, you will soon feel like an inhabitant of Kuzguncuk.

Location perks? It is not only home to various historical buildings such as churches, synagogues and mosques, but is also full of art studios, galleries, boutiques, pretty cafés and popular restaurants.

Time Out tip: To avoid long queues, you can buy your tickets for the Galata Tower online and, if you wish, you can opt for a guided tour accompanied by a historian. You can listen to the story of the legendary Ottoman aviator Hezarfen Ahmet Çelebi, who flew over the Bosphorus from the Galata Tower and successfully landed on the Asian side of the city.

Moda is one of Istanbul's most vibrant neighbourhoods with its lively streets, colourful cafés, bars and restaurants in Kadıköy. Right in the heart of this energetic neighbourhood is a stylish flat built in 2022. The flat is located on a quiet street and impresses with its modern design and comfort. This 50 square metre flat has it all: one bedroom, one bathroom, an open-plan kitchen, a lift, hot water, Wi-Fi, air conditioning, central heating and a washing machine.

The flat is located close to the lively city life, but at the same time in a quiet street. In this flat you can combine the dynamism of Moda with the comfort of your home.

Rooms? 1 bedroom. Sleeps three guests.

The mood? The interior is bright, airy and spacious and offers two storage rooms and a large wardrobe.

Location perks? There are plenty of cafes, bars, restaurants and shops to visit in the area and the ferry harbour is only a 15-minute walk away.

Time Out tip: It's pretty busy in Moda at the weekends. If you prefer a quiet exploration, plan your trip during the week and don't forget to take a walk on the beach.

Sarıyer is a perfect place to spend a holiday without forgetting Istanbul's connection with the sea, and especially to enjoy the Bosphorus. This incredible Bosphorus cottage, located mainly in the Kireçburnu and Tarabya regions, offers a breathtaking view of the Bosphorus from every room. The impressive Bosphorus is just a minute's walk away and the house is equipped with outdoor areas and a glass-enclosed dining area. Also of note is the home's stylish bathroom with Turkish bath. This fascinating place captivates its visitors with its design and art.  This unique location is the perfect place for those who want to enjoy both sea views and local delicacies. Delicious fish restaurants and local cafes on the beach add to the appeal of the region.

Rooms? 1 bedroom. Sleeps four guests.

The mood? There's nothing like staying in a house on the Bosphorus to get a deep sense of the spirit that characterises Istanbul.

Location perks? The long coastline that stretches below the house and lies between Sarıyer and Tarabya offers a perfect route for those who enjoy hiking.

Time Out tip: Get tips from your host, go to one of the Sarıyer fish restaurants lined up on the beach and savour the fresh seafood.