Where to stay in Istanbul: choosing your area (Laleli, Sultanahmet, Taksim…)

"Where should we stay in Istanbul?" is usually the first question after the visa one. The city spreads over two continents, on both shores of the Bosphorus, and the area you pick shapes everything: travel times, atmosphere and budget. Here are the districts Algerian travellers ask about most, what each one is good for, and how to choose according to your trip: shopping, a first visit, evenings out, travelling with children or the Asian shore.

At a glance

• Shopping and trade: Laleli and Aksaray.
• First visit, sights on foot: Sultanahmet.
• Evenings out: Taksim and Beyoğlu.
• Designer shopping: Nişantaşı.
• The Asian side: Kadıköy and Üsküdar.

Laleli and Aksaray: the shopping choice

Laleli is a neighbourhood of the Fatih district, on the European side, between Beyazıt and Aksaray. It is known for its wholesale clothing trade: large stores gather several brands under one roof, for women, men and children.

In our own search data, many of the Istanbul hotels most requested from Algeria are in Laleli and Aksaray. The upside: you sleep among the shops, inside the old city. The downside: these are busy trading streets during the day. If sightseeing is your main goal, compare with Sultanahmet.

Sultanahmet: for a first visit

Sultanahmet, also in Fatih, is the historic heart of the city. Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque), the Basilica Cistern, Topkapı Palace and the old Hippodrome are clustered around Sultanahmet, and the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar in Eminönü belong to the old city too.

The T1 tram runs through the old city to Kabataş, where a funicular climbs to Taksim. It is the ideal base for a first trip if you want to walk everywhere and see the monuments early in the morning. As everywhere in the old city, check the room size before you book.

Taksim and Beyoğlu: modern Istanbul

Taksim Square, in the Beyoğlu district, is a major area for hotels, restaurants and shops. From here, the famous İstiklal Avenue, once the Grand Avenue of Pera, leads to Galata and its tower. Taksim is also a central metro station, handy for getting around and for reaching the airport.

The area stays lively in the evening, which suits friends or couples. With children, a side street a little away from the square will be more restful. To reach the old city, take the funicular down to Kabataş, then the tram.

Nişantaşı: designer shopping

Also on the European side, Nişantaşı is the upmarket shopping district: international brands, Turkish designers, cafés and restaurants, especially around Abdi İpekçi Street. It suits travellers who come for brand-name shopping rather than wholesale. Another name that comes up often in Arabic-language searches is Şişli, on the same shore.

Kadıköy and Üsküdar: the Asian side

Across the Bosphorus, Kadıköy and Üsküdar show another face of Istanbul. Kadıköy is a major transport hub: ferries cross to the European side, and Marmaray, a rail line running through a tunnel under the sea, links the two shores. Sabiha Gökçen airport is also on this side, so it is worth a look if you land there or already know the old city.

Getting around: the Istanbulkart

Istanbul has two airports: Istanbul Airport on the European side and Sabiha Gökçen on the Asian side. From Istanbul Airport, the M11 metro line runs to Gayrettepe, where you change to the M2 line for Taksim; Havaist coaches also serve the main districts.

In the city, the Istanbulkart is the rechargeable card for public transport: metro, tram, buses and ferries. Get one as soon as you arrive. When choosing a hotel, look at the walking time to the nearest tram or metro stop: it often matters more than the distance to the centre.

Travelling with children: what to check

With children, the right room matters as much as the right district. Before booking, check:

• the room type (family, triple or connecting rooms) and the actual number of beds;
• whether breakfast is included;
• whether there is a lift, which helps with a pushchair or heavy bags;
• the bathroom fittings (hand shower, bathtub) if they matter to you;
• the dates of the latest guest reviews.

Sultanahmet works well for a first family visit; Laleli is practical if shopping is part of the plan.

Visa: check before you book

As a rule, entry conditions for Algerians travelling to Turkey depend notably on age and on visas already held; check the up-to-date conditions with the Turkish consulate or the official website before you travel. Our article on the Turkey visa for Algerians sums it up. We do not handle visa applications.

Book your Istanbul hotel and pay in dinars

On Nreservi you choose your Istanbul hotel online for your dates. From Algeria, you pay in dinars with no bank card: BaridiMob, bank transfer or cash at our Telemly office. Living abroad? You can also pay online by bank card, and your voucher is sent to you once the payment is made. The whole process is explained in our guide to booking a hotel without a bank card.

See hotels in Istanbul

Nreservi, online travel agency — 1st floor, 116 boulevard Colonel Krim Belkacem (Telemly), Algiers Centre — +213 540 28 40 40.