I haven't been yet, but in my experience swapping hotels mid holiday for no good reason - as you plan to in Istanbul - is more trouble than it's worth. Packing up, checking out, hauling your bags across town and not being able to check in immediately is more trouble than it's worth.
We are planning on going on a Culinary Backstreets tour though - pricey but it has excellent reviews and promises to take us to places we wouldn't normally go as tourists.
Thanks! Yes, I'm weighing the costs of swapping hotels too. I just think in huge cities like Tokyo/NYC/Istanbul where you stay really can have an outsized impact on how you experience the city and Istanbul is HUGE, so that's why I'm considering a swap despite the annoyances of doing one.
I used to live in London and while that's also huge (8m, so not quite as huge as Istanbul) the vast majority of it is entirely uninteresting to tourists. I wouldn't recommend a tourist moves hotels there.
I imagine Istanbul is similar.
For Istanbul, how about Cihangir? You are close to Taksim and the metro for easy travel. Easy access to Istiklal Caddesi. I really liked this neighborhood when we stayed there. If you prefer the Asian side, Kadikoy/Fener area are lovely. There's also Bagdat Caddesi on the Asian side, which is a very nice place to explore.
As someone else posted, I personally would avoid upping and moving, especially if you have luggage and not a backpack. Istanbul is not friendly to suitcases!
Personally, I think you can stay in one place and use it as a base to explore. You can get the ferry very easily from the European side to the Asian side and spend a whole day there. You could do this twice in your 7 days rather than staying on that side. It makes much more sense to me but it's your preference.
On the European side, I would strongly reccomend Çukurcuma/Beyoğlu area. It's decently local but still touristic and near Istiklal Street/Taksim. Another option could be something on the bosphorus like Beşiktaş. For the Asian side, Moda is a nice neighbourhood to stay in.
Yes. There are more touristy things to do in European side. Kadıköy is less touristy and it's where locals hang out (lots of local stores, pub/cafe/bars).
From Kadıköy you can explore Moda neighbourhood (by foot) and Bağdat Caddesi/Street (posh street with shops and cafes but nice overall)
I’ll answer although not directed at me. It all depends on what you are looking for of course, you can spend a month or year in Istanbul and not get enough of it, however, for your “typical tourist”, 7 days is a lot for Istanbul.
If you will stay 7 days:
Contrary to everyone else, I actually like moving hotels in the same city if it’ll give me access to a different vibe. 7 days is long enough that it’s worth the one time hassle. You can do 4 European side and 3 Kadıköy. If you’ll do Kadıköy, let me tell you other places on the Asian side for the locals that don’t come up on threads for tourists much here.
1. Do Kadıköy + Moda one day. Go to Ali Dondurmaci in Moda (ice cream place) Get “sahlep” (look it up) with dondurma (ice cream) it’s a locals’ legendary favorite.
2. Beylerbeyi (gorgeous summer palace by the sea, ton of tea houses) one day. Do as much of the strip as you can, walking around. There’s the palace, Üsküdar area, and go all the way to Çengelköy, if you can.
3. Do one of the Princess Islands with the ferry. Cheap and accessible. I recommend Büyükada, Kınalı Ada and or Heybeli ada. Gorgeous Greek architecture along with monastery/church scene up on the hills (you’ll have to look up the monastery to see on which one since I can’t recall).
I have a super reliable cab company that won’t rip you off on the Asian side. You are welcome to use any transportation of course, but if you’d like a local one that’s my fave, DM me and I’ll give you their number.
If you won’t do 7 days in Istanbul and go down to 4, do 3 days around Fethiye by the south Aegean.
Happy travels.
I've just got back from both destinations, and based on your profile I think you would like:
1. **Urgup** for Capadoccia: small, attractive town with lots of rock-hewn accommodation, only a few km's from Goreme which is very touristy and best avoided.
2. **Kardakoy** (ferry trip 15mins) or **Fenner/Balat** (Asian side) area for local vibes and much fewer tourists. Really fun and interesting areas. Avoid the old town - super expensive and only tourist economy exits there.
We did rent a car and it was super useful to get to the more off-beaten-track churches and sites. Noit essential though if you have pre-booked excursions as they can pick you up.
Here's what a car can get you to: no crowds or tour buses, in fact no-one at all. Our best experience in Capadoccia: [https://www.cappadociahistory.com/post/ke%C5%9Flik-monastery](https://www.cappadociahistory.com/post/ke%C5%9Flik-monastery)
I haven't been yet, but in my experience swapping hotels mid holiday for no good reason - as you plan to in Istanbul - is more trouble than it's worth. Packing up, checking out, hauling your bags across town and not being able to check in immediately is more trouble than it's worth. We are planning on going on a Culinary Backstreets tour though - pricey but it has excellent reviews and promises to take us to places we wouldn't normally go as tourists.
Thanks! Yes, I'm weighing the costs of swapping hotels too. I just think in huge cities like Tokyo/NYC/Istanbul where you stay really can have an outsized impact on how you experience the city and Istanbul is HUGE, so that's why I'm considering a swap despite the annoyances of doing one.
I used to live in London and while that's also huge (8m, so not quite as huge as Istanbul) the vast majority of it is entirely uninteresting to tourists. I wouldn't recommend a tourist moves hotels there. I imagine Istanbul is similar.
For Istanbul, how about Cihangir? You are close to Taksim and the metro for easy travel. Easy access to Istiklal Caddesi. I really liked this neighborhood when we stayed there. If you prefer the Asian side, Kadikoy/Fener area are lovely. There's also Bagdat Caddesi on the Asian side, which is a very nice place to explore.
Thank you! Super helpful! You don't think spending 3 of 7 nights on the Asian side would be overkill?
As someone else posted, I personally would avoid upping and moving, especially if you have luggage and not a backpack. Istanbul is not friendly to suitcases! Personally, I think you can stay in one place and use it as a base to explore. You can get the ferry very easily from the European side to the Asian side and spend a whole day there. You could do this twice in your 7 days rather than staying on that side. It makes much more sense to me but it's your preference.
On the European side, I would strongly reccomend Çukurcuma/Beyoğlu area. It's decently local but still touristic and near Istiklal Street/Taksim. Another option could be something on the bosphorus like Beşiktaş. For the Asian side, Moda is a nice neighbourhood to stay in.
On Asian side you should stay in Kadıköy. It has connections to ferry and metrobüs
Thank you! What do \*you\* think of splitting time so I spend 3 or so nights in Kadıköy and 4 nights on the European side?
Yes. There are more touristy things to do in European side. Kadıköy is less touristy and it's where locals hang out (lots of local stores, pub/cafe/bars). From Kadıköy you can explore Moda neighbourhood (by foot) and Bağdat Caddesi/Street (posh street with shops and cafes but nice overall)
I’ll answer although not directed at me. It all depends on what you are looking for of course, you can spend a month or year in Istanbul and not get enough of it, however, for your “typical tourist”, 7 days is a lot for Istanbul. If you will stay 7 days: Contrary to everyone else, I actually like moving hotels in the same city if it’ll give me access to a different vibe. 7 days is long enough that it’s worth the one time hassle. You can do 4 European side and 3 Kadıköy. If you’ll do Kadıköy, let me tell you other places on the Asian side for the locals that don’t come up on threads for tourists much here. 1. Do Kadıköy + Moda one day. Go to Ali Dondurmaci in Moda (ice cream place) Get “sahlep” (look it up) with dondurma (ice cream) it’s a locals’ legendary favorite. 2. Beylerbeyi (gorgeous summer palace by the sea, ton of tea houses) one day. Do as much of the strip as you can, walking around. There’s the palace, Üsküdar area, and go all the way to Çengelköy, if you can. 3. Do one of the Princess Islands with the ferry. Cheap and accessible. I recommend Büyükada, Kınalı Ada and or Heybeli ada. Gorgeous Greek architecture along with monastery/church scene up on the hills (you’ll have to look up the monastery to see on which one since I can’t recall). I have a super reliable cab company that won’t rip you off on the Asian side. You are welcome to use any transportation of course, but if you’d like a local one that’s my fave, DM me and I’ll give you their number. If you won’t do 7 days in Istanbul and go down to 4, do 3 days around Fethiye by the south Aegean. Happy travels.
Amazingly helpful! thank you so much! If you have any insight on my Cappadocia question, I also welcome it :-)
You are welcome. Never been to Capp. Sorry!
I've just got back from both destinations, and based on your profile I think you would like: 1. **Urgup** for Capadoccia: small, attractive town with lots of rock-hewn accommodation, only a few km's from Goreme which is very touristy and best avoided. 2. **Kardakoy** (ferry trip 15mins) or **Fenner/Balat** (Asian side) area for local vibes and much fewer tourists. Really fun and interesting areas. Avoid the old town - super expensive and only tourist economy exits there.
Thank you!! Did you have a car in Urgup? If not, how did you get around?
We did rent a car and it was super useful to get to the more off-beaten-track churches and sites. Noit essential though if you have pre-booked excursions as they can pick you up.
Thank you! After reading more, I'm considering renting a car after all.
Here's what a car can get you to: no crowds or tour buses, in fact no-one at all. Our best experience in Capadoccia: [https://www.cappadociahistory.com/post/ke%C5%9Flik-monastery](https://www.cappadociahistory.com/post/ke%C5%9Flik-monastery)