İstanbul - a business center with large companies and small start-ups, a metropole of 20 million inhabitants, a meeting point of different cultures, a historical center where the paths of millennia-old civilizations converge... What about working from İstanbul and discovering this magnificent city, becoming a local in this huge metropole?
WHERE TO STAY
There are many neighborhoods in this huge city and many options to choose from when it comes to deciding where you stay.
First, you have to choose what type of neighborhood you prefer. But don’t worry - choosing one neighborhood, does not mean staying away from another! İstanbul has a strong transportation infrastructure with several metro and bus lines, and ferry journeys between its European and Asian sides. In every district of this metropole, it’s easy to find fully furnished apartments to rent.
Let’s take a look at where you can stay, district by district.
Sultanahmet is the historical and touristic heart of İstanbul. You can be very close to numerous historical sites, and reach all parts of the city with one or two transportation means. There are not many new buildings here, but Sultanahmet has dozens of B&Bs and hotels.
Beyoğlu, just like Sultanahmet, is one of the city's important historical and touristic centers. From here, you can quickly reach all districts in İstanbul. A couple of steps away, the dynamic nightlife of Taksim's side streets awaits you. In addition, dozens of restaurants offering Turkish and international cuisine will be at your doorstep. There are many options for B&Bs, hotels, and short-/long-term rentals.
Şişli & Mecidiyeköy are two non-touristic but very central districts of the city. Both are at the center of transportation lines, and you can find a wide variety of apartments for rent. Nişantaşı, a dynamic neighborhood that combines history and modern living, can be reached on foot from Şişli and Mecidiyeköy. Taksim Square and İstiklal Street are also a few steps away.
Kabataş & Beşiktaş are two dynamic and colorful districts that attract locals and tourists alike. Beşiktaş and Kabataş have many restaurants and bars, and offer a range of long-/short-term rentals. Both districts are located on the shores of the Bosphorus and you can easily cross to the Asian side by ferry or take a short Bosphorus tour when you feel like taking a break.
Levent & Ulus are two relatively high-end neighborhoods. Levent is İstanbul’s business center, and many offices of world-famous companies and start-ups are located here. Levent also offers many options for shared offices. Ulus is within walking distance from Levent. Many upscale restaurants and bars await visitors here. Ulus offers many fully furnished apartments for rent.
Maslak is another one of İstanbul’s business districts and is very close to Levent. Maslak is also close to forests in the north of the city and is home to a large number of companies and people who work for these companies. It is very easy to reach Maslak by metro, and short-/long-term rentals are available here.
Kadıköy is the most dynamic district of İstanbul’s Asian side. There are dozens of boutique restaurants and bars in the center of Kadıköy. Bağdat Avenue (Bağdat Caddesi), known simply as “Cadde” (The Avenue) to locals, is loved by İstanbulites. Kadıköy offers unlimited accommodation options, shopping, and drinking & dining. Many parks, kilometers of cycling and walking trails await you on the Marmara Sea coastline. Neighborhoods such as Koşuyolu and Acıbadem are ideal for those who want to live on quiet streets and encounter familiar faces. There are hundreds of fully furnished apartments for rent in Kadıköy, and access to all corners of İstanbul by metro, metrobus, ferry, and bus is quite simple.
Üsküdar is located on the Asian side of the city, and neighbors Kadıköy. Üsküdar is one of İstanbul’s most historic districts and has a long coastline along the Bosphorus. It is home to many small forests that spread along the coastline parallel to the Bosphorus. From here, it is easy to reach all parts of the city by metro, ferry, and bus.
WHAT & WHERE TO EAT
The biggest city of Türkiye, İstanbul is a gastronomic paradise that features endless options of Turkish and international cuisines. In every part of this metropole, you’ll find countless restaurants offering Turkish cuisine with all its local variations and many world cuisines like Italian, French, Japanese, Chinese, and Lebanese.
İstanbul is home to several fine dining restaurants and hosts world-famous chefs. Most of the fine dining restaurants in İstanbul have a magnificent Bosphorus view. As a gastro-city, İstanbul offers diverse ways and places to enjoy this bounty, from street food to the best examples of Turkish and international cuisine and from casual cafes to fine dining and Michelin-starred restaurants. You can savour the flavours of İstanbul’s culinary diversity, prepared with seasonal local ingredients and centuries-old recipes.
The lokanta restaurant is also a typical experience on the Turkish dining scene. Designed originally as a place for workers to get hot, freshly prepared lunches on their midday breaks, modern lokantas serve people from across the socioeconomic spectrum with their traditional home-style food. Lokantarestaurants first appeared in the late Ottoman period and originally sprung up around workplaces in the Fatih and Beyoğlu districts of İstanbul.
Although İstanbul’s local and international restaurants make it Türkiye's gastronomic center, one must also mention Turkish street food! Throughout the city and the country, street food culture is a pervasive and common thread of everyday life. From snacks to complete meals, it’s easy to grab something tasty in the streets of İstanbul. Here are the 10 unmissable and quintessential İstanbul street foods: simit, balık ekmek (fish sandwich), kestane (chestnuts), tantuni, midye dolma (stuffed mussels), kumpir(baked potatoes), tavuk pilav (chicken with rice), çiğ köfte (bulgur patties), and fresh almonds on ice.
WHAT TO DO IN İSTANBUL
This is not a true question. The true question is, "Is there anything you can't find in İstanbul?" On two continents, you may lose yourself in the never-ending opportunities!
İstanbul literally offers uncountable options when you’re looking for something to do. Just exploring the historic buildings - including mosques, churches, cisterns, and old wooden houses - will take a few days.
The shores of the Bosphorus, the tulip-covered parks, the ferry journeys on the Bosphorus or between the city’s European and the Asian side await you!
The northern side of the city is covered in forests. At weekends, the locals visit them, hike and cycle, and take in the fresh air. On the Black Sea coast, in the north, you can also find several beaches.
If you are a sports enthusiast, the passion for sports is palpable in İstanbul! Football, basketball, volleyball – İstanbulites loves them all. If you can, do not miss a chance to attend a derby game between İstanbul’s major clubs: Beşiktaş, Fenerbahçe, and Galatasaray. The experience is truly unique!
On the other hand, İstanbul has a very rich entertainment scene. Culture enthusiasts will also be overwhelmed by the choice of museums, galleries, theatres, concerts, and arts & culture events. Choosing between the Bosphorus coasts and the many other exciting İstanbul districts will be difficult.
SHARED OFFICE SPACES IN İSTANBUL
You don't need to think about creating the ideal workplace in İstanbul. The office environment you are looking for has already been created for you! You can easily rent a desk or office in a shared office in the city. There are various shared offices on both the European and Asian sides of İstanbul. Fully equipped meeting services are also available in these shared office spaces.
İSTANBUL’S CLIMATE
İstanbul experiences a moderate, transitional climate influenced by its unique location between Europe and Asia. Summers are warm and humid, with temperatures averaging around 25°C to 30°C (77°F to 86°F). Winters are cool and wet, with temperatures typically ranging from 5°C to 10°C (41°F to 50°F). Spring and autumn bring mild temperatures and are considered the most pleasant seasons to visit, with blooming flowers in spring and colorful foliage in autumn. Overall, İstanbul offers a diverse climate that adds to its dynamic charm.
WHAT TIME IS IT IN İSTANBUL?
Türkiye is in a single time zone and 3 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT/UTC+3).
