Istanbul

A well-located coliving in the vibrant area of Kadıköy. Nest offers flexible private rooms, communal work areas, and a kitchen—ideal for digital nomads who want a solid setup with easy access to ferries, cafes, and the lively Yeldeğirmeni neighborhood.

Modern, self-contained apartments in the heart of Kadıköy. Allegro offers private, minimalist flats with kitchenettes, strong wifi, and easy access to metro and ferry lines—great for digital nomads seeking autonomy and a central, well-connected neighborhood.

Located near the metro in Kadıköy, Remta offers a simple, spacious 1-bedroom apartment with kitchenette—ideal for longer stays. The quiet residential setting balances local life with convenience, and wifi is reliable enough for remote work sessions.

This thoughtfully designed apartment stay is under 10 minutes from attractions like the Basilica Cistern and Topkapı Palace. With modern interiors, a well-equipped kitchenette, and strong wifi, it’s a convenient and stylish base for exploring the historic heart of Istanbul.

A charming, well-located boutique stay, Viva Butik Sirkeci offers clean, comfortable rooms and a lovely sun terrace perfect for slow mornings or sunset tea. With major sites like the Spice Bazaar and Topkapi Palace within walking distance, it’s an easy, central base for city explorers.

Need a 2 or 3-bedroom apartment? La Casa Privada offers stylish suites in Fatih. With kitchenettes, air conditioning, wifi, and a terrace, it’s a great pick for couples or small groups seeking modern comfort and proximity to historic landmarks.

Located in Balat, one of Istanbul’s most colorful and historic neighborhoods, Stanbul House is a cozy stay near photogenic streets, vintage shops, and local cafés. Great for travelers who want to soak up the charm of old Istanbul at a slower pace in a more unique area.

Set in the heart of Beyoğlu, this thoughtfully styled 1-bedroom apartment sits just around the corner from Vegan Istanbul and offers easy access to Cihangir cafés, Galata Tower, and Taksim Square. A great choice for exploring Istanbul on foot.

Cruising the Bosphorus is one of the most iconic ways to experience Istanbul—offering sweeping views of both the European and Asian sides of the city. Glide past palaces, mosques, colorful waterfront homes, and the silhouette of minarets at sunset. Read our post.

Wander through the colorful backstreets of Fener and Balat, two of Istanbul’s most photogenic neighborhoods. Once home to Greek Orthodox and Jewish communities, these districts now blend crumbling architecture with bright facades, antique shops, and street art. Read our post.

Kadıköy’s Yeldeğirmeni neighborhood is a hub for Istanbul’s most vibrant street art. Stroll its quiet side streets and you’ll find murals spanning entire buildings, playful paste-ups, and unexpected splashes of color tucked between local cafés and secondhand bookstores. Read our post.

Kadıköy blends Istanbul’s creative energy with a distinctly alternative vibe. From indie bookstores and vintage shops to laid-back cafés and buzzing produce markets, the area offers a refreshing contrast to the city’s more touristed zones. Come for the food, stay for the culture. Read our post.

Once the heart of the Ottoman Empire, Topkapı Palace is a maze of opulent courtyards, tiled chambers, and royal relics. Wander its storied halls for a glimpse into centuries of imperial intrigue and design. Read our post.

Descend into the atmospheric depths of the Basilica Cistern, where stone columns rise from still, glowing water. This ancient underground reservoir offers a cool, cinematic break from the city’s bustle. Read our post.

A marvel of architecture and history, the Hagia Sophia has served as church, mosque, and museum across its 1,500-year life. Step inside to witness soaring domes, golden mosaics, and layers of sacred past. Read our post.

With its six minarets and cascading domes, the Blue Mosque is one of Istanbul’s most iconic landmarks. Step inside to see intricate blue İznik tiles, stained glass windows, and a still-active place of worship. Read our post.

A quintessential part of Turkish culture, a visit to a hammam is both cleansing and calming. Steam, scrub, soak, and unwind in beautiful, often historic, bathhouses across Istanbul—many with vegan-friendly exfoliation options.

Galata Tower offers some of the best panoramic views over Istanbul’s rooftops, Bosphorus, and minarets. Head up just before sunset to watch the sky shift over the city’s layered skyline—it’s one of the most iconic vantage points around.

We joined this one and loved the unexpected stops: the quiet corners of the Book Bazaar, a local shisha spot tucked away from tourist streets, and a peek into Istanbul University. It’s a great way to connect with the city’s layered personality beyond the main sites.

Tucked behind the Grand Bazaar, the Book Bazaar is a quieter, lesser-visited gem for literary lovers. Stalls brim with old maps, Ottoman calligraphy, and Turkish poetry collections—perfect for a slow afternoon wander.

Held weekly in Kadıköy, the Tuesday and Friday Bazaar is one of Istanbul’s best local markets. Browse piles of fresh produce, herbs, olives, textiles, and more—at prices far lower than most grocery stores. Read our post.

Wander through Istanbul’s vibrant Spice Bazaar, where the air is thick with the scent of saffron, sumac, and dried rose. One of the city’s oldest markets, it’s a feast for the senses—perfect for picking up Turkish delights, herbal teas, and spice blends to take home.

This cozy, fully vegan spot served up some of the best meals we had in Istanbul. We recommend the traditional smoked eggplant with vegan meatballs, roasted peppers, and an herby tomato sauce. The spinach börek with vegan cheese and fermented cashew yogurt is another standout.

This punky vegan joint in the heart of Kadıköy serves up flavorful wraps and bowls with a street food edge. We loved the Narcissist Wrap—packed with lentils, chickpeas, grilled veg, pickles, and cashew sauce, it’s a standout blend of smoky, tangy, and savory.

A great stop for vegan dumpling lovers in Istanbul. The spinach mantı—stuffed with lentils and topped with in-house vegan yogurt—is hearty, flavorful, and satisfying. Don’t miss the pumpkin-stuffed momos, lightly spiced and packed with autumnal warmth.

This fully vegetarian Syrian spot dishes up flavor-packed classics made entirely in-house. We loved the creamy hummus and the vegan falafel wrap—crispy, spiced, and wrapped fresh to order. Don’t miss the stacked pyramids of chickpeas in the back, a nod to the care that goes into every plate.

One of our go-to spots for an affordable, local meal in Istanbul. Balkan Lokantası serves up classic Turkish staples, with plenty of vegan options like mercimek çorbası (lentil soup), white beans in tomato sauce, and a tender eggplant stew. Ideal for a quick, no-frills lunch.

Sefa Restaurant is a reliable lokanta-style spot offering a daily rotation of freshly cooked dishes. Vegan-friendly options include zeytinyağlı fasulye (green beans in olive oil), stewed eggplant, artichoke hearts, and other seasonal vegetables—all served hot and ready.

Tucked near Galata Tower, Postane is a calm, community-focused café with a rotating seasonal menu and peaceful ambiance. We enjoyed the sunchoke soup—light, refreshing, and studded with chickpeas—perfect for a nourishing midday pause.

Çiğköfteci Ali Usta serves up a classic Turkish street food that’s naturally vegan—spiced bulgur hand-mixed with herbs, tomato paste, and olive oil. Order it as a wrap with pomegranate molasses and fresh greens for a flavorful, satisfying bite on the go.

This scarf is a versatile essential for Istanbul. Soft, lightweight, and GOTS-certified, it doubles as a modest headscarf for mosque visits, a wrap for breezy ferry rides, or an easy layer for changing weather.

A meditative, melancholic portrait of Istanbul by Nobel laureate Orhan Pamuk, this book blends personal memoir with cultural history. Through archival photographs, poetic vignettes, and intimate reflections, Pamuk paints a textured, atmospheric picture of his hometown.

This lightweight hybrid tote and backpack is perfect for spontaneous stops at markets, bazaars, or Turkish bookstores. Made with water-resistant durable ripstop, it's easy to fold and pack for travel.

Essential for peace of mind in busy places like Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar or metro. Tuck one in your daypack or luggage and track it via your iPhone if it gets misplaced. Compact, reliable, and especially useful for multi-stop travel.

We use Wise to spend in local currency without the painfully high foreign transaction fees. It’s one of the simplest ways we’ve found to access our money abroad, in any currency needed, without feeling like we’re losing some of it to massive fees every time we tap.

We use SafetyWing's Nomad Insurance to protect ourselves in case we face an unexpected medical emergency. In addition to covering medical treatment and hospitalization, their policy also covers lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency evacuations.

It can be a hassle to buy a new eSIM every time you enter a different country. That's why we use Saily's Global eSIM, which provides coverage in all the countries we regularly travel to. It's great to land in a new destination and already have data.

Using a VPN is essential to protecting your digital life when moving through unfamiliar networks. We use NordVPN to encrypt our connection on public wifi—whether in airports, cafés, or coworking spaces.