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The largest city both within Turkey and also wider Europe, the city is distinctly shaped by its historic Ottoman past and its unique geographical layout. A global hub for tourists from across the world, a hub for industry and commerce within the region and one of the most dynamic cities in the northern hemisphere.
One of the few places that I can say with confidence that everyone should visit once in their lifetime and a particularly effective base for a remote work destination. Whether you are weighing up a trip for work or pleasure, I would just book a ticket. Nothing more needs to be said.
Istanbul is a city I've frequently returned to since initially visiting on holiday in 2019. As a preface to the rest of the article, I will tell you immediately that it's somewhere I love working from.
The chaos, the food, the weather and the people all combine to make for an utterly distinctive destination. After four months in the rather sedate cities of Central Asia, I was craving a return to the rhythm of a proper urban setting, and a late-summer month in Istanbul fitted the bill perfectly.
This original article was written in 2023, but I've updated it with details from this most recent trip.
The quality and service associated with Airbnbs tend to be hit and miss throughout Turkey, and Istanbul is no exception. Given the scale of the city, general availability is sub-par, compounded by the insatiable appetite for accommodation from both year-round tourists and the 15 million people who call it home.
Supply comes nowhere near meeting the high demand, so finding a good deal, especially during peak seasons, requires some persistence and a good chunk of luck.
A core contributing issue is the historic building stock in many of the popular areas around Beyoğlu. More modern commercial units are likely to be found outside of the immediate tourist areas, in the more residential neighbourhoods towards Osmanbey, Beşiktaş and Şişli.
Due to this incredibly high demand, the chances of finding an outstanding deal are close to zero. If booking via Airbnb, expect to pay around £1,200 per calendar month for a reasonable quality, renovated one-bedroom flat in a central location. New-to-market apartments come up frequently, so you may be able to grab a relative bargain on an unproven unit.
Occasionally you may see some cheaper deals in Fatih on Airbnb and especially in hotels, but if it's your first time visiting the city, I'd avoid any temptations to book in those more conservative areas to save costs.
If you are sensitive to noise, pay close attention to reviews on Airbnb regarding this, especially if staying close to Taksim. I stayed on Süslü Saksı Street on one trip and whilst it was incredibly convenient to get around the city, being routinely woken up at 3AM Thursday through Monday by a techno party in the middle of December somewhat hindered the experience.
Due to all the above, book well in advance and pay close attention to where you plan to work from. Whilst public transport is generally efficient within the city, some journeys can take far longer than you may anticipate, so plan ahead if you intend to commute across the city to a co-working space.
It's worth noting that Istanbul is situated in a highly active seismic zone and has an unfortunate history of devastating earthquakes which have caused immense damage. It's only a matter of time before the next major event occurs, and you may see newer properties carrying 'earthquake-proof' tags as features.
When looking at the immense mass of the metropolitan area of Istanbul, at face value there's a reasonable selection of sites spread across both the European and Asian sides of the city.
Yet in the areas which attract the most attention from tourists, around İstiklal/Galata and Kadıköy, there's a threadbare selection of truly quality options to choose from. Most of the building stock around the area is generally antiquated and whilst that lends to the historic charm, it hasn't created a tonne of surplus office space for operators to move into.
Luckily, I am a huge admirer of the COBAC co-working space which I've written about in further detail below and I would strongly recommend at the very least checking it out for a day if looking for a base.
WeWork doesn't operate within Turkey but both the Workinton and Workhaus chains have numerous sites dotted around some of the key transport hubs. I spent a month several years ago at the Workinton site in Nişantaşı which was a solid, if unremarkable, base if wanting somewhere local to that area.
Cafés are generally open later into the evening than you would expect in Western Europe, but I didn't encounter any I would consider seriously working out of.
Given how big the city is, it's worth planning your accommodation intentionally around where you choose to work from. If it's your first time, I'd prioritise being within a simple commuting journey, before trying to assess anything more exotic from the myriad of options.
Whether or not you find Istanbul good or bad value in 2025 will largely hinge on your personal tastes. Importantly, it's worth noting that for Turks earning locally in lira, there is only one answer. The lira is low, inflation remains high and local purchasing power is weak.
I've read plenty on prices skyrocketing over the last couple of years across Turkey, but Istanbul seems to have avoided the worst of the excesses, with beachside resorts on the coastline like Bodrum more susceptible to eye-watering inflation. Prices are higher than they were in 2023, but for most of my day-to-day expenses, not in a significant manner.
If you are bringing external currency, in many ways it remains excellent value. A rapidly served, tasty meal consisting of a meat and vegetable dish, rice and a side can still be had for under £5 in one of the city's many casual lokantas. A freshly charcoal-grilled kebab, bulgur, salad and bread can be found for a similar price. A 50cl domestic beer in a bar in a popular area around Taksim or Kadıköy costs around £3.50, and even cheaper at the nightly happy hours. Public transport is uniformly cheap, around 50p a journey, and local produce from markets is less than what you would expect in Western Europe.
Should your tastes become more refined however, costs can mount. Speciality coffee and cakes from coffee shops are similar to what you would expect in London. International cuisines in more refined restaurants can begin to exceed expectations. Cocktails, wine and craft beers in high-end areas like Nişantaşı can rapidly surpass what you might pay in premium European cities.
Prices often feel like they don't make sense in Turkey. In general, I would suggest budgeting as you may do in any other Western European city.
If you are happy to eat locally and curtail evening extravagances, then you'll likely find some change left over from what you originally planned.
Even after so many repeat visits, Istanbul remains as energetic and captivating a place as I originally viewed it. It has so many facets and nuances to it, a diversity which I can't recall many other cities possessing. Very few cities can legitimately claim to really be multi-polar with regards to hubs of genuine activity, yet that is very much true of Istanbul.
As a city-break destination for a long weekend, you can block out a back-to-back schedule with ease. Visit Ottoman-era historical architectural sites, wade through overwhelmingly busy bazaars, sample an array of local delicacies, take a Bosphorus cruise.
But for a longer stint as somewhere to work from, it still gives you an incredible number of options to explore over the weekend at a more leisurely pace, once you've ticked off a conventional list of tourist items. There's a constant, driving rhythm within the city which makes even just walking around on foot a significantly more entertaining pastime than in many other places. Even after so many visits, there are still places I haven't reached.
Turkey adheres to GMT+2 in summer, reverting to GMT+3 in winter due to the absence of daylight saving time practices.
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More so than most other cities, due to its sheer size, the location you choose to stay in will heavily dictate the nature of your visit.
The city is well connected through a combination of the metro, Marmaray and ferry boats, but it's worth being particularly intentional with where you plan to live and work.
Having stayed on both the European and Asian sides numerous times, I don't think there's a concrete answer on which is better. Both are great. Try and find the best Airbnb your budget can stretch to and explore the other side at the weekend.
If you're planning a longer trip, consider splitting your time between the two.
A strong contender for my favourite place to work from. Ever. I've returned to this office each time I've been in Istanbul, and each time it's retained the same charm that impressed me so much initially.
If you're planning on working from Istanbul, I'd strongly suggest making this your first port of call, and it's worth planning your accommodation to be somewhere within an easy commute.
So why all the big praise? The office is split over four floors, with an abundance of natural light in every area. The fit-out has a modern aesthetic that you might associate with something similar to WeWork, but with more personality.
The main communal co-working spaces are on the third and fourth floors, alongside private offices, with particularly comfortable sofas and soft furnishings dotted around for taking calls.
There's light background music audible throughout all areas of the building, but not at levels that feel intrusive like in a WeWork. It rarely feels anywhere near full capacity. You can arrive at any time of day without being concerned about squeezing in.
The rooftop provides panoramic views over the Golden Horn, with a café serving tasty, fresh meals and coffee all day at very competitive prices. Expect Turkish staples like menemen, simit and mantı, alongside international options. The kitchen staff, baristas and office personnel are all friendly and welcoming—a refreshing departure from the transient nature of passing through a WeWork. Free filter coffee and Turkish tea are available on tap from 8am until late.
Even though I'd strongly recommend not staying in the local area (you're more likely to find a mosque than a flat white in Fatih), Haliç metro and a ferry terminal are within a five-minute walk, making it easily reachable across the city.
Turkey has launched a digital nomad visa programme for remote workers. If you're between 21 and 55 and hold citizenship from one of 36 countries across Europe and North America (including the US), you're eligible to apply.
The visa allows you to live and work remotely in Turkey for a set period, with benefits including affordable living costs, healthcare access, and the opportunity to experience Turkey's culture and scenery.
The requirements are standard for these types of visas. You'll need a valid passport with at least six months remaining, health insurance, proof of income, and documentation showing you're employed or self-employed.
The application process is handled online through Turkey's official platform. Once they've reviewed your documents and approved your application, you'll receive a Digital Nomad Identification Certificate. Take that certificate along with your supporting documents to a Turkish visa centre or consulate to complete the process.
Turkey is positioning itself to attract the growing digital nomad market. For remote workers considering their next base, Turkey offers lower living costs compared to most Western European destinations.
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The largest of the 'Princes Islands' situated just off the coast of the Asian side of the city, this archipelago is easily reached from boat from the main land. Grab an early ferry to beat the crowds and venture out of the town centre to enjoy a moment of rare serenity.
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The whole area from Çocuk Parkı to Kadıköy Moda Sahil Parkı is blessed with incredible sunset views and 100% worth an evening drinking a cold Efes on the rocks. Moda İskelesi has a small library/coworking space to enjoy views of the water from.
These style of restaurants can be found all across Turkey and you should definitely dedicate an evening to one. Numerous meze plates are served alongside plentiful Rakı, creating a unique piece of Turkish culture. There are countless in Istanbul, Asmalı Cavit, not far from Galata is worth a visit.
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The best way to the city is to take one of the many boat tours that leave from the ferry piers near near Beşiktaş or Fatih. There's plenty to be seen on the journey up to Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge and plenty of tea to be drank during the journey.
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The sort of place you are likely to go once and never return, it's well worth visiting this enormous indoor market where conceivably anything under the sun can be purchased. Would recommend visiting earlier in the day to beat the inevitable crowds.
The former royal residence and administrative centre of the Ottoman Empire for over four centuries. A sprawling complex showcasing distinctive architecture and an array of chambers that previously hosted the sultans.
To see Istanbul at its best, you need to be there during the summer months. Whilst it's got enough draws to be attractive 12 months of the year, the summer is a dramatically better experience.
From experience, the winter and spring weather in Istanbul can be surprisingly grim. During a December visit in 2022, it felt as if the sun did not rise for 10 days, with more sustained wetter and windier conditions than I could recall from any point during my 30-year endurance of British winters.
If visiting in the peak of summer, you'll definitely benefit from an apartment with strong air conditioning in both the common areas and bedrooms, which you should explicitly check for, especially if it's an older building.
Midsummer temperatures are hot but never at a level I've found uncomfortable, with at least a gentle breeze to be found sweeping inland off the water. By mid-September, there's a noticeable shift away from the uniform blue-sky days as autumn makes its presence felt.
If you like big cities, then there is more than enough for a couple of months' stay.
Istanbul is well deserving of any clichéd attributions of being 'a melting pot'. Walk down İstiklal Street and you'll encounter accents from people across every inch of the world. Wealthy Arabs indulging in some retail therapy, enthusiastic Spanish-speaking backpackers, Ukrainians and Russians who have relocated since 2022, vocal swathes of North American tourists hovering around historic sites, and groups of African migrants working out of the electrical shops south of Galata Tower.
Throughout my visits across the country, I've always found the Turkish people to be particularly welcoming and hospitable, and Istanbul is no different. There's a certain degree of genuine warmth and friendliness you feel on repeat visits to bars and restaurants, which feels like it extends past the vendor's no doubt commercial joy of seeing an Englishman consume his 20th portion of tavuk şiş throughout the month.
Even with its sheer size, I've found there to be a surprising continuity regarding people on each return visit to the city. You can recognise the same faces working in restaurants, with much less transience than you would experience somewhere like London. On my most recent visit, I bumped into a barmaid whom we mutually recalled from numerous nights of heavy beer drinking three years prior during the 2022 World Cup. This sense of continuity, even in such an enormous city, is something I've scarcely felt in other places and contributes to its charm as somewhere to make repeat visits to.
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