Where to Stay in Istanbul
Staying in Istanbul's Old City: A Neighbourhood Guide
The Neighbourhoods Compared
Most of what first-time visitors come to see — Hagia Sophia, Topkapı Palace, the Grand Bazaar, the Spice Bazaar — sits on the Historic Peninsula, the old city between the Golden Horn and the Sea of Marmara. Where you stay decides how much of it you reach on foot. This is how the main neighbourhoods compare.
Sultanahmet
Right beside Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. The most walkable base for the big monuments, but also the most touristy: restaurants and shops are largely aimed at visitors, and the square is crowded by day. On the T1 tram line.
Sirkeci & Eminönü
Between Sultanahmet and the Golden Horn, and the old city's transport hub: Marmaray trains to both airports, the T1 tram and the Eminönü ferries all start here. Hagia Sophia is about 12 minutes on foot, the Spice Bazaar 8. The streets are busy with traders and commuters during the day and quieten in the evening.
Karaköy & Galata
Across the Galata Bridge: cafés, galleries, the Galata Tower and more evening life. The old city is a short tram ride or a 20–30 minute walk away, and the streets are steep.
Taksim & Beyoğlu
The modern centre, with İstiklal Avenue, shopping and the liveliest nightlife. Reaching the old city takes a funicular and a tram — around half an hour.
Kadıköy
On the Asian side, with a lively local market and food scene. The old city is about 20 minutes away by ferry — a pleasure, but it adds up over a week of sightseeing.
Why First-Time Visitors Choose Hotel Marius
Most of our guests are visiting Istanbul for the first or second time. Four things make that easier.
A Location That Saves Hours
Hagia Sophia, Topkapı Palace, the Basilica Cistern and the Spice Bazaar are all within about 15 minutes on foot. Marmaray trains reach both airports without a taxi, and the T1 tram and the Eminönü ferries are a short walk away.
Clean Rooms, Attentive Staff
Every room is cleaned daily and all rooms are non-smoking. The front desk is staffed around the clock, speaks English, Turkish, German, Russian and Arabic, and arranges airport transfers, tours and restaurant tips.
A Central, Safe Base
The hotel is on Orhaniye Avenue, a main street beside Sirkeci station, not down a back alley, and the walk to Hagia Sophia follows the tram line past Gülhane Park. As in any major tourist city, keep an eye on bags in crowded bazaars and use official taxis or the BiTaksi app — the front desk can call one for you.
An Easy First Morning
An open-buffet Turkish breakfast is included, and our free Marius Guide suggests sights, food and hidden corners around Sirkeci.
Walking Times from Hotel Marius
Measured on foot from our door in Sirkeci.
Walking times, measured from our door
- 1 minHocapaşa Streets
- 2 minSirkeci Train Station
- 7 minNew Mosque (Valide Sultan)
- 7 minGülhane Park
- 8 minSpice Bazaar (Egyptian Bazaar)
- 8 minGalata Bridge
- 9 minRüstem Pasha Mosque
- 9 minTahtakale
- 10 minCağaloğlu Hamam
- 10 minSarayburnu (Seraglio Point)
Getting Here Without a Taxi
From Istanbul Airport (IST): the M11 metro to Gayrettepe, the M2 to Yenikapı, then Marmaray one stop to Sirkeci — about 80 to 100 minutes. The hotel is a couple of minutes from the station exit.
From Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW): the M4 metro to Ayrılık Çeşmesi, then Marmaray under the Bosphorus straight into Sirkeci — about 50 minutes with one change.
Cruise passengers arriving at Galataport can walk across the Galata Bridge in about 20 minutes, or take the T1 tram two or three stops.
Who Sirkeci Suits
Travellers who want to see the old city on foot, arrive and leave by public transport, and come back to a quiet room in the evening.
If nightlife is your priority, Beyoğlu or Karaköy will suit you better — and the old city is still an easy trip from there.