A Digital Nomad Guide to Istanbul, Turkey

Turkey Visa for Istanbul

Almost every nationality will need to obtain a visa to enter Turkey, and essentially there are two types. The e-visa or electronic can all be done online, which is a simple and convenient method and great for digital nomads that are already on the road. The e-visa can be applied for using the Turkish government website here www.evisa.gov.tr/en/.

The e-visa is applicable to over 100 nationalities, and it will allow you to visit for up to either 30 or 60 days from your arrival, depending on where you are from. The e-visa takes around 24 hours to process, so make sure to apply for it a few days before your trip. However, it is possible to apply for the visa up to 180 days before you plan on entering. The cost varies depending on the country, so it can cost anywhere between $30-$60 USD.

If your country is not on this list, then you will need to obtain a physical visa, which you can get by visiting your nearest Turkish embassy. It is always advised to check with your embassy first to see what type of visa you need for your stay.

If you plan on staying for longer than your allocated e-visa time, then you will need to apply for a long-term visa, or if you have accepted a job in Turkey, then your employer will be able to obtain the correct work visa for your stay. 

Culture and Food in Istanbul

Istanbul is a fantastic city for cuisine, as it was the last stop on the Silk Road from Beijing. Istanbul’s cuisine has become a unique fusion of European style cooking and Asian as it has been influenced by many years of trade and exchange.

Traditional Cuisine

There are many traditional Turkish dishes, and you will find a great selection in Istanbul. Traditional foods include döner, also known as kebab, Köfte, lahmacun, which is like a Turkish pizza, manti, meze, and pide. You will find many restaurants and cafés serving traditional cuisine, and here are some of the best in town; Old Ottoman Cafe & Restaurant, Gulhane Sark Sofrasi, Mivan Restaurant Café, and Divella Bistro Restaurant. The best traditional restaurants tend to be in the Old part of the city.

Street Food

Istanbul is a fantastic city for street food, and you can eat for as little as $2-3 USD! This is the place to get a true taste of local cuisine for a very affordable price. You will find street vendors across the city selling anything from kebabs to roasted corn, but the best street food is found near and around the bazaars and markets. Just outside the Grand Bazar is a very narrow street that is full of local street food vendors cooking up a storm. This is the best place to try local street food. However, be aware that most street food is meat and bread-based, so it may not be suited to those with dietary needs. Also, many of the street food vendors may not be bilingual, so this is something to bear in mind when ordering. Eating street food, however, makes for a great authentic experience. 

Fast Food

You will notice as you walk around Istanbul that there are many western fast-food chains as they are very popular here. From McDonald’s to Starbucks, KFC, and even Carl’s Jr., although personally, I want to explore local cuisines when living somewhere new, sometimes people crave a taste of familiarity. 

Fusion Restaurants

If you are looking for something a bit different and more creative with food, then Kadiköy is the area for you to look. This is the youthful part of the city with innovative ideas which have influenced the development of cuisine in the area. You will find sushi fusion restaurants, some cute cafés that are serving food that is experimenting with traditional Turkish cuisine but with a twist. There are many hip cafés and restaurants here, so go explore and see what draws you in!

Vegetarian and Vegan

There is a good selection of vegetarian and vegan options in Istanbul as it is such a large city that draws thousands of tourists from around the world every year. This means that their cuisine has been adapted and expanded to suit the need of tourists, and you will see on many menus a great variety of options that cater to dietary needs. You will find most are located in Kadiköy as this is the hip student district that has many new restaurants popping up that are run by the younger locals; however, there is still a good selection further across the city. One of my favorite vegetarian places was Galata Kitchen, as it was a super cute vegetarian restaurant located in Beyoğlu. However, the prices were a little higher here, but I thought it was totally worth it. Some of the top-rated vegetarian and vegans places to eat are Vegan Istanbul, Vatka Coffee & Vegan Goods, Vegan Food, MahatmaCafe&Restoran, and YUZU Moda.

Istanbul Nightlife

Istanbul is known as a city that never sleeps, and there is always something going on no matter what time of year you visit. There is plenty to do, from fine dining experiences to partying all night long. A lot of Istanbul’s population is Muslim, so not everywhere in the city encourages drinking alcohol and some more conservative areas frown upon dressing in a certain way for clubbing. So always be mindful of the areas you are traveling to and what is acceptable in terms of dress to respect other cultures. Many areas of the city are very accepting and have a more open mindset, but other areas are very religious. 

Bars

Depending on what type of evening you want, you will always find somewhere to have a few casual drinks in either Kadiköy or Beyoğlu. The best bars in Kadiköy are 11 Kadıköy, Dopamine Coffee Shop, and Karga Bar. Just walking along the main strip, you will find many cool bars to chill at. Some have DJs and live music on certain evenings of the week. There are more hip bars in Beyoğlu, and this is where I spent most of my evenings as you can enjoy wandering along the cobbled streets from bar to bar. Some of the best spots here are The Pub Beyoglu, Pendor, Base Beyoğlu, and The Wall Bar. Again you will find many of these venues have live music and DJs on weekends, and they have a great vibe.

Nightclubs

Most of the nightclubs are located close to Beyoğlu, as this is more of the party district. Other than Kadiköy, which is where the students party, Beyoğlu is home to the biggest nightclubs in Istanbul. The nightclubs in Istanbul provide a more lavish night out, and this is reflected in drinks prices and sometimes entrance fees. Expect drinks to cost around double or sometimes triple the amount when compared with a standard restaurant or café in the area. Some of the top-rated nightclubs in Istanbul are Escape Club İstanbul, Jungle 8, and Al Sharq İstanbul. Some nightclubs play a great selection of Arabic music, whilst others more western club music. 

Pub Crawl

For those of you who are looking to make friends on a night out and see the city as a large group, then the pub crawl experience could be for you. Istanbul Pub Crawl experience is one of the most popular things to take part in in the evenings. pubcrawlerz.com is one of the highly-rated tour companies, but you will find many companies offering varied pub crawls. The pub crawl costs around $36 USD, and it includes drinks, games, entrance to four venues, and challenges. This is a great way to have a fun evening whilst not spending too much as pretty much everything you need apart from transport is included with the ticket.

Things to do in Istanbul

• The Blue Mosque

  The Blue Mosque is one of the most famous mosques in the world, and it attracts thousands of tourists to Istanbul every year. It is free to enter, but donations are welcomed to help with the upkeep of the building. You must dress respectfully; make sure to cover your heads, arms, and legs. Upon entrance, there are clothing items that you can borrow if you need to cover up. The Blue Mosque was built during the Ottoman rule in 1609 and is one of the oldest mosques in Turkey. 

• Hammam

  A Hammam, also known as a Turkish Bath, is essentially a Turkish spa. The Hammam is a special type of bathhouse that offers different relaxation and cleaning packages. Traditionally you would visit the spa and pay for a ‘scrub’ or ‘wash’ experience. Similar to getting a massage at a spa, you can pay to be washed. The process involves relaxing the sauna or steam room areas, and then you will be asked to lay on a marble table where your masseuse will lather you up with soap and scrub your skin with a mitt. Prices can vary depending on the spa you enter, but most will cost around $30 USD, and then massages are an added cost. 

• Boat Trips

  Istanbul is a city on the water, so what better way to enjoy looking at the city lights than from a boat cruise. There are various boat trips offered in Istanbul; some include dining experiences and evening entertainment. For a common evening cruise, you can buy tickets that include dinner for around $30 USD, and others just include drinks.

• Coffee Shops and Tea Houses

  You haven’t had a true Turkish experience if you haven’t visited a tea or coffee house in Istanbul. One of my favorite afternoon activities was to find a teahouse with a rooftop bar just before the sunset and enjoy a coffee as the sky turned pink. Another cool thing was hearing the call to prayer as this was a unique experience for me, having not only experienced this through travel. If you are sitting at a rooftop bar, you almost get a surround sound of all the calls from across the city, and it makes for a beautiful experience. Some of the best tea houses in Istanbul are Melez Tea Lab, Chado Tea Cihangir, Dem Karaköy, Cha’ya, and 5 Tea And Coffee Time.

• Grand Bazar

  The Grand Bazar is the oldest and most famous goods market in Istanbul. Construction of the Bazar began in 1455, and the space was ready to be used by the 1700s. It became the hub of trade throughout the city, and even today, it is still a hotspot for traders of local goods. It is free to enter to look round; however, there is security at every entrance for safety reasons. Once inside, you are faced with ancient architecture and a bustling trading scene. As you wander through the tunnels, you will see handmade goods from the area, as well as many imported goods such as carpets and textiles.

• Markets

  As well as the famous Grand Bazar, there are many flea markets and produce markets dotted across the city. Bomonti flea market is great for finding second-hand goods and antiques, as well as homemade treats. Mısır Çarşısı is known as the spice bazaar, and this is where you will find traditional ingredients and herbs and spices.

  

• Museums and Galleries

  There is a great selection of museums and galleries in Istanbul, and you can really get under the skin of the diverse city by visiting some of the history museums. Some of the top museums to visit are Istanbul Archaeological Museums, Galata Mevlevihanesi Müzesi, Turkey İş Bank Museum, and Maritime Museum. If you prefer art galleries, then you should visit the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts, Istanbul Museum of Modern Art, Museum of Great Palace Mosaics, and Dogançay Museum.

• Cappadocia

  You have most likely seen photos of this magical place, where colorful hot air balloons slowly glide across the sunrise that peaks over the fairy chimneys. A one-day trip from Istanbul to see the valley costs around $325 USD. However, this will not be enough time to take one of the balloon trips. You need at a minimum to take a two-day excursion which will cost around $435 USD for accommodation, transportation and then you may have to pay for the hot air balloon trip on top. After having been to Cappadocia twice, I would say you 100% have to take the balloon ride as it is such a unique and relaxing experience.

  

• Excursions

  There are many places you can visit from Istanbul, such as the north coast and spend a day at the Black Sea or visiting the capital city Ankara. Some of the most common places to visit on an excursion from Istanbul are Gallipoli War Cemeteries, Troy, Princes’ Islands, Ephesus, Bursa and Sile, and Agva. There are many tour guides both online and in Istanbul offering group or private trips to many locations across turkey.

• Free Things To Do

  If you want to save a few pennies but still see some of Istanbul, then a trip to Yildiz Park makes for a nice relaxed afternoon. The park is located in the heart f Istanbul and is surrounded by small cafés, and it is a lovely place for an afternoon reading a book or just having some quiet time. Another thing to do is to walk around the famous Fener & Balat Neighborhoods. These neighborhoods have become famous on Instagram due to the colorful streets and multicolored houses. If you just want to wander somewhere different or even do a photo shoot, then head to this area as you won’t be disappointed. 

Best Time to Visit Istanbul

Istanbul is located in the Northern Hemisphere, and it sits between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean, so the weather is very mild throughout the year. 

The hottest months are in summer, with July and August being the warmest. Temperatures average around 27 °C (80 F) in summer and will rarely go above 32 °C (89 F). This is also the wettest time of year with the heaviest rainfall and high humidity. 

The coldest time of year to visit Istanbul is during winter, with January and February being the coldest months. It isn’t uncommon to experience snow and freezing temperatures at this time of year, with temperatures dropping as low as 4 °C (39). However, this cold spell doesn’t often last for longer than ten days or so. 

Spring and autumn are nice seasons to visit as temperatures are mild and there is a little bit of rainfall. So overall, the best time of year to visit should be chosen depending on the climate you wish to experience.

Istanbul for Families

Istanbul is a great city for families as there are many conveniences like schools, daycares, and activities to keep children entertained. However, with this city, it can become quite busy, and sometimes the buzzing vibe can be a little much for families. However, there is always the option to take day trips to some of the surrounding towns and cities for a weekend in nature. Üsküdar is the best district for families as there is a lot going on that is well suited to children and families. Beyoğlu is another good option as it is where you will find many European ex-pats, so this is a good starting point for integrating into a foreign community in Istanbul. 

Internations.org is a great website for finding foreigners who are already living in Istanbul, and this is one of the best ways to find things such as international schools, daycares, and other services that you may need for your family. Another option is finding Facebook groups and communities of digital nomad families or ex-pats living in Istanbul for advice. As Istanbul is a popular place with foreigners, however, it can sometimes be hard to find what you are looking for. 

There are a large variety of things to do as a family in Istanbul, and here are just some of the most popular. If you are looking for a full day out, then visiting LEGOLAND Istanbul is a great way to entertain the kids; tickets cost around $6 USD for adults and $4.70 USD for children. Another great day out is to visit the Istanbul Akvaryum. The aquarium has 16 different tanks with a variety of fish from across the world, and the tickets cost $9.20 USD for adults and $5.90 USD for children. Other day activities include a trip to Istanbul Dolphinarium, Vialand theme park, Jurassic Land, and riding a submarine at Rahmi M Koç Museum.

Living in Istanbul

Istanbul Transportation

Public transport in Istanbul is very affordable, and they have fantastic bus and train networks connecting the city. For example, taking a bus from Sabiha Gökçen International Airport to Kadiköy, which is the center of the Asian side, will cost around $2 USD and takes around 30-40 minutes depending on traffic. There are many websites that will show all bus routes, prices, and timetables so you can plan your journeys around the city very easily.

Istanbul has its own metro system, and it is a great way to get around the city. You can get a travel card that you top up with credit to use for each journey. A single journey will cost you around $0.70 USD, but if you bulk buy and get one of the cards that have, say, ten single journeys on, then the price drops to an average of $0.40 USD per journey. You can also buy monthly and yearly unlimited passes, which is great if you know you will be staying for a while and will be using the metro system more than once per day. The Istanbul card can be purchased from most major stops and will cost you around $1.20 USD to buy the card. More details can be found at metro.istanbul.

Taxis are very inexpensive in the city, so if you prefer to have the comfort of your own space, then this is a better option as most forms of public transport can become overcrowded. The best taxi app to use is BiTaksi. There are also many yellow taxi cabs dotted around the city, and these are also fairly priced; however, they do run on a meter, so it is better to use an app where the price is calculated and agreed upon before your journey. Heavy traffic and long wait times can increase the cost considerably, so also make sure to agree on a price before taking a taxi.

There are ferries that operate between the Asian and European sides of the city, and they are a fun way to get between the two sides of the city, and they can be paid using the Istanbul card. Journeys cost the same as the metro; however, the metro is faster. Taking the ferry is a nice way to enjoy a great view of the city while taking a casual journey from one side to the other, but it is less time-efficient than taking the metro.  

If you prefer to combine exercise with transport, then the Isbike system might be a great option for you. Like other large cities, Istanbul has a bike-sharing service, with multiple pick-up and drop-off locations across the city. You have to pay an initial fee of $2.65 USD, and then you can use the bikes as much as you like. The first 30 minutes are free, and then you will be charged accordingly after this. So if you want to save some cash, then if you are willing to park up just before 30 minutes and then take another bike, you will only have to pay the initial fee.

Fitness and Health

There is a good selection of gyms and fitness centers in Istanbul, so here are some of the best options for digital nomads. Plus Fitness looks to be a great place if you want a personal trainer and diet advice, and their package prices are pretty affordable. One package they offer is a monthly membership of $266 USD, but that gets you personal training sessions, unlimited use of the gym, and access to classes as well as other benefits.

It is worth contacting them to see what you need and if they can design a package specifically to your needs. For someone who wants more of a simple plan and just to be able to access gym equipment, then Snap Fitness is a great option; their monthly memberships start at around $42 USD per month. They also offer daily passes too for just $11 USD per day. Gym&Tonic is a great place for combining gym workouts with Pilates classes and wellness. The fitness center offers a variety of services, and prices are given upon request. 

If you prefer lighter exercise, then there are various yoga studios across the city. Some of the top-rated yoga studios are YogaŞala – Nişantaşı, İstanbul Sıcak Yoga, Yogatime and Maya Yoga. For a one-month unlimited class option, you should be looking at spending around $45-50 USD. Drop-in classes tend to cost around $11 USD, so if you plan on going more than five times in one month, then it is worth buying the month-long membership. Many yoga studios offer aerial yoga, Pilates, and other forms of stretching and movement classes.

Alternatively, there is the option of cycling around the city, which is the cheapest form of exercise and can be combined with a commute; however, pollution can be bad in some parts of the city where there is heavy traffic, so it is advised to wear a filtered mask. Another consideration is that there aren’t always cycle lanes, so be vigilant as it can be dangerous cycling on some roads in Istanbul.

Istanbul People

Due to the nature of Istanbul being the gateway between East and West, you will notice that it is a very multicultural city. Istanbul is home to a variety of cultures, religions and this has created a fusion like no other, and I think it is its people that make this city really unique. This intertwining of cultures has made Istanbul a welcoming place for foreigners, and due to the European side and the Asian side, there are huge influences from both cultures. However, this has also added to create a divide in some respects.

The main religion is Islam; however, there is a diverse range of religions practiced across the city. The youth are becoming less religious than their elders, but some still practice religious elements. 

Overall the people are very friendly and welcoming across the city; however, you will notice that each district or area has its own vibe, and the people follow that. For example, in the more business-focused districts, you will find that people are very busy with work, so it doesn’t create the same warm vibe as some other parts of the city. At the same time, areas such as Kadiköy, which is the student district, might be more appealing if you are a young digital nomad or entrepreneur. As a result of being the more youthful area of the city, it is more multicultural, due to exchange students and a new generation that is open-minded.  

I have always felt warmly welcomed when I am in Istanbul, and the people of the city show pride in their cultural heritage and are passionate about showing their customs to foreigners. 

Istanbul Insurance and Medical Care

Wherever you travel, it is always a good idea to have travel insurance that covers both medical and personal belongings as although you may be somewhere safe, accidents happen, and it is always better to be prepared. 

Istanbul is a relatively safe city, however, when out and about at night, it is better to be with a friend or group and to stick to the popular areas where there are bars and restaurants. It is better to avoid some of the residential areas at night. Personally, I have never had any bad experiences in Istanbul, but I have had friends run into trouble, so it is best to be prepared. 

The medical and healthcare services in Istanbul are some of the best in the country, and there are many medical centers that speak a variety of languages; however, some of the smaller clinics may not, so it is best to take a translator with you. Most medical insurers will cover you for Istanbul, companies such as SafetyWing are great insurers for digital nomads. The private healthcare system in Istanbul is very advanced, and this is the best option for foreigners with insurance as you will receive top-quality care. There are also more private healthcare facilities than there are public in Istanbul, so this is even more reason to use them. Bear in mind that private clinics will cost more, but this shouldn’t be a problem if you have insurance.

Make sure you are fully covered by reading our full Digital Nomad Travel Insurance guide

Jobs in Istanbul

If you don’t speak Turkish, then finding a job in Istanbul may prove difficult; however, there are some options that may suit you. Although it isn’t easy to find work, it doesn’t mean that there aren’t opportunities; it just may take some time before you hit gold. Some of the most popular job websites used in Turkey that advertise foreign jobs are Learn 4 Good, Indeed, Eleman, Yenibiris, and craigslist. You will find many jobs on these sites that are advertised as foreign positions. The most popular demand in Istanbul is workers in engineering, accounting, and teaching foreign languages. 

For teaching English jobs, you can use the following websites; ESL Café, Total ESL, Tesall, and goabroad.com. 

Another option for work is to ask around once you get there, as although it will be hard to find a paid position and you won’t have the correct visa, you may find a volunteering opportunity of work exchange. Websites such as workaway.com provide a good selection of exchange opportunities, as well as gooverseas.com.

Check out our in-depth Digital Nomads Jobs Postings to find the best jobs available for Digital Nomads.