Apartment

Style, character, frescoes, terrace views, Galata!

Photo gallery for Style, character, frescoes, terrace views, Galata!

Spacious dining room with original frescoes
High ceilings and elegant proportions
Spacious dining room with original frescoes
Panelled doors and wide doorways
Comfortable living room with selection of guide books

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 5100 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Washer
  • Kitchen
  • Outdoor space
  • Air conditioning

Explore the area

Map
Istanbul, Istanbul
  • Istiklal Avenue
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Galata Tower
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Taksim Square
    ‪2 min drive‬
  • Istanbul (ISL-Ataturk Intl.)
    ‪32 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 5)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

2 Single Beds

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Balcony

About this property

Style, character, frescoes, terrace views, Galata!

This stylish yet homely apartment is on the 1st floor of a historically grand 19th century building not far from Galata Tower. It's spacious, stylish and comfortable. A few floors up on the roof-top, a shared terrace has views across the Golden Horn. The streets below are a characterful mix of cafe-restaurants, boutiques and residential apartment buildings.

We also offer a selection of 'experiences' with our local guides, to help you build your own genuine and memorable perspective on the city.

One flight of original marble stairs take you up to the apartment and a few more floors up on the roof-top, a shared terrace has lovely views across the Golden Horn. You're welcome to take your drinks, meals or simply thoughts up there any time. The streets below the apartment are atmospheric with small, trendy boutiques and cafe-restaurants, yet are quiet and residential at night. Galata's pedestrianised area is just around the corner with its lively pavement cafes and restaurants plus all the buzz of this bohemian district.

The apartment building is only 2 minutes walk from Sishane metro station, 1 minute walk from Tünel funicular and a downhill walk to connect with the tram for Sultanahmet. Famous Istiklal Avenue is less than 5 minutes walk up the hill.

The bedrooms are stylish: one double and one twin, each with chic velvet headboards and high quality crisp white linens. There's a good sized, well-equipped kitchen with high-end appliances including dish-washer. The bright and spacious dining room is in the centre of the apartment. In the comfortable living room there's a large feather-cushioned sofa, armchair and a bar table with stools overlooking the interesting and authentic streets below. The shower room is a generous size with loo.

This apartment is 100m2 in total and well laid-out, with large windows, lovely high ceilings and some frescoes. The exposed floorboards and wooden panelled doors are all original, giving a homely yet stylish atmosphere. The bedrooms comfortably accommodate four people and a fifth/child on a fold-out bed in the living/dining room is possible.

Guests will have the complete privacy of the entire apartment.

The roof terrace, shared with all apartments in the building, is available for your careful use at any time.

We also offer a selection of 'experiences' with our local guides, to help you build your own genuine and memorable perspective on the city.

In the same building we also offer two additional apartments. The three, booked together, are suitable for a large group of up to 14 people.

This is a small Turkish-British family project. Julia and Tarkan used to live in Istanbul then Singapore and are now balancing life between England and Istanbul. If we're in Istanbul during your stay we'd love to meet you.

Your questions and booking will be handled by us wherever we are. When you arrive in Istanbul Tarkan’s wonderful family and/or our friendly team will welcome you to your apartment, give you the keys and explain about practicalities and the neighbourhoods.

We’ll all help you as much as you need and we're always only a phone call or email away.

Galata has a genuine, very welcoming and diverse community with an intriguing mix of cafes, restaurants, small grocery shops and artistic boutiques. Elegant 19th Century buildings line cobbled streets, with discoveries waiting around every corner. No matter where you wander, you’ll always find your way back to Galata Tower, which has been a well-loved landmark for the last 700 years.

Metro, bus, tram and ferry stops are all only a few minutes walk away. The famous Istiklal Avenue is around 5 minutes stroll. You can be in Sultanahmet (for the big sights of Ayasofya, Topkapı, Blue Mosque etc.) in about 12 minutes by public transport or 20 minutes on foot. In the other direction, by Metro, you can be in Şişli (for Istanbul’s biggest shopping mall) in 10 minutes or Levent (for Istanbul’s business district) in 15 minutes.

There are many taxi ranks around and some secure car parks too.

Will your stay with us make a difference? We hope so…

By self-catering right in the local community you’ll quickly become part of it, financially supporting small grocery shops and other family businesses. You’ll soon make relationships with these friendly people and develop a genuine understanding of the culture around you. We’re sure you’ll leave with special memories and more developed perspectives as a result of your encounters.

For each confirmed booking we arrange a tree to be planted in Turkey (via TEMA) to offset part of the carbon dioxide emission from the resulting flight. We encourage you to plant more trees: easily arranged during online booking.

We use local maintenance and cleaning services for the apartments and in this way we provide a good income for 2 families who lives nearby. We do everything we can to preserve all the original features and materials in the apartments. Where new materials are needed we source them locally, prioritising products that are designed and/or made in Turkey.

Our apartments are uniquely situated amongst mosques, churches, synagogues, a mevlevi ‘whirling dervish’ hall and other sites of religious significance. We encourage guests to sense the history of religious tolerance and hopefully! to experience something of it themselves during their stay.

Property manager

Julia and Tarkan
Premier Host

Languages

English, Turkish

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Air conditioning
Outdoor space

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
Property Registration Number 341588

We should mention

A car is not required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Istanbul

Istanbul City Center, a neighbourhood in Istanbul, is home to this apartment. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Bosphorus and Florya Beach, while Topkapi Palace and Hagia Sophia are cultural highlights. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's happening at Vodafone Park or Rams Park.
Map
Istanbul, Istanbul

What's nearby

  • Istiklal Avenue - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Galata Tower - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Taksim Square - 2 min drive - 2.3 km
  • Grand Bazaar - 6 min drive - 3.3 km
  • Hagia Sophia - 6 min drive - 5.1 km

Getting around

  • Beyoglu Station - 3 min walk
  • Sishane-Zemin Metro Station - 3 min walk
  • Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) - 61 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Barnathan Roof - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪Cafe Privato - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪Galata Kahvesi - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪Galata Frida House Cafe - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪Cafe Le Banc - ‬1 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Style, character, frescoes, terrace views, Galata! pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Style, character, frescoes, terrace views, Galata!?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Style, character, frescoes, terrace views, Galata!?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Style, character, frescoes, terrace views, Galata! located?

Located in Istanbul City Center, this apartment building is steps away from Istiklal Avenue and Galata Tower. Bosphorus and Galataport are also within 15 minutes. Sishane-Zemin Metro Station and Beyoglu Station are within a 5-minute walk.

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 48 out of 50 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 50 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 50 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 50 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 50 reviews

9.2/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Check-in

9.2/10

Communication

9.2/10

Location

9.2/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Steve G.

Amazing place in the heart of Galata!
Amazing place in the heart of Galata! Everything was perfect! Highly recommend staying at one of Julia’s places! So much so we extended our stay with her at another location!
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Marifer M.

Comfortable and spacious rooms!
Very nice space, comfortable and with everything you may need. A few meters from the Galata tower. Comfortable and spacious rooms!
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Dilana O.

The apartment is very clean, spacious, and comfortable.
I recently stayed at this wonderful apartment in Istanbul, and I highly recommend it! The location is amazing—right in the heart of the city with İstiklal Caddesi, Galata Tower, and many fun places all within walking distance. There are lots of interesting things to do and many great restaurants to enjoy. The apartment is very clean, spacious, and comfortable. The living room is cozy, and the kitchen has all the tools you need to cook a meal. The bathroom is large and spotless, making our stay even more pleasant. Sometimes, we could hear sounds from the busy street, like soft music from local shops, but it never bothered us at all. The friendly neighbors and safe building made our experience even better. Overall, the apartment is a great value for the price, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone visiting Istanbul.
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Aziz C.

Very professional!
Very professional appearance from all those responsible (feedback on questions, recommendations, check-in) great apartment very clean accommodation; very likeable, diligent and patient cleaner 10/10 very good location (quiet street/ corner; 2-4 minutes şişhane, Galata, istiklal caddesi) The clean and quite new washing machine has also been included 5/5 - clear recommendation for 3-5 people and for multiple nights
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Pia Mathiesen P.

Everything was in perfect condition, and the hosts were quick to help and respond
We had a super lovely holiday in Istanbul. And stayed in this beautiful apartment. Everything was in perfect condition, and the hosts were quick to help and respond when we had questions. The beds were really good and the kitchen, living room and bathroom were in really good condition. I highly recommend this apartment for four people. Thank you for this time.
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Nathalie B.

Restaurants and Galata Tower at your door step.
Very nice place, as described. Restaurants and Galata Tower at your door step. Very recommended!
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Baris M.

Perfekt, um Istanbul zu erkunden.
Tolle Unterkunft direkt am Galata-Turm. Perfekt, um Istanbul zu erkunden. Viele hilfreiche Tipps vom Gastgeber. Wir würden definitiv wiederkommen!
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Roque Agustin F.

Muy hermoso el departamento y su ubicación es perfecta!
Muy hermoso el departamento y su ubicación es perfecta! Cerca de todo. La terraza tiene un vista imponente! Súper recomendado, siempre volveré a ese lugar
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Khaled A.

Apartment was in great location Julia was very helpful
Apartment was in great location Julia was very helpful and kind let me check out late since my flight was a bit late in the day. Had a good time in Istanbul.
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Alireza S.

Fantastic place in a great location with awesome hosts.
Fantastic place in a great location with awesome hosts. You can't go wrong with this place!
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Janet A.

Excellent location!
Excellent location and have always been attentive to our stay, thank you so much!
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Юлия М.

Great location, beautiful apartment with a roof terrace!
Check in was at night, no problem with that. Great location, beautiful apartment with a roof terrace!

10/10 Excellent

Susan M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Fantastic place
Great two bedroom flat. Was met with the property manager and they walked us through the apartment. Great location, lots of good restaurants just below. Only bad side, and nothing to do with this property- but more of Istanbul and water restrictions- is that the water can shut off unexpectedly. It was shut off for about half a day.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Angela B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Well located and spaciousness
The apartment was just as listed. Comfortable and well located next to the Galata shops and restaurants, public transport. Apartment is well equipped and has everything that is needed. Julia, our host, was very friendly and welcoming. She shared a lot of tips about the places and things to do around the city. Would totally recommend this apartment for families.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lauren S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, location, listing accuracy
Istanbul vacation
This apartment was perfect for our stay in Istanbul. The Galata neighborhood has great restaurants and shops. It is walking distance to the tram to visit the old city. The hosts provided a transit card to which we easily added money to get around the city. We booked our airport transfers through the host, too. Our transfer from the airport was smooth and the host met us at the apartment. Unfortunately, we departed very early in the morning and our transportation did not arrive. We needed to call Uber so that we wouldn't miss our flight. The host refunded the airport transfer fees quickly, which we appreciated. I would definitely recommend this property for families visiting Istanbul!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2024
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Jaime B.

Would absolutely stay again!
The place is even better than the photos! would absolutely stay again. The hosts were soooo friends and even had reloadable Istanbul cards for us to use.

2/10 Terrible

Leslie M.

Liked: Check-in
Disliked: Cleanliness, location, listing accuracy
MISREPRESENTED UNIT
*I PAID for a 6 night stay, but left after 1 night. Air conditioning in bedrooms but NOT THRUOUT APARTMENT. Two portable units that guest required to set up. (discharge hose must be put out a window that remains open all night) We felt UNSAFE sleeping with a window open all night....As a guest, an "on" button is all we expected to press for A/C... It's also important to know that one of the A/C failed after 1 hour operation. It turned out the water bucket was filled. So we had no air conditioning this first night . The bedroom door did not close. If this unit is listed to accommodate more than one person, how do you expect that person to have privacy if they can't close their door. Place is old and unkempt. Furniture is old, saggy and dirty. Electrical outlets loosely hanging out of wall... BTW, I also called VRBO immediately and filed a complaint. In the morning , I asked the owner for a different unit.. He said no, he had no other unit. I packed up and left. He refused to refund my money. The place is a HOVEL. There is nothing in the listing that was accurate. I've traveled for 15 years using VRBO. NEVER have I encountered a place that was so duplicitously misrepresented. VRBO should be ashamed to have this listing on their site. Because of this, I will never use VRBO again. I reached out to the owner many times requesting he refund my money. He refused. Everything in this review is ACCURATE. This is the FIRST TIME I have ever left a bad review.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2024
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Charlotte O.

Wonderful roof terrace
Julia and Tarkan’s place is lovely and a great base for a stay in Istanbul. Their communication was great, sending restaurant recommendations and tips. Check-in was really easy, as was organising airport transfers with them. The apartment itself is nice and cosy and has everything you need, including a wonderful roof terrace.
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Darshna T.

We loved our stay.
We loved our stay. It was ideally located in the center of all the restaurants, shops, clubs, tourist attractions and local transport.
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Farah E.

The appartment was extremely well equipped
The apartment was extremely well equipped and had a nice location right in the heart of city center with access to public transport which made our visit that much more comfortable ! Good aesthetic and functioning amenities, overall highly recommend !
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Richard O.

Awesome apartment, in a great location with friendly and efficient hosts.
Awesome apartment, in a great location with friendly and efficient hosts. Very quick response if we had questions, and offered assistance for booking certain things (day trips etc.). Beautifully furnished, very clean amenities and located in a quiet area. Had no issues with anything inside the apartment. Lovely place to stay in!
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Leonora B.

Perfect! A nice neighbourhood with everything around.
Perfect! A nice neighbourhood with everything around. The communication was great. Had a good time. Thank you :)
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Sabrina H.

The apartment was nice and clean. The terrace is on the rooftop.
The apartment was nice and clean. The terrace is on the rooftop and a couple of floors up. The apartment is very well equipped: yea, coffee, wine opener :) We also found Istanbul guides like to lonely planet to our disposal, a metro and ferry card. The beds comfortable. Location The house entrance is easy to miss. It’s a quite street in the midst of this busy neighborhood. And very important to mention: very nice and quick to respond hosts. Thank you !
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Subendren S.

The communication was great and we had a seamless check-in process.
Thank you so much Julia and Tarkan, we really enjoyed staying in your apartment! It was the perfect location and with lots to do around and great local restaurants. The communication was great and we had a seamless check-in process.
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Pavel O.

Amazing apartments!
Amazing apartments! Perfect location, extreme attention to details this apartment feels like home just from the very beginning. Very quiet. Very comfortable. Very clean. Bed sheets are fresh and very good quality. We enjoyed our stay! Will definitely return

About the host

Hosted by Julia and Tarkan

Host profile image
We've been busy, building up a collection of lovely historical apartments in Galata, our favourite part of Istanbul. We've personally renovated most of them and stay in them ourselves whenever we can. Very recently we've added a sweet flat in the UK's Cotswolds into the mix.

17 years ago we met in Istanbul, Tarkan's home city, while I was there for a photography assignment. Since then we've led international lives together, based in Istanbul, Singapore and now England, my original country.

Along the way we've raised our son, Eren, across the cultures as we've steadily grown this holiday apartment project, our second baby. We see it as a way to find balance in our family life and to always have a home in our best-loved city.

We understand from our own experiences, what makes a great city-break stay and we try our very hardest to deliver it to you in Istanbul. For this we've won i-escape's global Guest Award for 'Best City Apartment' two years running and Tripadvisor's Certificate of Excellence 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 (2020 isn’t announced yet ;). We are also listed in many guidebooks.

Your questions and booking will be handled by us. On your arrival our manager Taskin and friendly team with their natural Turkish hospitality, will welcome you to your apartment, pass over your keys and explain practicalities and the neighborhood. You'll have as much or as little help as you choose and we're sure you'll soon feel at home in the cosmopolitan and very welcoming local community.

"Life is a balance of holding on and letting go" said Rumi.
We agree, do you?!

Languages:

English, Turkish

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests