Hotel
Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul
A five-star Kempinski hotel built around a restored 19th-century Ottoman palace on the Bosphorus shore, with an infinity pool and 317 rooms.
Cheers Hostel
A friendly Sultanahmet hostel a minute's walk from Hagia Sophia, with mixed and female dorms, private rooms and a year-round rooftop terrace bar.
At a glance
- Type
- Hostel
- Area
- Sultanahmet, Istanbul, Türkiye
- Price
- $ · Budget
- Official site
- cheershostel.com
Good to know
- Dorms and private rooms
- Breakfast included
- Rooftop terrace bar
- 24-hour check-in
- Luggage storage
- Airport pick-up
Why we recommend it
Cheers Hostel offers budget travellers a location most hotels in the city would envy, in the heart of Sultanahmet, about a minute's walk from Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Basilica Cistern and Topkapı Palace. It has a reputation as a sociable, well-run hostel, and it attracts a mix of backpackers, solo travellers and young groups from around the world.
Accommodation ranges from dormitories to private rooms. There are 6, 8 and 10-bed mixed dorms, as well as 6 and 8-bed female-only dorms. Private options include a standard double, a standard triple, a deluxe triple and a superior double with en-suite bathrooms, and a superior four-bed family room, which makes the hostel an option for families on a budget too. Dorm beds are the cheapest way to stay this close to the main monuments, while the private rooms offer more comfort at a still moderate price. Staff can advise on tours, transport cards and the best times to visit the nearby sights.
Breakfast is included in the rate, and a Turkish breakfast buffet is served on the terrace. The rooftop Wintergarden Panoramic Terrace Bar is open all year round and looks out towards Hagia Sophia and Topkapı Palace, making it a lively place to meet other travellers in the evening. The on-site restaurant serves Turkish kebabs and daily specials from 11:00 to 23:00, which is convenient after a long day of sightseeing.
Check-in is available 24 hours a day and luggage can be stored, which helps with late arrivals and early or late flights. Airport pick-ups can be arranged on request. Book early for summer and for weekends, when beds fill up, and choose a female-only dorm if you prefer.
The hostel suits budget travellers, solo travellers and anyone who wants to be within a few steps of the main sights. Sultanahmet tram stop on the T1 line is close by, giving easy access to the Grand Bazaar, Eminönü and Karaköy, and the Gülhane stop is also within walking distance. Divan Yolu, with its köfte houses and cafés, and the Hippodrome are a few minutes away, and Gülhane Park offers a green escape down the hill.
Cheers Hostel FAQs
Is breakfast included?
Yes, breakfast is included, with a Turkish buffet served on the terrace.
Are there female-only dorms?
Yes, 6-bed and 8-bed female dorms alongside mixed dorms and private rooms.
Are there private rooms?
Yes, doubles and triples, some en suite, and a superior four-bed family room.
Is the rooftop bar open all year?
Yes, the Wintergarden Panoramic Terrace Bar is open all year.
Is there a restaurant?
Yes, it serves Turkish kebabs and daily specials from 11:00 to 23:00.
Can I check in late?
Yes, check-in is available 24 hours a day, and luggage can be stored.
Can the hostel arrange airport pick-up?
Yes, airport pick-ups can be arranged.
How close is it to Hagia Sophia?
About a minute's walk.