Istanbul tips for remote workers

Lemonlu Bahce: Lemon Garden, a small hidden gardened cafe excellent for breakfast and lunch you can work from.

By Barret O. Workspaces

For cafes where you could work, we have TIYOP. Besides its cozy interiors that help you get some work done, it is close to the famous Galata Tower and the bridge. POIKÁ COFFEE is another great option. It is a non-touristy coffee shop and co-working cafe with good wifi, great coffee and delicious (cheap) sandwiches.

By Shaun C. Workspaces

Istanbul is safe to visit if you avoid some parts of it that are considered somewhat dangerous. You should be aware that tourist hotspots, restaurants, shops, and public transportation are places where most thefts and pickpocketing occur, and that violent crime exists here, too, but not something you would typically face if you're staying in any of the more central neighborhoods.

By Kerri T. Safety

If you want to exchange cash, plenty of currency exchange offices will do it for you. Currency exchange offices (Döviz Bürosu) are found in tourist, market and commercial areas. They offer better exchange rates than most banks, and may or may not charge a commission (komisyon). Just look around until you find one that doesn't charge commission.

By Kerri T. Costs

One of Istanbul locals' favorite escapes from the city, the Princes' Islands sit in the northeast corner of the Sea of Marmara offering serenely beautiful scenery just half an hour's ferry ride away from the city's bustle. Jumping on the ferry for a day trip to the islands allows travelers to soak up the gorgeous coastal scenery along the way.

By Tim J. Places to visit

If you're looking for fresh fruits and vegetables, you can visit one of their very many local markets. One of the best is Kadıköy market.

By Anthony P. General

The Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan) is an exquisite piece of Byzantine engineering. It's a spectacular underground cistern, once bringing drinking water with aqueducts from current Bulgaria to Istanbul.

By Anthony P. Places to visit

Metro, tram, and funicular lines in the city center are safe to use, they are constantly supervised by security personnel. The only thing you should watch out for is pickpockets.

By Elena R. Transportation

ATÖLYE is a great coworking space and innovation platform that also hosts a number of event series, such as the monthly Expat Spotlight held in collaboration with Yabangee and their CreativeMorning talk series and many others focusing on entrepreneurship, technology and design. Finally, Impact Hub has transformed the four-level building it is housed in into a working wonderland. An industrial design complemented by wooden furniture and features and lots of plants, there are permanent desks, conference rooms and social areas.

By Jimmy W. Workspaces

Visit the iconic Blue Mosque or the less famous Süleymaniye Mosque. When visiting a mosque, remove your shoes/sandals and wear modest clothing (not shorts). If you're a female you must cover your head and make sure you have no bare shoulders. Don't visit the mosque on a Friday, as it is the Muslim day for worship.

By Mark A. Places to visit

The top nightlife venues are located by the Bosphorus or on a rooftop offering a view of the magnificent skyline. The nightlife is vibrant, with an abundance of choice to satisfy everybody’s taste.

By Mark A. Food and drink

Rejuvenate your body while getting scrubbed in a Hamam: wearing nothing but a cotton cloth, first relax in a steamy room laying on hot marble, listening to the echoes of running water. Then a brisk soapy body scrub, followed by a sultan’s massage until your skin is smooth and soft. There are several hamams available in the city. Among the oldest are the (recently renovated) Ayasofya Hürrem Sultan Hamam and Kılıç Ali Paşa Hamam. The first is right on Sultanahmet Square, the latter is in Tophane-Karaköy, not far from Istanbul Modern.

By Raphael R. Places to visit

Go shopping to the Grand Bazaar and don't forget to bargain. The Grand Bazaar is over 500 years old, but still one of the largest covered bazaars in the world. Its 60 streets contain no less than 5000 shops, 60 restaurants, 18 fountains, 12 mosques, and even a school. Locals shop here every day, but odds are they’re better at bargaining than you are. The bazaar is very famous for its carpets, leather, ceramics, souvenirs and jewelry.

By Raphael R. Places to visit

If possible, take a Bosphorus cruise. It will provide a nice overview of the city, both the European and Asian shores of the famous waterway have a lot to offer – century old palaces and mansions galore.

By Katyln H. Places to visit

Turkish cuisine is fantastic. For breakfast try Menemen. It is a delicious Turkish style omelet with roasted onions and peppers that are boiled thoroughly with tomatoes and finally mixed with eggs, herbs, parsley, and red pepper. Another thing that you must try in Istanbul if you're a meat lover, is the Adana kebap has had “Controlled Designation of Origin” since 2009. An original Adana kebap can only be made by establishments who are inspected on the spot and approved by the Adana Chamber of Commerce. As for a Turkish dessert, you can try the Künefe is a traditional Arab cheese pastry. The unsalted cheese in between the two layers of kadayıf is the essence. Kadayıf are thin fibers of dough, a simple mix of water and flour. It is served warm because it is freshly baked and soaked in syrup.

By Katyln H. Food and drink

For accommodation, if it's your first time in Istanbul, only stay in the Old Town (Sultanahmet) if you like to be in a very touristy area. If you're looking for nightlife, Galata is a great area, and for those with a limited budget, probably Karakoy is the best place for you.

By Yury S. Where to live

Kolektif House is one of the best and oldest coworking places you can find in Istanbul. Each venue offers additional amenities, such as massage, lounge areas, meditation rooms and yoga classes, and they also host a number of event series such as their Monday breakfasts and Kolektif Jammin improvisational music nights.

By Yury S. Workspaces

Latest tips about Istanbul