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Historical 3 storey house in Old Istanbul, recently restored, comfortable stay!

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Interior
Fridge, oven, stovetop, dishwasher
Outdoor dining
Fridge, oven, stovetop, dishwasher
TV, DVD player, books, video library

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

2 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 6120 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Kitchen
  • Pet-friendly
  • Air conditioning
  • Free WiFi

Explore the area

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Istanbul, Istanbul

Room options

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Living area

2-bedroom apartment with Bosphorus view, WiFi and AC in brilliant Istanbul

  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Air conditioning
5.0 out of 5, Exceptional, 1 review
2-bedroom apartment with Bosphorus view, WiFi and AC in brilliant Istanbul

About the area

Istanbul

With a stay at this vacation home, you'll be centrally located in Istanbul, within a 10-minute drive of Grand Bazaar and Galata Tower. .This vacation home is 2.6 mi (4.2 km) from Topkapi Palace and 3.4 mi (5.5 km) from Blue Mosque.
View more Holiday homes in IstanbulOpens in a new window

Getting around

  • Emniyet - Fatih Station - 3 min drive
  • Edirnekapi Station - 3 min drive
  • Istanbul Airport (IST) - 46 min drive

Restaurants

  • â€ȘÄ°ncir Ağacı Kahvesi - ‬5 min walk
  • â€ȘSmelt & Co. Gastro Spot // Kombucha - ‬2 min walk
  • â€ȘMevlana Pide - ‬3 min walk
  • â€ȘÖz Karadeniz Pide & Kebap Salonu - ‬4 min walk
  • â€ȘBaraka Balat Cafe - ‬3 min walk

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Historical 3 storey house in Old Istanbul, recently restored, comfortable stay!

Newly renovated listed historical greek house in Old Istanbul. Entire 3 storey house will be available for you. There are two large bedroom top 2 floor with one bathroom each floor for each bedroom. There is comfortable living space with sofa bed with nice cushions, lighting and renovated furnitures on the entrance floor. Kitchen is also in the same floor with living room so you will enjoy the house, eat and dine before you go to sleep. Second bedroom has also nice size balcony for your morning tea or coffee with Golden Horn view.
Turquoise house as Featured in Elle Decoration magazine in Turkey!
Make yourself comfortable in this air-conditioned vacation home, featuring a kitchen with a refrigerator and an oven. There's a private balcony or patio. Complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected, and a DVD player is provided for your entertainment. Conveniences include a coffee/tea maker and a sofa bed.
This smoke-free vacation home offers a stereo, books, and a video library.
Guests will find features like internet access.

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in the house: Free WiFi

Kitchen

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Electric kettle
  • Hob
  • Oven
  • Refrigerator
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 2 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided
  • Sofa bed

Bathroom

  • 2 bathrooms
  • Bidet
  • Hair dryer
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Living room
  • Separate dining area

Entertainment

  • Books
  • DVD player
  • Stereo
  • TV
  • Video library

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly
  • Welcoming dogs only
  • Up to 10 kg per pet

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property
  • Note from host: Strict no smoking policy in place

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • In the city centre
  • Near the ocean

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)

General

  • Unit size: 1,292 square feet

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 2:00 PM

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

Pets allowed
Welcoming dogs only
1 total (up to 22 lbs per pet)

Children and extra beds

Children younger than 13 are not allowed at this adults-only property; all guests 13 and older are welcome

Payment types

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
This property accepts credit cards
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation

We should mention

Guests under 13 years old are not permitted at this adults-only property

Property is also known as

Historical 3 Storey House Old Recently Restored Comfortable Stay
Historical 3 Storey Old Recently Restored Comfortable Stay
Historical 3 Storey House Old Recently Restored Comfortable Stay
Historical 3 Storey House Old Recently Restored Comfortable Stay
Historical 3 Storey Old Recently Restored Comfortable Stay

Reviews

Historical 3 storey house in Old Istanbul, recently restored, comfortable stay! Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

9.0/10

Cleanliness
Rating 10 - Excellent. 40 out of 44 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 44 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 44 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 44 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 44 reviews

Reviews

8/10 Good

Tanja A.

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Paul B.

Liked: Cleanliness

Second time

We really enjoyed staying here as a family. My favourite part of Istanbul to stay in. First time my wife & I came we missed not being able to share our experience with our daughters so we returned. Highly recommended.

8/10 Good

Laura H., Freeport, Maine

An opportunity to live in Old Istanbul (for a short while!)

We enjoyed our stay at the Turquoise House very much. Lovely decorations, a cozy bed, clean bathrooms, and plenty of space for our family (couple and 1 daughter). We liked exploring this section of Istanbul, and found the people to be friendly and helpful. Our daughter arrived earlier than expected, and found the apartment, but could not get her phone to connect with the owners. After a long day of travel, she was stuck on the front stoop in some distress, when a neighborhood woman came by, offered her the use of her phone and a simit (Turkish bagel). The neighborhood is poor but safe, and we loved learning about the culture and history of the area as we explored. Be aware, you will encounter a lot of walking, up and down steep hills on very narrow roads. We did have some problems with taxi drivers finding the place. In fact, on our way from the airport, the service the owners arranged for us took us to the wrong place--a hotel in the middle of the city, rather than the apartment and then had trouble locating the neighborhood.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2018

10/10 Excellent

Mousa A.

Close and clean

Loved everything the area the people the shops
Stayed 9 nights in Sep 2017

10/10 Excellent

Paul B.

Lovely place to stay for the discerning traveller

Turquoise House is extremely nice and comfortable; located in a very interesting neighbourhood away from the hubbub of the city centre (which is easily accessible via the excellent public transport system). We enjoyed the variety and friendliness of Balat and Fenner as well as Fatih in general (especially Wednesday market). Istanbul is an immensely interesting city and Ozkan's notes are excellent. The airport transfers that Ozhan organised worked well (including a 5am Sunday pickup). We will return.

10/10 Excellent

Anant G.

Oasis in Old Istanbul

Firstly, this is a review on Saffron House, which is also under the same management team. The house looks to be very similar from the photos and in the same neighbourhood. A few days before were we due to arrive We were given an upgrade by Ozkan due to issues at Turquoise House. We appreciated this flexibility and enjoyed our stay here immensely. The house itself is in the Fener/Balat area of Istanbul so a little bit off the beaten track. This provided more of a neighbourhood type feel and atmosphere and a contrast to Beyoglu where we had stayed previously. The neighbourhood is a bit raw and rundown in places but it very much has a soul. Personally, I hope this area does not get gentrified but no doubt it will happen. The accommodation itself was first class with all mod-cons. The details and fixtures are second to none and you can tell it has been a real labour of love in transforming the property. After a hard day's sight-seeing and getting lost there was nothing like returning to the comfort of Saffron House. We hope to come and visit again in the future and get to know the area better. Some advice for first timers - you need to get your bearings and make yourself acquainted with the transportation system and the Istanbulkart. We used the one top up card for our family of three and it was very convenient to pre-load and then tap in out on the various integrated transports available bus, tram, ferry etc.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2017

4/10 Poor

Anahita A.

The house was very cosy and nicely decorated but very far from everywhere.

Everything was nice in the house Ă  part from the dining table at the kitchen with for broken chairs we had to repair them before using. The house was far from any attraction in Istanbul and also far from any public transport, so we had to take a taxi to go everywhere, but this wasn't the end of the story as no taxi driver knew the district and we always had to ask several ones to end up finding one that accept to take us, and at the end of the trip the driver was always very angry and asked for more money, due to narrow and step roads getting us to the house. Nonetheless we enjoyed spending time with my family at this house, so many shops around to make buying and preparing home made food convenient.
Stayed 9 nights in Aug 2017

10/10 Excellent

Amal K.

Very good

Very nice property
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2017

10/10 Excellent

Jeffrey R., Washington State, USA

A beautiful, comfortable, and authentic stay in Old Istanbul!

Our only lament is that our stay was so brief (only 2 nights) due to our own scheduling constraints. Peter and Ozkan were helpful in getting us settled and in suggesting good local restaurants and other venues. We highly recommend using the car service they suggest to get to/from the airport. The house was kept immaculately clean, and was very comfortable. The decor was beautiful and charming. There was a great blend of the original 19th century feel of the house with some retro flare as well, and modern fixtures in the kitchen and bathrooms. We hope to return to Istanbul someday and when we do we hope to stay here again.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2017

10/10 Excellent

Shabbir M.

Fantastic

What a delightfully restored home in a very authentic part of town. Our host was most hospitable and met us at a slightly later than expected arrival after 11pm. Much thought and detail has gone into making this home cosy, well furnished and retaining the many original features. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay. A metro station is a 15 min walk away but we also walked into the centre of Istanbul to savour the sights enroute. I highly recommend this for those wishing to see how the local community live in Istanbul. The locals were most welcoming and walking back at night was safe and secure. Try it for yourself if you want to savour the real Istanbul.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2016

10/10 Excellent

Deborah L.

A TURQUOISE GEM IN ISTANBUL

We had a lovely time in a very special place in Istanbul. To be among the locals and see the daily way of life was so interesting and enjoyable. The turquoise house has such a homely feel and the decor and furniture fitted beautifully, I think Peter is in the wrong job. Ozkan was great, he arranged transport to and from the airport for us and provided lots for information which was very helpful. Istanbul is wonderful, it was our first visit and we could easily have stayed for a month. The history and architecture is around every corner and is a real feast for the eyes and heart. We never felt unsafe in the neighborhood or in the centre itself. The people are so friendly, one elderly lady who lived opposite the house used to wave and blow me a kiss when we were having our morning coffee or tea on the balcony. The simit man came through the steets every morning calling out with his tray balanced on his head. We cannot wait to visit again. Thank you Ozkan and Peter. Deborah, Angela & Jim
Stayed 6 nights in Oct 2016

10/10 Excellent

Joan R.

Old Istanbul Stay

Staying at Peter and Ozkan's Old Istanbul House was great. The neighborhood was totally non touristic and interesting. Although there were plenty of hills the area felt very safe and was very walkable. The house was very much as pictured and well equipped. The view from the balcony was great. (The table could be a little more stable.) I would definitely suggest staying here to others.
Stayed 5 nights in May 2016

10/10 Excellent

Eileen S.

A great house in a Real Istanbul neighborhood

This is my second stay with one of Peter and Ozkan's properties in the Fener Balat neighborhood. They are great hosts. Their information guide is what I have used both times for getting around and for the activities that I did while in Istanbul. This house was very comfortable for my husband and me but it easily could have housed more people (2 bedroom, 2 bath). It is way up on the hill which is great for working off all the wonderful food that we ate while in Istanbul. The neighborhood is full of little shops and restaurants and great street food (I love the Midye Dolma guy with his cart of mussels for 1 Turkish lira/mussel). It is easy to access all the sights of Istanbul either by walking or the bus. You must remember that you are in a real neighborhood with all the things that go on in neighborhoods but I really like that. I would recommend that you ask Peter and Ozkan to help arrange your transport to and from the airport since it makes your arrival and return much easier.

10/10 Excellent

Ria D.

Beautiful and comfortable house in old Istanbul!

Peter and Özkan responded quickly to our request, very convenient to let them arrange a transfer from the airport to the house. They had maps and information about both the local area and the city that was very useful and were ever so happy to answer our questions. The house is an old building that has been beautifully restored and decorated. The bedrooms were nice and comfortable. Easy to rest after busy days exploring the city. The bathrooms had nice showers. Perfect for longer stays since the house is equipped with both a dishwasher and a washingmachine! The area is an old residential part of Istanbul, we found it safe and quiet. A few minutes walk downhill and you had shops, cafĂ©s etc to explore. Going up and down the hills might help compensate for all the lovely food on offer. We enjoyed the beauty and comfort of the house, Peter and Özkans committment to their guests enjoying the stay. The friendly people, the food and of course the city itself. Looking forward to come back soon!

10/10 Excellent

Enette Berndt K.

Authentic Istanbul

Our stay at the Turquoise house was really great; we loved the location in Balat, an authentic area with a mixture of crumbling old houses, houses being renovated and stylish renovated houses. The streets are narrow and cobbled and the laundry is hanging from house to house and high in the air. We found it a very charming area to live in. The house had everything we needed for a great stay and Peter and Ozkan were very helpful. They also arranged transport for us from the airport on arrival and to the train station when we headed south. The house is just marvelous – great colour scheme and with attention to every little detail. We definitely recommend staying in the Turquoise House.

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

STUNNING - absolutely fabulous

The place is as fantastic as the photos show! At one point I was wondering if this place was a scam as I thought: "It looks too good to be true" BUT reality it is even better than the photos!! We loved staying in the house and enjoyed the feeling of having a home away from home. Ozkan & Peter were GREAT hosts! We liked the neighbourhood and all the many everyday scenes: Laundry dangling high above the street; kids playing; adults meeting on the street corner; the simit-bakery and the friendly owner; the smiles; the steepness of the streets. We highly recommend the house and we'll definitely be back :)

10/10 Excellent

Nick C.

Amazing house in an amazing area.

We had an amazing time at Peter and Ozkan's house and were sorry our stay was so brief. Ozkan arranged for our airport transfer to the house and everything went smoothly. The house was lovely but also practical for us as a family of four. The local area was also a highlight of our trip. It is not touristy at all and everyone was very friendly. In amongst the very local shops we also found some lovely cafes and getting around the city from here was easy. We would love to come back to Istanbul again but only if we could stay here again.

10/10 Excellent

janine

Even Better Than The Photographs in Elle Magazine

We arrived on a cold snowy evening and were welcomed to the gorgeous Turquoise House by our charming hosts Peter and Ozkan. The house is just stunning - even better than the photographs in Elle Magazine - with amazing attention to all the decorative details ... it just oozes with the care and love that the owners have lavished upon it. When we travel we try to find interesting places to stay that are beautifully decorated, but which are not formal or fussy as it needs to work for us as a family and The Turquoise House did not disappoint easily absorbing the four of us. Peter took us on a snowy tour of the neighbourhood on our first evening showing us where to buy our groceries and where to eat - each morning we loved going to the traditional wood fired simit bakery which is 2 minutes away just opposite the quirky wooden houses that featured in Skyfall. We have been to Istanbul before and deliberately chose to stay away from the tourist centre. Balat is an authentic area that has been "discovered" - there is a mixture of crumbling old houses just waiting to be renovated, the odd one currently under renovation and stylish renovated houses as well as traditional family homes. We felt very comfortable, everyone we met was welcoming and we easily found taxis (which are very cheap) to take us where we wanted to go - within 10 minutes we were at the main sights. If you want a choice of bars and restaurants on your doorstep with an immaculate view from your window then The Turquoise House might not be for you but if you want authenticity, a beautiful house and charming hosts then I'd recommend it.

10/10 Excellent

Angela E.

Unique and cozy Istanbul accommodations

My husband and I spent three wonderful nights at Turquoise House on our honeymoon after it was recommended to us by dear friends who'd stayed there previously and had a great experience. We fell in love with the house and Balat - the neighborhood in Istanbul where it's located. We were graciously greeted well before check-in time by our host Peter, who sat and had a cup of tea with us and gave us a nice, warm welcome to the neighborhood. We were also given a full tour of the tastefully and meticulously restored accommodations. The place could have comfortably slept more, but having it for just the two of us was a treat indeed. Far from just a place to crash at night, Turquoise House is that cozy nest you laze around in each morning over a cup of tea and a locally baked simit--and by locally baked, I mean a couple houses down the road--and into which you pour yourself happily each night with sore feet and tired eyes. Each of the three floors is appointed with an eye both to design and preservation; many of the home's details are part of the original structure, which provides a glimpse into the historical architecture of the neighborhood. But with all that said, you wouldn't want to just laze around all day, not with all that Balat (and Istanbul) has to offer. To name just two in Balat: Our absolute favorite breakfast in all of Istanbul can be had just a quick stroll down the street from Turquoise House at Vodina Cafe, and one of the tastiest (as in, we went twice in just three nights) dinners in Istanbul can be enjoyed a few minutes farther afield at Agora Meyhanesi restaurant. Beyond culinary delights, the Balat neighborhood is an invitation to soak in life in a part of Istanbul that might otherwise not come across the usual tourist radar--none of which is to say the area is not as rich in culture and history as any other in Istanbul, but rather to say that staying at Turquoise House can afford the open-minded traveler that trifecta of delights: history/culture, creature comforts, and the opportunity to glimpse a scene from everyday Turkish life that would likely go missed if staying in one of the well-trod corridors of the tourist circuit. We walked our way into other parts of Istanbul every day, including Sultanahmet, but buses and taxis from Balat are plentiful and cheap. And to cap it all off, Peter and Oskan were available and close by to offer advice and some truly superlative recommendations. In all, a truly superior experience!

10/10 Excellent

Jane A.

Beautiful restored house in Istanbul

We have just returned from out stay at the Turquoise House where we stayed for the Istanbul part of our Istanbul & Cappadocia holiday. The house is beautiful & exactly as it looks on the pictures so no nasty surprises on arrival. Peter & Ozkan have put a lot of love & attention to detail into this house & really want their guests to have a wonderful experience both at the house & in seeing Istanbul. They were waiting for us on arrival & explained everything about the property & local area, restaurants, coffee shops & local markets, which buses to use & tips on sights we may not have thought of. If you are not sure of your plans there are also plenty of maps & guidebooks in the house. They provide basic provisions to get you started bread (amazing bread in Istanbul) milk, eggs, tea/coffee etc although there are some lovely restaurants which are walking distance from the house if you prefer to have all your meals out which we did. It is very easy to get around from the house just make your way down the steep hill to the water & the buses run very frequently from there. Buses, trams & ferries are all very easy & convenient to use in Istanbul so we did not need to use any taxis during our stay apart from the to & from the airport which Peter & Ozkan had prearranged for us. We were travelling as a couple & stayed for three nights at the Turquoise House but would definitely recommend staying longer if you have the time. The house is lovely & spacious for a couple but is equally very suitable for a whole family too. Thank you Peter & Ozkan for a lovely stay when we come back to Istanbul we shall definitely stay at the Turquoise House again.

10/10 Excellent

Elaine S.

Perfect place to stay in Old Istanbul

Each time I walked into this adorable house I silently thanked Peter and Ozkan for providing it. It is truly a rare find. It combines convenience, taste, beauty with an interesting authentic neighbourhood. Everything you need is in walking distance, but the street the house sits on is not on a busy commercial, tourist-infested thoroughfare. It's a real, authentic historic area. I loved the ambience of the house. The finishes and choices in furnishings showed imagination and quality wasn't stinted on. I can hardly wait for the next opportunity that I get to show this house to family and good friends.

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Beautiful - Would stay again!

Wonderful! For the discerning traveler looking for something truly different, this three-story gem caught me by surprise. Lovingly restored by its owners, it’s location in Istanbul historic Balat District provides a great launch pad to all this wonderful city has to offer. Each floor is impeccably decorated and spacious and there is well equipped kitchen as well. 'Special touches' everywhere, with really comfortable beds and excellent Wi-Fi. Great for couples or families (2 full showers) who want to experience the real Istanbul, with a lovely small balcony on the top floor with views of the Golden Horn. The owners couldn’t be nicer and went out of their way to get me settled and tell me about the neighbourhood. Would love to stay again - but for longer!

10/10 Excellent

Vera K.

Schöner Aufenthalt in Istanbul jenseits der Touristenpfade

Das sehr schön renovierte alte Haus in einem ursprĂŒnglichen Stadtteil war uns zur Ramadan-Zeit ein echtes Zuhause auf Zeit fĂŒr einen wirklich eindrĂŒcklichen Aufenthalt in der wunderbaren Stadt Istanbul. Das Haus ist gut ausgestattet, alles funktioniert, im direkten Wohnumfeld fĂŒhlt man sich Tag und Nacht sicher. Wenn man nicht stĂ€ndig Taxi fahren will, sollte man gut zu Fuß sein, da es vom Goldenen Horn her ein ordentlicher Anstieg zum Haus ist. Herzlichen Dank an die Besitzer Ozkan und Peter fĂŒr ihr Engagement um die Erhaltung einiger der alten HĂ€user im Viertel, das im Bestand leider bedroht ist. Wir werden gern einmal wiederkommen. Paar aus Deutschland im Mai 2018
Stayed 12 nights in May 2018

10/10 Excellent

Nadia B.

Magnifique sĂ©jour et des belles dĂ©couvertes. J'ai hĂąte d'organiser ma prochaine visite 😃

Un cocon idéalement situé et décoré avec beaucoup de finesse et goût .les lits sont trÚs confortables, et tout était a disposition pour notre confort. Ozkan était trÚs chaleureux et serviable (Un grand merci) Malheureusement nous étions que pour 4 nuits, c'était un court séjour pour découvrir la ville mais nous avons pu visiter les grands monuments. C'était trÚs facile de se déplacer et tout était a porté de main. Je suis tombée sous le charme de cette magnifique ville et je suis excitée à l'idée de marcher de nouveau dans ses belles ruelles et savourer leur café.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2017

10/10 Excellent

SYLVAIN G.

Extraordinaire

Merci à Ozkan pour sa gentillesse, sensibilité et disponibilité.... Appartement extraordinaire, propre, décoré avec goût... Idéalement situé. Istambul nous sommes tombés sous le charme. Nous recommandons de visiter cette ville et surtout de loger dans ce logement .
Stayed 7 nights in May 2016