Writer’s Travel Guide to Istanbul: Literary Travel & Writing Spots

I can’t remember why exactly, but Istanbul has been at the top of my travel bucket list for years. So, when I needed to pick a place in Europe that was cheap and inspiring and hopefully had lots of writing spots so that I could write my book, I chose Istanbul.

I was so excited to check this historic city off of my bucket list, and while it wasn’t exactly what I expected, I loved Istanbul.

Because it’s so cheap and has such a rich and diverse history, I think it’s one of the best places in the world to go on solo writing retreat.

You won’t feel guilty spending money on it because costs of living are low, and you can extract inspiration from the centuries of history and clashing cultures that you’ll find here.

As with all my Writer’s Travel Guides, you’ll find the best writing spots, literary travel points of interest and places to stay in Istanbul.

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Best Places to Write in Istanbul

SALT Galata

This is more than just a library. Located in a gorgeous old building that used to be a bank, SALT Galata is a cultural center. In addition to a library, you’ll find exhibitions, a bookstore, a café and a restaurant. Basically, it’s one of the best writing spots in Istanbul.

First of all, it’s a perfect blend of old and modern architecture and is absolutely beautiful. So beautiful, that its interior has become a popular photo shoot location for Instagrammers. Second of all, it’s filled with lots of students (as it’s a research library), and I think those are the best atmospheres to write in because you’ll have more peace and quiet as opposed to, say, a café. And even if you do like writing in a café, this place has got one.

Nazim Hikmet Cultural Center

Named after a Turkish poet, this cultural center also has a bookstore and café which you can use a writing spot where you might meet other writers in Istanbul.

Icadiye Street in the Kuzguncuk neighborhood

Located on the Asian side of Istanbul, this colorful and vibrant street has so many cafes that would make for great writing spots. If you enjoy people watching while writing and are searching for a more authentic place in Istanbul, this a great place to look for a place to write.

Cafés in Kaiköy neighborhood

Another neighborhood in Istanbul that I loved, and where my hostel was located, was Kaiköy. I had no problem finding writing spots nearby, as there were lots of cafés in walking distance, and the atmosphere was very lively here. It was very easy to talk to locals (in my experience) and if you have a sweet tooth, this neighborhood has many sweet shops.

One place I can highly recommend is Küff. They have great breakfast options and have wi-fi too. Try the donuts!

Cafés in Karaköy neighborhood

And finally, on the European side of Istanbul, I found that there were tons of cafés in the Karaköy neighborhood. It’s also fairly near all the touristy sites of Istanbul, yet far enough away that it doesn’t feel like you’re in a museum (like in Sultanahmet neighborhood).

Recommendations: Archeo Café (also a hostel—I stayed here for a night and can recommend), Nefes (great food for lunch) and Kemankes Karamustafa Pasa, a neighborhood by the water with more cafés than you will know what to do with.

Gülhane Park

And if you do want to be in the most touristy part of Istanbul, this park is a nice option if it’s warm and you like writing outside. It doesn’t really feel like you’re so close to one of the most historic and famous buildings in the world (Hagia Sofia) when you’re here. There are plenty of benches scattered throughout and beautiful old trees above them.

Literary Travel in Istanbul

Museum of Innocence

This museum is perhaps the only of its kind. It is based on a book of the same name, written by Nobel Prize-winning Orhan Pamuk. I didn’t read this book before visiting the museum, but that is certainly about to change now that I’ve visited. (My copy has already arrived in the mail and is currently lying next to me in my TBR pile.)

Every exhibit contains objects related to each chapter. If you read the book, it will be very cool to see it come to life. If you haven’t, you’ll still be able to appreciate the sense of nostalgia the museum evokes.

Adam Mickiewicz Museum

Mickiewicz is probably Poland’s most famous writers, a nationalist who played an important part in Poland’s fight for independence. So how did a writer from Poland get a museum in Istanbul, of all places?

Well, the house this museum is located in is actually the house where Mickiewicz lived in exile and where he died.

You can explore some of his writing, learn about his life and see his symbolic grave in the basement of the building (his real grave is in Wawel Castle in Kraków).

Topkapi Palace

Beyond being a beautiful building complex with a stunning peek into history and what life was like for the sultan and his family, the reason I’ve included this palace in this guide is for its library.

The library contains some of the most valuable manuscripts from the Ottoman Empire, including those written by sultans, as well as other rare manuscripts. While you can’t access the whole collection without an appointment, some of the manuscripts are on display in Topkapi.

Galata Mevlevi House Museum

Many people have heard of the famous whirling dervish dance, but the religious sect of Sufism from which this meditative dance originates from placed an emphasis on all the arts: writing included. Specifically, this museum focuses on the Mawlawis.

You can learn a lot about Turkey’s literature in this museum, including influential writers and poets (including Rumi) who were Sufis, bookbinding and calligraphy.

And if you’re lucky, you might be able to catch an authentic whirling dervish dance at the hall in this museum too. There weren’t any going on when I was in Istanbul, and if you have the same problem, you can try your luck finding tickets for a whirling dervish show here.

Akmar

Located on the Asia side of Istanbul, this is a giant center filled with small independent book sellers. Most books are used, and you can find books in various languages.

It’s located not far from the hostel I recommend staying at while in Istanbul (read below), and there are lots of cafés and dessert shops nearby where you stop in after if you need a writing spot after the inspiration of being surrounded by so many books.

Where to Stay in Istanbul

If you’re on a budget, the best place to stay is in a hostel. They often have great writing spots too, like Hush Hostel Lounge. It has designated work spaces, so it’s arguably the best hostel in Istanbul for digital nomads.

But Istanbul is cheap by most standards, so you may be able to afford something nicer even if you normally travel on a budget. Find the perfect hotel for you in Istanbul here.

If you’re looking for the absolute perfect hotel to stay in, however, choose Pera Palace Hotel. You won’t be the first writer to travel to Istanbul and find yourself a writing spot here: writer like Ernest Hemingway (see my Venice and Milan Writer’s Travel Guides for more connections to him) and Agatha Christie both were guests at this hotel.

*A tip for booking accommodation in Istanbul: Sites like Booking.com don’t work in Turkey. The government blocks their IP addresses, so while you can book accommodation in Istanbul in your home country, you won’t be able to book it in Turkey. So keep that in mind if you’re a last minute planner like me and are planning to book a place to stay in Istanbul once you arrive.

Books to Read Before Visiting Istanbul

Museum of Innocence

Of course, you’ll need to read this book, especially if you visit the museum (see above). But even if you don’t have time for the museum, this book will still give you a sense of what Istanbul used to be like in the not so distant past.

Alternatively, or additionally, read Istanbul: Memories and City, also by Orhan Pamuk.

Istanbul Noir

This is part of an anthology series that contains stories about the darker sides of cities (and I’ve recommended some other ones in my past Writer’s Travel Guides). The Istanbul edition offers the opportunity for some great stories, and you will see the city from a different perspective than you would from tourist guides.

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I hope this post inspires you to take a trip to Istanbul, a city full of literary connections, great writing spots and an inspiring history and atmosphere.