For nomads & remote workers
Make Istanbul
work for you.
Your guide to living and working in Istanbul. Where to stay, how to get connected, where to work and what to sort out when you arrive.
Staying 3+ months? Meet other nomads in our WhatsApp group.
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Where are you in your Istanbul plans?
01
Planning a stay
Choose a neighbourhood, work out a budget and understand your visa options.
02
Arriving soon
Get from the airport, get online and sort out your first few days.
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03
Seeing the city
Tickets, opening hours and which passes are worth it.
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04
Living & working here
Find a workspace, manage everyday essentials and meet people.
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Before you book a place
Choose the neighbourhood
before the apartment.
Think about where you will work, how you want to spend your evenings and which journeys you will make every day. Use the area guides to narrow your search, then read the rental checklist before sending a deposit.
Recently updated
Practical guides for your stay
Starter
Best eSIM for Turkey (November 2026): Tested From Istanbul
Best eSIM for Turkey: Simbye, 20 GB for 30 days at $16.15 with code NOMADISTAN15. It is the one store that still works inside Turkey. 19 sites tested, Oct 2026.
Updated
Starter
Simbye Discount Code NOMADISTAN15: 15% Off Turkey eSIM (Nov 2026)
NOMADISTAN15 takes 15% off every Simbye Turkey eSIM plan. 20 GB is $16.15 with the code. Prices checked 1 November 2026, works when buying from inside Turkey.
Updated
Starter
Turkey eSIM Block (2026): What Still Works After BTK Blocked 37 Stores
Airalo, Holafly, Saily and Nomad are blocked in Turkey (tested Oct 2026). Simbye still works: 20 GB, 30 days, $16.15 with code NOMADISTAN15.
Updated
Starter
Istanbul Hamam Prices 2026: 10 Historic Baths Checked
Door price vs GetYourGuide for the main Istanbul hamams, checked 25 Oct 2026. Our pick: Gedikpaşa, €70 with free cancellation. On a budget: about €18 at a Sinan bath.
Updated
Starter
Hagia Sophia Entrance Fee 2026: €25, Hours, Queue
Hagia Sophia entrance fee 2026: €25 for foreign visitors, upper galleries only. What the ticket includes, when it closes for prayer, whether Museum Pass works, and how to avoid the queue.
Updated
Starter
Is Airalo Blocked in Turkey? Not Working Fix (Nov 2026)
Yes. BTK blocked Airalo's app and website in July 2025, so it won't load on Turkish networks. The fix if you installed it, and what to buy in Turkey.
Updated
For a longer-term move
Considering Turkish tax residency?
Explore the foreign-income exemption, check which eligibility questions apply to you and prepare for a conversation with a qualified adviser.
Who's writing this
Written from Istanbul
Nomad Istanbul is written by a small Turkish-born team living in Istanbul. We write the guides we would send a friend moving here: choosing a neighbourhood, sorting out a SIM, finding a workspace and understanding the paperwork.
More about us & how this site works →