Picolo recommends · Hotel in Istanbul, Turkey
10 Karaköy
Tram bells, ferry horns and the funicular all meet at the square outside, and the lobby bar is where the neighbours stop for a drink.
Outside the door is Karaköy Square, a meeting point for trams, ferries and the old Tünel funicular, a short underground railway up to Beyoğlu. Inside, the lobby bar is as popular with locals as with guests.
The hotel occupies a restored building from the nineteenth century in the old dock quarter. Istanbul Modern and the cafés by the water are just below, and some rooms look across to the old city on the other side of the bridge.
Picolo’s verdict
Why we chose 10 Karaköy
It is modern, relaxed and well connected. Rooms are larger than most on this side of the bridge, and you can walk to Galata or hop on a ferry to the Asian side in minutes.
If you want Ottoman atmosphere, carved wood and tiles, you will not find it here. The style is international, so look to Sultanahmet or Pera if history is the reason you travel.
What you get
- Ferries to the Asian side close by
- Roomy, modern rooms
- Lobby bar popular with locals
- A restored 19th-century building
- Old city views from some rooms
A day at 10 Karaköy
- Morning
- Coffee by the water before the ferries get busy.
- Midday
- An hour or two at Istanbul Modern.
- Afternoon
- Take the ferry across to Kadıköy for lunch.
- Evening
- A drink in the lobby bar with the neighbourhood crowd.
Location
Karaköy, Istanbul, Turkey
Open in MapsQuestions about 10 Karaköy
Is 10 Karaköy close to public transport?
Yes. The tram, the ferries and the Tünel funicular all stop at Karaköy Square, right next to the hotel.
What is the style of 10 Karaköy?
Modern and international, in a restored nineteenth-century building. It is not the place for traditional Ottoman decor.
Is 10 Karaköy near Istanbul Modern?
Yes. The museum sits by the water just below the hotel, along with a row of waterside cafés.
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Updated 6 Nov 2026All articles
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