Are you looking into Istanbul as your next destination as a digital nomad? Welcome to Istanbul, a city situated along the Bosphorus Strait, connecting two continents; Asia and Europe. Istanbul is an excellent place to relocate to as a digital nomad or remote worker seeking to explore and work simultaneously. Further, Istanbul offers short-term and long-term residency options, and working remotely here isn’t a problem.
Istanbul continues to be popular among remote workers and digital nomads as it has a great culture and food, hospitable people, and affordable living conditions. The city is a perfect destination with bustling metropolises and cozy coastal towns. Read on to learn more about the combination of rich heritage, incredible opportunities, and what to expect as you explore this incredible city.
A Brief History of Istanbul and What to Expect From the City
The history of Istanbul dates back to 660 BC when the Greek settlers established the Byzantine Empire. The city was known as Byzantium until it was renamed Constantinople and became the Roman Empire’s new capital. Constantinople served as Byzantine Empire’s capital for a while until Constantinople’s fall in 1453. Constantinople was then made the capital of Ottoman Turks.
The previous Byzantine incarnation had led to the waning and waxing of the fortunes. However, the Ottoman dynasty revived Constantinople city’s centrality and helped revitalize its economy as a trading post and a center of cultural industries.
As the Ottoman Empire grew to its historical peak, the Constantinople city rapidly grew in population in the 16th century, making it one of the world’s most populous cities. The Republic of Turkey was founded in 1923, and the country’s capital was changed from Constantinople to Ankara. In 1930, Constantinople city was renamed modern-day Istanbul.
The Present Day Istanbul, a City Where There’s Cultural Collide
Over the centuries, several cultures have added their cultural marks to Istanbul city. In modern Istanbul, you get a chance to experience all those cultural influences firsthand by exploring the city’s neighborhoods.
From the Sultanahmet’s holy sites and the European elegance of the 19th century to the unique fashion of Nişantaşı and the vibrant café society, digital nomads have plenty of things to explore and experience. Istanbul is not just a single city but multiple cities in one, making it convenient for travelers and digital nomads who want to explore.
Istanbul’s awe-inspiring architecture, scenic waterfront, rich cultural history, bustling streets, and affordable prices are the factors that drive most digital nomads and remote workers in the city. Despite Istanbul being famous for being a tourist hotspot, the town remains a megacity featuring everything a remote worker needs.
Restaurants With Outstanding Turkish, Mediterranean, and Arab Foods
When it comes to food, Istanbul is on an entirely different level. Food is one of the main practicalities that must be considered if you intend to visit a new destination as a digital nomad or remote worker. In Istanbul, food is not a problem because of the mixture of different cultures. Here, you’ll find affordable and delicious handmade meals on every corner. Plus, you can easily eat your way through the city. Turkish pizza, including pide and lahmacun, is among the most common foods in Istanbul.
When you head along the waterfront, you’ll get a chance to explore an endless supply of Mediterranean foods, Arab foods, or fresh seafood. You can also grab a typical delicacy called balik ekmek, made with fish sourced straight from the waters.
If you want to enjoy your outstanding delicacies in Istanbul as you explore the surrounding areas simultaneously, consider visiting the rooftop restaurants. You’ll enjoy not only the exceptional scenery but also watch the beautiful sunset set over the Bosphorus.
Multiple Co-Working Spaces to Use While Working Remotely From Istanbul
Istanbul is a massive city, and telecommuters or digital nomads can lack a decent and comfortable place to work from. While most remote workers and digital nomads like working from cafes, Turkish cafes can sometimes be loud. This is especially true in the hectic Istanbul city. Therefore, the best motivation to work in Istanbul as a remote worker is to get a co-working space.
Luckily, Istanbul is a modern city and features many established co-working spaces, great for freelancers, remote workers, or digital nomads. You can find large working offices or small working areas where you can share with other remote workers looking for a quiet and work-friendly environment.
The most common co-working spaces for remote workers and nomads in Istanbul include Impact Hub, Hipokampus, Workinton, Habita, Joint Idea, Withco Coworking, Originn, and Plaza Cubes. You can find several other co-working spaces, as plenty of spaces are available. These co-working spaces are great for meeting up, networking, and socializing.
Low Cost of Living While Working Remotely From Istanbul Compared to North America
Compared to North America, Istanbul’s cost of living is quite affordable. If you’re a digital nomad who wants to explore as you work remotely, Istanbul allows you to do so without limitation fully. You’ll also get access to everything, including groceries, restaurants, and clothing, at fair prices.
Museums, Historical Sites, Markets, Theaters, and Spas
Walking through over 2,500 years of Istanbul can feel like traveling through time. From museums, historical sites, markets, theaters, and spas. Living in Istanbul is like feeling the swirl of open-air museums and history. From the Old Town’s mosque-filled skyline to the Turkish bathhouse, Galata Tower, and markets situated on the Asian side.
Being a digital nomad or a remote worker, you can create your own schedule depending on your preference. You can, therefore, tactically plan your sightseeing or excursions. Once you’re done with your travels and you’re tired, consider visiting the Turkish bathhouse for scrubbing and soaking in the ancient pool for a relaxing feel.
Enticing Weekend Activities or Trips to Take While Working Remotely From Istanbul
Istanbul is practically an entry point to a more diverse and exotic part of the world, making it ideal for digital nomads to explore. Excellent neighborhoods surround the city with plenty of hidden gems to explore. Take a day trip or a weekend getaway and explore what the Istanbul neighborhood has to offer:
Explore Cappadocia and Balloon Rides
Are you looking for a thrilling activity to partake in? Consider visiting Cappadocia’s hot-air-balloon mecca. Here, you can watch as the sun rises from a hot air balloon as you float above the landscape.
Enjoy a Bosphorus Sunset Cruise Trip Excursion
Istanbul is a unique city because it’s the only city to span two continents. The city sits in Asia and Europe, with the Bosphorus River cutting through almost in the middle. One of the must-have experiences to have while in Istanbul is to take a commuter ferry and cruise across the Bosphorus River to watch the sunset.
Enjoy a Day Trip to Pamukkale
Experience an adventure by visiting Pamukkale and discovering and exploring the ancient city Hierapolis. In Pamukkale, you’ll enjoy the beautiful thermal spring water as it plunges down the mountainside and creates basins, stalactites, and cataracts. You’ll also enjoy white terraces, castle-like formations, travertines, and pools.
Explore Historical Sites in Ephesus
Ephesus was an ancient Greek city, which later transformed into a Roman city, and one of the largest in the Mediterranean world. When visiting Ephesus, consider exploring the Street of Curetes, Great Theater, Terraced Houses, and Library of Celsus. Ephesus is a huge archaeological site, so consider setting aside a whole day to explore the city entirely.
