Where should first-time visitors stay in Istanbul?
Stay for the days you want, not just the postcard. Sultanahmet keeps the old-city sights easy; Beyoğlu, Karaköy and Kadıköy can make the trip feel more lived-in, but weak transport logic will tax every day.
Answer
Sultanahmet is the practical choice if your first priority is the major historic sights and easy early starts. The trade-off is that evenings can feel more visitor-facing than lived-in. Beyoğlu and Karaköy put you closer to food, nightlife, ferries and a more layered city mood, though hills and crowds still matter. Kadıköy works well for travellers who like the Asian side’s food and ferry rhythm, but it is not the simplest base for a monument-heavy first visit. The best base is not the cheapest dot on a booking map. It is the place that makes your actual days shorter, calmer and more enjoyable.