Istanbul Airbnb: A Bohemian Retreat in Cihangir

Explore Istanbul: A bohemian Airbnb in Cihangir offers a unique stay near antique shops and cafes. Experience art, culture, and comfort in this vibrant neighborhood.

Just like the smaller second room (of which the main difference was its big cushioned window seat), wall surfaces were outfitted with macro-woven hangings, more residence plants included deepness and appearance, and the low-platform bed framework was decked in soft bed linen bed linens. Beside the bed was a free-standing bathroom, which I sadly didn’t make use of, and set the opposite side of a massive edge sofa was a gorgeous terrace.

At the dawn of this year I made a strategy to incorporate a long-dreamt-of Istanbul city break with a journey to the fairytale region of Cappadocia– where candyfloss skies are littered with rainbow hot-air balloons. Fast-forward nine months, and leave constraints cut the complete trip short– yet I did still make a trip to Istanbul occur. A one-bedroom mid-century level, a larger, three-bedroom home, a loft-style apartment or condo with continuous Bosphorus sights, and the room– after much deliberation– that we selected. Cihangir, a little spot of Beyoğlu, is a stomping ground for writers and musicians– comparable to Paris’ Le Marais– where antique shops, coffee stores, pool bars and stores line the slim, cobbled streets.

At the dawn of this year I made a plan to incorporate a long-dreamt-of Istanbul city break with a trip to the fairy tale region of Cappadocia– where candyfloss skies are littered with rainbow hot-air balloons. Motivated, in big component, by friends that had actually honeymooned there. Fast-forward 9 months, and leave limitations reduce the complete trip short– but I did still make a journey to Istanbul happen. At the pleasant end of September, may I add– when the blazing summer season warmth had softened and many of its site visitors had actually returned home. Fall, I have actually because made a decision, is the best time to go.

Discovering Istanbul’s Charm

Prior to checking out, my knowledge of Istanbul– the sparkling capital of transcontinental Turkey and the point at which Europe and Asia clash– was embarrassingly very little. Its purported sensory richness– the spice bazaars, imposing Blue Mosque; the possibility to cruise the Bosphorus Strait at sunset– constantly appealed extremely.

Upon turning the key, we ventured up one brief trip of stairways to be welcomed by a first-floor entry-way and kitchen area space. Here, white-washed walls, wood kitchen area cabinetry and a rich-orange splashback were set to a backdrop of a huge floor-to-ceiling tarnished glass home window. The brightness of the space– far better experienced the early morning after our arrival, undoubtedly– felt virtually gallery-like, yet the revealed brickwork, luscious houseplants and wood floor covering included warmth and homeliness. Assume: part-loft; part-botanical haven.

Tao’s Artistic Airbnb

I felt a sense of incompleteness wandering back downstairs to check-out of this artistic, characterful house: like I had not quite done every little thing there was to be done. A good reason, I expected, to return to Tao’s condominium next year.

The brightness of the room– better experienced the early morning after our arrival, admittedly– felt virtually gallery-like, yet the subjected brickwork, luscious houseplants and wood floor covering added heat and homeliness.

Ahead of my holiday, I came across the Airbnb profile of Tao, an Istanbul-based creative that runs 4 colourful and design-led homes in the city. A one-bedroom mid-century level, a larger, three-bedroom property, a loft-style apartment or condo with continuous Bosphorus sights, and the space– after much consideration– that we picked. A two-bedroom, two-storey boho-style retreat in the heart of Çukurcuma, Cihangir.

Terrace Mornings in Cihangir

Each of our early mornings in Tao’s home started with coffee on this terrace– an exclusive space with rattan lounge furniture which blurs the line in between in and out– prior to stepping out for additional coffee (Faw Coffee became a steadfast favourite), Turkish eggs with all the trimmings (Cihangir Bazlama Tost is additionally worth keeping in mind) and sluggish twists along cobbled roads to bookstores (Minoa Pera is attractive– you must go).

The cooking area was dressed up with a Nespresso equipment, drinking water, soup and herbal teas– a treat, after claimed scam– and in the corner was a gorgeous wood table, hidden underneath a drifting staircase.

A Neighborhood of Artists

Initial research recommended that the house ticked many of my boxes. It looked lived-in and calming; flaunted an abundance of all-natural light (both necessary for the sake of reenergizing, after a day spent together with the some 16 million individuals who share the city). Plus, it seemed to be located in a neighbourhood I would certainly take pleasure in. Cihangir, a small spot of Beyoğlu, is a stomping ground for writers and musicians– equivalent to Paris’ Le Marais– where antique shops, coffee bar, pool bars and stores line the narrow, cobbled roads.

Our Friday night arrival at our brand-new artistic home established the tone for the totality of the remain. Outdoors, bars were spilling onto the roads, the call to prayer called out across the water; several of the city’s 100,000 (+) felines sang out in carolers.