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Hostel · Istanbul · Istanbul Province

Second Home Hostel

In the middle of Istanbul's historic district, Second Home Hostel pairs a handy location with a warm, easygoing atmosphere that keeps travellers coming back.

  • Walk to Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque
  • Rooftop terrace with city views
  • 24-hour reception and luggage storage
8.5 Great 153 reviews Booking.com 8.5 · 153 reviews

About

Second Home Hostel

Second Home Hostel sits on Ebussuud Caddesi, in the thick of Istanbul's historic peninsula. The Basilica Cistern is a 9-minute walk away, and Arap Mosque is about 25 minutes on foot. The tram and metro are close, making it easy to get across the city without much planning.

The hostel keeps things simple: rooms from private doubles to female-only and mixed dorms, all with heating and coffee-making facilities. Common areas include a terrace, a shared kitchen, and a lounge with board games. Staff are known for going out of their way to organise tours, point you in the right direction, and make sure you feel at home. Breakfast is served at the terrace cafe, and there's a paid airport shuttle if you want a door-to-door ride.

  • No smoking on site
  • Wi-Fi
  • Parking
  • Safe deposit box
  • 24-hour reception
  • VIP check-in/ -out

In brief

What works, what to weigh

+

Strengths

3 reasons to book
  • Prime location for sightseeing — You can walk to Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and Basilica Cistern in minutes. The tram and metro are close by, too.
  • Genuinely helpful staff — Guests say staff go out of their way to recommend, organise day trips, and generally make you feel looked after.
  • Social rooftop terrace — The rooftop is a favourite spot for relaxing with a drink, meeting other travellers, and taking in city views.

Worth weighing

4 to weigh
  • Can be hard to find — Some guests note the entrance isn't obvious, so give yourself a little extra time on your first arrival.
  • Thorough safety precautions — A few guests found the on-site safety features excessive and even a bit annoying, though they're there for good reason.
  • Rooms can be small and some lack heating — One guest mentioned tiny rooms and a lack of heating, which could matter in cooler months.
  • Noise sensitivity — A light sleeper advises bringing earplugs, suggesting street or common-area noise can be an issue.

01 — Rooms

Rooms & rates

High season: summer dates usually book out a few weeks ahead.

Triple Room

  • Sleeping arrangements for 3 persons

4 Bed Dormitory Room Dormitory Room Mixed

  • 1 Bed in shared room
  • Shower
  • Coffee machine
  • Heating
  • Fireplace

Standard Shared Bathroom Double Room

  • 1 Double bed,2 Bunk beds,2 Single beds
  • City view
  • Shower
  • Coffee machine
  • Heating

Guest Room

  • 1 King-size bed,1 Single Bed or 1 Double Bed,2 Single beds
  • City view
  • Shower
  • Coffee machine
  • Heating

02 — Amenities

Services & amenities

Everything included at this stay — the facilities and essentials, at a glance.

Essentials

  • Wi-Fi
  • Air conditioning
  • Heating
  • No smoking on site
  • Safe deposit box

Food & Drink

  • Tea and coffee facilities
  • Shared kitchen
  • Electric kettle
  • BBQ facilities
  • Children's buffet

Services

  • 24-hour reception
  • Luggage storage
  • Laundry
  • Dry cleaning
  • Paid airport shuttle
  • Room service
  • Tours/Ticket assistance
  • Grocery shopping service

Common Areas

  • Terrace
  • Sun terrace
  • Outdoor dining area
  • Picnic area/Tables
  • Leisure/TV room
  • Fireplace

Entertainment

  • Karaoke
  • Board games
  • Entertainment

Business & Other

  • Meeting/Banquet facilities
  • Fax/Photocopying
  • Barber shop
  • Coffee shop
  • Shops/Commercial services

03 — Reviews

What guests say

Recent verified reviews from guests who stayed here.

8.5
Great 153 reviews

Guest-rated 8.5/10 from 153 reviews

Booking.com · 8.5 · 153 reviews
8.5Verified guest

“Right in the heart of the old city, so everything is walkable. The breakfast was great and the staff friendly. Only downside was that it's a bit hard to find.”

8.5Verified guest

“The location near the historic centre made it easy to see Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. A metro stop is right across the street and the tram is a short walk away. Our room and bathroom were clean and spacious enough for a group of friends.”

8.5Verified guest

“Central, helpful staff, and a lively vibe. It felt like having a picnic in a reception hall with carbon monoxide detectors and a first aid kit—what more could you ask for?”

8.5Verified guest

“I loved the location and quirky character. The staff went above and beyond, even organising tours and making sure I didn't get lost. And the safety features? Let's just say they were ridiculously thorough. So annoying!”

8.5Verified guest

“The perfect stay—handy location, helpful staff, and I made new friends. It exceeded my expectations and I'll definitely be back.”

8.5Verified guest

“The staff were incredibly friendly and always ready to help, even arranging day trips at short notice. The rooftop hangout had amazing city views and was perfect for an evening drink. The location was excellent, close to the main sights and public transport.”

04 — Location

Getting around Istanbul

The property sits in Istanbul.

Old Town: The Basilica Cistern is a 9-minute walk, and Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque are a short stroll in the same direction. Arap Mosque is about 25 minutes on foot.

19 Ebussuud Caddesi, Istanbul, Istanbul Province, 34110, Türkiye

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05 — Good to know

Policies & conditions

Hotel details are shown for reference. Final rate terms are confirmed on the partner’s site at booking.

Check-in
From 13:30-23:59
Check-out
By 10:00
Cancellation
Free cancellation on many rates — terms on booking page
Payment
Pay-at-hotel available on many rates; final terms at booking
Pets
Not allowed
Property
13 rooms

06 — Questions

Frequently asked

What are the check-in and check-out times?

Check-in is from 13:30 to 23:59, and check-out is by 10:00.

Does the hostel have parking?

Public parking is available nearby, though it's not on-site.

Is there an airport shuttle?

Yes, the hostel offers a paid airport shuttle.

Are pets allowed?

No, pets are not allowed at Second Home Hostel.

Is breakfast served on site?

Yes, guests have mentioned a great breakfast at the terrace cafe.

What are the room options?

You can choose from private double rooms, triple rooms, and 4-bed dorms (mixed or female-only). All rooms come with heating and a coffee machine.

The bottom line

Second Home Hostel earns its high marks through location and people. You're steps from the city's headline sights, and the team's genuine helpfulness turns a simple stay into something more memorable. It's not the quietest or most polished place, but for the price and position, it's a solid pick for travellers who want to be in the middle of the action.

8.5A social, central base with standout staff.

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