Welcome to Rapunzel Hostel Istanbul
Rapunzel Hostel is centrally located in the hip and happening area of Istanbul, "Galata" (in the Beyoglu district) offering a budget hostel next to the famous Galata Tower.
Istiklal Street, with its nightlife, shopping and famous cosmopolitan atmosphere is only 5 min away; as is Tünel square, which is officially the trendiest place in Istanbul right now, with a mixture of cool cafés and bars. The old city "Sultanahmet", which holds all the principal monuments of Istanbul, is also 5 min away by tram.
The nearest metro station is 2 min, tram and bus stops are 3 min walking distance away from our beloved hostel. It is a place at the heart of the city, offering you a cosy and comfortable base from which to explore the unforgettable beauty of Istanbul.
Rapunzel, The Fairy Tale:
"Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair": http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rapunzel
Our Blog
Christine Brüggemann :
28/04/2013
sehr nettes kleines Hostel, mit sehr netten Team, toller Terasse 3. Etage mit Blick über die Dächer, das Golde Horn und die Altstadt von Istanbul. Das Frühstück ist nicht üppig aber ausreichend.
Benjamin Moogk :
23/04/2013
yea. you guys are doing everything right. I've stayed in several hostels in Turkey. Yours gets the best referral.
See you again.
Hakam El :
18/04/2013
Small and cozy place, although it was cold outside; it was warm inside. Staff is very helpful and friendly. The place around the hostel is amazing with Galata tower just 1 min walk away and many souvenir shops everywhere. You will not get to worry about transportation late at night since it is just a 5 min walk away from Taksim area where everything is happening there. Surly gonna stay there on my next visit!!
Veronique Mongibeaux :
18/04/2013
Excellent location, perfect stay !
Elina Nilsson :
14/04/2013
Fantastiskt läge, enkla men fina rum med allt som behövdes. Vänlig personal. Säkert.
Hugh Finlayson :
22/03/2013
Perfect Hostel. Really friendly staff make it
Erica Gordon :
17/03/2013
All of the staff were lovely and helpful! I have not one complaint about my stay!!! Rapunzel is located in a really fun, trendy seeming district, but is also close to all of the tourist sights as well. Breakfast is a bit late, but still quite
reasonable. You can walk pretty much anywhere you would like to go and the staff is more than willing to give you
maps or suggestions. If you're shy there's a laptop in the common room you can use to map things out instead.
Julia Schweighart :
12/03/2013
Super Personal!!! Die Lage ist echt klasse. Man ist in wenigen Minuten an der Istiklal Street, die zum
Taximplatz führt. Dort kann shoppen und essen. Von der Istiklal gehen kleine Gassen ab. Dort hat man
von Freitag bis Sonntag Livemusik in den Bars und die Stimmung ist super, da auch viele Istanbuler vor Ort sind.
Ihr könnt über das Rapunzel einen Transfer buchen. Würde ich empfehlen. Oder ihr fahrt mit einem Havas Bus
vom Flughafen bis zum Taximplatz-Kosten 10 bis 14 Lira, und nehmt ein Taxi. Dieses darf nicht mehr als 8 bis 12
Lira kosten. Ansonsten macht es so, dass ihr das Rapunzel anruft und die sollen euch dann ein Taxi zum Taximplatz schicken. So funktioniert es natürlich auch. Im Hostel sagt euch das Personal dann auch, wo ihr günstig in ein
Hamam gehen könnt. Dort sind viel Hammams auf Touris ausgelegt und daher auch sehr teuer. Das Rapunzel
schlägt euch dann welche für 30 bis 35 Lira vor. Viele Spaß...
Emily :
06/03/2013
I LOVED staying at rapunzel! the people at the front desk were so friendly, helpful and knowledgable. the location is great- just across the bridge from all the touristy things but also close to istiklal street and all the taksim
nightlife. the area by the hostel is well lit at night, close to many shops, restaurants, 2 supermarkets and a pharmacy.
They are always playing awesome music, you can hang out in the dining room, lounge or rooftop terrace (with
great views), and i found it was realllly easy to meet people there, which was great since i was traveling alone.
i can't recommend this hostel enough, next time i go to instanbul i will for sure be staying here again.
Lesli & Karen : “You must stay here when in Istanbul!”
24/02/2013
We were greeted by friendly staff to a clean hostel in a super conveniently located hostel - just near Galata Tower! It's in a great location as a beginning point for walking to lots of major attractions, and there is a nice little
bar/coffee area just around the corner. We stayed on the 1st floor and had 2 twin beds and our own bathroom.
The room was nicely heated for cold February and the wifi was fast. Breakfast was okay, but just left more room
to go out and sample all the good Turkish food! Plus there was great free coffee and tea available!
Susanna & Caterina :
14/02/2013
Dear Friends of Rapunzel thanks so much for your kindness your place is it real confortable and We hope to meet you again and very soon susanna e caterina from italy
Alex Thornton : Lovely Stay at Rapunzel!
23/01/2013
My boyfriend and I stayed a few nights here while in Istanbul. The hostel itself is very charming, with a nice common/breakfast area with music playing and lots of information around the place about what to see and do.
There's also a great rooftop terrace which would be lovely in the warmer months.
Living up to it's name it has a rather steep staircase, which I thought added to the charm of the building. It could be a bit noisy at night with people walking up and down but this didn't bother us at all.
Free tea/coffee all day and a free breakfast which is simple but nice.
Location is great, we walked everywhere but you could get a tram nearby if you'd prefer.
Last but not least the staff were all fantastic. One staff member in particular went out of his way to help when my boyfriend wasn't well, so thank you!
Sarah Danner :
20/01/2013
The Turkish breakfast was amazing. Thumbs up for free internet connection, hot water in the shower and cleanliness. I definitely recommend to other people. They were giving a little party when I was there, on roof terrace,
amazing Golden Horn view. Managers and staff they were warm and fun. Ask for insider tips, recommendations...
Hannah Hennessy :
17/01/2013
Great staff. Willing to go out of their way to help you. Would stay here again in the future
David Fairy :
08/01/2013
Loved staying here my first time in istanbul. Friendly and helpful staff, great location, clean rooms and bathrooms scrubbed daily. Lockers with keys in every room As well. Will be staying here again when I fly out of istanbul
Juan Cesar Palomino :
04/01/2013
La ubicación es excelente. Cerca de Sultanahmed y de Taksim, andando puedes ir a todo lo que hay que ver. Las camas eran cómodas, y el agua caliente sin problemas.
Nadia Rivera :
31/12/2012
Loved the cozy space, not too big, but comfortable. I met a couple of young travelers, in spite of it´s small size. The staff made everything possible to make guests comfortable. They also have a great music playlist that they
play in the lounge area most times. I also enjoyed the food items given for the free breakfast. The only negatives
were that they did not offer free towels and the floors can be bit noisy. But I would still stay there again and
recommend it for the cost value.
Reyna Jenkyns :
30/12/2012
The Turkish breakfast was excellent - olives, bread, spreads, apple/orange, tomato, cucumber, coffeecake
(but we chose to get our morning coffee separately at the super close Cherrybean Cafe which has terrific coffee!).
The shower was the best I had in Turkey - clean, plenty of hot water, and good pressure. I didn't find the hostel the
best for meeting people, except for during breakfast. The terrace was nice too, but would be much better in the
summer! The staff was friendly and helpful.
Natalia Haneo :
25/12/2012
clean, nice staff, and between taxim and sultanamed...its perfect!
Elke Bühler :
10/12/2012
Staff is very friendly and helpful,strong internet connection everywhere... extremely safe and secure (lockers in the roomsvery useful), the location is perfect...
Gale Brevi :
10/12/2012
that hostel is really great at first its so close to centrum,Fantastic location this is very important for getting around easily and their breakfast serving is so much good... Great place to stay, clean room, very secure.
Perfect hostel! Also they have a light and power outlet by the bed.
Cristoph Hohnstein :
29/11/2012
Beautiful roof terrace! Rooms are spacious and well kept. The staff is very helpful and there is a nice,laid-
back atmosphere about the place. I would definitely stay there again. If you are both into sightseeing and good
nightlife,this is the place to go considering its location. 20 min walk to Sultanahmet and the nightlife of Tünel and
the Taksim area just around the corner!
Erika Ribeiro :
15/11/2012
The location is awesome! Is very close to Istiklal street, which is plenty of stores, good restaurants and the best nightlife in town. It's possible to go to the old city by foot, it's like 15 min walking, just have to cross
the bridge. It's very clean and lockers for free. The view from the terrace on the 5th floor is amazing.
The only negative part was the breakfast, I'm not used to eat tomatoes, cucumbers and olives in the morning!
Anyways, I could stay there again.
April Rush :
06/11/2012
The Rapunzel guest house was AMAZING! It is super hipster, but in a warm, friendly way. The area surrounding the guest house, Galata, was perfect. And if you ever lost you way in the city, all you had to do
was spot the huge medieval tower and you were lead directly back home. Breakfast was included. It was small,
but was made up of traditional foods and held me all the way through lunch. Great place, being a girl traveling alone,
it was very safe safe, and highly recommended!
Lakshmi Narayanee :
26/10/2012
I chose Rapunzel cuz it sounded fairy-tale-ish. And the stay truly was a fairy tale (except that there was no prince!). Clean bunk beds, flattering mirrors, cosy lounge and calming open terrace- the hostel had character!
To add to that, the hosts really made you feel all warm and fuzzy around. The location is just perfect- 5 mins
away from the buzz of Istikal, 10 min tram ride to take a 'historical' stroll around Sultahmet. Will see you soon,
you charming Rapunzel!
Olli : great place
29/09/2012
We had a very nice time in Rapunzel! Staff was very friendly and helpful. Best thing you can do: Enjoy your breakfast on a sunny morning on the roof terrace with a great view on the Golden Horn.
Nathan P : Good Place to Stay
26/09/2012
We stayed in a 6 bed dorm during september during 3 nights. Rapunzel is a good place to stay. You can
enjoy the day and the night life in Istanbul and ask the reception for advises and tips. You feel like home and
breakfast is nice.
Audrey J : “Excellent stay!”
23/09/2012
For our 2nd trip to Istanbul we decided to come back to Rapunzel where we already stayed 2 years ago. We made the right decision as our stay there was once again very enjoyable.
The location is perfect as you can experience the vibrant atmosphere of Beyoğlu but you can also easily reach by tram the historical sites of the Old City or take a ferryboat and explore the asian part of Istanbul. The bedrooms are simple but comfortable and very clean. Breakfast is fresh and quite generous.
The hostel has a living room and a dining room where in our opinion it really worth spending time as you can socialize and share your experience of Istanbul with other travellers. The atmosphere of the common areas is very cosy and there is always good music playing,
There is also a roof terrace where you can relax at any time and enjoy the beautiful view.
The staff and owners of the place are great. They gave us very good suggestions that helped us to plan the rest of our trip in Turkey. It was also nice to chat with them and discover a little bit about their everyday life in Istanbul.
Next time we come to Istanbul we'll definitely stay again at Rapunzel and we for sure recommend this place to any travellers looking for a place in Istanbul where to feel at home.
Dadgostar : “I will come back!”
22/09/2012
Very nice area next to the Galata tower. I enjoyed talking to the friendly personnel. Just sitting there and listening to their music collection after a long day will remove the tiredness from your body. We will come
back again.
Markus :
17/09/2012
Great hostel in a very a very nice and central quarter of Istanbul. Staff was very friedly and very helpful. Room and bathroom where clean. There is also a wonderful roof terrace, where you can enjoy your breakfast while
having a fantastic view over the Golden Horn. You have wifi in the complete hostel and even on the roof terrace.
Would definitely come again.
Marta & Vedran :
03/09/2012
We had a great time! Go RAPUNZEL! Cheers from Vedran and Marta from Macedonia
Laura Gruber :
29/08/2012
One of the cleanest hostel i've ever stayed. Location is great, even though nightlife places are around, it is
quiet and calm, not like elsewhere in istanbul. Staff is helpful and caring. They are full of insider tips...And
also check roof terrace.
Anna Maurer : Rapunzel Hostel
19/08/2012
Rapunzel's location is just great. Galata Tower is around the corner. This is a quarter with lots of galleries
and museums around. Istiklal St. is 5 min. with restaurants and clubs, Beds are really comfy, rooms and
bathrooms are spacious and clean; everyday bathrooms get cleaned. There was a barbeccu night up on the
terrace, we couldn't leave the hostel that night. Very nice selection of really good music. I do recommend Rapunzel.
Yvonne, Nicole, Kerstin : Great place to stay!
14/08/2012
After staying at „Rapunzel“ for ten nights, we are convinced to have chosen the best place to stay in Istanbul and like
to recommend it! Located in the heart of the hip district Beyoglu we were just a stone's throw away from Galata Tower
and lots of tiny nice stores and cafés. The rooms are rather small, however there is a roof terrace and a living room to
share free time at and to meet other international backpackers. By the way: the view off the roof terrace is just
breathtaking – u can see all of historical Istanbul at sunrise, sunset, lit at night ... To make the transfer from aiport to
hostel easy, the hostel is offering a pick-up service to make sure, all guests are brought to „Rapunzel“ safely. Besides
free internet, ensuite bathrom and a 24/7 reception, we were pleased to find such a warm and welcoming atmosphere
in this overwhelming, wild and noisy city! The staff would assist and help us with all our questions / problems and made
us feel home from the very first day. Thank you Bora, Selen und Furkan for such a great time!
Benjamin Blumhuer :
23/07/2012
Super Lage direkt unter dem Galatar Turm. Vom Hostelaus kann man bequem Überall hin laufen. Es ist sehr sauber und die Einrichtung ist super. Das Beste an dem Hostel ist aber die Dachterrasse mit Aussicht über ganz Istanbul.
Giselle : "Very Cool"
27/06/2012
Rapunzel is much better than your average grungy hostel. It is located in a very nice neighbourhood, away
from the irritating tourist touts. Still there are plenty of restaurants, cafes, shops etc. It is a quick walk to the
Istiklal Caddesi and down to the Galata Bridge. The owners are cute hipsters who like playing good music.
There is a wonderful rooftop patio with great views of Istanbul. One warning: it's a steep climb from the tram
stop while carrying heavy luggage. You might want to take a taxi. Also no one in the neighbourhood know
where the hostel was, so carry a map.
Suzanne Schulz:
14/06/2012
Just in the middle of old city and "new" city. Lovely staff helpfull about everything...Clean and
most importantly quiet and safe at nights. Roof terrace with barbeccu, I would definitely recommend future guests.
Mimoca :
14/06/2012
We stayed in Rapunzel beginning of this month. Is nice, clean and neat. We stayed in twinbed ensuite. The room was clean, beds are really comftrable and washing room is really good and neat. Breakfast included, which
is great. The staff is very nice and helpfull and the athmosphere is very good. The location is just next to Galata tower.
It's very good location cause you can walk around Taksim area and to Sulthanahmet very easily.
We will definately go back! :)
sparking : “Perfect Central Location”
11/06/2012
Having experienced some... interesting... hostels before, it's hard to call this place a hostel. It's definitely more of
a bed and breakfast if you ask me. Sure, the rooms are like dorms, but this place has everything you need, the
breakfasts are fresh every morning, and it's centrally located to make the most out of your trip to Istanbul.
Located right near the Galata Tower, which turns into a fun social gathering place at night in the summer, we
could walk around to explore the Taksim side of the city, but it was a quick walk across the bridge to get to all
the Sultanahmet sights. Lots of great food and bars nearby.
Only location problem is the street is small so you won't get door to door cab service, but if you walk up the hill
toward the tower, there are plenty of cabs driving around when it's time to leave Istanbul.
Have already been recommending this place to friends!
Marie & Christian :
01/06/2012
Super Lage und freundliches Personal. Das Hostel ist zentral in einer angenehmen, interessanten Gegend
gelegen. Alle wichtigen Ziele kann man zu Fuß in 10 - 15 Minuten erreichen, ansonsten gute Anbindung an Tram,
Metro oder Fähren. Die Zimmer sind schlicht, das Frühstück ausreichend. Genau das Richtige, um den ganzen
Tage die Stadt zu erkunden. Wir kommen gerne wieder.
Virginia and Javier : Rapunzel hostel
01/05/2012
We felt at home at Rapunzel. Everyone was really nice and friendly. We hope we can visit you again soon!
Amanda Ferguson :
29/04/2012
Best hostel experience possible - great neighborhood, safe and interesting, close to public transport and good shopping and restaurants - great staff, great price, nice breakfast included
Karin :
27/03/2012
Super Team, grandioser Blick von der Dachterrasse, tolle Lage. Ich habe mich hier sehr wohl gefühlt. Das Team
ist echt cool und hilfsbereit in jeder Situation. Das Hostel ist durch eine Klingel zugänglich, und die Rezeption ist
24 Std besetzt. So fühlt man sich sehr sicher. Die Lage ist sehr gut , da direkt unterhalb des Galataturms. Die
Shopping Meile zum Taksim ist in ein paar Min zu Fuß zu erreichen. Ich würde hier jederzeit wieder übernachten.
Im Aufenthaltsraum ist eine Leseecke und ein Flat-TV, sowie frei zugängliches Laptop für Internet. Die Besitzer
sind total freundlich und sehr,sehr nett. (Sehr coole Leute).
Felix Schmitz :
26/03/2012
The hostel is located close to the tram station, a main shopping street and a night life area. The rooms were
very clean and I personally liked the sheets a lot. The hostel staff was always helpful with giving directions and
advice (e.g. where can i find a laundry). The location is perfect if you want to enjoy some nightlife, but also want
to be close to all the main sight seeing attractions. I had a very good time while staying there and I would stay
again.
Monica :
14/03/2012
La ubicación es excelente, en la zona moderna de Estambul, en pleno centro y totalmente seguro para salir por
la noche sin necesidad de usar transporte público. Además, está a 20-25 minutos andando de la zona (más)
monumental (sultanahmet), así que perfecto también para hacer turismo. El personal es muy amable y el ambiente
agradable. Desayuno aceptable. Muy buena relación calidad precio.
Adrien :
04/03/2012
accueil chaleureux, bonne situation géographique, personnel discret et agréable. chambre, propre lumineuse
avec tout ce qu'il faut pour passer un bon séjour. salon plus que sympathique, on se croit à la maison et puis les
rencontre se font rapidement avec les autres voyageurs. le séjour fût formidable dans cette ville aux milles parfums
Nathaniel Olschitzky :
19/02/2012
keep it this way ! one of the best hostel i've ever been !
Julia-Maria Lauer :
06/01/2012
My friend and me spent about a week in the Rapunzel Hostel. We enjoyed a great stay there and we would
come back at any time. The atmosphere is great, the staff is very nice, friendly and helpful. When we left early
in the morning, one of the responsible guys knocked on our door to make sure we were awake and would get
the taxi to the airport which he had ordered. We really enjoyed it s much and were sad about leaving... 1000
points go to the Rapunzel Hostel in Istanbul :-)))
Nina Park : Too many good things to say!
24/12/2011
A friend and I stayed in Rapunzel for the first half of our trip and booked another hostel for the last half-this was because we thought we wanted to experience different parts of Istanbul: A stay closer to The Old City and a stay
closer to the nightlife in Istiklal/Taksim Square. Of course what we didn't realize was how modest Rapunzel's
descriptions were of their location. We regretted not staying with Rapunzel longer because it was relatively quiet
(especially compared to the other hostel), very quaint, homely, safe feeling, very cheap, and to say the location
was perfect was an understatement. The beds were very comfortable, I loved getting cozy in their comfy down
comforters and pillows. Staff came by to make sure the bathrooms were clean every day, and the showers were
big and amazing!! They even have a rooftop terrace. Unfortunately it was mostly rainy and cold during my stay in
Istanbul but I still had the chance to go up briefly because it is open 24/7- and the view was beautiful! I didn't feel
the need to pay money to go up the Galata Tower for a view because of the terrace and the terrace views of Konak
Cafe (which is less than 1 block away to the left of Rapunzel). I could honestly go on and on about how amazing
Rapunzel was but all in all, I definitely recommend Rapunzel to anyone traveling in Istanbul; my friend would agree
that Rapunzel helped make our stay in Istanbul even more memorable with the VERY friendly and helpful staff,
location and ambiance of the hostel. We are very lucky to have found a place like Rapunzel for our first visit to Istanbul.
Jaime McLaughlin :
15/12/2011
Great location away from the touristy area but still really close to get to everything. Really comfy beds, cool
to have a wee nightlight for each bed too! Other reviews go on about the noise from the street.. its really
not that bad at all.
Leandra de Valois Franklin :
13/12/2011
I stayed with a friend in a two-bed private room in this guest house for 4 nights. The charming room was
spacious, clean, and cozy. The location is amazing, in a quiet area near Galata Tower, minutes away from
all the busy shopping and great nightlife in nearby Istiklal. The hip staff are extemely caring and go out of their
way to make sure the guests are safe and enjoying their stay. When my friend and I stayed out all night after
finding a great party, the staff called us to see if we were okay! So cute! They were happy to recommend fun
events and good venues. There's always amazing music playing in the lounge, and a great selection of inter-
national films to watch when you need a few hours to relax. The place makes you feel right at home immediately,
which is so refreshing after having stayed at so many impersonal hostels around the world. Thanks to everyone
at Rapunzel who made our stay amazing! :)
Lee Deval : “Hip Hostel - great atmosphere, helpful staff!”
11/12/2011
I stayed with a friend in a two-bed private room in this guest house for 4 nights. The charming room was spacious,
clean, and cozy. The location is amazing, in a quiet area near Galata Tower, minutes away from all the busy shopping
and great nightlife in nearby Istiklal. The hip staff are extemely caring and go out of their way to make sure the guests
are safe and enjoying their stay. When my friend and I stayed out all night after finding a great party, the staff called
us to see if we were okay! So cute! They were happy to recommend fun events and good venues. There's always
amazing music playing in the lounge, and a great selection of international films to watch when you need a few hours
to relax. The place makes you feel right at home immediately, which is so refreshing after having stayed at so many impersonal hostels around the world. Thanks to everyone at Rapunzel who made our stay amazing! :)
William Zappa :
29/11/2011
Excellent place, great location, really nice staff, great price, great bathrooms, great beds. Great everything!
map2010 : “Cute and exotic”
29/11/2011
I really liked the location as well as the hostel itself. It's 2 minutes from Galata Tower which we used as our point
of direction when we had to return to our hostel. The breakfast was good which included cheese, tomatoes, bread
(typical Turkish breakfast) The staff was awesome! They have a cute library with travel books from all over the world,
a computer with a fast internet connection and wifi. What more can you ask for? It's also a short walk from the
area's shopping and nightlife
Angela Suh : Mood music in lounges & even reading lamps over dorm beds
16/11/2011
Rapunzel is exotic & erotic & artistic. Breakfast served at 9am, so not for early risers. Female dorm with
hair dryer a plus. Staff gave written directions to anything that interested me. Library, computer & wifi & 24hr
DIY tea & instant coffee. Expect to climb narrow spiral staircase up to rooms & rooftop as this is historic
building. Smoking outside only.
Francesca : Memnun oldum
08/10/2011
Very nice and kind people: I felt like home :)teşekkür ederim. Special thanks to Selene for “Melissa”: I slept
all night long, and to Bora for Kadikoy, I loved its atmosphere: its colors, its noise, its internal streets, and
Lahmacun :) :) iyi şanslar Ciao
Harald Edlinger :
04/10/2011
right next to all the bars and restaurants and shops of Galata/Beyoglu
nothing to complain; prepare for stairs ;-)
Paula Kassenaar :
02/10/2011
The staff is plain brilliant! Very kind and extremely helpfull. Breakfast is good. I enjoyed the location a lot,
the area around Galata tower is very vibrant in the evenings, so you don't have to go far to find some liveliness
if you come home after a long day.
Francesco D'Amico :
20/09/2011
Very central, helpful staff and great character
Erica Carroll :
18/09/2011
The location is excellent! Its close to everything that needs to be seen and done in Beyoglu, and its close
enough to the Galata Bridge to just walk across to all the sights in Sultanahmet and the Bazaar District.
The people working here are great too - very helpful and nice. Room on the second floor was a bit loud
(noise from the street) but with earplugs there was no problem. I would definitely recommend this property
to any travellers coming through Istanbul who don't want to be in the middle of the tourist attractions and who
want to be in a more artsy area.
Ozlem :
18/09/2011
It's location is great. It lies at the feet of Galata Tower where you can find local shops, all sorts of different food,local music clubs and discover the old Istanbul (Galata Tower itself is 700 yrs. Old). Also, it takes 5 to 10 min.
Walk toTaksim Square and/or Karaköy -two of the most busy centers in the city which provides transportation
to other spots. Whenever I needed directions to a particular location, the hotel stuff was willing to help.
They are young, friendly and kind. The room was furnished for basic needs: a bed, closet and a nice shower;
but, it was clean and well-kept. As I didn't required anything more than a clean and safe place to stay at nights,
this budget hotel was the right choice for me.
Marie-Florine Dambakizi :
22/08/2011
A very good experience! I would recommend Rapunzel! Clean, well situated, nice people! I travelled alone
and felt safe. If you're looking for lot of amusement, it's not the place to be. It's quite and "peaceful" and it's
good too!
Stefan Lux :
16/08/2011
Rapunzel hostel is very clean with very nice staff. the terrace on the roof is a good place for a night beer:)
the square at galata tower is favoured meeting point for young people - turkish and tourists.
Darija & Ales :
15/08/2011
Thank you for your kindness! HVALA!
dva3d : Safe Haven Right Next to the Action in Istiklal Street at Beyoglu
08/08/2011
I must say that this place was a breath of fresh air amidst the sensory overload that is Istiklal street
and surrounding areas. I would highly recommend staying here for a couple of days if you are interested
in shopping at, or visiting, Istiklal street (a very famous turkish shopping street). I was a little in over my
head in istanbul- I had a feeling that people were constantly after my money, trying to scam me all the
time, and basically treating me as the obvious tourist that I was (6´2", light hair, blue eyes, spankin´ new
D600 camera around my neck). All this was exacerbated by the fact that I traveled alone, and I hadn´t
really done much research before I went to Istanbul. Turkey is a place where you need to do a lot of
research (and ideally, have local friends), to avoid tourist traps and potentially dangerous situations.
For the first time since I got to Istanbul, I felt relaxed and welcome in Rapunzel hostel. When I arrived I
was greeted by Kia, a very pleasant and friendly guy. Apparently, he had just started a few days before,
but it was hard to notice, as he seemed to know the ins and outs of the business already. At night I met
one of the owners, Selen, who was charming and helpful, and gave me many tips on what to do in istanbul.
The hostel is more akin to a hotel, or rather to an american college dormitory (brought back flashbacks,
actually! ), than a hostel, since I don´t think that there were any rooms with a lot of people in them. Seemed
like the room sizes were more around 2-4 people. The feeling of the place is a refreshingly laid-back,
relaxed atmosphere. The other tenants were quiet (but friendly) when I stayed there, and seemed like they
were a little older than the usual 18-year old crowd at other hostels (24-30). But I´m sure that is pretty seasonal.
The rooms are spacious, and pretty basic. At first I was worried about the noise from the streets, but the
double windows do a great job of keeping the room quiet. Also, they do a great job of keeping the room
extremely hot... Thankfully, each room has a large, industrial-like fan, which to me actually made it very
pleasant to be in the room (I like wind). The showers are better than they look, and also worked well. The
bed and pillows were comfortable, and there was a lockable locker available in the room. All in all, it´s not
a luxurious place, but it´s a very cozy and friendly place, and extremely well positioned. In fact, the location
at first is hard to find, and when you do it does in fact need a bit of a leap of faith.... the entrance is in a back
street, up a few steps behind a coke machine. At night, (to me, at least) the streets needed a bit of getting
used to, as they can be a bit intimidating if you´re not familiar with the area. It´s best to arrive during the daytime.
Still, once you are at the hostel, it does feel like a safe haven- honest, friendly and fair-priced, which to me was
better than when I stayed at the Marmara Pera, a few blocks up the street.
Miriam Kallen :
04/08/2011
we met lovely people there, the atmosphere in the tiny chill-out room is wonderful. The music at Rapunzel is
quite pickily chosen, we loved it. rooms are always clean, bathrooms are well designed and decorated. its
highly recommended to everyone.
Rheannon Maxwell :
12/06/2011
The desk staff couldn't have been nicer, and they were wonderfully helpful, to the point of pulling up
maps and directions for me on how I could get to Chora Church by public transit. As a young woman
traveling alone, safety is very important to me, and I really appreciated the hostel entry system which
made it impossible for anyone to sneak in past the front desk. The hostel was scrupulously clean and
overall a very good value for my money and I would absolutely stay there again on another trip to Istanbul!
Ashley Gale :
10/06/2011
I love Rapunzel! It was my 2nd stay here and If I ever need a hostel in Istanbul again, I would choose
Rapunzel again definitely! The staff are the friendliest people and super helpful...they make you really
feel at home, and the location is PERFECT!
Jackon Moore : What a wonderful city
07/06/2011
Hey..thank you guys ;)
Tiana & Jelena :
02/06/2011
Many countries but one and only Istanbul with 1000 possibilities to enjoy! Thank you Istanbul, Thanks
Rapunzel....Really cool place in the middle of the modern part of the city. Easy to reach, also by public
transport, super helpful and nice staff.
Jelena Cubrilo :
30/05/2011
The must sympathetic and kind staff I ever seen! So Selen, Furkan and Bora thank you once more for
your hospitality! Our room was absolutly clean and very cozy and the breakfast was made with a lot of
diligence. The hostel is idelly located to Taksim Place (10 Min. walkin) and only 20 - 30 Min. (Walking)
from old part Sultanahmed. We will definitly come back next year and than for sure stay again in Rapunzel.
Carmen :
23/05/2011
It's a special and cosy place here & I'll come back next year! Greetings from a German woman that lives
in Switzerland
Luke Whitmore :
18/05/2011
The location is great, and the staff are friendly, approachable and knowledgeable - gave me some
great tips and hints about things to see and do. The building has a nice feel to it and care and thought
has been put into the facilities available to guests - small things like hair-dryers, reading lights, and
lockers really made my stay more pleasant. Photos, pictures, curiosities and art works have been
considerately placed throughout the building - and a _great_ playlist of interesting music is played
within the common-room and dinning area. The showers are great - hot and powerful. Breakfast is
good - and the roof terrace gives a great view of the surrounding neighbourhood. Super place to stay
- highly recommended.
Yuko Ogino :
10/05/2011
The upward climb to the Rapunzel Guest house felt like a mission with a backpack, but it is actually
so close to the sights, Bosphorus, the Galata Bridge and bars and restaurants, we walked everywhere.
The staff here are friendly and helpful, and the rooftop terrace is a great place to come back to, to watch
the sunset over the city while eating a takeaway kebab! Will definitely go again when I visit Istanbul.
Crods01 : fantastic location, good value, friendly staff
01/05/2011
This is good value in a city that is not cheap. It is an up-market backpackers hostel. We used both the
dormitory and a double room. The double room is small and cosy, with good (little) ensuite bathroom.
Tight stairway to get up to the rooms. Very nice little artistic touches. It was perfect for dumping our
luggage and exploring Istanbul. A fabulous rooftop cafe a few metres away. A short walk to Galata
Tower and lots of little shops and restaurants. A 10 minute walk to the wonderful pedestrian shopping
street. A 20 minute walk, or tram ride, across the river to the Egyptian Market and then up the hill to the
Grand Bazaar, Blue Mosque etc. The staff were quiet but very helpful. A simple but delicious breakfast
included. It's not easy to find the first time! Otherwise, we would definitely stay here again on any return
to Istanbul.
Richard Jones :
18/04/2011
The brickwork, the relaxed atmosphere, the staff, how quiet it was at night. The location.
Isabella Königsstetter :
29/03/2011
Rapunzel is a very nice and charming hostel on the edge of Beyoglu. The rooms are clean (giant shower!),
the breakfast is very good and the staff is amazing. I felt very welcome and had a great time.
Antonia Konrads :
25/03/2011
Die Hostelbetreiber waren immer sehr freundlich und hilfsbereit. Das Hostel ist sehr individuell und
mit Mühe hergerichtet. Es liegt im Herzen von Beyoglu direkt am Galata-Turm-einem lebhaften und
pulsierenden Viertel in Istanbul. Vom Hostel aus konnte man problemlos viele verschiedene Sehens-
würdigkeiten zu Fuß oder mit der Straßenbahn erreichen.
Verena Braeu :
23/03/2011
The kind staff, free use of a laptop with internet
Catherine Sims :
18/03/2011
Very clean and the staff was great.
Melanie Quintus :
15/03/2011
Sehr nettes Personal, Top Lage! Würde immer wieder hin gehen!
Jonas Kolb :
08/03/2011
We really enjoyed staying at Rapunzel Guesthouse. The location of the hostel is quite perfect: a calm
neighbourhood, the Galata tower with a bunch of comfortable cafes, bars with live jazz music, and of
course, the proximity to the shopping street/nightlife district Istiklal Caddesi and to Sultanahmet, the old
historic and touristic part of town. The hostel itself is really awesome: extreme friendly, nonchalant and
helpful staff; nice, spacious and clean rooms; and an alternative style regarding decoration or music
playlists (especially electro-pop and indie-stuff). However it’s not a party place at all with guests between
20 and 35 years. We’ll definitely come without hesitating!
Laura Medfort :
17/02/2011
It has a cool artsy vibe going. It's in an old restored building, and there's all this exposed brick. They
also have artwork (of prior guests!) in the stairwell. The neighborhood (Galata) was perfect--a short
walk to Sultanhamet/old town sights, and a short walk to Itstiklal St/Taksim (nightlife and shopping/
restaurant district), but the neighborhood itself is quiet and safe with no tourist-mongers hassling you
--perfect for sleeping and relaxing. The included breakfast is a very filling Turkish one with cheese,
fruit, and olives. They have free potable water available all the time. All the bathrooms are en suite
and the one in my room had tons of hot water in the shower and was very clean and nice for what I
would expect in Turkey. Also free lockers included with your stay, locks provided.
Toshiko Hatashita :
15/02/2011
Excellent location near Galata tower with a great Turkish breakfast included. The rooms were great
with lockers included and ensuite bathrooms always had hot water. I'd definitely stay here again.
Bingopajamas : Loved it!!!
13/02/2011
Rapunzel is owned and run by three amazing and lovely people... Within minutes we felt at home and
like we were staying at a friend of our best friend!!! The location is as good as it get's in Istanbul ---
Galata is the place to be!
The rooms are simple but clean and all with bathrooms. The breakfast is delicious - was looking forward
to it every morning!!!
Rapunzel ROCKS!!!
Agata Kawa :
11/02/2011
I really enjoyed my staying at Rapunzel Guesthouse & Cafe. The staff was very friendly & helpful. The
hostel is located in a center of Istambul close to the clusb area, which obviously is a bonus. Furthermore,
I liked the breakfast very much and a nice general atmosphere! Thanks a lot & good luck with your business!
xxxx
Terry Brown :
04/02/2011
The staff is very helpful and fun. The location is perfect for seeing anything on foot. Right between the Old
City and Taksim. Place is clean, internet is fast and the breakfast is good. Can't ask for much more.
CM Kennedy :
02/01/2011
a great, clean, well-kept place to stay, right around the corner from galata tower. wonderful staff too. it's a
very hilly area though, bring your walking shoes and be prepared to get a lot of exercise!
Nina Ingenkamp :
02/01/2011
Absolutely loved it, do not stay anywhere else.
Rachel Carter :
09/12/2010
The location is awesome, the hostel was recently renovated and looks great, the neighborhood (Galata) is
really interesting and fun, and the free breakfast nice.
Paul Roeland :
30/11/2010
Extremely friendly and helpful staff. It is nice, a bit arty, and quiet. It's not a party-place, but then again
I like to sleep in hostel and party elsewhere. Highly recommended place, the neighbourhood is also great.
A bit tricky to find the first time, but stick exactly to their mail and you'll get there.
Cathy Carr :
26/11/2010
We discovered this small wonderful guesthouse/hostel on our return trip to Istanbul. It's around the corner
from the
Galata Tower, in the heart of the
Beyoglu district, full of wonderful bars, cafes and a very local vibe.
The location is spot on, away from all the tourist touts (Sultanamet) but even better is the wonderful vibe of
the '
Rapunzel guesthouse' Its small but perfectly formed! in between a guesthouse and a hostel, basic but
very clean, spacious rooms, run by a marvellous bunch of guys and gals. It is just a wonderful place to stay
in and also very reasonable for Istanbul. Keep up the good work guys : )
