Get the best apartment to rent in Istanbul
Renting an entire apartment in Istanbul is the choice of people who arrive with company — a partner, children, a relocation package — or simply with no appetite for flatmates. The traditional route to a flat here runs through letting agencies and landlords who want a tenant for years; Spotahome replaces it with furnished, verified apartments you book online, contract included, before you ever set foot in the city.
Hunting for apartments for rent in Istanbul comes down to two early calls: how many bedrooms you actually need, and which shore of the Bosphorus fits your routine. Both decisions shape your shortlist more than anything else you will choose.
Apartment prices in Istanbul
An entire apartment in Istanbul costs around 31,300 TL a month on average, according to the July 2026 figures from Spotahome's listings — up around 4% on the month, recovering from a correction of about 27% in May. Apartments are also the most requested option in the city, drawing around 39% of demand. The striking part is the comparison: a full flat currently costs about 40% more than a shared room, yet barely anything more than a studio in Istanbul — at July's averages, the separate bedroom is almost free.
| Apartment size | Share of Spotahome's Istanbul stock |
|---|---|
| One-bedroom apartments | 38% |
| Two-bedroom apartments | 40% |
| Three or more bedrooms | 22% |
Two-bedroom flats are the largest group in our Istanbul portfolio, which suits couples working from home and small families equally well. In around 86% of published apartments the bills are already inside the advertised price, and every home comes furnished, down to the kitchen.
Timing matters more for apartments than for any other property type: September opens the year's best window of choice, and by January almost every flat is spoken for. If your dates are fixed, book as soon as they are.
Source: Spotahome's own database of registered properties in Istanbul. Updated: August 2026.
Where to rent an entire flat in Istanbul
Üsküdar is where families and settled couples look first on the Asian side: residential streets, morning markets and whole flats at prices the Bosphorus-view districts stopped offering years ago. The Marmaray rail link crosses under the strait from here, the M5 heads inland, and ferries leave for the European shore all day.
Fenerbahçe and Göztepe line up along Bağdat Caddesi, the Asian side's grand shopping avenue, with generous flats in mid-rise blocks and the Kalamış marina for weekend walks. The Marmaray stops at Göztepe, putting both the airport rail links and the historic peninsula within one transfer.
Bakırköy and Ataköy hold the west's family territory on the European side, between the seafront and two rail lines — the Marmaray and the M3, which now reaches the Bakırköy ferry pier. Larger apartments and planned estates are the norm here rather than the exception.
Gayrettepe and Fulya suit professionals whose week revolves around the Levent–Zincirlikuyu business corridor. The M2 crosses the area and the M11 runs from Gayrettepe straight to Istanbul Airport, which makes the neighbourhood a favourite for corporate relocations with frequent flights home.
Frequently asked questions about apartments in Istanbul
How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Istanbul?
Budget around 31,300 TL a month for an entire apartment in Istanbul, the July 2026 average across Spotahome's own listings. That premium buys roughly 40% more than a shared room costs — and, unusually, almost the same money currently rents either a studio or a full flat, so it pays to compare both. Size, shore and building age drive the spread: compact flats in outer districts undercut the average, while waterfront or Bağdat Caddesi addresses push well past it.
Are apartments in Istanbul rented furnished?
Every apartment on Spotahome in Istanbul comes furnished — beds, wardrobes, sofa and an equipped kitchen — because the platform is built for people arriving from abroad with luggage rather than a moving van. What varies between listings is the detail: dishwasher, washing machine, air conditioning or a desk are itemised in each ad, so read the equipment list rather than assuming.
Can I rent an apartment in Istanbul for three to six months?
Mid-term stays are exactly what Istanbul apartments on Spotahome are set up for: most contracts run between 3 and 11 months, the minimum stay is one month, and many landlords accept longer if you ask. Each listing publishes its own minimum and maximum stay, so filtering by your dates shows only realistic options. No renegotiation on arrival, no pressure to commit to a year.
What documents do I need to rent an apartment in Istanbul?
To book an apartment in Istanbul through Spotahome you need identification — a passport for most international tenants — and a payment method; the booking itself happens online, with no need to be in Turkey. Some landlords additionally ask for proof of income, employment or university enrolment, and where that applies it is handled through the platform before check-in. The rental contract you sign is a standard Turkish tenancy agreement (kira sözleşmesi).
Can I rent a pet-friendly apartment in Istanbul?
Renting with a pet in Istanbul is possible: more than 30 of our rentals in the city accept animals, and a search filter shows only those listings. Entire apartments are usually the easiest route, because there are no flatmates whose allergies or preferences need consulting — the decision rests with the landlord alone. The listing states any conditions, such as size limits or an extra cleaning arrangement, so check the details before booking.