The Most Enjoyable Workspaces That Increase Creativity in Istanbul

We all have responsibilities in life. If you are a student, it is expected that you study, and if you are an adult, that you work. While fulfilling these duties, we need calm and comfortable spaces. Although the idea of doing these tasks from home might sound convenient, over time we may struggle to focus. If you're a student, entrepreneur, freelancer, or remote worker, this content is just for you! Today, we will talk about shared workspaces in Istanbul where you can comfortably get your work done.

LIBRARIES, ONE OF THE MOST COMFORTABLE WORKSPACES

Libraries are among the quietest places to work. They are often preferred by those who struggle with focusing. In most libraries, you can make photocopies and use Wi-Fi services. To create a membership, you usually just need to show an identification document such as a national ID card, passport, or driver's license.

Atatürk Library (Taksim)

Atatürk Library, one of the first libraries of the Republic era, is located in Taksim. It serves a diverse audience, from students to researchers, thanks to its extensive resources. Of course, to fully serve such a broad audience, it remains open 24/7. It can be a good option, especially for our readers who work more comfortably at night. To ensure security, no external admissions are allowed between midnight and 6 AM. You can become a member of the library for free and include it among your workspaces.

Beyazıt State Library (Fatih)

Established during the Ottoman period, Beyazıt State Library is located in Beyazıt, in the Fatih district. It is known as the first library in Turkey to witness the establishment of a printing and binding workshop. It boasts a rich collection, including various magazines, newspapers, and audiobooks for the visually impaired. Unlike other libraries, it has a lively work environment thanks to its architecture. You can benefit from this environment 24/7.

Istanbul Research Institute Library (Beyoğlu)

Located in Beyoğlu, the library is part of the Istanbul Research Institute and is divided into three sections: Atatürk and Republic Studies, Ottoman Studies, and Byzantine Studies. It’s worth noting that it is open only on certain days and times: Monday and Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM, Wednesday from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM, and Saturday from 10:30 AM to 5:00 PM. It is closed on Sundays.

SALT Research (Beyoğlu)

SALT Research is a part of the SALT Galata arts center. Anyone can register by filling out a form. It’s one of the free entry workspaces. You can visit it from Tuesday to Saturday, between 11:00 AM and 7:00 PM. It is closed on religious holidays and public holidays.

Islamic Research Center (Üsküdar)

We can consider the library of the Islamic Research Center as one of the most spacious and comfortable workspaces mentioned. Due to the pandemic, you need to make a reservation in advance to enter. The working hours may vary due to the pandemic, but currently, it operates from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM and from 4:30 PM to 11:00 PM.

Ahmet Süheyl Ünver Library (Ümraniye)

Located in Ümraniye, this library is named after Turkish doctor and author Ahmet Süheyl Ünver. Opened in 2002, it was established primarily to benefit students. You can become a member for free, and the library’s hours are from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM throughout the week.

Istanbul Bookstore (Kadıköy and Karaköy)

Istanbul Bookstore aims to promote the culture and art of Istanbul in the best way possible, introducing people to the publications of Kültür A.Ş. Founded in 1994, it has branches in Kadıköy and Karaköy. Great importance is placed on the views of the locations selected for the bookstores. The stores also have cafes where you can create your workspaces and enjoy the view while working. They host many free events such as book signings, concerts, stand-up shows, and storytelling sessions for children. It will be quite beneficial for you to follow the weekly events and discount opportunities. The Karaköy branch is open from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM, while the Kadıköy branch is open from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM.

CAFES FOR THOSE WHO SAY "WORKING WITHOUT SOME ENJOYMENT IS NO FUN"

We should state upfront that everyone's sense of aesthetics and work style is different. For those who find it hard to work in a library, cafes can be a great option. While working long hours, we may need to eat, drink, or socialize with others. Therefore, some may not prefer the cafes we are about to mention as their workspaces, while others might want to visit them every day.

MOC Coffee

MOC Coffee has branches in Beşiktaş, Şişli, Bakırköy, Ümraniye, and Maltepe. It’s one of the workspaces preferred for its decor and coffee, especially by remote workers. You can grab your laptop bag and give it a try. As Andre Gide said, “You cannot discover new oceans unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore.”

Tasarım Bookshop & Coffee (Kadıköy)

As the name suggests, Tasarım Bookshop & Coffee is a book cafe located in Kadıköy. Can there ever be discomfort in a place with books? You can enjoy some food and drinks while working, and when you take a break, browse through the library, which includes books on topics ranging from fashion to architecture. The cafe is open daily from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM.

Han Karaköy (Beyoğlu)

Han Karaköy is located in Beyoğlu and is one of the most admired places for its interior design. You can come here for a pleasant chat with your friends or create your own workspaces. While working, you can enjoy a meal and consume drinks like "Aşk Çayı" (Love Tea), "Zafer Abi’s Tea," or "Honey and Clove Tea," which will warm you up on cold winter days. The working hours are from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM.

Dem Moda (Kadıköy)

Located in Kadıköy, Dem Moda is known as Istanbul’s first modern tea house. If you want to ease your fatigue while working, you can entrust yourself to Dem Moda, which specializes in tea. The decoration and color choices will provide the tranquility you need, and you might find one of the enjoyable workspaces you were looking for. For those who say, “I like the tea, but nothing beats home,” you can order packaged teas online as well. The venue is open from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM.

Minoa Books & Coffee

Our final stop in this category is Minoa, which operates both as a cafe and a bookstore. It has branches in Etiler, Levent, and Nişantaşı, but the first location it opened was in Beşiktaş. You can enjoy breakfast, lunch, and brunch here. The menu includes vegan options as well. People who include this place in their workspaces might have an advantage compared to others who prefer different cafes, as it offers long operating hours, from 8:00 AM to midnight.

Fill Books (Beyoğlu)

Fill Books is a cafe that contains books in both English and Turkish, ranging from children’s books to the history of photography and independent publications. It continues to win people’s hearts with its decor. The cafe’s decoration includes items like swings, typewriters, and bicycles, things you wouldn’t see in every place. There are tables both inside and outside. You can carry out your work wherever you like. If, while taking a rest, you come across a book you like at the entrance, you can purchase it.

PAID WORKSPACES WHERE YOU CAN ALWAYS HAVE A PLACE OF YOUR OWN

As the number of remote-working companies and entrepreneurs pursuing their passions increases worldwide, co-working spaces have emerged. These spaces aim to provide the same conditions you would have in a normal office, both physically and online. You can work in either your own private space or multiple spaces depending on your membership plan. These spaces, which support people’s projects and aim to help them grow, can make unexpected contributions to your professional life.

Workinton

Workinton is a system that provides paid shared workspaces in several locations across Istanbul, both on the Anatolian and European sides. It offers various options, especially for entrepreneurs and remote workers. You can either choose a desk and work there on your own or select an office for your team and create your own workspace. The choice is yours. You can also benefit from virtual office or meeting room services. One of the best things about working in such environments is the opportunity to meet many experts who have adopted this system.

Workhaus (Maslak)

Located in Maslak, Workhaus offers co-working spaces, ready-made offices, meeting rooms, and virtual office services. You can benefit from packages designed on an hourly, daily, or monthly basis. There’s also a dedicated section for those who need a snack, and a terrace where you can take a coffee break.

Kolektif House

Levent, Maslak, Sarıyer, Şişhane, and Ataşehir host Kolektif House branches. It is one of the most well-known shared workspaces in Istanbul. It offers four different individual membership services: digital membership, fixed desk, virtual office, and traveler. You can visit during the weekdays from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM without an appointment, but scheduling an appointment will likely meet your expectations better. Don’t worry about leaving your pets alone; as long as they don’t disturb others, special office members are allowed to bring their valuable companions.

ATÖLYE (Şişli)

Located in Bomontiada, ATÖLYE was established in 2013, with branches in London, Dubai, and Istanbul. ATÖLYE’s goal is not only to provide workspaces but also to bring together different teams and create a long-term, open-discussion, and creative community. It will be highly beneficial for those who love working while also participating in activities such as brainstorming, yoga, or game tournaments with the community.

DAM

DAM, located in Beyoğlu, offers ready-made offices, meeting rooms, and workspaces. It also features a meditation room, a coaching room for interviews and meetings to be held in a more comfortable environment, private rooms for business meals, and workshops ranging from photography to cinema to expand your horizons.

Impact Hub (Kağıthane)

Located in Kağıthane, Impact Hub is preferred by groups ranging from investors and entrepreneurs to freelancers and developers. The Impact Hub team aims to operate globally without boundaries and has succeeded in doing so. It continues to bring together people living in different places but sharing common interests. As a member, you can benefit from the workspaces.

Kamara

Kamara has seven locations in Istanbul, with a new one soon to open in Ümraniye. Its services include ready-made offices with facilities like photocopying, coffee, a secretary, and other essential office services. Virtual office services allow you to work from anywhere without needing to be physically present. The provided services also include co-working spaces and meeting rooms with a capacity of up to 45 people.

IDEA Kadıköy

IDEA Kadıköy was established by the Kadıköy municipality to create a shared space where people can both work and collaborate. It houses different sections like workshops, classrooms, event spaces, kitchen areas, meeting rooms, and cafes. Service hours and fees vary by section.

Galata Business Center

Founded in 2016, Galata Business Center has branches in Levent, Taksim, Ümraniye, and Ataşehir. It shares the same mission as many of the other places we’ve mentioned. For those who want detailed information on workspace fees and services, they can fill out a form on the Galata Business Center website, and the staff will contact them. Once you start working, you will have 24/7 access to your office.

OPPORTUNITY SPACES FOR TODAY'S AND TOMORROW'S ENTREPRENEURS

Zemin Istanbul (Beyoğlu)

Zemin Istanbul, located in Beyoğlu at the Şişhane metro station, is a technology center affiliated with the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. It primarily enables the realization of creative projects that will solve the problems of Istanbul, and eventually the country. It is especially important for young entrepreneurs interested in today's technologies like blockchain, artificial intelligence, or big data. In this way, young people can also contribute to the technological development of Istanbul. Zemin Istanbul supports entrepreneurs with creative, useful, and current technology ideas to develop their projects. While doing so, it offers workspaces equipped with various software, hardware, and equipment, such as workshops and offices. It also operates as a unit for events, acceleration programs, education, experience centers, and animation studios. Embracing the saying "You bend a tree while it's young," they also provide free technology education for children aged 11-16, creating a foundation for future entrepreneurs. Working hours are from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM every day of the week.

Başakşehir Living Lab Innovation and Technology Center

The Başakşehir Innovation and Technology Center was established in 2012 as the first Living Lab in Turkey. Its purpose is to realize projects in information technology and design and to promote entrepreneurship in this field. Entrepreneurs with creative ideas in fields such as wireless communication, mobile health, smart living, smart urbanism, information technologies and software, robotics, design, wearable technologies, renewable and smart energy systems, sensor technologies, smart education, IT education, and mobile applications are encouraged to apply. You can submit your applications through the Başakşehir Living Lab website. Once projects are accepted, entrepreneurs can start working in the technology center and benefit from the privileges offered without any fees.

İş Bank Towers Entrepreneurship Branch (Levent)

The Istanbul Entrepreneurship Branch, located in İş Kuleleri in Levent, was established by İş Bank to support entrepreneurs. Unlike regular bank branches, it specifically serves entrepreneurs and newly established companies with technology-based projects. It provides opportunities for collaboration in areas like human resources, investment processes, accounting, and financial management, as well as legal matters. It also supports the digitization of projects. In this way, many entrepreneurs will be able to successfully conclude their projects and make significant contributions to the country’s economy.

CREATIVE IDEA: FERRY OFFICE

If you're looking to add some change and color to your life, we have a suggestion for you! Recently trending on social media is the "Ferry Office." Yes, you heard that right. You can bring your laptop and essential belongings and work during ferry rides between the Asian and European sides of Istanbul. The unique Istanbul view accompanying you is a bonus. You can grab snacks and hot drinks from the onboard kiosks, adding some energy to your busy day. Of course, to ensure everything goes smoothly, we recommend informing the ferry staff in advance.

We’ll leave you with these words from Mustafa Kemal Atatürk:

“We do not need anything except one thing; to be hardworking.”