Very tasteful place in a very traditional small neighborhood. The house sits close to some lively streets and everything you would need, while located in a quiet and peaceful corner. Down the hill you can find a few trendy and touristic cafes mixed with old local shops and supermarkets in Balat itself, but I would also recommend going up to Fatih's central area and walking all the way towards the Grand Bazaar and Eminönü. It's a 40-50 minutes walk, but mostly flat and with tons to see, definitely worthy. Ozkan was a very kind guest and I had a great staying at Balat, tourism seems to be increasing in the area but the cozy atmosphere seems very well preserved, it surely stands out from what I have seen in Istanbul. I can easily recommend both the neighborhood and Ozkan's house.