The Best Tattoo Artists In Istanbul

When you spend enough time in Istanbul, you’ll quickly come to realize that tattoos are almost ubiquitous among the young people of the city. Of course, not all tattoos are good tattoos and there are only a few artists that have managed to make their mark with their excellent work and own designs. Check out some of the best tattoo artists in Istanbul below.

Savcı Demirkol

A self-taught artist who has managed to stay down-to-earth despite his talent (and many clients), a session with Savcı is always totally relaxed no matter how many hours the tattoo takes. His studio in Istanbul’s Karaköy neighbourhood is exceptionally clean and organized and the artist is very meticulous about his work as well as the care necessary for his tattoo to heal properly. Apart from his custom designs, which can be seen hanging all over his studio’s walls, Savcı specializes in Japanese, old school, geometric, watercolour, linework and dotwork techniques.

Denizhan Özkar

Biçem Şınık

An artist who is considered one of the main female leads in Istanbul’s tattoo scene, Biçem’s designs are downright unique. A former art director, Biçem bestows line work, minimal designs and dot work with an exceptional feminine touch, which has allowed her to garner notoriety in a very short amount of time. You’ll find exceptional detailing but also a sense of calm and controlled beauty in her works. Due to the fact that she and Denizhan run a small home studio, you’ll have to be prepared for long waiting times after you’ve managed to make contact.

Emrah Özhan

Speaking of Lucky Hands Tattoo, it was Emrah Özhan who founded the infamous parlour, now running his own studio in the Moda neighbourhood on Istanbul’s Asian side. It can be said that it was Özhan’s experience that pushed him to the top of the city’s tattoo scene, and after years of dabbling with many different styles, he was able to find his own, which has made him a name to be reckoned with in Turkey and abroad. You’ll find designs that meander between the traditional and the modern, the flawless and the utterly idiosyncratic while succeeding in never presenting the same thing twice.

Okan Uçkun

After having opened his own tattoo parlour in Eskişehir in 2008, Okan made his way to Istanbul and now runs the wildly successful Golden Arrow Street on Istanbul’s Asian side. With his unique designs and impeccable techniques, the artist dabbled with many styles until he arrived at his signature minimalistic aesthetic, something that has won him third place at the Berlin Tattoo Convention and allowed him to partake in collaborations with studios all over Europe.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.