Enjoy a lighter day in Istanbul, Turkey with this proposed itinerary. Besides thousands of years and many cultures worth of history, Istanbul has a lot to offer families in the way of fun and excitement. See what a great time the kids can have as you explore Turkey together.
Please note that this is not an itinerary submitted by an actual family. This day was planned by one of our travel experts as a recommendation for a family of children with ages 4 through late teens, based on knowledge of the city. Factors such as time, cost and distance have been considered to make this a great day to get a sense of the city and keep the children and teens interested and engaged.
Address: Yeşilpınar Mh., Yeşilpınar Bölge Park İçi Yolu, Istanbul, Turkey
Phone: 90-212-618-9797
Hours: Monday – Friday 10:00 am – 8:00 pm, Saturday – Sunday 10:00 am – 10:00 pm
Website: http://www.vialand.com.tr/en/home
Admission: Adults – $30, Children – $25
Vialand theme park is packed with entertainment for the whole family. The park offers thrilling roller coasters for adrenaline seekers and themed rides for young visitors. Children will enjoy racing around in the bumper cars, riding the colorful horses on the carousel and watching exciting 4-D Spongebob Squarepants and Dora the Explorer adventures in the theater. Older children will enjoy the park’s higher, faster rides including the exhilarating 360 ride and the 50-foot Viking log flume ride.
Address: Göztepe Mh., Dr. Zeki Zeren Sk No:17, Istanbul, Turkey
Phone: 90-216-359-4550
Hours: Monday – Friday 9:30 am – 6:00 pm, Saturday – Sunday 9:30 am – 7:00 pm
Website: http://www.istanbuloyuncakmuzesi.com
Admission: Adults – $5, Children – $4
Visitors of all ages will enjoy viewing thousands of unique toys at The Istanbul Toy Museum. This five-story baroque villa houses over 4,000 toys, many of which are antiques from around the world from different time periods. The first floor of the museum is the site of the Eyüp Toy Shop, a famous toy shop that shut down in the 1950s. The rest of the floors are designed to resemble unique theater stages. The museum has a play site for children where they can play and participate in various workshops including ceramics, origami and mosaics.
Address: Rüstem Paşa Mahallesi, 34116 İstanbul, Turkey
Phone: 90 212 513 6597
Hours: Daily from 8 AM – 7:30 PM, Closed October 29th and duration of the local holidays
Website: http://www.misircarsisi.org
Admission: Free
The world renowned spice market in Istanbul, known locally as Misir Carsisi is a sight to behold. Located in the Fatih district of the city, it is the second largest shopping complex in Istanbul behind only the Grand Bazaar. It dates back to the 1600s when it was built with revenues from the Ottoman eyalet of Egypt. It started as as remains the center of the spice trade in the city. Today it houses over 85 shops selling a variety of goods from spices and sweets to jewelry and souvenirs. It shares grounds (and revenue) with the New Mosque and is a center of culture and history, aside from being a popular shopping destination.
Address: Gulhane Park, near Sultanahmet Square, Istanbul, Turkey
Phone: 90 212 512 0480
Hours: November 1 – April 15 9:00 am – 4:45 pm, April 16 – October 31 9:00 am – 6:45 pm Closed on Tuesdays
Website: http://topkapisarayi.gov.tr/en
Admission: Adults – $14, Children under 12 – Free
Originally the main residence of the Ottoman sultans for about 400 years, Topkapi Palace is a well known museum and tourist attraction. The museum contains holy relics of the Muslim world, including Muhammed’s cloak and sword. The palace consists of four main courtyards and several smaller buildings. With fine examples of Ottoman architecture and large collections of porcelain, weapons, shields and armor, Topkapi Palace is a fascinating and historic museum of the imperial era. This palace is one you won’t want to miss when visiting Istanbul.