If you booked your flight and soon are coming to Istanbul with your children and wondering where to go in the city, we would like to let you know beforehand that there are plenty of great places to visit. Moreover, there are many places that are kid-friendly in Istanbul, if you are curious about where to go in Istanbul with family. Now let us share our favorite places in Istanbul for your family trip here. We know you will enjoy your trip thoroughly if you visit some of our recommendations.
To Have a Fun Day with Kids
With its rich history, diverse culture, and stunning landscapes, Istanbul offers a wealth of experiences for families. From exploring ancient mosques and palaces to cruising the Bosphorus and indulging in delicious Turkish cuisine, there's something to captivate every member of the family. Here we gather you some of the top family attractions in Istanbul for you!
Istanbul Aquarium
Located in Florya, Istanbul Aquarium is the host of one of the coolest experiences for kids of all ages. In its class, it is one of the biggest and newest aquariums around in Europe and then, in the world. We believe most of the kids would not want to miss out on experiencing the underwater world and seeing various species of spectacular fishes, guitar sharks, and even penguins. This place is certainly at the top of the list of fun things to do in Istanbul with family.
Vialand Theme Park
Established in 2013, Vialand Theme Park is the first building complex in the world to combine a mall, show center, and theme park together. Given its uniqueness, every year it hosts tens of millions of visitors and would be an amazing sight for your children to see. It is definitely considered one of the best places to visit in Istanbul with family.
Madame Tussauds Wax Museum
Visiting the world-famous Madame Tussauds Museum is always a good idea, regardless of the country you are in at the moment. So this famous museum has its branch in Istanbul as well and it hosts many great figures from near and far history – such as Katy Perry, Madonna, Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Marilyn Monroe, Bruce Willis, Brad Pitt, Michael Jackson, Atatürk, Albert Einstein, Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror. Taking quick selfies with those waxed figures is one of the best things to do in Istanbul with family and it is FREE with your Pass!
Miniaturk
One of Turkey’s best child-friendly touristic attractions, Miniaturk has a special collection of the important miniature forms of the greatest Turkish monuments. Kids would be delighted to see the monuments there and adults too, as this open-air museum is an unusual and fun place to experience. Also, we are excited to add that you and your family can visit the Miniaturk Park Museum for FREE with the Istanbul Tourist Pass®.
To Combine Fun and Culture
Istanbul offers a unique blend of history and fun, making it a perfect destination for families. In Istanbul, history comes alive and is a fantastic destination for families. Imagine exploring ancient mosques with breathtaking architecture, wandering through bustling bazaars filled with colorful treasures, and cruising along the stunning Bosphorus. With its rich culture, delicious cuisine, and vibrant atmosphere, Istanbul offers a truly unforgettable experience for the whole family. Here is our selection of the top attractions in Istanbul for you:
Hagia Sophia
The former museum, now a mosque has a bizarre history dating back to the Roman, Byzantine, and lastly Ottoman Empire. Hagia Sophia is a highly beloved historical monument by the world. As a result, the historical monument is on every traveler’s list who came to Istanbul.
If your kids like nice architectural buildings and history,(and even if they don’t particularly like history) Hagia Sophia Mosque Museum is a must-see place in any case. This building, lately, was transformed into a mosque yet its magic that touches upon the empires and two of the biggest world’s religions throughout history remains. Its old soul is what makes this mosque museum one of the best places to visit in Istanbul with family.
Topkapi Palace
Located in Sultanahmet, this old palace holds a special place in Turkish history as it was home to many of the Ottoman emperors throughout history. It has great touches of history and also satisfies the curiosity of foreign and native tourists equally as a museum. So if you are interested in touring the mesmerizing Topkapi Palace with your kids, we would like to let you know that Istanbul Tourist Pass®grants access to more than 100 attractions, including Topkapi Palace.
Galata Tower
Positioned in Karaköy, this place is a huge attraction for the city. With its historical qualities and great location overlooking the whole of Istanbul, the historical Galata Tower offers an unforgettable experience to everyone. It is, for instance, a lovely place to take photos when you are inside or outside close to the tower and it has a restaurant inside. To us, one of the best things to do in Istanbul with family is taking selfies when at the top of the Galata Tower. The best thing about it is that you can have this experience for FREE if you have an Istanbul Tourist Pass®.
Ortaköy Neighborhood
Istanbul’s lively waterfront neighborhood is worth paying a visit as it has a lot of history and offers great views. Ortaköy Neighborhood has bars, cafes, and restaurants on one side and Ortaköy Mosque on the other side. So as you have just arrived here, allow us to mention the brief history of Ortaköy Mosque to you. It is a 19th-century architectural structure that has touches from baroque and neoclassical movements and it is very unexpected for a mosque in Turkey to have such influences, so it is definitely one of a kind. Also, the Ortaköy neighborhood is near the Bosphorus Bridge, so it has spectacular views worth seeing.
Istiklal Street
Being one of the most important avenues in Istanbul’s Beyoglu district throughout history, Istiklal Street has many qualities that will satisfy different types of travelers. If you want a place for shopping, it has everything about shopping, shopping centers and hundreds of stores with every kind of product you can imagine. If you want to see beautiful historical sites along the Street, for instance, Saint Antoine Church, they are right there for you to experience. If you want to have a drink and a fancy meal, from little to big or from traditional to foreign, restaurants of all kinds are ready to serve along Istiklal Street. So that you can have a calm fancy evening with your spouse and kids. A day in Istiklal Street as a tourist is a day spent well.
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