Holiday with children in Istanbul

Every year, the number of tourists traveling to Istanbul with children is increasing, and there are several reasons for that. Firstly, foreigners understand that teenagers will find it fascinating to explore such significant landmarks as the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. Secondly, even the little ones will have plenty to do in Istanbul!

Things to do in Istanbul for children aged 0+

Toy Museum

The snow-white fabulous building İstanbul Oyuncak Müzesi is located in the Asian part of the city. The museum has been open since 2005. Here you can find both modern and antique toys, for example, a small rare violin, created in the early 19th century.

The Toy Museum has a variety of fun activities for children:

railway and trains;

Indians, soldiers, military equipment;

dolls and dollhouses;

miniature stores, pharmacies, hairdressers, gas stations;

robots and electronic games.

At the museum there is a small cozy pastry shop, as well as a small souvenir shop.

Address: Göztepe Mah. Ömerpaşa Cad, Doktor Zeki Zeren Sokak No:17, 34730 Kadıköy/İstanbul, Turkey
Website: istanbuloyuncakmuzsi.com
Phone: +90 216 359 45 50
Working hours: from Tuesday to Sunday from 9:30 to 18:00.
Price: 20 TRY.

Istanbul Aquarium

The Istanbul Aquarium, open to visitors since 2011, is one of the two largest aquariums in the world. It is housed in a separate two-story building with a total area of 23,000 square meters. The total number of residents at İstanbul Akvaryum reaches 15,000.

The tour of the aquarium is organized consistently.The route of each guest passes through the following zones:

Bosphorus Strait;

Marmara, Black, Aegean, Mediterranean Seas;

Sea of the Dardanelles;

Suez Canal;

The Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

After strolling along the amazing aquariums, visitors have the opportunity to feed the fish (according to a specific schedule at 11:00 and 16:00) and watch a film in the dedicated cinema.

Address: Şenlikköy, Florya Caddesi, Yeşilköy Halkalı Cd. No:93, 34153 Bakırköy/İstanbul, Turkey
Website: istanbulakvaryum.com
Phone: +90 4449744
Working hours: weekdays from 10:00 to 19:00, weekends from 10:00 to 20:00.
Price: 85 TRY.

Istanbul Dolphinarium

The project has been opened since 2008 in the Golden Horn Bay. It is a combination of a covered dolphinarium and open-air pools. The total area of İstanbul Dolphinarium is about 8,700 square meters.

During the performance, you can see such sea life:

dolphins;

seals;

walruses;

beluga whale.

In addition to the main show, guests also have the opportunity to swim with dolphins and feed them.
The dolphinarium's premises also include a café and relaxation areas.

Address: SILAHTARAGA Mahallesi, Silahtarağa Cd. No: 2 D:4, 34050 Eyüp/İstanbul, Turkey
Website: istanbuldolphinarium.com
Phone: +90 212 581 78 78
Working hours: from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00.
< i>Cost of entry: 22 TRY.

TurkuaZoo Aquarium

Sea Life, TurkuaZoo or Sea Life is an 8,000 m² aquarium with about 10,000 marine life. The aquarium takes great pride in its 35 sharks. Adults and children above 14 years old have the opportunity to dive into the aquarium with sharks accompanied by instructors.

The highlight of TurkuaZoo is the acrylic tunnel or the moving walkway along transparent water tanks. The perfectly designed panorama creates the illusion of walking on the seabed.

Address: Kocatepe, Paşa Cd 5/5, 34045 Bayrampaşa/İstanbul, Turkey
Website: visitsealife.com
Phone: +90 4443253
Opening hours: daily from 10 :00 to 19:00.
Price: 28 TRY.

Address: Su Oyunları Merkezi, Esenkent Mahallesi, Onur Güvener Cad, Bahçeşehir Girişi, 34517 Esenyurt/İstanbul, Turkey
Website: aquaclubdolphin.com
Phone: +90 212 672 61 61
Working hours: i> daily from 09:00 to 18:00.
Price: 20 TRY.

Children's activities for ages 4+ in Istanbul

Vialand Amusement Park

Located near Golden Horn Bay, the amusement park opened in 2013 on the site of an old quarry. Its area is about 600,000 m², on which the following facilities are located:

50 attractions;

concert hall for 10 thousand people;

more than 200 shops and souvenir shops;

several cafes and restaurants.

Address: Yeşilpınar, Şht. Metin Kaya Sk. No: 11/1, 34065 Eyüp/İstanbul, Turkey
Website: isfanbul.com
Phone:< /strong> +90 212 600 01 00
Working hours: on weekdays from 10:00 to 18:00, on weekends from 10:00 to 20:00 .
Cost: 55 TRY.

Kidzania

Kidzania is a real children's city and a franchise of a global project that has recently opened in Istanbul. Entry is only available for children up to 14 years old. Here, kids learn to act within the framework of various professions, such as:

bank clerk;

doctor;

driver;

aircraft pilot;

seller;

teacher;

police officer;

fireman;

rescuer.

Depending on the age of the young visitor, Kidzania offers suitable sections to spend time in. For example, children up to 4 years old can enter only the "home" or "school" areas.
It's worth noting that adults are not allowed to interfere in the gameplay. They can observe from the sidelines as their children play with other kids under the guidance of attentive and caring instructors.

Address: Acıbadem, Çeçen Sokağı No:25A, 34660 Üsküdar/İstanbul, Turkey
Website: istanbul.kidzania.com
Phone: +90 850 200 5439
Working hours: Tuesday to Friday from 10:00 to 16:00, Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 to 20:00.
Price: 30 TRY.

Miniaturk park zone

Escape the need for dozens, if not hundreds, of excursions with a visit to the most popular park in Turkey - Miniaturk. Located in the Golden Horn bay, it is a true open-air museum. The park spans an impressive 60,000 square meters, and it was inaugurated in 2003.

There is a single scale of exhibits here - 1 to 25. The total number of Miniatürk exhibits is 135, among which there are such attractions:

Hippodrome or Sultanahmet Square;

Blue Mosque, Suleymaniye Mosque and Hagia Sophia;

basilica cistern;

Dolmabahce and Beylerbey palaces;

Maiden and Galata Tower;

as well as Cappadocia, Pamukkale, Aspendos, the Temple of Artemis and other highlights of Turkey, both from Istanbul and other regions.

Park infrastructure

When purchasing a ticket to the park, you have the option to hire a guide, including Russian-speaking guides, or use audio guides that accompany each model.
In addition to the miniature exhibits, the park offers a range of entertainment options for a fantastic day out, including:

amusement park for children and adults;

photo zone stylized as the era of the Ottoman Empire;

cafes, restaurants, souvenir shops;

a playground with chess in the growth of young travelers, a labyrinth and other entertainments;

railway, bus and boats for more comfortable movement;

Relaxation areas equipped in flower arbors.

Address: Örnektepe, İmrahor Cd. No:7, 34445 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Turkey
Website: miniaturk.com.tr
Phone:< /strong> +90 212 222 28 82
Working hours: daily from 09:00 to 18:00.
Cost of visit : 20 TRY.

Entertainment for children 7+ in Istanbul

Basilica Cistern

The ancient underground water reservoir, Yerebatan Sarnici, or the Basilica Cistern, was built during the Byzantine Empire to store water supplies. It served as a reserve of drinking water during times of drought or prolonged sieges of Constantinople.

Today, the Basilica Cistern is a mesmerizing underground museum that offers an engaging experience for young travelers. Classical music plays as artificial lighting illuminates the space.

The total area of the water reservoir is approximately 10,000 square meters, supported by over 330 columns.

Address: Alemdar, Yerebatan Cd. 1/3, 34110 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye
Website: yerebatansarnici.com
Phone: +90 212 522 12 59
Working hours: daily from 09:00 to 17:30.
Price: 30 TRY.

Topkapi Palace

The Topkapi Palace was built in the 15th century by the order of the ruler of that time, Mehmed the Conqueror. A century later, the legendary Roxelana requested her husband to move the harem to the premises of Topkapi. Since then, the castle complex has come to life.
Located by the Sea of Marmara, the Topkapi Sarayi Museum consists of the following sections:

Rahmi Koç Museum

The Rahmi Koç Industrial Museum is the first and largest in Turkey. It opened its doors to travelers and local residents in 1994 with the help of millionaire Koch. Here you can find out in a game form answers to such questions:

How is olive oil produced?


What is the principle behind the invention of the sawmill and how does it work?

How does a telephone operate?

What mechanisms enable the movement of a tram, and more.

Both adults and young visitors to the museum can personally try their hand at operating some of the machines and experience the laws of physics in action. The museum also features cafes, souvenir shops, and even mother and child rooms.

Address: Piri Paşa, Hasköy Cd. No:5 D:No:5, 34445 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Turkey
Website: rmk-museum.org.tr
Phone: +90 212 369 66 00
Working hours: Tuesday to Friday from 09:30 to 17:00, weekends from 09:30 to 18:00.
Price: 18 TRY.

It's worth noting that Istanbul is one of the most kid-friendly cities in Turkey. Young travelers of all ages will have a fantastic time here!