Best Places in Istanbul for Families
Best Places to Visit in Istanbul for families with Children
Best places in Istanbul for families, in my article, in which I focused on informing you about places to visit with children in Istanbul, I described the most important structures that shed light on the history of the city. I’ve even listed entertainment-oriented thematic venue suggestions so that you can accumulate memories that will take place in your memory for a long time on your Istanbul trip. So you can plan a trip that combines entertainment with cultural discoveries.
Istanbul Historical places
Family attractions in Istanbul at the weekend historical places Topkapi Palace
Istanbul, the Byzantine and Ottoman empires’ capital, has a rare historical accumulation within its borders. If you want to prepare a sightseeing program that transfers this accumulation of the city to children, you can prioritize the visit to the structures listed below.
Topkapi Palace
Topkapi Palace, which was used as the Ottoman Empire’s administrative center for 400 years, was built by Sultan II. Mehmed built it between 1460 and 1478. In the palace, which was converted into a museum following the order of Atatürk, you can get detailed information about the way of life of the Ottoman dynasty.
Dolmabahçe Palace
Sultan Abdulmecid ordered Dolmabahçe Palace’s construction, which is considered one of the most important icons of Istanbul. Signed by Ottoman palace architects Garabet Balyan and his son Nikogos Balyan, the building blends European palace architecture with Ottoman harem culture. The room where Atatürk closed his eyes to life on November 10, 1938, is protected as it has been since then.
Blue Mosque: the Blue Mosque, one of the most important buildings on the historical peninsula, was built between 1609-1616 under the supervision of Sedefkar Ahmet Agha. The religious building fascinates its visitors with its magnificent interior decoration.
Grand Bazaar: another place in Istanbul that you can add to your list of places to visit with children is the Grand Bazaar. Today’S flamboyant State II. In addition to Jewelers, The Grand Bazaar, which is indebted to the reconstruction work carried out with the support of Abdulhamid, includes jewelry design boutiques, carpets, antique shops, workshops where traditional arts such as tile and calligraphy are maintained.
Suleymaniye Mosque weekend family attractions in Istanbul Historic Places
Suleymaniye Mosque: the Suleymaniye Mosque, which bears the signature of architect Sinan, frequently mentions its name with details in internal and external architecture. In the mosque garden, where you can view the Golden Horn, the Bosphorus, and Topkapi Palace from its garden, there are shrines of Kanuni and Hürrem Sultan.
Basilica Cistern: built-in 532 and used to meet the Great Palace’s water needs during the Byzantine period, the Basilica Cistern attracts travelers with its mystical air. Medusa heads form the most remarkable parts of the unusual structure, which also hosts private organizations.
Istanbul Archaeological Museums: the Istanbul Archaeological Museums, which were founded during the reign of Fatih Sultan Mehmet, are perhaps the most comprehensive place where you can get detailed information about the unique history of the city. In fact, the cultural facility also sheds light on the past of different civilizations that ruled on 3 continents thanks to its rich collection of more than a million artifacts.
Istanbul Entertainment and Life Center (Vialand-Eyüp)
Vialand amusement park in Istanbul
Isfanbul Entertainment and Life Center, which was named Vialand, is the first theme park in Istanbul. I would suggest you add to your list of places to visit with children after historical sites.
On-site, there are 29 different areas established to give everyone from seven to seventy pleasant moments. In addition to these areas, the show Center, which is the scene of various events with a large section of 110 thousand square meters that can attract the attention of shopping enthusiasts, is also waiting for you in the entertainment and Life Center.
Visiting Hours: 10.30-21.30
Rahmi M. Koç Museum (Hasköy)
Rahmi m Koç Museum Istanbul
Just after Isfanbul, the route was opened in 1994. You can turn it into the coach Museum. The cultural facility, which I think will please those interested in the industry, transport, communication, and industry, consists of three parts: lengerhane, Hasköy Shipyard, and open-air exhibition area.
The lengerhane, the first building where the museum started its activities, mainly organizes temporary exhibitions. The shipyard, which covers 14 buildings, houses large-sized vehicles and equipment.
In the outdoor exhibition area, historical vehicles such as B-24 Liberator, Fenerbahce Ferry, Uluçalireis submarine meet with visitors.
Visiting Hours: 09.30-17.00
Istanbul Toy Museum (Goztepe)
Toy Museum Istanbul
How about learning history through toys? If your answer is “yes,” you can visit the Istanbul Toy Museum, founded by Sunay Akin in 2005, without wasting any time.
Adults 18, while children study interesting toys from each other. Thanks to Toys produced in various parts of the world, ranging from the century to the present, it has the opportunity to witness important events of history.
Visiting Hours: 09.30-18.00
Miniaturk (Sütlüce)
Miniaturk Istanbul places to visit for children
To see the nations’ symbolic structures in Anatolia and our nearby geography, you do not necessarily need to allocate a large budget and travel from city to city.
Because Miniaturk, which opened its doors to its visitors in 2003, contains miniature versions of iconic structures in Anatolia and the Ottoman Empire’s lands in the past within its 60 thousand square meters area.
About 150 miniatures, built following the original, scaled 1/25. While visiting the theme park, you can closely examine scaled copies of structures such as Anitkabir, Dolmabahçe Palace, Hagia Sophia, watch live performances in the show areas, and shop.
Visiting Hours: 09.00-19.00
Istanbul Aquarium (Florya)
Istanbul Aquarium family destinations in Istanbul
Istanbul Aquarium is a delightful address for children who are interested in underwater. There are 17 different theme areas on-site, including the coastal seas.
You can learn about the underwater world through interactive games and movies while visiting theme areas such as the rainforest and the Black Sea. You can even try out the hurricane simulator, take a helicopter tour, or dive into the Shark Tank.
Visiting Hours: 10.00-20.00
LEGOLAND (Forum Istanbul-Bayrampasa)
Legoland with kids places to visit in Istanbul
Legoland Discovery Center Istanbul, whose activities are planned with the expectations of children aged 3-10, departs from the other venues I recommend on the list with one feature. Because for adults to enter this discovery center, they must have a child under the age of 14 with them.
After entering the center with your child, you can head to 15 different playgrounds. In addition to these areas, there are 2 Lego-rides on site. Of course, the “pick a brick” section, where gramla parts were sold when the LEGOLAND Discovery Centre was established, was also not forgotten.
Visiting Hours: 10.00-20.00
Snowpark (Torium AVM-Esenyurt)
snowpark Istanbul family destinations
Located in Toruium shopping center in Esenyurt, Snowpark offers winter sports enthusiasts the pleasure of skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing for 4 seasons.
You can also take advantage of this opportunity and concentrate on a 40-minute fun-filled activity with your child. Besides, thanks to the service provided, you do not need to bring your own equipment with you because every person entering the facility with a ticket is given appropriate sizes of boots, coats, and gloves.
Visiting Hours: 12.00-20.00
Madame Tussauds Museum (Taksim)
Madame Tussauds Wax Museum in Istanbul
Since 2016, the London-based Madame Tussauds museum’s Istanbul branch has been offering visitors from various age groups the opportunity to see up close the wax sculptures of famous names they are fans of.
In the museum, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, especially Barış Manço, Bruce Willis, Zeki Müren, Leonardo DiCaprio, Neymar, such as one-to-one copies of the statues are found. Each of these valuable works, prepared by spending long hours, is valued at $ 300,000.
Visiting Hours: 10.00-22.00
Kidzania Istanbul attractions for children
KidZania, based on an area of 8 thousand square meters, departs from its competitors with the mission it undertakes. Established with an understanding that children have the right to be present, know, be creative, share, observe and play, the theme park organizes activities aimed at developing the awareness of the responsibility of young people.
In this direction, minors who spend time with their peers in areas designed for various professions, accompanied by experienced supervisors, can use the money they earn to shop or buy food.
Visiting Hours: 10.00-19.00
Sea Life Aquarium (Forum Istanbul-Bayrampasa)
Sea Life Aquarium, which is the largest in Istanbul and Turkey, allows its visitors to know the underwater world, just like its kind in Florya.
Every weekend, many thematic areas, especially Stingray Bay, Ocean Room, tropical reefs, are waiting for you in the aquarium, which allows its young guests to demonstrate their creativity through workshops.
Besides, while spending time at the resort, you can visit the largest family of sharks in Europe and participate in feeding time.
Visiting Hours: 10.00-19.30