The Most Detailed 10 Day Family Friendly Guide to Istanbul | Perfect for First-Time Visitors
Turkey is one of my favorite countries to visit, and it was our second time there. It is family-friendly, with lots to see and do, and is also a short flight to places like Antalya, Bodrum, and Cappadocia. For this trip, we visited Istanbul and Cappadocia, but this is the most detailed guide to all things Istanbul, perfect for those traveling with kids. You can read the 24-hour Guide to Cappadocia here.
Where to stay
JW Mariott Istanbul Bosphorus: This is one of the best hotels to stay in Istanbul. It sits at the perfect location just minutes from the tram station and minutes from the Port if you want to take the ferry from the European side to the Asian Side.
Golden Horn Bosphorus: This is a newer hotel and one we recently stayed at perfect for first-time visitors to Istanbul. It is walking distance from Old Town or the Sultanahmet area and Hagia Sophia and I loved strolling the streets at night for the little shops and restaurants open late every day.
Transportation
There are four forms of transportation to get around Istanbul: Bus, ferry, metro or tram. The best thing about the public transportation is you can use the same card for everything. I recommend purchasing an IstanbulKart card which are not sold at at all tram stops but I did notice them at the metro station. The card is great because you just have to keep refilling it and don’t have to purchase a new card each time and it’s cheaper than the the temporary cards. The cards can only be refilled with cash so be sure you have enough with you!
Currency
The form of currency in Turkey is Liras and the BEST place to exchange your money for the best value is in the Grand Bazaar. I recommend not exchanging it from the first spot you see, but go deeper in the Grand Bazaar and you will find even better exchange rates the further you walk down all the shops. Remember to check the exchange rate before you go to get the best deal and do not exchange any money from the airport since they take a huge cut and you won’t get good value.
What is the best time to visit Istanbul?
Mid October-Early December is the best time to visit because the weather is pleasant with cooler evenings but nice during the day where you’re not sweating everywhere you go. I personally love a little chilly weather so my favorite time to go is end of November.
Is Istanbul family-friendly?
Yes! I found the people so friendly with my son; there were so many places for kids to run around and play. Transportation is also easy with strollers. Because it’s a very walkable city, you can easily walk around with your strollers and your children with many options for parks for them to play in.
Things to see/do
Topkapı Palace
One of the most historic places (amongst many others in Istanbul) this palace is a must-see especially if it’s your first time visiting. You can purchase guided or self-guided tours through Get Your Guide but I recommend buying tickets beforehand as the lines and wait times get extremely long. I’ve done both a guided tour and a self-guided tour and personally liked the guided tour to learn about all the details in each room and area of the palace. Once you’re done with the guide, be sure to walk around and visit the other places outside the palace like the school, the museum of artifacts worn by the sultans of the time, and my personal favorite: the Museum of holy relics ( you will need a head covering for this which is provided if you do not have one).
Hagia Sophia
A more controversial one but the Hagia Sophia Mosque is walking distance from the Topkapi Palace and a must-see. You will need to purchase a ticket to enter but if you are Muslim, during prayer, you are allowed to enter but cannot visit the museum without a ticket. The details of this mosque is beautiful and because it used to be a church, you can see remnants of the older artwork from before it became a mosque.
Sultanahmet Cami/Blue Mosque
Also walk distance from Topkapi Palace and Hagia Sophia, this is one of the most popular mosques to visit on your trip. It’s called both Sultanahmet or Blue Mosque and is easy to enter for everyone. As with all mosques, please be sure to be covered properly (both men and women) before entering to be respectful. You can read more about this along with other mosques to visit here
Taksim Square
A great area for shopping more mid to high-end stores, Taksim Square has a mix of food and clothing stores and extends far out for endless walking. This is also where you can find the iconic trolley that’s seen all over social media.
Galata Tower
Not too far of a walking distance from Taksim, you can walk to the Galata Tower but heads up, this is a pretty steep walk and not an easy one if you’re doing it with kids or elders. The Galata Tower, though is a must-see on your visit whether you go inside or walk around the area, it’s a beautiful location filled with smaller clothing shops and restaurants. This is where you can find the most popular cafe, Viyana Kahvesi where you will find the viral San Sebastian cheesecake that is 100% worth the hype. If you’re a fan of Turkish dramas, you will also find the iconic Otantik Cafe featured in one of my favorite series Kara Sevda.
Galata Port
For the name, this is not very close to the Galata tower but a great location to see views of the Galata Tower and the city in general. This is a more upscale area where you can find high-end clothing shops and more expensive restaurants but I recommend walking the port at night along the water and seeing the nightlife.
Karaköy Pier
This pier is not only great for the views but also a great one if you choose to take a ferry. You can also walk down the pier and see the fisherman out for the day (and night) and here you can find little cafes and various coffee shops if you’re looking for a little snack.
Grand Bazaar
The number one place for shopping, the Grand Bazaar is highly recommended for all shopping needs. It’s a huge indoor bazaar with shops of all around and here you can find clothing, jewelry, rugs and home decor. I also recommend changing your money here as there are kiosks here that give the best rate for your money. If you do choose to exchange your money here, be sure to walk farther in the bazaar for the best deals and this goes for the shopping as well! The further you walk in, the better deals you will find for what you’re looking for. Don’t be afraid to bargain, some shop owners are ok with lowering their pricing especially if you purchase multiple items from them.
Spice Bazaar
Not too far away from the Grand Bazaar, you’ll find the Spice Bazaar (also known as the Egyptian Bazaar) where you can find various spices from around the world. You can also find snacks like nuts and saffron if you’re looking for a cheaper option!
Take a ferry
If you’re staying at either the European or Asian side, I recommend taking a ferry to the opposite side for the beautiful views. We took a ferry from a port close to our hotel and went to Uskudar on the Asian side. For the best areas to visit in Istanbul, be sure to read this post.
Balat
This area is where you will find the colorful buildings but don’t be fooled, the walk to get here is a little difficult with narrow walkways and you have to share the road with cars coming through the neighborhood. Outside of where the colorful houses are, Balat is a cute little town with a park for children to play in and little shops and restaurants that stay open fairly late.
Üsküdar Pier and Maidens Lighthouse
On the Asian Side of Istanbul, the Uskudar Pier is where you will find the famous Maiden’s Lighthouse and also beautiful scenic views if you choose to walk along the pier. Uskudar is also a great city with parks and playgrounds for children and here you’ll find less tourists, more locals and less traffic in general.
Çamlıca Mosque
The largest mosque in Turkey, Camlica Mosque is located on the Asian side and has two floors dedicated just for women and children. This mosque has a beautiful viewpoint of the overall city and a courtyard with a cafe and a mini playground for kids to run around and play while parents can enjoy the views while sipping some tea. If you take the bus, you can get to the Camlica stop straight from the Uskudar stop and it stops right in front of the mosque.
Gülhane Park
If you’re staying in the Old Town area near Sultanahmet, be sure to visit Gulhane Park which is great for families with areas to sit down for a picnic and a playground for kids. This park is great because you can also grab something to eat while walking around.
Nakkastepe Park
This park is HUGE, located on the Asian side, and has the best view of the bridge. There’s lots of room for seating and has a mini playground for older kids. You can walk all the trail to the bottom where you’ll find refreshments and can snack on a yummy durum.
Feed Seagulls on a Rooftop
The rooftops are very popular in Istanbul for the great views of the city. With tons of options of rooftop lunches and dinners, you can never go wrong with having a meal with a view. The best part about these rooftops though is being able to feed the seagulls which isn’t offered by all restaurants but a very cool experience. We had lunch at the Seven Hills Restaurant and although the food was a bit pricier than we thought, we did get to feed the birds afterwards which my son LOVED.
Dolmabahçe Palace
Beylerbeyi Palace
One of the two palaces to visit in Istanbul, Beylerbeyi Palace face the bridge where you can take in the scenic views. I also recommend taking a tour of the palace where you can walk around at your own pace and see each room on all the floors.
Ortaköy
The most Instagrammable spot, Ortakoy has the best view of not only the mosque but also the bridge. If you walk down the path you can find little stands of Kumpir, a baked potato you can customize and add various toppings to which I highly recommend and also juices and dessert stands. You can also shop here for jewelry and scarves but this is a heavily tourist area so the it might be pricier than other areas.
Be sure to add these all to your next visit to Istanbul and while you’re here, be sure to read the top mosques to visit in Istanbul. If you’re not sure where to stay during your trip, be sure to check out my post on the most popular areas to stay in Istanbul.