Planning a trip to Istanbul with a toddler in tow? Need some ideas for attractions that will entertain your little one? In this guide, I break down the top ten things that I would do in Istanbul with a toddler!
Get Inside the Hagia Sophia
You can’t come to Istanbul and NOT visit the Hagia Sophia – you just can’t. It’s a fascinating snapshot of history, and it is beautiful. The Hagia Sophia (or Aya Sofia) is a former mosque-turned-church-turned-museum.
While toddlers might not be happy spending hours inside, it’s a nice break from the heat of the city, and there is certainly plenty to look at.
As a bonus, there’s a fabulous fountain outside. Be sure to check it out at night!
Climb the Galata Tower
The Galata Tower is located near the Taksim area. The view from the top is incredible, but you will have to wait in line. Make sure you swing by one of the many nearby cafes beforehand to satiate little tummies!
There is an elevator, but you will have to manage the last few flights of stairs. The observation deck is crowded and uncomfortable, but if you take your time and relax, you can enjoy 360 degree views of the city.
Explore the Istanbul Sea Life Aquarium
Walking through an 83m long underwater tunnel surrounded by sharks: what’s not to love?
The Sea Life Aquarium has a great variety of sea life, including Europe’s largest collection of sharks. It also has a kids’ playground, so you can expect to wear them out here.
While the aquarium itself won’t take more than a couple hours at most, it is inside the Forum Mall. Plan to go for some shopping, and maybe even combine with LegoLand for a fun-filled day.
Wander Through the Grand Bazaar
Another absolute must when you visit Istanbul is the Grand Bazaar – often considered the oldest shopping mall in the world.
If the idea of taking your toddler into an enclosed area visited by up to 400,000 people EVERY. DAY. freaks you out a little bit, I get it. But even though it gets an incredible number of visitors, we did not feel particularly crowded when we visited in the middle of high season.
If you do make the trek through the bazaar, your toddler will be rewarded with an amazing array of sights, sounds, and smells. You can practice your haggling skills while picking up some incredible keepsakes from your trip – whether you decide to get toys (guilty), Turkish spices (guilty), a knock-off designer wallet (also guilty!), or maybe a gorgeous new rug!
Cruise the Bosphorus
The Bosphorus Strait is a waterway that divides Istanbul. It also constitutes the divide between two continents: Europe and Asia. The views from the water are incredible, whether you choose to cruise in the morning, afternoon, or at night.
There are lots of Bosphorus boat cruises that you can take. Some are short and sweet, and some are full-length affairs. We did one at night that included dinner, multiple shows, and a lot of dancing! The kids on the cruise were invited to join in the fun.
Listen to the Call to Prayer
Okay, this is actually one that you can’t avoid, even if you tried. 5 times a day, anywhere you are in the city, you will hear the nearby muezzins singing their enchanting call to prayer (adhan).
Because of the close proximity of so many mosques, you will often hear the muezzins overlapping each other. The result is beautiful and haunting. What a delight for your child’s ears!
We managed to find a top-floor restaurant overlooking the Sultanahmet area, and we were sure to be there during a call to prayer time. From up high, the cacophony of adhan is incredible.
Ferry Over to the Princes’ Islands
Spend a day (or more!) visiting the 9 nearby islands that make up the Princes’ Islands. They’re strictly car-free, so your toddler will have freedom to run around a bit. But if you need to get around, you can always opt for the horse-drawn carriage!
Each of the islands has a distinct culture and background. What a fun way to get away from the hustle and bustle of the big city!
Visit the Blue Mosque
The Sultan Ahmed Mosque – more commonly referred to as the Blue Mosque because of the exquisite blue Iznik tile work inside – is one of the most iconic buildings in Istanbul. And for good reason! The architecture, dating back to 1609, is incredible to behold.
The Blue Mosque is a functioning mosque, so be sure to dress appropriately (including a scarf to cover your head if you are female), and plan around prayer times.
Little ones will be in awe of the grandiosity of the structure, and they’re sure to enjoy running around barefoot on the great carpet.
Meander Through Topkapi Palace
Topkapi Palace is not your average museum. Once the residence of the Ottoman sultans, it is a sprawling, luxurious compound with way more to see and explore than your toddler will be able to handle.
But even if you don’t get to see every last room, this place is worth a visit. There are many beautiful, expansive outdoor areas for little ones to run their energy out. The way it is set up, it’s easy to pop in to spend some time marveling at the beautiful tile work, then quickly escape back outside for a wiggle break.
Attend an Ebru Paper Marbling Class
This is an activity that isn’t suitable for your toddler to participate in, but he or she will definitely enjoy watching the swirling colors as you create your masterpiece!
This was absolutely a highlight of our trip to Istanbul, and provided us with an incredible keepsake. Please do contact your ebru school ahead of time to ensure that your child is allowed to come and watch. If you attend a one-on-one class, as we did, you and your partner will likely need to take turns anyway, so you can easily keep your little one close.
Finally, check out these great books to prepare for your trip!
What did I miss? What questions can I answer? Let me know in the comments!
to pin for later:
Photos are mine or the work of these talented photographers from Unsplash: David Clode and Meric Dagli.
4 thoughts on “Top 10 with a Toddler: Istanbul!”
Thank you for the fantastic review! Any recommendations on strollers – as in did you use one? Is it a hassle to take it with us? Most tours require walking.. what about toddler food options – how did you manage?
Hi Norah! I really love the Uppababy Minu. It’s the only stroller I’ll take to Europe. Istanbul is actually pretty stroller-friendly compared to a lot of places, but I wouldn’t want to bring something heavy. If you baby-wear your toddler (not many people do), that’s a good option. If I’m honest, I just avoid walking tours altogether when I have my toddler with me. Sometimes you can find family-friendly ones, or private ones (AirBnB Experiences often have well-priced private walking tours). You can do a lot of the major sites in Istanbul without a tour and still get a LOT out of it.
For food, we found Istanbul to be really varied. It was always easy to find fresh veggies and fruits, and our toddler loves hummus. And of course, the ultimate toddler staple – bread!!
Hello!
Rereading this review late. How do you think the Veer stroller wagon would do in Istanbul?
Hi Janelle! You know I love my Veer, but I am not sure I would want it for Istanbul (or really for most European cities). We encountered a lot of stairs and narrow walkways. You will also need to consider how often you would need to leave it at the door to enter restaurants, mosques, historic sites, etc. Although it really does depend on what you are doing in Istanbul and which area you are staying. We primarily stayed in the older (historic) areas of the city, but there are more modern parts that would probably be more easily navigable with the Veer. Istanbul is a lot like cities in Italy, in that strollers are tough. And the Veer is especially tough because it is big and heavy, and doesn’t fold up small like a travel stroller does.