Istanbul: A City for Young and Old A-like

 

Istanbul is a city steeped in history, adventure, and mystery. It is the crown jewel of the Ottoman Empire and a city of magnificent beauty. From the Hagia Sophia to the Galata Tower to Basilica Cistern, Istanbul has something for everyone, even children. While the historical aspects of the city will appeal to older crowds, Istanbul has a great deal to offer younger guests. Below we have documented a number of activities and outings suitable for the younger crowd visiting Istanbul.

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1. Pierre Lotte – Istanbul  is called the city of seven hills.  The city sits on two continents, separated by the majestic Bosphorous.  From the top of Pierre Lotte on clear days, visitors can see the entire city. Children will love the amazing views both in the evening and during the daytime. The view also serves to point out landmarks to children such as the Galata Tower and the Hagia Sophia. The dazzling landscape presented by Pierre Lotte is not to be missed.

*There are a number of cafes and restaurants in the area.

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2. Rumeli (Rumeli Hisarı) – Built in the 15th century, Rumeli is an ancient fortress located on the European side of the Bosphorous Strait. Not only is the site full of history, children will be delighted to climb the battlements. Rumeli is every child’s idea of what a castle should be and evokes images of sword fights and  epic battles.

• Website: Rumeli
• Hours: (Rumeli Hisarı)
  Open: daily from 09.00 – 16.30, no entrance after 16.00
  Closed: Wednesday, and until 13.00 on the first day of religious holidays

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3. Basicillica Cistern – The Basilica Cistern is located in Sultanahmet steps away from the   Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. The Turkish people refer to the cistern as Yerebatan Sarayı, which stands for Sunken Palace. Descending into the depths of the cistern, children will be amazed by the majestic columns of the cistern. Fish dart delightfully in the water as visitors walk along platforms to take in the cistern’s splendor. Audio guides are available for a reasonably inexpensive price as is entrance to the cistern itself.

• Website: Basicillica Cistern
• Hours: Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnıcı)
  Open: daily from 09.00 – 17.30
  Closed: until 13.00 on the first day of religious holidays

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4. Istanbul Aquarium – While located outside of the city center, the Istanbul Aquarium is a spectacle to behold for visitors of any age. Boasting 6,800 cubic meters in volume, the aquarium is one of the largest in Europe. It houses more than 1500 species for a total of approximately 15,000 animals  Inhabitants of the Aquarium will move through 16 distinct biospheres. Children will be especially delighted by the size and scope of the aquarium. Visitors will also find interactive elements specifically designed with children in mind.

• Website: Istanbul Acquarium
• Hours: Istanbul Aquarium
  Open: daily from 10.00 –22:00

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5. Rahmi M. Koç Museum: Founded in 1991 the Rahmi M. Koç Museum is a testament to modern transportation engineering. The museum houses transportation feats thatare automotive, locomotive, and maritime in nature. Children will be in awe of the interactive nature of the museum, where they can climb inside of vintage vehicles. Any child interested in planes, trains, or automobiles will find the museum fascinating.

• Website: Rahmi M. Koç Museum
• Hours: Rahmi M. Koç Museum
  • Tuesday – Friday
    10:00 – 17:00
  • Saturday – Sunday and Public Holidays
    (1 October – 31 March) 10:00 – 18:00
    (1 April – 30 September) 10:00 – 20:00
  • Closed on Mondays
  • Special Days –  museum is closed on the day before and first day of religious holidays.  Museum is closed on  December 31th and January 1st.

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6. Istanbul Modern: An homage to modern art,  Istanbul Modern features modern art by Turkish artists. While the quality of the art many not interest children, the interactive art museum for children 6-12 will leave them beyond entertained.

• Website: Istanbul Modern
• Hours: Istanbul Modern
  • Tuesday – Sunday: 10.00 a.m – 6.00 pm
  • Thursday : 10.00 a.m – 8.00 p.m

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7. Princes Islands: Princes Islands present a number of activates that are suitable for children and families alike. Families can rent bicycles and explore the island. Both fishing and swimming opportunities are available, in addition to horse drawn carriages. There are a number of Islands for visitors to choose from, making this an unique adventure to enjoy.

Website: Princes Islands

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8. Miniatürk: Miniatürk is an open air park settled on the shores of the golden Horn. The park contains a number of significant historical structures of Anatolian and Ottoman descent. It has the distinction of being the worlds largest miniature park, measuring approximately 60,000 m2. Children will be amazed at the miniature recreations of authentic Turkish architecture.

• Website: Miniatürk
• Hours: MiniatürkOpen daily from 9:00 – 5:00

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9. Bosphorous Cruise:  Bosphorous tours can awaken both children’s love of the sea and their love of adventure.  There are a number of Bosphorous cruise options. The tours can last anywhere from 1 hour to several hours, traveling all the way up to the Black Sea. Visitors of every age will marvel at the intercontinental bridges and be delighted by the sea side palaces set along the Bosphorous

*There are a number of cruise options to select from

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10. Grande Bazaar: The Grand Bazaar is a child’s treasure trove. The ancient underground building is fascinating. The surrounding area is rich with Turkish culture. Children can wander the Bazaar choosing treasures, having tea, or just taking in the atmosphere. The Bazzar has great historical significance, being one of the longest running markets in the world. Vendors are eager to talk to visitors and offer samples of Turkish delights.

• Website: GrandBazaar
• Hours: Grand Bazaar (Kapalı Çarşı)
  Open: daily from 08.30 – 19.00
  Closed: Sunday, October 29th and the full duration of religious holidays