The Best Place to Visit in Istanbul with Family

Turkey is a perfect destination for family trips because there are many attractive places to visit. This article will show you the most wonderful spots in Istanbul, where you may spend your time and have a memorable journey.

Sometimes we need a break from the monotony of city life, the constant buzz of social media, and, of course, the traffic! Turkey is rich in historical sites, unparalleled cultural legacies, diverse parks, shopping districts, cruise ports, breathtaking beaches, and wondrous resorts. Look at the below list of the best places to visit in Istanbul with family.

Istanbul Attractions for Families

For families, traveling with children can be challenging. It may be tough to find exciting attractions that will entertain both young and old. Istanbul is a city rich with activities for parents and their children, which will thrill them. As a result, they will never have to deal with the unpleasant task of entertaining children.

Isfanbul Theme Park (Vialand)

If you want to thrill your children and give them an incredible day, you can take them to the Vialand Theme Park in Alibeyköy. Vialand is the first place that comes to mind when thinking of places to amuse children, and it is the best place to visit in Turkey with your family.

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However, it has plenty of attractions for people of all ages spread across 600,000 square meters. This theme park has 11,000 square meters dedicated to shopping, eating, and drinking areas designed to educate young people during their leisure time.

“The Once Upon a Time Istanbul” street in this park is a nostalgic spot that shows the history of Istanbul through the houses with bay windows, antique fountains, and shops with the elegant architecture of ancient Istanbul. You can embark on a unique journey into the past while walking down this street.

On the other hand, recreational facilities such as “360” and “Nefeskesen“ games provide amusing moments for the brave, as well. In a nutshell, Vialand is the best place to visit in Istanbul for young families to have fun all day.

Miniaturk

“A Small Model of the Great Country” is the tiny park’s slogan. This park houses a 1/25 size replica of 134 works built in Anatolia and Ottoman geography for over 3,000 years. Therefore, you will visit famous places such as Dolmabahçe Palace, Haghia Sophia, and Galata Tower in their miniature sizes.

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The voice guidance service, in nine different languages, will give you exact information about the artwork displayed on the premises of the park.

This outdoor park on the Golden Horn also contains a playground, a chessboard, and a labyrinth. Hence, you can spend some time in the playground or commercial zones after visiting tiny structures.

Toy Museum, the Best Place to Visit in Istanbul with your Family

Sunay Akn’s Toy Museum houses almost 4,000 toys and gives you a different perspective on historical toys. This appealing museum provides children with an engaging opportunity to see antique toys. Adults also enjoy the chance to return to their childhood—and beyond, as some toys are over 200 years old.

Istanbul Aquarium (Istanbul Akvaryum)

Over 1,500 sea and land creatures from 16 different geographical regions live in the Istanbul Aquarium in Florya. These sea species may be from diverse seas and oceans. The 64 tanks have a total volume of 6,800 cubic meters and house the entire population.

In this well-organized aquarium, you will see the life under the sea and learn many issues about marine life. Touchscreens provide definitions in Turkish and English, with plenty of pictures and characteristics. Two 6-axle 5D cinema salons are also available at the venue.

Aside from the 3D visual effects, the 15-person saloons provide an extra perception of wind, fog, water, and touch.

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The largest Dolphinarium in Europe

Keeping your children entertained is straightforward in the Istanbul Dolphinarium because of its cute marine mammals, which play at stirring shows. Watching the performances of dolphins, walruses, and small whales delight children. Swimming with dolphins is also allowed for children over the age of six.

This place will also teach you a lot about the mysterious world of marine mammals and how to interpret the significance of these endearing and perceptive species in our planet’s natural environment.

Madame Tussauds Istanbul Wax Museum

Madame Tussauds is a wax museum in the Grand Pera building on Istiklal Avenue. This museum chain houses life-size wax replicas of the celebrities and the historical icons; the historical and cultural heroes from the past in Turkey; and the current celebrities from the arts, sports, and politics.

If you enjoy taking a close look at famous people, Madame Tussauds Wax Museum will be a perfect place for you to feel their fame and experience the specific moment. Therefore, you should not pass up the opportunity to visit Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum when you are in Istanbul.

Istanbul Lego Land Discovery Center

The Lego Land Discovery Center includes entertaining activities like the Lego 4D theater, the Lego Land factory, Miniland, and other attractions. Therefore, you can have fun with your whole family there.

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Young families with children ranging in age from 3 to 12 are the main fans of this center. The average guest age at an ordinary venue, on the other hand, is around seven years old.

With LEGO bricks and models, you can construct whatever you want. Whatever you build, whether palaces, fortresses, fortifications, or houses, you’ll have just as much joy as your children. From 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., you can visit Istanbul and European landmarks in miniature, with the last entry at 7 p.m.

Istiklal Avenue

Istiklal Avenue is a unique tourist site with a nice ambiance to attract visitors. It is often known as “Independence Caddesi”. This eye-catching pedestrian zone is 1.5-kilometer-long, and it is surrounded by stores, cafés, live music, bars, movies, and much more.

Roaming along Istiklal street is a great chance to immerse yourself in Istanbul’s impressive energy and atmosphere. The most absorbing attraction on Istiklal Street is an antique tram that spans the entire length of the street.

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This street is the most crowded in Istanbul, like Fifth Avenue in New York or Oxford Street in London.

Grand Bazaar, the Oldest Covered Market

The Grand Bazaar (Kapalı Çarşı), the oldest covered market in the world, was built in the 15th century to cover an area of 54.653 square meters. It is also one of the biggest covered markets in the world. If you want to enter this maze of 56 interconnecting vaulted passages housing over 4,000 shops, read about its shopkeepers’ relentless sales tricks.

This market is a fantastic spot to people-watch, especially from many indoor coffeehouses. In these traditional cafés, you can see the daily chaos of stall owners, shoppers, and tea merchants running from all shops with demands for fresh tea for clients.