How to Enjoy Istanbul with Your Kids

Istanbul is a lovely city that has much to offer with its key location being between Europe, Asia and Africa making it a vital stop along trade routes such as the Silk Road. The city has a warm and welcoming atmosphere that makes it a pleasant visit for families. Istanbul is packed with attractions, delicious food and many historic places to visit. Istanbul is divided by the Bosphorus Strait, which is a narrow waterway, making for a lovely place to go on river cruises.

When to Visit Istanbul

Istanbul is a beautiful city year-round, from March through November is the peak season during which the weather is pleasant and perfect for sightseeing and enjoying a cruise down the Bosphorus river. In the offseason, the city becomes wet and cold with snowfall during the months of December and February. Since it is the offseason, the prices of flights and hotels will be cheaper but the activities available to do will also be limited.

General Tips for Your Visit to Istanbul

Your visit to Istanbul will be quite an adventure for your family, so you will want to make sure that everything is planned out well. You should pack for comfort as Istanbul is a city where you will be walking among its streets a lot. Dress appropriately for the weather and wear comfortable shoes. Plan your itinerary with flexibility as the city is very busy and some attractions can have huge wait times as well as large crowds, which may be overwhelming and tiring for your children. Although Istanbul is a safe city, you should be aware of falling prey to scams. Make sure you confirm taxi rates beforehand and ensure that the meter is turned on. Beware of pickpockets and keep track of your wallets and purse at all times. Clean water may not be accessible at all places you visit so it is useful to carry mineral water or filtered water bottles with you when travelling.

Choosing Your Accommodations

When choosing a place to stay during your trip to Istanbul with your family, it is important to plan ahead and decide on where you want to stay depending on the activities you have planned out. Serviced residences in Istanbul make for a comfortable stay with all the amenities that a family travelling together would need. The likes of Somerset Maslak Istanbul are great for accommodation as it is located in the new Maslak 1453, which has a wide range of entertainment, culture, arts and other attractions to visit close by. With a great outdoor swimming pool, gymnasium and even a children’s playroom, you can be assured that your stay will be a comfortable one.

Activities to Do as a Family in Istanbul

A public cruise along the Bosphorus Strait is a great way to see Istanbul with the kids as you get to see both sides of this historic city. The public ferry departs from the various docks in the city, and it interconnects most of the important regions of Istanbul. It is a budget-friendly way to cruise that provides a unique perspective to explore the city as the early explorers of Istanbul did. You can also get guided tours with private chartered cruises that are more luxurious and stop at a much more relaxed pace than public cruises. As a family, you should walk around the streets of Istanbul to sample the many foods that Istanbul has to offer. There are some interesting food tours that will take you and your family along to the best spots so that you get a chance to sample a wide range of dishes as well as have some famous Turkish coffee and ice cream. In terms of places to visit, the Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace and the Blue Mosque are must-visit tourist attractions that are quite remarkable to visit and see.