5-Day "Family Friendly" Itinerary for Istanbul

1. Day 1: Istanbul Old City
   Approx. 1.5 hours by car from Istanbul Airport
   10:00am - 5:00pm

   Begin your family-friendly trip in the historic center of Istanbul known as the Old City. Visit the Blue Mosque, which is a masterpiece of Ottoman architecture. Explore the Topkapi Palace, which was the residence of Ottoman sultans for nearly 400 years. Take a stroll through the Grand Bazaar, one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world.

2. Day 2: Istanbul Aquarium and Miniaturk
   Approx. 30 minutes by car from the Old City
   10:00am - 6:00pm

   Spend a day immersed in marine life at the Istanbul Aquarium. Admire the underwater world in its largest collection in Europe with over 15,000 marine creatures. Head over to Miniatürk, where the kids will enjoy the replicas of almost everything historic from Istanbul at a 1/25 scale.

3. Day 3: Princes' Islands
   Approx. 1 hour by ferry from Eminonu port
   10:00am - 7:00pm

   Sail to the Princes Islands, a perfect escape from Istanbul with no cars since only horse-drawn carriages are allowed. Explore the four islands: Buyukada, Heybeliada, Burgazada, and Kinaliada. Take a stroll with your family, explore seafood restaurants, or ride bicycles rented for the day around the islands.

4. Day 4: Istanbul Modern Art Museum and Dolmabahce Palace
   Approx. 20 minutes from Princes' Islands by ferry to Kabatas and then by taxi to Besiktas
   10:00am - 7:00pm

   Start your day at the Istanbul Modern Art Museum, famous for its contemporary art collections with temporary exhibitions and Film and Video programs in the most fantastic Bosphorus view building in Istanbul. Afterward, visit the Dolmabahce Palace, designed by Ottoman Empire architect Gallipoli. It served as the main administrative center of the Ottoman Empire, and the first president of the Turkish Republic lived here until his death in 1938.

5. Day 5: Istanbul Theme Parks
   Approx. 1 hour by car or metrobus from Besiktas
   10:00am - 6:00pm

   Spend your last day in Istanbul at Vialand Theme Park, where kids will experience adrenaline with over 20 different roller coaster rides, or LEGOLAND Discovery Center, a colorful playground with miniatures of Istanbul's landmarks built with legos. Your kids will love to engage with its miniature Istanbul streets with more than 2 million LEGO bricks!

Time and Costs Estimates

• Blue Mosque (1 hour, free)
• Topkapi Palace (2-3 hours, 90 Turkish Lira per person)
• Grand Bazaar (2-4 hours, free)
• Istanbul Aquarium (3-4 hours, 100 Turkish Lira per person)
• Miniatürk (2-3 hours, 30-35 Turkish Lira per person)
• Ferry to Princes' Islands (1 hour, 5 Turkish Lira per person)
• Dolmabahce Palace (2 hours, 100 Turkish Lira per person)
• Istanbul Modern Art Museum (2-3 hours, 40 Turkish Lira per person)
• Vialand Theme Park (5-6 hours, 180 Turkish Lira per person)
• LEGOLAND Discovery Center (2-3 hours, 70-80 Turkish Lira per person)
Total Estimated Costs: 620-630 Turkish Lira per person

Useful Tips

If you have less time, consider skipping the Princes Islands or spending less time in the Grand Bazaar. If you have more time, you can add a visit to the Hagia Sophia Museum or a Bosphorus Sunset Cruise. Wear comfortable shoes on Day 1, bring an extra towel and swimwear on Day 2, and worn comfortable clothing, as it will be hotter on Day 3. On Days 4 and 5 don't forget to wear sunblock and carry some water.