Istanbul Activities

There are many activities and attractions for children in Istanbul. Among the many parks and playgrounds, there are also quaint shops selling traditional Turkish goodies for children and state-of-the-art entertainment complexes. The attractions are not only a mixture of eastern and western tastes, but also of old and new.

Bogaziçi Zoo and Botanic Park
The zoo is located approximately 40 minutes drive outside of Istanbul’s centre and is a great day out for children. There are many animals to see and a huge variety of plants and flowers to discover. It is entertaining and educational and houses an excellent restaurant, which will suit the tastes of both you and your children. There is also a gift shop, where souvenirs can be purchased.

Sisli Belediyesi Bilim Merkezi
This is a centre dedicated to helping children understand and enjoy. There are many exhibitions held here, displaying fascinating information, while the centre also operates summer schools, workshops and events.

Feshane Children's Entertainment Park
This is a playground that has been designed purely for fun. There are many rides and attractions suitable for children of all ages. It is a favourite with both local and international children. There is a local market nearby that is fun and fascinating to walk around when your kids have had enough of all of the rides and games.

Third Dimension
This is a state-of-the-art cinema complex with a difference – all of the films are in 3D, creating a unique experience for everyone. Close to the complex, you can find a ten-pin bowling arcade, Pin Club, which is also suitable for children. Bowling provides great entertainment, either before or after watching your favourite movie literally leap out at you.

Toy Museum
This museum is truly unique, being the only one of its kind in the whole of Turkey. A famous Turkish poet and author, Sunay Akin, visited a similar museum in Germany in 1990 and vowed to open one in Istanbul. Fifteen years later, he did and the museum, a four-storey traditional Turkish house, is now home to over 2,000 toys. It is located on the Anatolian side of the city and has two cafés, a gift shop and a meeting room that can hold up to 70 people.

Yalvaç Abi
This children’s bookstore is the first one of its kind to be opened in Istanbul. Most of the books are in Turkish, but it is worth a visit, as the shop also sells PC games, films and toys. Your children may enjoy seeing what kind of books children from other countries read.

Istanbul is home to many cultural attractions, which are all rich in heritage and a mix of modern and traditional. As the city is growing, so are its cultural sights. Every year Istanbul plays host to an increasing number of festivals and concerts as well as encouraging the building new music venues and theatres. Istanbul’s cultural activities, both traditional and contemporary, are rich and varied, although not well publicised.

Modern Arts Museum
The museum is a fairly new addition to the cultural venues in Istanbul. It opened at the end of 2004 and is the only museum displaying modern art in the whole of Istanbul. It is located at Old Docks, an area which is full of character in the Karakoy district. The museum is home to an impressive collection of photographs, sculptures and paintings, all by local artists, and the works detail the history and culture of Turkish art. Within the museum complex, you will also find a cinema, a café and a souvenir shop.

Fine Arts Museum
This museum opened in 1937 and was the first ever art museum in Turkey, and until recently, it was the only art museum in Istanbul. It is located in the stunning Crown Prince suites of Dolmabahce Palace. The museum includes works by international acclaimed artists. You will find an Impressionist collection, a sculptures collection and works by military painters. It is a fascinating insight into Turkish art through the ages and even if you are not an art lover, you will not fail to be impressed.

City Museum
Located in the stunning gardens of the Yildiz Palace, this museum exhibits and documents Istanbul’s fascinating history. It begins with the city’s conquest by the Ottoman Empire, displaying ornaments and artefacts from that period in history, and continues with information on 18th and 19th century Istanbul. It is a must for those interested in the history and culture of the city. Also situated within these gardens are the Yildiz Palace Theatre and the Museum of Stage Costumes.

Small St Sofia Mosque
This mosque used to be called Sergius and Bacchus Church and was constructed between 527 and 536 AD. It was used as a church for nearly 1,000 years, having only been changed into a mosque in the 16th century. While it was a church, it was an important setting for royal ceremonies. Throughout the 13th century, the church became a Roman Catholic cathedral. Once the church was converted into a mosque, the mosaics from the church were covered with plaster, but still maintained throughout the years. It is an interesting place to visit or to worship at and is open year-round.

Hagia Sophia
One of the most prominent structures in the city, this is one of Istanbul’s must-sees. The ancient and impressive basilica is now a museum housing the magnificent centred dome and mosaics. It was originally built by Justinian as a church and later modified by Constantine. Later again, it was converted into a mosque and the minaret towers, which can still be seen today, were added.

Roman Hippodrome
The Hippodrome is located near the Blue Mosque at Sultanahmet Square. It was the ancient location of Roman chariot races and the centre of Roman and Byzantine everyday life. The Hippodrome is home to the Column of Constantine and the Obelisk of Theodosiu, two of the city’s historical treasures.

The Blue Mosque
It was named because of its beautiful interior tiles; this is the world’s only six-minaret mosque. Built between 1609 and 1616 by Ahmet I, the grounds house the tombs of him and his wife, Kosem Sultan. To the east of the mosque is Arasta, a souvenir bazaar, while the Hunkar Mansion is situated to the north, which houses the Carpet and Kilim Museum. Visitors can enjoy the impressive building at the leisure, while women should note, they must cover their heads, arms and legs before entering the mosque.

Topkapi Palace
Another not-to-be-missed attraction in the city, Topkapi Palace is now a museum. Visitors can explore the various quarters, accessing the Harem, Baghdat Pavilion, Revan Pavilion, Sofa Pavilion and the Audience Chamber. Each part of the building has its own architectural uniqueness. After you have toured the building, enjoy Gulhane Park, which stretches from the palace to the water’s edge.

A wide variety of cuisine is available in Istanbul. International and local restaurants can be found side by side and are located throughout the city. The dishes available at most restaurants will suit the majority of tastes and budgets. American-style fast food outlets are also becoming more popular, especially among the middle classes, although traditional kebab restaurants are still a favourite among locals and visitors.

Bread plays a large part in the local diet, as it has done since the Ottoman Empire conquered the city. Fresh bread is always baked at home and in restaurants. Mezze, what is commonly known as hors d’oeuvres, is very popular in Istanbul. There are many different varieties. Mezze is usually eaten at lunch, as it is more of a light meal.

The usual and traditional way of starting an evening meal is to have a selection of hot and cold dishes, such as meat, fish and salad, shared among the table and eaten with bread. A typical main course could consist of lamb, mutton or veal, a variety of vegetable dishes and a range of side dishes. Other popular evening meals include kebabs - all varieties - and meatballs. To finish an evening meal, pastry tarts are the most common dessert.

Istanbul has been described as a shopper’s paradise for over 1,000 years. It is infamous for being a trading post from the East to the West and many bargains can be found including silk, carpets and other Turkish delights. There are many markets located across the city, with the most famous being the Grand Bazaar, which is open during the day, Mondays through to Saturdays. The Sultanahmet is a tourist area that offers a range of carpets, silver and collector’s items, but you will find the street markets to be much more authentic. Every Sunday, the harbour area is taken over by a craft and antiques market, which is well worth a visit.

Typical Turkish gifts include tea sets, spice trays and a blue eye talisman, a popular Islamic icon throughout Turkey, which you will find in every house and vehicle. Value Added Tax (VAT), or KDV in Turkish, is at 18 per cent and is usually included on most items. Tourists are exempt from paying this in special tourist shops and can claim it back at customs.

Istanbul is not renowned for its outdoor pursuits, but the surrounding steep hills and beautiful countryside are perfect for many activities. Physical sports are popular in Istanbul, especially among the younger generations, and because of this, the range of sports available is growing every year. For the less adventurous, the many parks dotted around the city provide a beautiful setting for strolling around or simply relaxing in.

Hiking
The steep hills surrounding the city are perfect for a day’s hiking. There is plenty of wildlife to spot en route and once you reach the top, there is the reward of the stunning views across the city. Hiking can get very tiring and you can get very hot while walking (especially in the summer months), so always carry plenty of water with you to prevent dehydration.

Rock Climbing
Those not satisfied with a day’s hiking can contact the Atölye Mountaineering and Climbing Club. The club features two climbing walls and can also organise climbing activities throughout Istanbul. Website: www.atolye.org

Mountain Biking
It is possible to hire a bicycle for a day, or even for the duration of your trip. You can go off-road and cycle through the bumpy terrain of Istanbul’s hills, taking in all the beautiful sights along the way, or you can use the bike to get around the city, visiting all of the attractions that the city has to offer. The streets closer to the airport can be very busy and quite dangerous, so visitors choosing this activity must be careful, while as you enter the heart of the city, you will find drivers and pedestrians to be a lot more aware of cyclists.

Bird Watching
For lovers of birds and nature, Istanbul is an ideal place to partake in a spot of bird watching. Turkey is at the crossroads of three continents and sees many migrating birds pass through as they seek warmer climates. For more information, contact the Natural Wildlife Protection Association on: +90 212 0139.