Turkey for Families: Best Places to Visit With Children
If you are looking for the best places to visit with your family and children, historical places in Istanbul, Cappadocia, the central Aegean, Dalyan, and the turquoise coast, the Antalya region might be the smartest choice you can make.
Key Takeaways
- Instead of choosing commercial and overcrowded parks and resorts, consider visiting the historical places and places with unique natural beauty to get the best traveling experience.
- To get the historical essence of Turkey, visit Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Byzantine walls, and the Topkapi Palace in Istanbul.
- For a family trip with kids, Turkey is undeniably the best choice because of the hospitality of the local Turkish people and their natural love for kids.
- To enjoy the natural beauty of the Turkish landscape, Cappadocia, Dalyan coast, and the Antalya region are the best picks.
If you want to spend a memorable holiday with your family and children in Turkey, skip the commercial parks and overcrowded resorts. Apart from these commercial sites, this country has a lot more to offer. Being rich in history and nature, Turkey provides you with a chance to you to make your children explorative, adventurous, and free-spirited mentally. So, plan strategically to make the best out of your Turkey visit.
Why is Turkey an Unrivaled Destination for Family Travel?
Family vacation with children in Turkey is a perfect idea because it blends historical essence, natural beauty, and an experience of luxury altogether.
1. Historical Value
You can gain an unparalleled historical experience by visiting Turkey, as it bridges the gap between eastern and western civilizations. If you are into history and ancient civilizations, Istanbul, Ephesus, Cappadocia, and Troy are the key historical attractions for you.
2. Hospitality
Turkish people are well-known for their hospitality and generosity. Being extraordinarily warm, Turkish locals assist foreign tourists with direction management, offer complimentary tea, and show genuine generosity.
What Are The Best Places To Visit In Turkey With Family and Children?
Children are usually more oriented to gain new knowledge and adventure. To make them satisfied during the trip, consider visiting the following places.
1. Istanbul
Istanbul is the city that bridges the gap between Europe and Asia. The historical value of Istanbul is immeasurable, as it served as the capital of the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman empires. Visiting Istanbul will not only enrich you archaeologically, but also provide you with an experience of a journey through time.
Hagia Sophia
Hagia Sophia built by the emperor Justinian in 537 AD as a cathedral. During the Ottoman Empire, it turned into a mosque.
Incorporating both Byzantine and Ottoman essences, this is an architectural masterpiece that represents a splendid image of history.
Topkapi Palace
This palace was built by Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror after the Ottoman conquest in 1478. This palace has served as the residential place of the Ottoman emperors for over 400 years.
The Blue Mosque
It was built at the order of Sultan Ahmed I between 1609 and 1616. This spiritual masterpiece represents the true beauty of Ottoman architecture. This Blue Mosque is considered one of the world's heritage sites in Istanbul.
Byzantine Walls
This wall was built to protect Constantinople from external invasion. This 6.5 km-long wall served as the main defense line of the city for centuries.
The Grand Covered Bazaar
This is one of the oldest markets in the world, which contains more than 4000 shops.
This market is a sign of a living museum telling the stories of Istanbul’s trade and economy.
2. Cappadocia
Cappadocia is famous for its surreal lunar landscape, ancient cave dwellings, and iconic hot air balloon flights. By the eruption of the three volcanoes and the erosion after that, Cappadocia was created around three million years ago in Turkey. Unique rock formations and canyons with beautifully carved churches make this place attractive to tourists.
While in Cappidocis, to immerse yourself in the natural beauty, you can visit the Meskendir valley, Cavusin village, and Ortahisar town. Do activities like sunrise hot air balloon, explore fairy chimneys, and visit the open-air museums to make the trip unforgettable for your family and kids.
3. The Central Aegean (Izmir & Ephesus): Open-Air Wonders
From Izmir to the ancient ruins of Ephesus, you can visit the world's most spectacular Greco-Roman and early Christian open-air wonders that converge.
In Izmir, you can visit the Smyrna Agora open museum and the Kemeralti Bazaar. These two centuries-old places will provide you with a rare glimpse of the ancient lifestyle of the people in Smyrna.
Ephesus is an ancient city where you can explore the temple of Artemis, Basilica of St. John & Ayasuluk Castle. The Temple of Artemis was once included among the seven wonders of the world. You can also visit the House of the Virgin Mary (Meryemana), where the Virgin Mary is believed to have spent her final years.
4. Dalyan & The Turquoise Coast
To immerse yourself in the natural beauty, you and your family can explore the pristine, eco-friendly town situated on the Turquoise Coast of Turkey. Turtle brace, Dlayan Delta, and Sultaniye hot spring are the key sites of attraction here.
Here you can also explore the Kaunos Rock Tombs, which are believed to have been built in the 4th century BC. These tombs belong to the kings of the ancient city of Kaunos. In the ancient port city of Kaunos, you can also visit the Roman theatre, the acropolis, and Byzantine basilicas.
5. Antalya Region
From rushing white-water rivers to towering mountain peaks, the Antalya region offers you world-class outdoor adventures. This city is located on the southwestern coast of Turkey. The turquoise waters, golden beaches, and dramatic mountain landscapes are the key elements which made the city desirable among foreign tourists.
This region has a hot summer and a cold winter, which makes it famous among European tourists.
Antalya was once home to the Lycian civilization, Roman civilization, Byzantine settlements, and the Ottoman Empire.
If you want to relax on the beach, these are some famous beaches situated in the region: Lara Beach, Belek coastline, Alanya shores, and Side beaches. You can also explore waterfalls, national parks, canyons, and mountain trails in this place.
As we understood already, Turkey has a perfect blend of history, luxury, and nature in its landscape, which can be very interesting and soothing for a fam ily trip with children.
What to Consider Before Visiting Turkey with Family and Children?
- As Turkey is a massive country, you cannot cover it in just one visit. To avoid burnout, choose two to three regions per visit.
- You can use affordable domestic flights for internal transportation.
- Use official metered taxis (yellow) or the ride-hailing app BiTaksi while traveling in Istanbul.
- To comfortably visit with children, consider the time from April to June and September to October in the year, because then the weather is pleasant and the crowd is moderate.
- If you are traveling with children, stay extra cautious of the heat because the weather could be very hot and unpleasant at noon.
- Last but not least, keep all of your travel documents, such as your passport, visa, and medical documentation, both physically and digitally available for emergency usage.
How to Get the Turkey Visa For Your Family
To get a visa in Turkey, documents such as a passport, a photograph, essential medical documentation, a round-trip flight ticket, a visa application form signed by the applicant, a hotel booking, and proof of finances are required.
You can either apply for an e-Visa online or apply for a visa sticker from a local visa application center.
Planning To Visit Turkey With Your Family and Children?
If you are planning to visit Turkey with your family and kids, contact us to get the essential visa procedure done. Enjoy a great trip that your family will remember for years to come.
Check your eligibility for Turkey Visa and apply for Turkey e-Visa 72 hours in advance of your flight. Dominican Republic Citizens, Solomon Islands Citizens, Bahamas citizens and Iraqi citizens can apply online for Electronic Turkey Visa.