Favorite family experiences in Istanbul?

[schooly2]

We are arriving early pre-cruise to have 2 1/2 days in Istanbul. Any recommendations for families with elementary age children? We have three of them! Planning to visit the Bazaar, cisterns, topkapi palace.

Thanks in advance!

[cruisemom42]

Don't miss the chance to visit a mosque; it will be a broadening experience for your kids. Also, I bet they'd really enjoy one of the ferry (Turyol) rides that takes a couple of hours -- especially if it will be hot when you visit.

[chipmaster]

I was suprised my kids really like the exhibits in Topkapi. They were far more impressed than anything they saw in Florence/Rome/Athens.. go figure :confused:

 

They also had a blast in the spice bazaar.

[Suzieanna]

Your kids will love Istanbul.. it's a very exciting place and the Turkish people as a whole do seem very family oriented. Well, they made a fuss over my daugher - she was in her element!

My biggest memory of being here was the Blue Mosque. The carpet in here was lovely and thick and springy – but someone on our trip had the smelliest feet! I had to keep moving away from it.. Another small drama was one of my ear-rings must have fallen out in here and it was quite a big crystal one. I hope some poor soul did not stand on it in his bare feet, it would really hurt. Imagine the headlines “bloodshed in mosque, catholic suspected”

I was given the wrong change in a shop (too much) and when I went back into the shop to give the shopkeeper her 10TL I said "the change was wrong" (didn't say I had money for her to begin with) but she was really nice to me and was concerned that she hadn't given me enough change and was going to look at her till! Now that's customer service!

[Lolotte]

They would love the cisterns and the Spice bazaar !!!

There is also a miniature village Miniaturk that appeals to children.