Traveling With Kidsin Istanbul
A practical guide to visiting Istanbul with babies, toddlers, children and teenagers, including strollers, transport and family logistics.
Family travel
Istanbul with children
Child rules are set site by site. Milli Saraylar states that visitors aged 0 to 6, of any nationality, enter its palaces (Topkapı and Dolmabahçe among them) free. Galata Tower and Maiden's Tower both require anyone under 18 to visit with their parents. The Blue Mosque does not allow strollers inside, and Galata Tower's route has steps at the entrance and stairs to the balcony and all the way down. Çamlıca Tower admits strollers subject to its rules, and Büyükada in the Princes' Islands has no private cars.
Children
Çamlıca Tower's deck visit is limited to 1.5 hours on timed entry and the observation floors are enclosed, with no open-air area. The Ministry's Hagia Sophia History and Experience Museum is a 13-hall museum in the building at At Meydanı Sokak No:10 with content in 23 languages; the Ministry page states child pricing only for Turkish citizens, so a foreign family should ask at the ticket desk.
Strollers
The Blue Mosque's association says baby strollers are not allowed inside the mosque. Galata Tower's lift stops at the sixth floor, its balcony is up a staircase and the descent is by wall stairs. Çamlıca Tower's operator says strollers are admitted provided its rules are followed, without spelling them out. On Büyükada, İETT's island lines use 13-plus-1-seat electric minibuses.
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