Nişantaşı with kids

Nişantaşı (Nisantasi) is a good base for families: it is calm in the evening, Maçka Park and its cable car are within walking distance, and the ferries, the Rahmi M. Koç Museum, aquariums and the Basilica Cistern are a short ride away. The hills are the main difficulty, so bring a light stroller and plan on taxis for longer trips.

Nişantaşı is an easy base for a family trip. It is calm in the evening, children are welcome in almost every café and restaurant, and there is a big park, a cable car and the Bosphorus within walking distance. Turks are famously warm towards children, so expect smiles, compliments and the occasional sweet from a shopkeeper.

Within walking distance

• Maçka Democracy Park: lawns for running around, shady paths and playgrounds, just below the shopping streets.
• The Maçka cable car: a short ride over the treetops between Maçka and Taşkışla. Children love it, and it costs no more than a metro ride with an Istanbulkart.
• The Military Museum in Harbiye: armour, cannons and tents, and on some afternoons the Mehter band plays in Ottoman costume, drums and all. Check performance days before you go.
• Yıldız Park: a large wooded park above the Bosphorus, with plenty of space and shade on hot days.
• The Beşiktaş waterfront: watch the ferries come and go, feed the seagulls and eat a simple fish sandwich or simit by the water.

All of these are on our things to do map.

Bigger outings

• A ferry across the Bosphorus: the cheapest boat trip in town. Take the public ferry from Beşiktaş to Kadıköy or Üsküdar and back; children can sit outside on the upper deck.
• Rahmi M. Koç Museum on the Golden Horn: trains, cars, planes and a submarine you can climb into. One of the best museums in the city for children of any age.
• Miniatürk: a park of scale models of Turkey’s famous buildings, from Hagia Sophia to the bridges of the Bosphorus.
• The Basilica Cistern in Sultanahmet: an underground forest of columns, cool and mysterious, which children usually find more exciting than the mosques.
• Aquariums and indoor attractions: SEA LIFE and LEGOLAND Discovery Centre share a mall in Bayrampaşa, and the large Istanbul Aquarium is in Florya. Both are a taxi ride away and good on a rainy day.
• The Princes’ Islands: car-free islands with pine woods and beaches, a full day out by ferry. See our day trips.

Opening days and prices change, so check each place’s website before you go.

Practical tips for families

• Strollers: Nişantaşı is hilly and some pavements are narrow or uneven. A light, foldable stroller is far easier than a large one, and a baby carrier helps in the old city.
• Taxis and car seats: ordinary taxis rarely have child seats. If you need one from the airport, book a private transfer and request a child seat in advance.
• Public transport: young children travel free on Istanbul’s public transport. Metro stations have lifts, though not always at every exit.
• Baby supplies: nappies, formula and baby food are sold in supermarkets and pharmacies (eczane), and pharmacists can advise on minor illnesses.
• Eating out: high chairs are common, and kitchens are happy to make something simple such as plain pasta, grilled meatballs (köfte) or rice. Locals dine late, so eat early if your children need an early night.
• Baby-changing rooms are reliable in the malls, including City’s Nişantaşı; in small cafés they are less common.
• Emergencies: the number for ambulance, police and fire is 112. Private hospitals nearby have paediatric departments and English-speaking staff.

Where to stay with children

Hotels on the Maçka side are close to the park and quieter at night, while those near Osmanbey put the metro on your doorstep. Ask for a family room or connecting rooms, and check whether a cot is free. See where to stay in Nişantaşı for hotels and a map.

Frequently asked questions