Turkey can feel like a big step up from a Bangkok or Bali trip. The flight from Changi is long. The country is large. The old streets are hilly and cobbled. But it gives children a lot to look at: boats, caves, ruins, cats on every corner and bread at every meal.
This is a sample plan for a family with young children. It covers about 10 days, three bases and a slow pace. Change it to fit your children, their naps and your budget.
A pace that works with children
The biggest mistake is trying to see all of Turkey. It is a large country, and every move between cities costs you most of a day. With young children, three bases over 10 days is plenty. Two is even calmer.
Plan one main outing each day. Do it in the morning, when children are fresh. Head back for a nap or a quiet hour after lunch. Use the late afternoon for a park, a ferry ride or a slow walk.
The time difference from Singapore means the first two or three days can be rough. Children may wake at odd hours. Keep those days light, and keep snacks in the room for early mornings.
Days 1 to 4: Istanbul
Arrive, rest, and keep day 1 for a short walk and an early night.
On day 2, try the Sultanahmet area. Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and the Basilica Cistern sit close together. Pick one or two, not all three. Queues can be long, so go early.
On day 3, take a ferry on the Bosphorus. Children usually love the boat more than any sight. Feed them a simit on deck and watch the gulls.
On day 4, visit Topkapi Palace in the morning. Spend the afternoon in Gülhane Park, which sits right beside it.
Days 5 to 7: Cappadocia
Fly to Cappadocia on day 5 and rest. The landscape of rock towers and caves feels like a storybook to children.
On day 6, visit the Göreme Open-Air Museum. It has old churches carved into the rock. Little ones like climbing in and out of the cave rooms.
On day 7, walk an easy stretch of one of the valleys, such as Love Valley or Rose Valley. Go early before it warms up. Many families watch the hot-air balloons rise at dawn from the ground. If you want to ride in one, check the age rules before you book.
Days 8 to 10: Antalya and the coast
Fly to Antalya on day 8. End the trip with slow beach days so everyone rests before the long flight home.
Walk the old town of Kaleiçi, with its harbour and narrow lanes. Visit the Düden Waterfalls, where water drops into the sea. Spend the rest of the time on the sand.
Sights and outdoor places children usually enjoy
Children tend to remember things they can do, not things they look at. These usually work well:
- Ferries in Istanbul. Short, cheap-feeling and full of things to watch.
- The Princes' Islands. A ferry ride from Istanbul to car-free islands. Good for a slow day with a picnic.
- Emirgan Park. A large green park on the Bosphorus with lawns and play space.
- Cave rooms in Cappadocia. Real-life hide and seek.
- Ephesus. If you add the Aegean coast, the ancient streets are open and wide. They have little shade, so go early.
- Pamukkale. White terraces of mineral pools you can walk on barefoot. Check the rules on site.
- Beaches near Antalya. Easy, familiar fun after days of sights.
The street cats of Istanbul deserve a mention. Children will want to stop for every one. Teach them to look, not touch.
Hot-day and rainy-day options
Weather in Turkey changes a lot by season and by region. The coast, Istanbul and Cappadocia can feel very different on the same day. Check the forecast for each base before you pack and again before each outing.
On very hot days, keep outdoor sights for early morning. Spend the middle of the day indoors or in the sea. On rainy or cold days, these indoor places help:
- The Basilica Cistern. Cool, dim and a little spooky in a way children enjoy.
- Istanbul Archaeology Museums. Big halls with statues and old carvings to spot.
- The Grand Bazaar. Covered lanes of colour and noise. It is crowded, so use a carrier for toddlers.
- The Spice Bazaar. Smaller and easier, with plenty to smell and taste.
- Antalya Museum. A good stop on a grey day by the coast.
Opening days and hours vary. Check before you go, so you do not drag tired children to a closed door.
Eating with children
Turkish food is often easy for children. Much of it is bread, rice, grilled meat and yoghurt. Picky eaters usually find something.
Dishes that tend to work:
- Simit, a sesame bread ring sold on the street. A good snack between meals.
- Pide, a boat-shaped flatbread with cheese or minced meat.
- Köfte, small grilled meatballs.
- Lentil soup, mild and filling.
- Gözleme, a thin folded pancake with cheese or potato.
- Ayran, a salty yoghurt drink. Some children love it; some do not.
Meals can start late in the evening. Feed children an early dinner, or bring a filling snack to hold them over. Breakfast is often a big spread of bread, cheese, eggs, olives and fruit. It can carry a small child to lunch.
If your child has a food allergy, carry a note in Turkish that explains it. Ask before ordering. Bring familiar snacks from Singapore for flights and long days out.
Getting around with a stroller
Be honest with yourself here. Old Istanbul is hilly, cobbled and busy. A stroller works on main streets and in parks. It is hard work in the old lanes, on stairs and in crowded bazaars.
A mix works best for many families:
- A light, foldable stroller for parks, flat promenades and naps on the go.
- A baby carrier for toddlers in old towns, mosques, the bazaars and cave sites.
In Istanbul, the tram along the old city and the ferries are the easiest ways to move. Step-free access varies by station and stop. Taxis are useful for hills and tired legs. If you need a car seat, ask in advance, or bring your own.
For moves between cities, domestic flights save long road days. Book seats together, and give yourself spare time at each airport.
At mosques, visitors take off their shoes. Strollers usually stay outside. Check the dress guidance at the entrance, and carry a light scarf.
Health and emergencies
Save these numbers on your phone before you fly:
- 112 is the single emergency number in Turkey. It covers ambulance, fire, police, gendarmerie, forest, disaster and coast guard services. Interpreters are available in English, German, Russian and Arabic.
- Embassy of the Republic of Singapore in Ankara: +90-312-442-4330.
- Embassy emergency contact: +90 530 066 7311.
- Honorary Consulate-General in Istanbul: +90 212 339 1852.
Write these on a card in your child's bag too. Older children can learn that 112 means help.
For visas, entry rules and health advice, read MFA's travel advice. You will find it on the Turkey price page. Check it close to your travel date, as advice can change.
What to pack for the children
Pack light, but do not skip the things that save a hard day.
- Layers. Weather shifts between regions and between morning and evening.
- Sun hats, sunscreen and sunglasses for open sites like Ephesus and the coast.
- Comfortable shoes with good grip for cobbles and rocky paths.
- Swimwear for the coast and pools.
- A light scarf or shawl for mosque visits.
- Any regular medicine, with the prescription or a doctor's note.
- A small first-aid kit with plasters, fever medicine and rehydration salts.
- Snacks from home for flights and late dinners.
- Wet wipes and hand sanitiser for markets and ferries.
- A tablet and headphones for the long flight from Changi.
- A favourite toy or comforter to help with sleep in new rooms.
Before you go
Aim for a school holiday that suits the weather you want. Book a room with space for naps. Plan only one big thing a day. Leave the last few days for rest.
Turkey asks a little more of parents than a short trip in the region. With a slow pace, a carrier and a bag of snacks, it can give your children a trip they talk about for years.
Before you go: travel insurance for Turkey
Before you fly, get your travel insurance through Shenton Brokers for the whole family. Compare travel insurance for Turkey to see today's prices from every insurer we compare, with the destination's travel notes and MFA's latest advice. Or get a quote for your own dates.
Buy it as soon as you book: trip cancellation pays only for events after the policy starts.