We have a trip to Turkey planned in Oct. and we may have to bring our kids (8 & 12)along now. Has anyone travelled with kids around these ages in Turkey? Any suggestions? We already have tickets to Istanbul, Cappadoccia and Izmir, so that would be the itinerary. Thanks for any help!
Posted by
Seattle, USA
990 posts
I would expect no problems at all. We traveled with a pre-teen on our first trip to Turkey many years ago and she loved it. Turks are very fond of kids and have a very welcoming attitude towards them. (As opposed to say, France, where I have found that dogs are more welcomed in restaurants than kids!)
Posted by
Denver, CO, USA
1610 posts
We were in Istanbul last year with out kids (9, 16) and had no issues. We didn't spend any time in the rest of Turkey but used it as a jumping off point to enter Syria and from there travel through Lebanon, Jordan, Israel and Cyprus.
Our kids are well traveled and didn't have any issues - they were already familiar with Islamic countries as well as European culture from numerous prior trips. Overall, if you keep an open mind and they are willing to experience new cultures you should have no problems.
In Istanbul we did most of the tourist sites - a high point would have to be the Grand Bazaar. Also, kids that age generally love different forms of transportation - so do the trams, trains and the finicular up the hill to Taksim. Enjoy.
Posted by
Izmir, izmir, Turkey
85 posts
Hi,
I am Gokhan From izmir/Turkey,,
Be sure that if you will come to Istanbul and cappadoccia without them you will be upset when you will recognize that places are suitable for them..
Only problem could be in Istanbul if you would like to join night life in Taksim :) Do not forget to visit Selcuk, sirince and ephessus while you will be in izmir (of course inside of izmir) ,,
do not hesisate to ask question if you have for the coming days,
Iyi tatiller :)
Posted by
OP
Breckenridge, CO
239 posts
Thanks for the responses. I just booked their tickets today. We have 5 days in Istanbul and 3 days in Cappadoccia. I had to cut out Izmir because I don't want to pull them out of school any longer than a week.
Posted by
Charleston, SC, United States
6 posts
I have been a kid who has been taken to Istanbul. Don't be afraid your kids won't be interested. I was 4/5 when my parents took me and it was a blast! I still have awesome memories of the baths, the bazaars and all the ruins! It was so cool. I hope you have a good trip!
Posted by
la frette sur seine
448 posts
We traveled in Turkey with a 4 year old..No problems at all. One of the highlights for him was lowering a string down from the hotel window to bring up a simit (bread ring) like he saw people in the apartments in front of us doing. He also like "learning' to play backgammon with old men in the square.....And IF you do happen to pass thru France someday children are certainly welcome in the restaurants.