Istanbul

Welcome to Istanbul, a city full of surprises, magic, and fun for the whole family! Over the years, Mike and I have wandered its bustling streets, chased seagulls along the Bosphorus, explored hands-on museums, tasted sweet treats, and discovered hidden corners that delighted both of us.

In this guide, we’ve gathered 100 experiences that we personally tried and loved — playful, immersive, and perfect for children. Get ready to laugh, explore, and make memories your kids will treasure forever! Read more

Well… Budgeting for a city like Istanbul felt like juggling: how to see all the sights, keep the kids happy, and not blow the budget in a week? Luckily, after a bit of research (and a lot of learning on the go with my little one), I figured out practical ways to manage money, plan expenses, and still enjoy Istanbul to the fullest. Read more

Choosing where to stay in Istanbul shapes your entire trip — especially when you’re traveling with kids. This is a huge, layered city, and each neighborhood has its own rhythm, atmosphere, and pace of life. From the historic streets of Sultanahmet to the lively buzz of Beyoğlu or the relaxed, local feel of Kadıköy on the Asian side, the right location can make your stay feel smooth, enjoyable, and surprisingly calm. Read more

I thought booking a flight would be the easiest part of our Istanbul trip. In reality, it turned out to be one of the trickiest — not because flights are hard to find, but because flying with a child is its own special quest. If you’re also a parent juggling schedules, snacks, screen time, and sanity (and maybe secretly wondering how many lollipops are too many for one flight), here’s what helped us, and what I wish I’d known earlier. Read more

Hold on tight! I’ve never seen a more diverse and complicated transport system in any city I’ve visited. Even the confusing public transport in China and India didn’t throw me off as much. But Istanbul’s public transport seems complicated only at first glance. In practice, it’s quite understandable and logical. Just make sure to learn about all the types of transport beforehand, so once you’re there, you’ll know the easiest way to get from one place to another. Let’s take a look at all types of transport in Istanbul together. Read more

I started thinking about our Istanbul trip, and… my brain went a bit haywire. Excited? Absolutely. Nervous? You bet. Honestly, trying to figure out the weather for a whole year in a city that stretches across two continents felt a bit overwhelming. Would it rain constantly? Would we melt in the summer sun? Or freeze in winter? Read more