Istanbul Guide

26

Princes’ Islands Your kids will love taking fayton (horse drawn carriage; p174) rides around the islands, or hiring bicycles to get around under their own steam. Rumeli Hisarı This huge castle (p165 ) on the Bosphorus is a hit with most children. Just be sure that your junior knights and princesses are careful when they clamour up the battlements. For Teenagers Cooking Courses Some teenagers see the kitchen as offer ing more than a refrigerator just waiting to be raided. Book yourself and your aspiring chef into a cooking class such as the one offered by Cooking Alaturka (p 90) in Sultanahmet. Ice Cream They may try to appear sophisticated, but teenagers almost inevitably lose their attitude and get excited when they sample the dondurma sold at the many Mado ice cream shops (www. mado.com.tr) found throughout the city. There’s a strategically located branch next to the Sultanahmet tram stop, and another at 121 İstiklal Caddesi in Beyoğlu. Need to Know ¨ ¨ Museums Children under 12 receive free or discounted entry to most museums and monuments. ¨ ¨ Transport Children under seven travel free on public transport. ¨ ¨ Strollers Most footpaths are cobbled or uneven, so strollers aren’t very useful. ¨ ¨ Nappies Disposable nappies (diapers) and formula are easy to purchase. ¨ ¨ Restaurants Children are almost inevitably made welcome in restaurants, although high chairs and kids’ menus are the exception rather than the rule.

With Kids

İstanbul is a great destination for a family-friendly break. Children will be happy by the fantastic baklava, lokum (Turkish Delight) and dondurma (ice cream) on offer, as well as the castles, underground cisterns and parks waiting to be explored.

For Toddlers Playgrounds & Parks

There are good playgrounds in Gülhane Park (p81) and in the waterside park near the Fındıklı tram stop in Beyoğlu. Open areas such as the Hippodrome (p 77) and Yıldız Park (p 151) also offer loads of space in which toddlers can expend energy.

For Bigger Kids Rahmi M Koç Museum

Junior members of the family will go crazy (in a good way) when they encoun ter all of the trains, planes, boats and automobiles on exhibit at this museum (p172 ) in Hasköy. Grand Bazaar Scavenger Hunt Forget shopping – exploring the Grand Bazaar on a scavenger hunt offered by Alternative City Tours (p 111 ) is much more fun. Basilica Cistern It’s creepy, and children can explore the walkways suspended over the water (p 76 ). Way cool.