3 Days in Istanbul Itinerary (Walkable + Stroller-Friendly)

3 Days in Istanbul: Family-Friendly Itinerary, Must-Try Eats & Top Tips

Planning 3 days in Istanbul with kids? Here’s our complete family-friendly itinerary when we traveled off-season in November, from the Blue Mosque and Grand Bazaar to Turkish breakfasts, rooftop views, and local food favorites. Includes stroller tips, safety notes, and where to stay in Old Town Istanbul.

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Arrival in Old Town Istanbul

We arrived at Istanbul International Airport—so grand! After picking up our bags, our hotel shuttle picked us up (stress-free with the kids, yes please!). The short drive gave us a feel for the city.

We stayed at the Radisson Hotel President Old Town Istanbul and loved it! Amazing breakfast buffet, on-site restaurant for our first dinner, and a perfect walkable location to explore and find hidden gems.

Day 1: Exploring Sultanahmet Square & Iconic Landmarks

Start your day with breakfast at the hotel.
Visit Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque — Open Monday through Sunday from 9 am -7:30 pm: closed during prayer time. These prayer times change, so make sure to check those before visiting. Friday is closed typically from 11:30-2 pm! Hagia Sophia + Blue Mosque small tour group,I highly recommend! See below for dress code information.
Continue to The Blue Mosque
- Dress code ( See below for more details: cover head/shoulders, remove shoes, and wear modest attire).
- Free entry!
Walk through Sultanahmet Square for street food and local vibes. Grab a Turkish ice cream and be prepped for silliness.
Try your first traditional Turkish coffee at The Old School Tea and Hookah House (Molla Fenari, Bileyciler Sk. No:76, 34120 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye)
and baklava at Hafiz Mustafa.
End the day with dinner at the hotel restaurant or nearby The Must Turkish Restaurant (Alemdar, Alemdar Cd. No:9, 34150 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye).

Dress Etiquette for Mosques

Both men and women should wear clothing that covers their shoulders, arms, and knees, and shoes should be removed before entering the mosque. Cover tattoos, avoid revealing or overly tight clothing. For women, it’s recommended to wear a scarf over one’s head as a sign of respect, although not mandatory. For more information on dress codes, take a peek at Haiga Sophia’s website.

Day 2: Markets, Rooftops & Turkish Delights

Turkish breakfast at Sefa-i Hürrem Café & Restaurant (Demirtaş Mahallesi, Süleymaniye, Fetva Ykş. No: 6, 34134 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye). Amazing opportunity to take photos wearing traditional Turkish gowns, an absolute must-do!
Head to the Grand Bazaar for rug shopping, Turkish lanterns, pottery — incredibly stroller accessible!
Visit spice stores nearby (great sensory experience for kids).
Enjoy a rooftop lunch at Seven Hills Restaurant (Cankurtaran, Tevkifhane Sk. No:8 Kat:3, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye) recommended by a local, afterward feed seagulls French fries, and enjoy panoramic mosque views.
Visit Orme Dikilitaş (Egyptian Obelisk) in Sultanahmet.
Sample Turkish ice cream (dondurma) from street vendors — playful and interactive!
Dinner at The Must Turkish Restaurant -if not Day 1(Alemdar, Alemdar Cd. No:9, 34150 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye).

Day 3: Palaces, Culture & Local Eats

Start with your hotel breakfast again.
Explore Topkapi Sarayı (Topkapi Palace) — The main parts of Topkapi are stroller-accessible, but some areas are not. There are plenty of signs. Don’t do what I did and ignore them. Grab an Istanbul E Pass to visit the top Istanbul attractions with- skip the line ticket! This pass provides entry to over 40 key Istanbul attractions.
Stop for street simit (Turkish bagel) and chestnuts en route.
Stroll through the streets of Old Town Istanbul for last-minute souvenirs, or my favorite Book Shop (Binbirdirek, Divan Yolu Cd. No:11, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye)
Head over to McDonald’s for dinner if you’re looking to try something slightly familiar. It was delicious, and the ketchup tasted very different.
Wrap up with one last Turkish coffee or baklava stop before heading back.

Don’t Miss These Attractions

Want to experience a traditional Turkish spa? Then visit the Hürrem Sultan Hammam, centrally located (Cankurtaran, Ayasofya Meydanı No:2, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye). Hürrem Sultan Hammam is a 16th-century Hammam designed for the Hürrem Sultan (wife of Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent).
The Bosphorus Bridge separates the Asian and European sides of Turkey and is home to some incredible shops and restaurants!
Galata Tower is one of the world’s oldest towers in the world & was included in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Originally built to be a watchtower, it now sits in Istanbul as a reminder of the medieval times.
Gülhane Park– A FREE kids park right next to Topkapi Palace to let the kids run around, enjoy slides, and climb! (Cankurtaran, Kennedy Cad., 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye)
Say hello to the street animals, okay, I do not recommend touching any animals; however, while we were there (keeping in mind I’m a biologist & dog trainer), we snuggled and pet our fair share of street dogs and cats. They are so very loved and taken care of by the citizens of Istanbul, so they are neutered/spayed, collared in many cases, friendly, and well fed. There are feeders all over the city that provide food for both cats and dogs.

Must-Try Turkish Foods & Drinks

Turkish Breakfast (Kahvaltı): Variety of cheeses, olives, honey, bread, eggs.
Beyti Kebab: Grilled meat wrapped in lavash with yogurt and tomato sauce.
Baklava: Sweet, flaky dessert — perfect from Hafiz Mustafa.
Simit: Sesame bread ring, great snack for kids.
Turkish Coffee: Rich and strong, sip slowly!
Turkish Ice Cream (Dondurma): Chewy and interactive street performance.
Knüefe: A warm, syrupy cheese-filled dessert sounds weird tastes delicious.

What to Wear in Istanbul (Especially for the Blue Mosque)

Women should bring a scarf or shawl to cover their head when entering mosques.
Shoulders and knees should be covered for both men and women.
Slip-on shoes are easiest since you’ll remove them before entering.
Comfortable shoes are a must — you’ll walk a lot!

Family Travel Tips for Istanbul

Stroller-friendly streets: Old Town sidewalks are surprisingly smooth and walkable.
Locals love kids: From the Grand Bazaar to the restaurants, locals were incredibly kind and loving to my children, offering goodies and even kisses and hugs.
Hotel perks: Perfect central location + airport shuttle made everything easy and included breakfast for the win!
Safety: Myself (pregnant with baby #3) mom, and mother-in-law felt completely safe walking around, even with young kids.
Bring reusable water bottles and light layers — the weather can change quickly. I love the rain-resistant jacket I brought that folded up into a tiny pillow, but kept the rain and wind away.
The loud prayer calls can be a bit alarming for kids; however, they do get used to them after a while. For kids who are more sensitive to noise, try using noise-canceling headphones and prep them with videos/songs.
The time difference was tough (7+ hrs), so having Melatonin on the first night helped us get rest and be ready for adventure.

Stroller Recommendation

My all-time favorite stroller is the Hagaday 2-1 Baby Stroller, which I brought with me. Another option is an all-terrain stroller, like the Delta Children Apollo Jogging Stroller.

Why Istanbul Should Be on Every Family’s Bucket List

Istanbul combines history, beauty, and hospitality in such an effortless way, there is complete reason why our family ranks Istanbul at the top of favorite places to visit. In only 3 days, we were able to visit many places, and our favorites were completely impromptu (The Must Turkish Restaurant). We visited and explored the Grand Baazzar every day and found new shops each time, AND as a medal of accomplishments go, we only got lost once! The locals were incredibly kind and put my Spanish to shame! Although everyone spoke english and Turkish, we were pleasantly surprised that the locals also knew Spanish fluently and many other languages. So make sure to learn some Turkish; they appreciate the effort. And who knows, you might get some fun little trinkets for free, like my kiddos did.

Ready to plan your own 3 days in Istanbul? Vámonos Together!