12 days • 11 nights • Turkey
A family trip at a calm pace: Istanbul's landmarks and places for children, two nights in a bungalow in Sapanca, then Trabzon and Uzungöl among lakes and horse farms.
The 12-Day Turkey Family Tour is designed for families traveling with children or older relatives, so we kept the pace relaxed and the transfers as short as possible. The trip starts with four nights in Istanbul that combine the major sights with a full day of kids' attractions, then two nights in a bungalow surrounded by nature in Sapanca, then four nights in the north between Trabzon and Lake Uzungöl, and a final night in Istanbul.
We chose a practical route: from Sapanca to Sabiha Gökçen Airport on the Asian side is only about an hour and a half, and from there the family flies to Trabzon, then returns from Trabzon to Istanbul before departure. Domestic flights are included, the car is a spacious family van with an English-speaking driver, and we provide child seats on request. The tour can be shortened to 10 days or extended with Bursa depending on your vacation, and we send you the final offer based on your children's ages and the number of family members.
The driver meets you at Istanbul Airport (IST) in a family van with child seats if you request them, and takes you to your hotel. After resting from the trip, you can take an evening stroll in the nearby area or at a mall. We hand you your SIM card and go over the program with you.
We visit the Blue Mosque, Sultanahmet Square and Hagia Sophia, then the Basilica Cistern, which kids love for its columns, fish and lighting. After lunch we rest in the spacious Gülhane Park next to Topkapı Palace, then take a short tour of the Grand Bazaar. We return to the hotel early so the little ones can rest.
We start with Dolmabahçe Palace, then Ortaköy and Bebek, and take a boat tour of the Bosphorus of about an hour and a half, one of the activities kids love most. Then we cross to the Asian side to visit Çamlıca Mosque and stroll in the hill gardens overlooking the city. The evening is free.
A day just for the little ones: we start with the Istanbul Aquarium in Florya, one of the largest aquariums in the city, then Miniatürk, with miniature models of Turkey's best-known landmarks. Alternatively, you can spend the day at İsfanbul Theme Park. We finish with a visit to a large mall for dinner and shopping.
We head east to Sapanca, about two hours away. We stop in the village of Maşukiye, with its waterfalls and streams, and ride the Kartepe cable car to see the forests from above. In the afternoon we check in to the bungalow or villa in Sapanca, and the evening is for playing, barbecue and relaxing.
In the morning we visit Ormanya Wildlife Park in Kocaeli (about 45 minutes), with its animals and forest walking trails. In the afternoon we return to Lake Sapanca for a boat ride and a stroll along the promenade, with horseback riding or ATV rides for adults as options. The evening is at the bungalow.
After breakfast we leave Sapanca for Sabiha Gökçen Airport on the Asian side, about an hour and a half away, for a domestic flight of about two hours to Trabzon. Our driver meets you at Trabzon Airport and takes you to your hotel. Before sunset we go up Boztepe Hill for views of the city and the sea.
We visit Hagia Sophia of Trabzon and the Atatürk Mansion with its peaceful garden, then Lake Sera west of the city, where kids walk around the lake and feed the ducks. We have lunch in Akçaabat, famous for its köfte, then free time at Meydan Square or Forum Trabzon. We return to the hotel early to prepare for the Uzungöl day.
We set off for Uzungöl, about two hours with stops, at a tea house and the waterfalls along the way. After check-in we stroll around the lake, then visit the horse farm, where kids can ride horses under the supervision of instructors. The evening is quiet on the lakeshore.
In the morning we drive up to Sultan Murat Plateau, with its wide pastures and cool air, a great place for kids to play and for picnics. We return to visit the panoramic Uzungöl viewpoint and the honey and Turkish delight shops, and adults can try the zipline. The rest of the day is free.
After breakfast we leave Uzungöl for Trabzon Airport, about two hours away, for the domestic flight to Istanbul. The driver meets you and takes you to your hotel, then there is time to shop at a large mall and buy gifts. In the evening we suggest a farewell dinner on the Bosphorus.
A free morning, depending on your flight time. The driver picks you up at the hotel and takes you to the airport about three hours before takeoff. We wish you a safe journey home.
| City | Nights | Suggested |
|---|---|---|
| Istanbul | 5 | 4-star hotel with family rooms or an aparthotel in Şişli, Taksim or near Mall of Istanbul (4 nights at the start and 1 night before departure). |
| Sapanca | 2 | Bungalow or villa with two or more bedrooms, with a jacuzzi or private pool depending on the season. |
| Trabzon | 2 | 4-star hotel or aparthotel in the city center or on the coast in Yomra. |
| Uzungöl | 2 | Family hotel or bungalow with a view of the lake or the valley. |
Book this program
Add your arrival date, the number of travelers and the hotel level, and you will receive a written offer with the final price via WhatsApp.
Questions & answers
The one that combines city and nature with short transfers, like this tour: Istanbul for sights, shopping and kids' attractions, and Sapanca and Uzungöl for nature and cool air. We adjust the pace to your children's ages.
Yes. We book family rooms, connecting suites or aparthotels in Istanbul and Trabzon, and bungalows with two or more bedrooms in Sapanca and Uzungöl, depending on your family size.
Turkey is a majority-Muslim country, so food in restaurants is generally halal, and Arabic restaurants are common in Istanbul. You can always ask the driver for family-friendly restaurants.
Yes, you can add a night in Bursa between Sapanca and Istanbul, or add beach days in Antalya. See the Antalya 7-Day Program for an idea of the coast.
From the OYA guide
A balanced 10-day family itinerary in Turkey that combines city, nature and snow or lakes, with ideas for children's activities and practical tips on accommodation and getting around with little ones.
Instead of generic numbers that don't fit your trip, we explain the components of travel costs in Turkey and what raises and lowers them, with a simple way to calculate a one-week budget and practical saving tips.
Turkey has varied climates, so what suits Istanbul may not suit Antalya or Uzungöl in the same month. A month-by-month guide helps you choose the timing and the destination together.
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Personal service from start to finish
We design a custom program for you, with the number of days, cities and hotels you want — just tell us.
