15 Free Things to Do in Istanbul with Kids

Istanbul is a large city situated on two continents. One side is in Europe. The other side is in Asia. In the middle, there is a long, blue river-like sea called the Bosphorus. It is filled with historic buildings, vibrant markets, mosques, churches, and lush green parks. Are you looking for fun places that cost nothing?

Let’s move ahead!

Free Things to Do in Istanbul with Kids

These are our picks. They are free, and both kids and parents can enjoy them.

1. Sultanahmet Square

This is the central open area in the old part of Istanbul. Long ago, this was a race track for chariots (horse carts). People came here to watch races, like a stadium.

Now it is a park with trees, water fountains, and paths. Two huge buildings stand here: Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. While you walk, you will see old things:

Police stay around, so it feels safe. Street sellers sell corn on the cob, roasted or boiled. It costs about 30 Turkish lira (around one euro).

2. Hagia Sophia – Look from Outside for Free

Hagia Sophia is a massive building with a domed roof. First, it was a church (built in the year 537). In 1453, it was converted into a mosque. Furthermore, in 1935, it turned into a museum. In 2020, it was converted back into a mosque. That is why you can see both Christian and Muslim art inside.

Please note that a fee applies for visitors from other countries to enter the gallery with the mosaics (a type of picture art made from small pieces). But you can still stand in the park between Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque and take beautiful photos for free. It is one of the best free photo spots in the city.

Tip: Muslims can enter for prayer without paying. There is a different entrance for this. Check at the door.

3. Beyazit Library

This library is in the old centre near the Beyazit Mosque. Long ago, the building was part of the mosque complex; it held kitchens, stables, and rooms for travellers. In 1884, it became Turkey’s first state library.

By 2016, it was fixed up. Now, the large reading hall features smooth stone pillars, arches, and painted ceilings with floral and linear patterns. It is calm and cool inside. Visitors can walk through parts of it for free and see how books and historical artefacts are stored and preserved.

4. The Grand Bazaar

It started in the 1400s under Sultan Mehmed II. Now it is a maze with about 4,000 shops. Each street specialises in a single type of product. One area has carpets, another has ceramics (painted plates), and another has gold.

You can find cheap souvenirs and costly handmade rugs. Sellers talk a lot to get your attention. That is normal here. It is part of the fun. If you get tired, there is a nice place called Saklihan Restaurant inside, where you can have lunch at reasonable prices.

5. The Spice Bazaar

This market opened in 1663. It initially helped fund the construction of the New Mosque. It has an L-shape. Long ago, this was the end of the Silk Road, where goods from Asia were first brought before being sent to Europe. Today you will see spices, sweets, dried fruit, nuts, teas, and clothes. The smell is fantastic. Kids like to see the piles of bright colours. You can taste small samples at many stalls.

6. Galata Bridge – Walk Across for Free Views

This bridge links the old side of Istanbul (Eminönü) with the newer side (Beyoğlu). The top has cars, a tram, and wide footpaths. Underneath are cafés and small fish places. From the middle, you can look one way and see the Golden Horn (a sea inlet). The other way you see the Bosphorus. You also see domes and minarets in the distance.

Fishermen stand here all day throwing lines into the water. Sunset is the best time to walk.

7. Gülhane Park

This park was once the private garden of the Topkapi Palace. It opened to everyone in 1912. Now it is a serene place with lush trees, vibrant flowers, and tranquil fountains. People come to walk, sit, or picnic. Inside the park is the Museum of the History of Islamic Science and Technology. In April, the Tulip Festival turns the park into a sea of flowers. Entry is free.

8. Fener and Balat

These are two old neighbourhoods near the Golden Horn. They were once home to Greek and Jewish families. In the 1600s, wealthy individuals built stone houses adorned with intricate carvings and vibrant paint. Later, many moved away, and new people moved in.

Today, these areas still feel real and busy. Kids play in the streets. Small workshops and ancient churches stand alongside cafes. Brightly painted houses are a top spot for photos. Walking here feels like stepping back in time.

9. Süleymaniye Mosque

This mosque is situated high on a hill known as the Third Hill. It was built by the renowned architect Mimar Sinan for Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. Because it’s up high, you can see the Golden Horn (the sea inlet) and lots of the city from the courtyard.

The mosque has four very tall minarets (prayer towers). Inside is huge and quiet. There is also an old Turkish bathhouse (hammam) next to it. Everything outside is free to walk around, and the view is one of the best in Istanbul.

10. Galata Tower

The Galata Tower is a tall, round stone tower. It stands 63 m high in the Galata area. The first tower here was made of wood, built in the 5th century by the Byzantines to guard the city. It burned and broke many times. In 1348, the Genoese traders rebuilt it in stone. Later, the Ottomans used it as a prison and a watchtower.

Today, you can pay to go to the top, but a free alternative is to stand on Büyük Hendek Street below. This cobbled street offers a perfect view of the tower and numerous cafés. One famous café here is Viyana Kahvesi. They sell a tasty San Sebastian cheesecake with chocolate on top. Kids love it.

11. Church of St. Anthony of Padua

This is the biggest Catholic church in Istanbul. It sits on busy İstiklal Street, but the front is hidden inside a small courtyard. The red brick building you see now opened in 1913 in a style called Neo-Gothic (that just means pointy arches and tall windows).

Inside, it has three long halls and a high apse (the rounded end behind the altar). Masses are held in Turkish, English, Italian, and Polish. Around Christmas, it has a big tree and a nativity scene. Outside, there is a statue of Pope John XXIII, who resided in Istanbul from 1934 to 1944 and was affectionately known as “Friend of the Turks.”

12. Church of St. Stephen of the Bulgars

This church stands by the Golden Horn. People call it the “Iron Church” because its frame and walls are made of cast-iron plates. They were built in Vienna, shipped to Istanbul in 1898, and put together like a giant kit. The style mixes pointy Gothic shapes with rounded Baroque ones.

It is quiet and bright. You can walk into the garden for free and take photos of the white iron walls. It’s one of the few iron buildings of its kind in the world.

13. The Asian Side

Istanbul also has an Asian side. You can get there in 15 minutes by ferry from Kabataş for about 25 lira. The ride itself is fun and cheap. Once there, walk in Kadıköy or Üsküdar. These are neighbourhoods with small markets, bakeries, and sweet shops.

The markets here are smaller than on the European side but less crowded. You can try fresh bread, cheese, and local desserts. Kids like the ferry and feeding birds on the deck.

14. Emirgan Park

Emirgan Park is one of the biggest and prettiest parks in Istanbul. It sits on the European side near the Bosphorus and is open to everyone for free. Long ago, it was a private garden for rich Ottoman families, but today it’s full of tall old trees, winding paths, small lakes with ducks, and plenty of benches. Families come here to walk, relax on the grass, and take in the fresh air. It’s calm on weekdays and a bit busier on weekends, so comfy shoes and some water make the visit easier.

15. Kamondo Stairs

These curving stairs link Bankalar Street with the higher part of Karaköy. They were built around 1850 by a wealthy family named Camondo so their kids could reach school safely. The steps twist in a shape that stops you from falling far if you slip.

The design mixes Neo-Baroque with early Art Nouveau (just means fancy curves). Today, the stairs are a cool place for photos and a quick climb between streets.

Ending Tips

All 15 spots can easily fit into a free or low-cost day plan. Mix mosques, parks, markets, and ferry rides for a balanced experience. Bring a small travel backpack with water, snacks for kids, and modest clothing for mosque visits. Check prayer times before entering religious sites. Ferries and markets make perfect rest stops between activities.

FAQs

Are markets like the Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar open to the public for walking through?

Completely free. You only pay if you make a purchase. Sellers may talk to you a lot to get your attention; just smile or say “no thank you” if you’re not interested.

Are the stairs and little alleys safe for kids?

Yes, in daylight. Locals frequently use places like Kamondo Stairs or the narrow lanes in Balat.

Can you bring snacks and water into mosques or libraries?

You can carry them, but please refrain from eating or drinking inside prayer halls or reading rooms. Eat outside or in the courtyards. In parks and markets, it’s fine to snack anywhere.

Do these free places have toilets or baby changing rooms?

Large mosques typically have public toilets located outside or in the courtyard. Parks like Gülhane have restrooms too. Markets sometimes have pay toilets. Carry small change just in case.

What is the best time of day to visit these free places with kids?

The morning is the calmest for mosques, markets, and parks. Late afternoon is ideal for capturing bridges, ferries, and waterfronts, as the light is soft. Sunset from Galata Bridge or Üsküdar shore is a free “wow” moment that kids usually remember.

Which free places in Istanbul are most fun for kids?

Parks like Gülhane Park and Emirgan Park are excellent, as are the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar.

Are all these places really free to enter?

Yes! Most places we’ve mentioned are free to enter or only charge for optional/luxurious extras.

Can families use strollers at these free attractions?

Mostly yes. These places are stroller-friendly, and Mosques may also allow strollers, but you might have to leave them at the entrance of the prayer hall.