Traveling in Turkey with kids

Turkey has plenty for kids with open minds or a taste for adventure.
For variety and adventure, traveling in Turkey with kids is an idea that definitely isn't a turkey. Active kids can burn off energy with activities as diverse as coastal hikes, canyoning and river rafting, while in amazing surreal landscapes like Cappadocia there is the chance to stay in a (luxury) cave. Epic history is brought thrillingly to life at legendary ancient sites like Ephesus or Troy, haunted by the ghosts of heroic Achilles and heartbreaker Helen. Families can also enjoy delicious – and cheap – meals where small plate mezes offer something for everyone.

Activities for families in Turkey

Touching history
Forget Do Not Touch rules; Turkey is full of fantastic ancient ruins where you wander in to slide hands across sun-warmed stones, imagining their epic past. Make history come alive on your own outings or join guided jaunts where kids can ask experts the stuff grown-ups wouldn't.

Tingling tastebuds

If your kids think Turkish tucker means kebabs, feed them delicious mezes at atmospheric local diners or street food like pide (Turkish pizza) or kokorec (spicy lamb sandwich to beat any burger). For novel sweet treats, visit a milk-pudding parlour (muhallebici) or try chewy dondurma ice-cream!

Enjoy the wildlife

Get kids close to nature by swimming with giant turtles across azure bays, before watching them clamber onto gorgeous beaches to lay eggs in the sand. Count dolphins arcing their way across secluded coves out of adventure yarns, or stand amid gaudy fluttering beauties at Butterfly Valley near Oludeniz.
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Turkey or need help finding a vacation to suit you we're very happy to help.

Traveling in Turkey with kids

Ornella Giordano from our supplier Exodus explains how keeping the family active – and well fed – makes for a great experience of Turkey with kids: "With a mixture of activities such as canyon walking and sea kayaking, plus free time for optional activities, our family adventure trip is aimed at those who want to have an active, fun time and discover new things together. Turkish food is also some of the most underrated in the world - a far cry from the kebab that may have been your only experience of Turkish food at home! Families have the opportunity to savour a vast number of dishes, rich in fresh vegetables and gently spiced, with a variety to suit all taste buds."
Julie Vural from our supplier Alternatif Outdoor explains how tailor made trips are great for enjoying Turkey with kids: “We arrange trips on demand for families of four or more - just provide dates, ages of children, plus preferred activities and style (hotel? camping? rest days?). We tailor activities to abilities, and customise the vacation to suit each family's preference, so everybody enjoys themselves. Multi-activity trips are ideal for children over 10, and there can be several families on a trip so children can make friends. But private trips are available for those who prefer not to be with other families! Our 3-day sea kayaking/camping expeditions are ideal for those after more adventure - the paddling is not too strenuous, and we spend two nights camping 'wild' on beaches. On summer nights we encourage people to sleep in our 'one thousand star hotel' – i.e. the open air, without a tent!”
Written by Norman Miller
Photo credits: [Page banner: Christine McIntosh] [Oludeniz: Fredi Bach] [Paragliding: Fredi Bach] [Old ways of walking: Warren Talbot]