Miniaturk

For a family-friendly afternoon, grab the kids and head to Miniaturk, one of the world’s largest miniature theme parks. Only a stone’s throw from the shores of the Golden Horn, this enchanting theme park is right in the heart of historic Istanbul and is easily accessible on foot.Spread out over 1.5 hectares of green open space, Miniaturk is home to over 120 miniature versions of famous buildings in Istanbul, Anatolia and the former Ottoman Empire. Reflecting the vast spectrum of Turkish cultural heritage, art and architecture, the buildings include a wonderful selection of mosques, palaces, churches, towers and bridges – all of which are sprinkled amid pretty water features and lush greenery.Not only is this is a delightful place to stroll around, it’s also a fantastic way of getting to grips with the main historical attractions in Turkey. Before you begin exploring, it’s worth picking up one of the English digital audio guides. Free of charge, these informative guides give visitors an enlightening historical overview of each individual building and are invaluable for gaining a deeper understanding of the relationship between architecture and culture throughout the centuries.Given that the models are 25 times smaller than their real-life counterparts, the expertise and attention to detail is extremely impressive. As you wander around, keep an eye out for the skilfully sculpted Hagia Sophia, the intricately detailed Galata Tower and the exquisitely carved Temple of Artemis.This endearing park also offers a range of exciting interactive amenities. Stop off at the Bosphorus Bridge and get your photo taken with one foot in Asia and the other in Europe, visit the 400-seater amphitheatre, explore the labyrinth, or challenge your family to a game of chess on the life-size checker board.So, if you are visiting Istanbul and the kids are becoming bored by the traditional tourist trail, this is the place to go. Not only will they enjoy the feeling of being on top of the world, they might even learn a thing or two.