Miniatürk in Istanbul

I never thought of myself of visiting this place called #Miniatürk in Istanbul. I always thought, "I live in Istanbul and I have seen the historic places all alive, why go and see the mini ones??" haha ;)

I went there at November 2013 as the result of not resistable incessant demand of my 7 year old son. (You can imagine how they can be) Goshhh what happened? A great family time :))
So I felt myself noting this down. Please do not waste your time hurry up! every one should see this place at once ;))

How you will find the place?

Transportation by bus

from #Taxim take no 54HT
from Eminonu take no 47,47Ç, 47E
from Mecidiyeköy take no 54HŞ
from Topkapı take no 41ST

Address : Imrahor caddesi Sütlüce/İstanbul
Phone: 212 222 28 82

Transportation by private vehicle

This place is in Sutluce (@Haliç), so when you arrived there follow the signs of Miniaturk. There is a large parking place even on Sunday you can find free space.

Fare policy

The ticket policy is 10TL for entry. You will use the ticket later, so do not throw it away.

Miniaturk is open everyday between 09:00-18:00.

About the Miniaturk

First of all this is the largest open air miniatur park of the world. As you proceed from the ticket window to open air park the place's magical structure captures you. Just think about a world that only at the height of the children.
As we see the miniatur of Rumeli Fortress, my three year old girl shouted out "Mummy look! we come to my castle, lets go there pleaasee!!". Then I realized that already we were in a different world opening to a fairy tale atmosphere.
(So start shooting pictures of your kids at the very fairy tales moments.)
The park hosts to 120 models of historic places from Turkey and  from Ottoman territories that lie outside of Turkey. Models vary from Hagia Sophia to Selimiye Mosque, from Rumeli Fortress to Galata Tower, from Ephesus to ruins of Mount Nemrut, from Sumela Monastry to Halicarnasus Mausoleum (yet this place has not survived to present time)..etc..

There is an information booth in front of each model, you can activate this by showing your ticket. The info is about the models history, how and when it was built etc... There passes a train for children to  show all around the open air park. (The fare is 1TL for each)The children love that, i suggest you to take that.

After stopping at every model, listening, walking, running and trying to make them give you a pose, of course the children starves. There are alternatives :)) Such as there is a restaurant at the entrance where you can find a diner style menu. Beside that there is a cafe, where you can find hamburgers and drinks. May be you just want to have a snack, so do not worry. By the pond you will see several booth that sell corns, sausages, desserts and drinks as well.
We thought of a quick snack, so bought some fresh corns and chocalate. The kids love that. At the pond there are boats that can be monitored for 1 TL. That is also a fun for the kids 'cause they monitore it with a ship wheel ;)) (So let them use it as you can take a breath by that time)

Yess.. After you finished the sightseeing of  the miniatur icons, remoting boats, taking miniatur train and having super snacks, you will find other activities that will attract children. There is a playground includes a Troy horse that children can climb, a fable teller tree (1 TL), a slide at a big castle, a life size chessboard and a labyrinth (1 TL).

How about the activities for the elders? Of course there are activities for the adults too. I suggest you to ask the daily activity to the officer at the entrance. We came upon the janissary band of musicians at the amphitheatre. This was a very special moment for us. We felt the historic times, as we were surrounded by the miniaturs of ancient structures, through the sound of this historic music. (That was nice!)

This place is also available for the parents with babies. You can easily ride the baby stroller everywhere.

I could not try the "flyride" joy, as the kids wanted to be at the playground area. Therefore I do not have an idea. But I suggest you to have that as this is a #helicopter #simulation over Istanbul and Turkey. So don't miss that ;)

Miniatürk is a very unique park to understand how Istanbul and Turkey were before. So I also suggest everybody to visit this place for taking a quick look of historic icons before making plans of your tour around this area..

Gift Shop
Of course there is a gift shop, which is located at the exit. You will enjoy it because there is a variety of souveniers of Turkey. You can shop for your loved ones.

These are all my experiences I had during my visit to Miniaturk. I wish that you find my post helpful for your visiting plans :))

Till the next post, have a nice time...