Hotel Marius · Sirkeci
Istanbul with children: a family stay in the old city
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Families come to Istanbul for the same sights as everyone else — Hagia Sophia, Topkapı Palace, the bazaars, the Bosphorus — but at a different pace. Hotel Marius is in Sirkeci, about 50 m from the tram and Marmaray station, with the main sights of the old city on foot. This guide covers our rooms for families, arriving with children, what children tend to enjoy nearby, and a few honest tips for parents.
Rooms for families
The Deluxe Family room, our largest, sleeps four and has blackout curtains; the Deluxe Triple sleeps three. For more privacy there is the Connecting Room — two bedrooms joined by a private entrance hall, a double bed in one and two single beds in the other, for up to four guests; its price is given on request on WhatsApp at +90 530 333 51 61. Baby cots and extra beds are available on request, so mention them when you book. Breakfast is included.
Arriving with children
A lift serves the guest floors and there is a ramp at the entrance, which helps with a pram and luggage. From Istanbul Airport the M11 metro and Marmaray bring you to Sirkeci station, about 50 m from our door; with small children and suitcases a private transfer is easier, and the hotel arranges one directly on WhatsApp. Check-in is from 14:00; if you arrive earlier, leave your bags in the luggage room and go out for a walk.
Stay at Hotel Marius
Stay with us in Sirkeci. Hotel Marius is a boutique hotel in Sirkeci, in the heart of Istanbul's old city: 50 m from the Marmaray and the tram, rooms cleaned every day, a quiet lobby and a front desk staffed around the clock — a comfortable, safe base to come back to. Breakfast is included, and booking direct costs no extra fee.
- Booked directly — no middleman, no booking fee
- Free cancellation up to 5 days before check-in (flexible rate)
- Breakfast included in every room
- 24-hour front desk, we answer in person
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Superior Double / Twin20 m² · Double or twin beds
from about €101 per night
Check availability
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Deluxe Double23 m² · Double or twin beds
from about €114 per night
Check availability
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Deluxe Triple25 m² · Double bed & sofa bed
from about €126 per night
Check availability
The old city at a child's pace
Gülhane Park is about 5 minutes on foot — shady lawns and room to run between sights. The Spice Bazaar, about 6 minutes away, is all colour and Turkish delight, and on the Galata Bridge, also about 6 minutes, children like to watch the anglers. The Basilica Cistern, about 8 minutes, with its columns in the half-light, fascinates most children. Visit Hagia Sophia and Topkapı Palace, about 8 and 9 minutes away, early in the morning before the queues, and keep the afternoon for something lighter.
Ferries and a museum to touch
Children love the ferries: from Eminönü, about five minutes from the hotel, the crossing to Üsküdar or Kadıköy on the Asian side takes under half an hour, with tea served on board. For a longer outing, the Rahmi M. Koç Museum in Hasköy, on the northern shore of the Golden Horn, is full of old trams, cars, boats and aircraft, with hands-on exhibits; it is closed on Mondays. Reach it by the Golden Horn ferry or a short taxi ride, and check the ferry timetable before you go.
Honest tips for parents
The old city is hilly and many streets are cobbled, so a baby carrier is often easier than a pram around the bazaars and inside the museums, where crowds gather. Summer afternoons are hot: plan indoor sights or a rest at the hotel in the middle of the day. In winter our front desk lends umbrellas free of charge, and it is open 24 hours if you need anything, day or night.
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Landmarks on foot from Hotel Marius
See our rooms Where to stay in Istanbul Getting here from the airport