Turkey with Kids: A Winter Sun Base, Anzac Day and the Residence Permit Rules (2026)

Our Story: Istanbul at 27, and a Winter Plan for Now

I was about 27 when Marty, my mum and I spent a few days in Istanbul. It was our only taste of Turkey, so we can’t tell you what living there is like. What we can tell you is that we ate really well, and tried a few local vegetarian dishes that made us want to come back. 🇹🇷

The full story, including a costume photo shoot in the Basilica Cistern, is in our Middle East guide. The short version: Istanbul is huge, busy and hilly. That’s exciting for a few days and harder work with a toddler.

So when we think about Turkey now, with Louie (9) and Leo (2), we look south. Dutch winters are long and grey, and the Turkish coast is a few hours’ flight away. Turkey also matters to me as an Australian, because of Gallipoli. More on that below.

Everything else on this page is researched, not lived. Where something can change, we’ve said so.

The short answer:

• Turkey works best for us as a winter base on the southern or Aegean coast, not as a year-round home in Istanbul.
• Both our passports get 90 days visa-free in any 180-day period. A full winter needs a residence permit.
• Some neighbourhoods are closed to new foreign residents, so check before you sign a lease.
• Prices move fast. Annual inflation was 29.73% in September 2026, so budget with a buffer.

Where Families Base Themselves in Turkey

Turkey covers about 780,000 square kilometres across two continents, so “living in Turkey” can mean very different lives. Domestic flights and long-distance buses make it easy to try more than one place.

Most nomad families look at five areas: Istanbul for city life and schools, Antalya and Izmir for the coast, Cappadocia for a short and unusual stay, and the Black Sea for nature. We haven’t lived in any of them. The notes below are researched, with the trade-offs we’d weigh for our own family.

🏛️ Istanbul: Big, Brilliant and Hard Work With a Pram

A City Best Tried Before You Commit

With more than 15 million people, Istanbul is one of the world’s largest cities. It’s also steep. Our few days there with my mum showed us how quickly the hills add up, and that was without a toddler.

For families who love big-city energy, Istanbul offers the most schools, coworking spaces and flight connections in the country. The cost is traffic, higher rents and a lot of noise. A month-long trial is a sensible first step before signing a year’s lease.

Neighbourhoods Families Look At

Kadıköy and Moda on the Asian side are popular with long-term foreign residents. The pace is calmer and the ferries make crossing to Europe easy. On the European side, families often look at Beşiktaş and the Bosphorus villages for leafy streets, though rents there are higher.

Sultanahmet, the old city with Hagia Sophia and the Basilica Cistern, is best visited rather than lived in. It’s crowded, touristy and some of the surrounding neighbourhoods are closed to new foreign residents.

What Works for Families in Istanbul

• History on every corner. Byzantine walls, Ottoman mosques and Roman cisterns sit a short tram ride apart. Our ancient history guide has worldschooling ideas for Hagia Sophia and the Cistern.
• Ferries as transport. Crossing between Europe and Asia by boat is part of daily life, and kids love it.
• Choice. The widest range of schools, doctors, activities and supermarkets in Turkey.

Working Remotely in Istanbul

Istanbul has the biggest coworking scene in Turkey. Kolektif House runs several locations, and Impact Hub Istanbul hosts events for founders and remote workers. Kadıköy and Beyoğlu also have plenty of laptop-friendly cafés. Prices and locations change, so check each space’s website before you commit.

The Hard Parts of Istanbul With Kids

• Traffic is heavy. Pick a home near a ferry, metro or tram stop and plan your days around it.
• Hills and steps. Many central streets are steep or cobbled. A baby carrier is easier than a pram for toddlers.
• It’s the priciest place in Turkey for rent and schooling.
• Closed neighbourhoods. Parts of Fatih, Beyoğlu, Esenyurt, Küçükçekmece and other districts don’t accept new foreign residents. Check the exact neighbourhood before you sign.
• Winters are cold and wet, and air quality can drop in the colder months.

🌴 Antalya: Our Top Pick for Winter Sun

A Big City on the Mediterranean

Antalya sits between the Taurus Mountains and the Mediterranean. It’s a large city with hospitals, big supermarkets and an international airport with flights across Europe. For a family escaping a Dutch winter, that mix of mild weather and real-city services is the draw.

Kaleiçi, the old town, is lovely for a wander but busy with tourists. Families tend to look at residential areas such as Lara, Konyaaltı and parts of Muratpaşa. One big catch: several neighbourhoods there are closed to new foreign residents, including Liman, Hurma and Sarısu in Konyaaltı and Topçular in Muratpaşa.

What Works for Families in Antalya

• Outdoor life most of the year. Beaches, waterfalls, canyons and Roman ruins are all within a day trip.
• City convenience. Private hospitals, large shopping centres and good flight links.
• Lower rents than Istanbul, especially outside the summer season.

Working Remotely in Antalya

The coworking scene is much smaller than Istanbul’s. Most remote workers set up at home, so ask landlords for a speed test before you book. Fibre is available in many residential buildings.

The Hard Parts of Antalya

• Summer is very hot. July and August highs average around 34°C, and heatwaves go well above that.
• Prices jump in summer in tourist areas, from June to August.
• Some resort areas feel empty in winter, with restaurants and shops closed until spring.
• Fewer international schools than Istanbul.

Schooling in Antalya

A handful of private schools teach in English or offer bilingual tracks, such as TED Antalya College. Contact schools directly about fees and mid-year enrolment.

🌿 Izmir: A Working City on the Aegean

Relaxed, Liberal and Built Around the Sea

Izmir is Turkey’s third-largest city, with a reputation for being relaxed and outward-looking. Its long seafront promenade, the Kordon, is made for evening walks, bikes and scooters.

Unlike the resort towns, Izmir is a real working city. That means universities, hospitals and shops stay open all winter. It’s less intense than Istanbul and usually cheaper, though it still has city traffic.

What Works for Families in Izmir

• Neighbourhoods with a community feel, such as Alsancak, Bostanlı and Karşıyaka.
• Ferries across the bay and a tram network for car-free days.
• Day trips to Çeşme, Alaçatı and the ancient city of Ephesus.

Working Remotely in Izmir

Izmir has a smaller coworking scene than Istanbul, with independent spaces and cafés around Alsancak. Ask in local expat groups for current recommendations.

The Hard Parts of Izmir

• Fewer international schools than Istanbul.
• Earthquake risk. Izmir sits in an active seismic zone and had a serious earthquake in 2020. Choose a newer building and learn the local emergency steps.

Schooling in Izmir

A few private schools offer English-medium or IB programmes, at lower fees than Istanbul’s big international schools. Contact them directly for current details.

🎈 Cappadocia: A Few Weeks, Not a Winter

Fairy Chimneys and Cave Houses

Cappadocia is famous for its rock formations, cave churches and hot air balloons at sunrise. Göreme, Ürgüp and Uçhisar are the main bases, and many guesthouses are carved into the rock.

For a worldschooling family, a few weeks here could cover geology, Byzantine history and underground cities. As a long-term base, it’s harder, which is why we’d treat it as a stop rather than a home.

What Works for Families in Cappadocia

• Hands-on learning: hiking, pottery workshops in Avanos and underground city visits.
• A slow pace and small, walkable villages.

The Hard Parts of Cappadocia

• Winters are cold, with snow some years. It’s no escape from a Dutch winter.
• Limited coworking and no international schools.
• Bigger hospitals are in Kayseri, about an hour or more away.

🌲 The Black Sea Coast: Green, Rainy and Quiet

Tea Plantations and Mountain Villages

The Black Sea region looks nothing like the Turkish coast in holiday brochures. It’s green and misty, with tea plantations above Rize and wooden mountain villages near Ayder.

For nature-loving families on a summer escape, it’s a cool alternative to the hot south. It’s also very rainy, and coworking spaces and international schools are rare. It suits families comfortable with online learning and home-based work.

What Works for Families on the Black Sea

• Cooler summers than the Mediterranean coast.
• Forest walks, rivers and village life close to towns such as Trabzon and Rize.
• Fewer tourists than the south and west.

❄️ Why We’d Head South to Escape the Dutch Winter

Our winter test is simple. Can the kids play outside most days, and can we work without fighting the time zone? The Turkish coast passes both. Turkey is two hours ahead of the Netherlands in winter, so Marty’s calls stay in normal hours.

Antalya is the obvious pick. It’s a big city on the Mediterranean, with hospitals, supermarkets and flights back to Europe. Izmir suits families who want a real working city on the Aegean, with a long seafront for bikes and scooters. Smaller resort towns are cheaper in winter but can feel half-closed once the tourists leave.

The Trade-offs

• Winter isn’t summer. In Antalya, January averages about 15°C by day and 6°C at night, with rain on around 12 days, according to Turkey’s state weather service. That’s park weather, not beach weather.
• Check the heating. Many coastal apartments are built for heat. Ask how the place is heated before you book.
• The 90-day maths. November to March is about 150 days, more than the 90 visa-free days allow. You either apply for a short-term residence permit or split the winter with another country.
• Turkey isn’t in Schengen. For non-EU family members, days in Turkey don’t count toward the Schengen 90 days. That makes it a useful winter option for mixed-passport families like ours.

Comparing options? See our guide to where to spend winter as a nomad family.

Daily Life in Turkey: Food, Kids and Community

Food That Works for Vegetarian Families

We ate really well in Istanbul, and tried a few local vegetarian dishes without any effort. Red lentil soup, stuffed peppers and vine leaves, salads, gözleme (filled flatbread) and spinach or cheese pastries are everyday food, not special requests. Weekly markets (pazar) are full of seasonal vegetables.

One tip: some vegetable dishes are cooked with meat stock, so ask if you’re strict. Our vegetarian travel guide has more on eating out with kids.

Kids Are Part of Public Life

Families who’ve lived in Turkey often say children get a lot of attention, from shopkeepers to waiters. For some kids that’s lovely. For shy kids, it can take getting used to.

Learning Through the Place

Turkey is full of history kids can touch: Roman theatres, Byzantine cisterns and Ottoman bazaars. For a family that worldschools, an ordinary outing can turn into a history lesson without much planning.

Finding a Family Home in Turkey

What Renting Is Like

Furnished apartments are common, and many come with a balcony, which matters with kids. Short furnished stays cost more per month than a 12-month lease, but they let you test a neighbourhood first.

Things to Know Before You Sign

• Check the neighbourhood is open. You can’t register a residence permit at an address in a closed neighbourhood.
• Ask about the aidat, the monthly building fee for lifts, security and shared spaces.
• Expect upfront costs: a deposit, and often an agent’s fee of around a month’s rent.
• Rents rise every year. In October 2026, the legal cap on annual rent increases was 31.49%, tied to average inflation. Agree increases in writing.
• Check heating and air conditioning, depending on the season you’ll be there.

Rough Rent Ranges for a Two to Three-Bedroom Furnished Home

These are our estimates from general market data, not prices we’ve paid. Check live listings before you budget.

• Antalya and Izmir residential areas: about €550 to €900 a month.
• Istanbul, Asian side: about €700 to €1,300 a month.
• Central Istanbul and the Bosphorus: often €1,200 or more.

Where to Look

Sahibinden.com is Turkey’s biggest listings site, with many landlord listings. Local estate agents (emlakçı) can help with paperwork. Expat Facebook groups are useful for honest feedback on buildings and landlords.

👉 See our full guide: Accommodation for Digital Nomad Families

Working Remotely in Turkey

Internet, Blocks and Backup Plans

Fibre is widely available in the big cities, and mobile coverage from Turkcell, Vodafone and Türk Telekom is generally good.

The catch is access. Turkey has blocked or slowed some websites and apps at times, so test the tools you rely on before you commit to a long stay. Many remote workers keep a VPN installed as a backup.

Phones and eSIMs

• Foreign phones work for up to 120 days on Turkish networks. After that, you must register the phone and pay a fee, or it gets blocked. The fee is high, so check it before a long stay.
• Some foreign eSIM websites are blocked inside Turkey. Buy and install your eSIM before you arrive.

More on SIMs and backups in our internet guide for nomad families.

Time Zone

Turkey stays on UTC+3 all year. That’s two hours ahead of the Netherlands in winter and one hour ahead in summer, which keeps European working hours easy.

👉 See our full guide: Remote Work for Digital Nomad Parents

Schools, Childcare and Learning on the Road

International Schools

Istanbul has the most international schools in Turkey, including the British International School Istanbul, MEF International School and Istanbul International Community School. Fees are set in lira and change every year, so ask each school for current figures.

Antalya, Izmir and Ankara have smaller private schools with English-medium or bilingual programmes. Fees are usually lower than Istanbul’s big names.

Preschool and Childcare

Turkish preschools (anaokulu) are widely available, and classes are in Turkish. Some families hire a local nanny (bakıcı) through neighbourhood networks or expat groups. With a two-year-old, part-time help would be our first step, so we both get focused work time.

Worldschooling in Turkey

A week in Cappadocia covers geology and Byzantine history. Ephesus brings the Romans to life. Istanbul’s palaces and bazaars cover the Ottomans. Pair that with online maths and literacy, and short stays don’t need a school at all.

Healthcare and Staying Well

Private Care in the Big Cities

Turkey’s private hospitals are well regarded, and medical tourism is a big industry. Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir and Antalya all have large private hospital groups, and English-speaking doctors are easiest to find there.

Newcomers usually can’t use the state health system straight away, so most families rely on private or international insurance. Look for a policy with direct billing, so you’re not paying large hospital bills upfront. Our health insurance guide for nomad families compares the main options.

Vaccinations

Make sure routine childhood vaccinations are up to date. Hepatitis A is commonly recommended for travellers, and rabies is worth discussing if you’ll spend time in rural areas with stray dogs. Book a travel clinic visit 6 to 8 weeks before you leave, and see our travel vaccinations guide.

Everyday Health Tips

• Drinking water: most locals drink bottled or filtered water, and we’d do the same.
• Summer heat: keep little ones out of the midday sun and plan outings for early morning or evening.
• Pharmacies (eczane) are everywhere, and pharmacists are a good first stop for minor problems.
• Earthquakes: learn the basics with the kids, and keep a small emergency bag at home.

Family Days Out in Turkey

Big Experiences

Turkey has some of the best family history trips anywhere. Ephesus, near Izmir, lets kids walk real Roman streets. Cappadocia has underground cities and cave churches. In Istanbul, a day can cover Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and the Basilica Cistern, where we ended up in costume for photos with my mum.

On the south coast, boat trips, waterfalls and the thermal terraces of Pamukkale make good weekend outings from Antalya.

Seasonal Highlights

• April: Istanbul’s tulip festival fills the parks with flowers.
• 25 April: Anzac Day at Gallipoli (see below).
• 29 October: Republic Day, with parades and celebrations across the country.
• Ramadan: evening meals and festive streets, with dates changing each year.

Everyday Pleasures

The weekly pazar (market), a ferry ride, a simit (sesame bread ring) on a bench by the water. These small routines are what make a longer stay feel like home.

🇦🇺 Anzac Day at Gallipoli: Why It Matters to Us

Growing up in Queensland, Anzac Day was part of every year. Being at Gallipoli for the dawn service would mean a lot to me. It’s a way to show respect to the soldiers who died for us, in the place where it happened. One day, I’d love Louie and Leo to stand there with us.

Here’s what we’ve learnt while planning:

• The Dawn Service is on 25 April, jointly run by the Australian and New Zealand governments at the Anzac Commemorative Site. It starts at 5:30am, followed by services at Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair.
• You need a free attendance pass. Registration is essential, and booking with a tour company doesn’t replace your own pass.
• Registration opens late in the year. Check the official DVA Gallipoli page from October onwards.
• It’s a long, cold night. Many people wait overnight at the site before dawn. With a two-year-old, we’d think hard about that. It may suit us better when Leo is older.

Gallipoli is in the north-west, near Çanakkale, a long way from the south coast. If you’re wintering in Antalya, treat it as a separate trip. Our WWI sites guide covers the history and how to explain it to kids.

Visas and Residence Permits for Families

Turkey’s rules change often. The details below were checked in October 2026, but always confirm with official sources before you book.

Visa-Free Stays: 90 Days in 180

Since 17 April 2026, Australians with ordinary passports no longer need an e-visa for tourism or transit. Dutch and other EU citizens also enter visa-free. Both get up to 90 days in any 180-day period, and leaving and coming back doesn’t reset the count.

Visa-free entry is for visiting. It doesn’t give you permission to live, work locally or enrol in Turkish systems as a resident.

Passport Validity

Turkey asks for passports to be valid well beyond your stay, commonly 150 days from arrival for visa-free visitors. Check every family member’s passport, and confirm the current rule with your airline and the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Short-Term Residence Permit (Ikamet)

For stays longer than 90 days, the usual route is a short-term residence permit. You apply online through e-ikamet, Turkey’s migration authority portal, then attend an appointment. Expect to show proof of address, health insurance and enough money to support yourselves. Each family member needs their own permit.

The neighbourhood rule: Turkey closes neighbourhoods to new foreign residents once foreigners make up more than 20% of the population. You can’t register at an address in a closed neighbourhood, so check before you sign a lease. A local immigration adviser can help.

The Digital Nomad Visa

Turkey’s nomad visa starts with a Digital Nomad Identification Certificate from GoTürkiye, followed by a visa application at a consulate. Applicants need to be 21 to 55, have a university degree, work for a company outside Turkey or be self-employed, and earn at least US$3,000 a month or US$36,000 a year.

Only certain nationalities can apply. The official list includes EU countries such as the Netherlands, plus the UK, the USA, Canada and a few others. Australia isn’t on it, so in our family only Marty could apply. The official page doesn’t mention partners or children, so ask a consulate how they’d be covered. We explain why this matters in nomad visas that won’t let your kids come.

Tax

Spending more than six months a year in Turkey can make you tax resident. Tax rules depend on your situation and any tax treaty with your home country, so speak to a qualified international tax adviser before a long stay.

Finding Other Families

Online First

The easiest way to find your people before you land is through Facebook groups. Search for expat and family groups in Istanbul, Antalya or Izmir, and ask about neighbourhoods, schools and doctors. Expect a mix of retirees, remote workers and long-term residents.

On the Ground

In Istanbul, coworking spaces run events, and Kadıköy has a large international community. On the coast, families tend to meet at parks, playgrounds and through school WhatsApp groups. Smaller towns have smaller, more seasonal communities, so give it a few weeks.

Practical Tips Before You Go

🛂 Arriving

Check passports for every family member, and count your 90 days carefully if you’re combining Turkey with other countries.

📱 Phones and Data

Turkcell, Vodafone and Türk Telekom all sell tourist SIMs. Remember the 120-day limit for foreign phones, and install any eSIM before you arrive.

🔒 Apps and VPN

Some websites and platforms have been restricted at times. Set up a VPN at home, as some VPN sites are hard to reach inside Turkey.

💳 Money

Cards work widely in cities, but markets and small shops prefer cash. With prices rising fast, hold small amounts of lira and convert as you go. A multi-currency card helps before you have a local account.

🧥 Clothes

Pack layers for coastal winters and Istanbul’s cold, wet months. Women and girls need a headscarf for mosque visits, and shoulders and knees should be covered.

🍅 Markets

Every neighbourhood has a weekly pazar. Go early, take cash and your own bags, and let the kids pick the fruit.

Living Respectfully in Turkey

Small Habits That Make a Difference

Mosques and prayer times. Most Turks are Muslim, and the call to prayer becomes part of the day’s rhythm. Visit mosques outside prayer times, dress modestly and keep voices low. It’s a good first lesson in respectful visiting for kids.

Eat and shop local. Neighbourhood lokantas (simple local restaurants), markets and small producers keep money in the community, and the food is often better.

Cut the plastic. Single-use plastic is common. Reusable bottles, bags and containers make a small difference over a long stay.

Look after ancient sites. No climbing on ruins or taking stones home. Kids follow what they see us do.

Learn a few words. Merhaba (hello) and teşekkürler (thank you) go a long way, especially outside the cities.

⚖️ The Honest Challenges

Inflation and the Lira

Annual inflation was 29.73% in September 2026, the lowest since 2021 but still high. Rent, school fees and groceries can rise sharply within a year. Earning in euros helps, but keep a buffer and agree rent increases in writing.

Paperwork

Residence permits take time, appointments and patience, and rules can be applied differently between offices. The closed-neighbourhood rule adds another layer. Many families pay a local adviser to help.

Internet Restrictions

Some websites and platforms are restricted at times. If your work depends on a particular tool, test it first.

Heat and Earthquakes

Southern summers are very hot, so a winter stay suits young kids better. Turkey is also earthquake-prone, with major quakes in the south-east in 2023. Choose a newer building and learn the safety basics as a family.

Language

English is common in tourist areas and among younger people, but less so elsewhere. A translation app with offline Turkish helps with menus, signs and doctors.

Is Turkey Right for Your Family?

It could suit you if…

• You want a mild winter base within easy reach of Europe.
• Your family loves history, markets and food, including vegetarian food.
• You earn in euros or another stable currency, and can handle price rises.
• You’re happy to deal with residence paperwork for stays over 90 days.

It may not suit you if…

• You need a simple, predictable visa route for the whole family.
• Your kids need a specific international school and your budget is tight.
• Price uncertainty or internet restrictions would cause you real stress.

Still deciding between countries? Our nomad visas by country guide shows which visas let the whole family come.

FAQs

Do Australians need a visa for Turkey?

Not for short stays any more. Since 17 April 2026, Australian passport holders can visit for tourism or transit without a visa. You get 90 days in any 180-day period. Dutch and other EU citizens also get 90 days in 180.

Can our family spend a whole winter in Turkey?

Not on visa-free days alone. A stay longer than 90 days needs a short-term residence permit (ikamet), applied for online through Turkey’s migration authority. Check that your neighbourhood is open to new foreign residents first.

Does Turkey have a digital nomad visa for families?

Turkey has a digital nomad visa, but only for certain nationalities. The official list includes EU countries, the UK, the USA and Canada, but not Australia. Applicants need to be 21 to 55, hold a degree and earn US$3,000 a month. The official page doesn’t mention a route for children or partners, so ask a Turkish consulate.

Which neighbourhoods are closed to foreigners?

Turkey closes neighbourhoods where foreign residents exceed 20% of the population. The list includes areas of Istanbul and parts of Antalya’s Konyaaltı and Muratpaşa. Lists change, so check the exact neighbourhood before signing a lease.

How warm is Antalya in winter?

In January, Antalya averages about 15°C during the day and 6°C at night, with rain on around 12 days. It’s mild compared with northern Europe, but not beach weather.

Can we take kids to the Anzac Day Dawn Service?

Yes, but everyone needs a free attendance pass from the Australian Department of Veterans’ Affairs. The night is long and cold, so it suits older kids better than toddlers.

Is Turkey easy for vegetarian families?

In our experience, yes. We ate well in Istanbul and found local vegetarian dishes easily. Lentil soup, stuffed vegetables and pastries filled with spinach or cheese are everyday food.

Will our phones work for a long stay?

Foreign phones work on Turkish networks for up to 120 days. After that, you must register the phone and pay a fee, or it gets blocked. The fee is high, so check the current amount before a long stay.

Our Takeaways

Turkey isn’t somewhere we’d move to for good right now. Istanbul felt too big for us to judge in a few days, and the residence rules take real planning.

As a winter escape, though, the south coast keeps pulling us in. Mild weather, food we love, an easy time difference with Europe and a short flight from the Netherlands. Add Anzac Day at Gallipoli, and Turkey has something for our family that no other country on our list can offer.

If you’re weighing it up too, start with the 90-day maths and the neighbourhood check. Then pick the coast that fits your kids, not the one that looks best on Instagram. ☀️