Istanbul for families from the Gulf: visas, seasons, rooms and practical tips

Do Gulf citizens need a visa for Istanbul?

Usually not. In December 2023 Türkiye introduced a visa exemption for tourist visits by citizens of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Bahrain. Citizens of Qatar and Kuwait could already enter without a visa. The exemption generally covers stays of up to 90 days in total within 180 days.

• Your passport must remain valid for long enough after your stay ends. For details see our guide to passports, visas and documents.
• Every child, including babies, needs their own passport.
• Rules can change, so check the current information from the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs before you travel.

When should families from the Gulf visit Istanbul?

While Gulf summers pass 45 °C, daytime temperatures in Istanbul in July and August are usually around 28–30 °C, and the sea breeze cools the evenings. That is why summer holidays are the favourite time for families from the Gulf.

For a detailed season-by-season plan see our guide to the best time to visit Istanbul with kids.

Which room setup suits large Gulf families?

Sultanahmet’s historic hotels are usually small buildings, and one room often sleeps 3–4 people at most. For extended families travelling together, the best options are:

• Connecting rooms: two rooms with an inner door; parents in one, children in the other.
• Rooms side by side on the same floor: comfortable for families travelling with grandparents or a nanny.
• Family privacy: when booking you can ask for a quiet courtyard-facing room, prayer mats and the qibla direction in the room.

When booking, give the age of every child and include your nanny if one is travelling. Details are in our guide to rooms for large families.

Halal food, prayer and shopping

• Food: almost every restaurant in Sultanahmet uses halal meat; for an alcohol-free setting, traditional lokantas, köfte and kebab houses are the safest choice. See alcohol-free family restaurants in Sultanahmet.
• Prayer: every large mosque has a women’s section, and congregational prayer at Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque is a few minutes’ walk away. For times see our prayer-time sightseeing plan.
• Shopping: Laleli and Aksaray have many shops with Arabic-speaking staff; for abayas and modest wear see our guide to modest fashion shopping in Istanbul.

How do you get from the airport to Sultanahmet?

Most flights from the Gulf land at Istanbul Airport (IST), some at Sabiha Gökçen (SAW). From IST to Sultanahmet takes about 45–75 minutes by car depending on traffic. With a large family and lots of luggage, a pre-arranged larger vehicle is the most comfortable option. All options are in our guide from the airport to Sultanahmet.

If you want to combine an Umrah journey with Istanbul, see our guide to an Istanbul stopover on the way to Umrah.