Before deciding where to go with a baby, the same questions always come to mind. Is there a lift? Are the paths easy to manage with a stroller? Will we find a quiet corner to feed the baby? And, of course, is there somewhere to grab a coffee? These are exactly the questions we asked ourselves while putting this list together. From stroller-friendly indoor venues to play areas and cafes where parents can finally take a breather while the little ones play, here are the best things to do with a baby on Istanbul’s Asian Side.
In short, the easiest places to go with a baby:
- An indoor, stroller-friendly day out: Emaar Aquarium (free for babies aged 0-36 months) and Emaar SkyView, Emaar Square Mall, Üsküdar
- Play areas for little ones: MiniZone, Playland and the sand play area at Emaar Square Mall
- Baby-friendly cafes: Nova Çocuk Play & Cafe (Feneryolu), Mom&City (Suadiye), Pükkan (Acıbadem), Filifu (Maltepe)
- A coffee with a view: Sky Cafe at SkyView and Akvaryum Cafe
What to Look for When Going Out with a Baby
A few details make all the difference when choosing where to go with a baby.
- Stroller access. Venues with lifts, ramps and wide corridors are much easier to explore with a stroller.
- Baby changing room. Shopping malls are usually the most comfortable option.
- A place to take a break. A quiet corner where you can feed the baby or grab a coffee makes the day last longer.
- Getting there. Venues close to the metro or Marmaray are easier to reach with a stroller.
- Free entry age. Many venues do not charge for babies under a certain age, so it is worth checking before you go.
A Stroller-Friendly Day Under One Roof: Emaar Square Mall
Emaar Aquarium and Underwater Zoo
For babies, colourful fish and moving creatures are a celebration in themselves. Emaar Aquarium is easy to explore with a stroller and entry is free for babies aged 0-36 months. The baby simply needs to be accompanied by an adult with a full-price ticket, and you will be asked to show an ID document confirming the baby’s age at the entrance. The tanks with gliding sharks, the curious meerkats and the adorable raccoons are among the favourite stops for little visitors. Kumtopia, inside the aquarium, is an experience area explored through touch and play, and the same conditions apply there: free for babies aged 0-36 months, paid for older children. You can take a break at Akvaryum Cafe during your visit.
Location: Emaar Square Mall, Üsküdar
Opening hours: Every day 10:00-22:00, last entry 21:15
For babies: Free for 0-36 months, stroller-friendly · Ticket information
Emaar SkyView
For babies, the sky is an endless source of wonder. Cotton candy clouds, buildings that look like toys far below, city lights slowly coming on in the evening… At Emaar SkyView you can take a closer look at the clouds and search together for the bunny, the elephant or the teddy bear hiding in them. Emaar SkyView is located on the 47th and 48th floors of the Address Hotel and is stroller-friendly. After enjoying the city views from the glass-walled observation deck, treat yourself to a coffee at Sky Cafe on the 48th floor. A coffee with a view while the baby naps is a small but precious break for new parents. The entrance is on the -2 level of Emaar Square Mall.
Opening hours: Every day 10:00-22:00, last ticket 21:15 · Sky Cafe every day 11:00-21:00
Play Areas at Emaar Square Mall
Under the same roof as the aquarium and SkyView, Emaar Square Mall makes it easy for families with babies and toddlers to extend the day. MiniZone on level -3 is an educational play area designed especially for younger children. Playland on level -2, with its ball pits and games for different ages, suits slightly older kids. The mall also has a paid sand play area where little ones can play with buckets and toy cars, supervised by an instructor. You can see all the play areas on the Emaar Square Mall entertainment page.
The mall also has a baby changing room, so there is no need to leave the building to change a nappy or feed your baby in a quiet corner.
Baby-Friendly Cafes and Play Cafes on the Asian Side
Sometimes the best plan is spending a few hours at a cafe where your child plays safely in front of you and you can finish your coffee while it is still hot. Most of the cafes below have play supervisors who look after the children in the play area. The play area is usually charged separately, so we recommend checking prices and opening hours with the venue before you go.
Nova Çocuk Play & Cafe, Feneryolu
A bright, airy space surrounded by glass. Children play in the large indoor play area with staff on hand, while parents enjoy breakfast or a coffee and a moment to breathe.
Address: Bahçeler Sokak, Feneryolu, Kadıköy · Hours: Every day 09:00-22:00
Mom&City, Suadiye
A small and cosy cafe for parents and babies. The play area is separate from the cafe, and a play supervisor looks after the children. Families with babies who are not yet walking often come here too. As the space is small, it is best to arrive early at weekends.
Address: Çolak İsmail Sokak, Suadiye, Kadıköy · Hours: Every day 10:00-19:00
Pükkan, Acıbadem
One of the best-known children’s cafes on the Asian Side, with a large free play area and workshops. You can easily keep an eye on the play area from your seat. While children ride around in toy cars and join workshops, parents take a break with coffee and homemade treats.
Address: Ahududu Sokak, Acıbadem, Üsküdar · Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 10:30-20:00, closed on Mondays
Pandadu House and Little Friends Coffee, Kozyatağı
There are two child-friendly cafes on the same street in Kozyatağı. Pandadu House stands out for its play supervisors and homemade food, while Little Friends Coffee is known for its teacher-supervised play area and kids’ menu.
Address: Kaymakam Kemal Sokak, Kozyatağı, Kadıköy · Hours: Little Friends Coffee every day 09:00-23:00
Little Family Kids Cafe & Play, Fenerbahçe
A friendly cafe run by a family of educators. Children spend time in the play area while adults sit back and relax. It is also popular for its fresh cakes and coffee.
Address: Gazi Mehmetçik Sokak, Fenerbahçe, Kadıköy · Hours: Every day 08:00-20:00
DC Kids, Kalamış
DC Kids, part of Dalyan Club, offers a play and activity area for children from 18 months. While children play inside, parents can sit at Arkhe Restaurant in the same venue.
Age: 18 months to 14 years · Hours: DC Kids 09:30-17:30, Arkhe Restaurant 09:00-23:00
Filifu Cafe N’ Play, Maltepe
Designed for children aged 0-12, this play cafe has trampolines, slides, a ball pit and a two-storey wooden playhouse. Children play with trained play supervisors while parents relax in the cafe with views of the sea and the Princes’ Islands. There is also a salt room and private parking.
Age: 0-12
Sky Cafe and Akvaryum Cafe, Emaar Square Mall
If you want a break during your visit to the aquarium or SkyView, there are two options in the same building. Akvaryum Cafe is perfect for a quick pause in the middle of your visit, while Sky Cafe on the 48th floor is ideal for a coffee with a view while the baby naps.
Ideas by Age for Babies and Toddlers
0-1 Years
At this age, new sounds, colours and movement mean everything. The colourful aquarium tanks, the clouds seen from SkyView and a calm baby-friendly cafe stimulate the baby without tiring out the parents. Choosing places with stroller access and somewhere to take a break makes the day much easier.
1-2 Years
Toddlers who have just started walking love to touch, explore and wander freely. Safe play areas designed for little ones, such as MiniZone, cafes with play supervisors and the lively creatures at the aquarium are all big hits at this age.
Places to Go with a 2-3 Year Old
Two and three year olds want to be part of the play. Sand play areas, Playland with its ball pits and children’s cafes with play supervisors are all great choices for this age group. For more ideas by neighbourhood, see our guide to the top 15 places to visit with kids in Kadıköy and Üsküdar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I go with a baby on Istanbul’s Asian Side?
For an indoor, stroller-friendly day, you can combine Emaar Aquarium, Emaar SkyView and the play areas at Emaar Square Mall in a single visit. If you are looking for a place to relax while your child plays, the baby-friendly cafes in Kadıköy and Üsküdar are a great option.
Is Emaar Aquarium free for babies?
Yes, babies aged 0-36 months enter Emaar Aquarium for free when accompanied by an adult with a full-price ticket. An ID document showing the baby’s age is requested at the entrance. The aquarium is stroller-friendly.
Can I visit Emaar SkyView with a stroller?
Yes, Emaar SkyView is stroller-friendly. The entrance is on the -2 level of Emaar Square Mall.
Where are the baby-friendly cafes on the Asian Side?
In Kadıköy, Nova Çocuk Play & Cafe in Feneryolu, Mom&City in Suadiye, Little Family in Fenerbahçe, and Pandadu House and Little Friends Coffee in Kozyatağı all have play areas. Pükkan in Acıbadem, Üsküdar and Filifu Cafe N’ Play in Maltepe are also popular. At Emaar Square Mall, Akvaryum Cafe and Sky Cafe are close to the play areas.
Which places are free to visit with a baby?
Emaar Aquarium and Kumtopia are free for babies aged 0-36 months. For more free options, see our guide to free exhibitions, museums and activities for children in Istanbul.
On your next outing with the baby, start with the colourful tanks at Emaar Aquarium, look down over Istanbul from SkyView and end the day with a coffee at Sky Cafe. If the baby naps, you get a hot coffee. If not, the view is still lovely.
Last updated: September 2026. Opening hours and prices may change, so we recommend checking with the venues before you visit.
