Autism Friendly Vacation in Türkiye

After reading the title of this blog post, you are probably thinking I have some major typing issues going on. After all, the country of Turkey has been spelled T-U-R-K-E-Y for years. However, back in 2022, this country decided it wanted to be known as Türkiye the way the country’s name is said by Turkish folks. It is still the country many people have come to know and love though. You will find stunning landscapes, luxury hotels, and even all-inclusive resorts that are perfect for autistic families like yours. You can even choose to stop in this country during an amazing cruise. But what else do you need to know about taking an autism friendly vacation in Türkiye? Quite a bit and I will share some of it with you today. 

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Autism Friendly Vacation in Türkiye

Where to Find the Best Hotels and Resorts in Türkiye

If your autistic family has been searching for all-inclusive resorts for all your travel needs, you will find what you are looking for in Türkiye. My favorite all-inclusive resorts in Türkiye can be found in Antalya and Çeşme. 

Over in İstanbul, the Sultanahmet Four Seasons will have all the amenities you desire while away from home. And cave hotels in Cappadocia will definitely check off the box of staying in a unique hotel on vacation. There are a few different cave hotels in this area. We can discuss the pros and cons of each one before booking your family’s stay. 

Best Places to Visit in Türkiye

Bodrum

Bodrum is on what is known as the Lycian Coast in Türkiye. This town has its own airport, which is important if you are searching for a way to fly to Türkiye without a lot of hassle at the larger airports. 

One of the highlights of Bodrum is the beaches. Gümbet and Kargi beaches are two of the favorites. They both have plenty of sand and sparkling water. Kargi Beach is known for its camels at one end though. 

Other autism friendly things to do in Bodrum include visiting the Museum of Underwater Archaeology at Bodrum Castle, the ancient city of Ephesus, and Dedman Aquapark. This last one is the largest waterpark in the country. 

Cappadocia 

Above, I mentioned sleeping in a cave hotel in this part of Türkiye. That isn’t the only family friendly thing you will find to do in Cappadocia though. 

Exploring the underground cities of Derinkuyu and Kaymaklı are two of the best things to do while on vacation in Türkiye. Some kids will love the twists and turns of the caverns and tunnels. Others will not, so keep that in mind while planning your vacation. 

The Zelve Open-Air Museum is not as crowded as the Göreme Open-Air Museum. I recommend visiting near sunset, as everyone else will be at Sunset Hill watching the sun go down. 

One of the best things to do in Cappadocia though is seeing the gorgeous landscape during a hot air balloon ride. If your autistic child doesn’t mind heights and is willing to go on this adventure, you may be able to check a bucket item off your list. 

Antalya 

The Land of the Legends Theme Park is the number one place for families to go during a vacation in Türkiye. In addition to the rides, your family can have fun on 55 water slides, as well as a gondola ride. 

It’s all about the dinosaurs at Dino Park. So, if you have dinosaur lovers in your family, Dino Park should be high on your list of places to visit. 

Other autism friendly options in Antalya include a ride on the cable car to the Tahtali Mountains from the beach in Kemer. Visiting the Antalya Aquarium, which is the second largest aquarium in Europe. Or going on the rides at Aktur Park, which is across from the Migros shopping center. 

İzmir

A visit to İzmir will have you shopping until your family drops at the Kemeraltı Çarşısı (Market). This bustling market goes from Konak Square to ancient Agora. The market dates back to the 17th century. You can find everything from fresh produce and meat to jewelry and clothing. 

I recommend grabbing a cup of coffee or some food when you arrive. This will give you the fuel you need to survive wandering around the labyrinth of vendors. 

When you are not shopping, your family will love walking along the bay at Kordonboyu. There are restaurants and cafes nearby, so you will never be hungry or thirsty! 

No visit to İzmir is complete without a visit to Ephesus. Take some time to enjoy walking in an ancient city. Walk in the footsteps of the people that once lived in this amazing city. This is easily a full day, however during my visit with my oldest son we only went to Ephesus and not the other stops along the way such as the Virgin Mary's house. Ephesus alone can be a 6 hour visit. My oldest son managed to turn it into a very short 2 hour visit by practically flying through the city!

İstanbul

A visit to İstanbul will have you visiting the continents of Asia and Europe, depending on where you are standing. Since this is a bustling city, you may need to plan your visits to attractions carefully to avoid some of the larger crowds. But it will be totally worth it to show your autistic family how incredible this city in Türkiye truly is. 

To see many of the historical sights in a short amount of time, I recommend taking a ride on the a private yacht on the Bosphorus Strait. Although, you can do the same thing during a guided tour on the water and learn more about what you are passing by. 

The large city will look much smaller when you choose to visit Miniatürk Park. There are plenty of miniature models of all the popular structures and attractions. You won’t feel as intimidated when you stand next to these models! 

At KidZania, you will need to plan your day carefully, so your autistic child doesn’t get overwhelmed with the 67 different activities available. Let them choose between a few options and watch them have fun with their creative play. 

İstanbul is affectionately nicknamed Catstanbul, thanks to all the cats living on the streets. If your family loves cats, you can spend a part of each day feeding and petting them. 

Other wonderful options in İstanbul include watching the sun set from Moda, seeing the cruise ships in Galataport, and eating baklava. Lots and lots of baklava. 

Çeşme

It is all about the water while visiting Çeşme. Your autistic family will want to spend hours at the beach, as they swim and maybe even learn how to surf. 

When you’re not in the water, you may decide to climb to the top of Çeşme Castle to check out the views. Or take a boat tour from the Çeşme Harbour. Many of the boat tours stop at Aquarium Bay, Blue Bay, Coral Strait, and Paradise Island. 

Kuşadasi

An excellent way to get off the beaten path in Kuşadasi is taking a buggy safari adventure. This three hour family friendly adventure will take you through natural terrain until you reach Pamucak Beach. 

Of course, no one in your family will want to miss spending time at the Adaland AquaPark. This waterpark features numerous waterslides, rafting rides, and swimming pools for all ages. 

One of the best places to check out the native wildlife in Türkiye is Dilek National Park. In between wildlife sightings, your family can take a swim at one of the beaches at this park. 

Silver Sands Beach is another beach your family will want to consider when your autistic child really wants to go for a swim. 

One of your last options for autism friendly attractions in this part of Türkiye is Çamlık Museum of Steam Locomotives. This museum has one of the largest steam locomotive collections in all of Europe. Everyone in your family will love seeing all the steam locomotives during your visit. 

As you can see, it is possible to enjoy an autism friendly vacation in Türkiye. But you will need to plan your family’s trip carefully, so everyone enjoys every minute. I have the resources autistic families like yours need access to while traveling to Türkiye and other destinations. While you can plan all your autism friendly vacations on your own, having the help of a travel advisor like myself can save you time and a few headaches down the road. Contact me and let me do all the heavy lifting of planning for you. This way you can focus on your family and their needs prior to heading out on your autism friendly vacation in Türkiye.