Turkey bridges continents and centuries—minarets and markets in Istanbul, alpine lakes and tea‑blanketed hills in the Black Sea. This itinerary distills the best of both worlds into one family‑friendly journey, balancing headline sights with playground‑worthy parks, easy food stops, and realistic travel times.

Istanbul’s story stretches from Byzantium to the Ottomans, told through the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and Topkapı Palace. Across the Bosphorus, ferries hum toward Kadıköy’s colorful markets and street‑food lanes. Meanwhile, the Black Sea region around Trabzon offers crisp mountain air, lakefront promenades, and the cliff‑clinging Sümela Monastery.

Good news for travelers from Jeddah: nonstop flights to Istanbul typically take about 4 hours, and Saudi citizens have enjoyed visa‑free entry for short tourist stays (always confirm the latest rules). Expect delicious halal cuisine everywhere, from hearty köfte and pide to trout by rivers and baklava baked since the 19th century.

Istanbul

Cradled by the Bosphorus, Istanbul dazzles with mosaicked domes, Ottoman palaces, and neighborhoods stitched together by ferries. By day, explore Sultanahmet’s icons; by evening, follow the call of the Bosphorus for sunset light and tea on the quay.

• Top sights: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern, Topkapı Palace, Galata Tower, Spice Bazaar, Grand Bazaar, Gülhane Park.
• Family moments: Bosphorus sunset cruise, tram rides, picnic in Gülhane Park, ice cream shows (dondurma) around Sultanahmet, and the panoramic elevator atop Galata.
• Where to stay: For easy sightseeing, base in Sultanahmet; for cafés and street life, try Karaköy/Galata; for leafy calm, consider the Asian side (Kadıköy/Moda).

Book stays: VRBO Istanbul stays | Hotels.com Istanbul hotels

Getting there and around: From Jeddah (JED) to Istanbul (IST or SAW), nonstop flights are ~4h (typical fares $220–$450 round‑trip per adult depending on season). Search options on Omio (flights). From IST, the M11 metro and Havaist coaches reach the center; taxis to Sultanahmet/Karaköy are ~45–70 minutes depending on traffic.

Trabzon & the Black Sea

Trabzon is your springboard to the Black Sea’s lush interior—mirror‑still Uzungöl, the frescoed wonder of Sümela Monastery, and hillside tea gardens perfuming the air. Distances are short but views are grand, with family‑friendly lakeside paths, ziplines, and picnic spots.

• Top sights: Uzungöl lake and viewpoints, Sümela Monastery in Altındere Valley National Park, Atatürk Köşkü (hilltop villa), Trabzon Hagia Sophia, Boztepe Tea Garden vistas.
• Family moments: Pedal boats on Uzungöl, feeding ducks by the lake, short valley walks, and warm muhlama (cheesy cornmeal) for breakfast.
• Where to stay: Base in central Trabzon (Meydan/Kalkınma) for easy dining and road access; families who love nature can add a night in Uzungöl for dawn lake mist.

Book stays: VRBO Trabzon stays | Hotels.com Trabzon hotels

Getting there: Istanbul to Trabzon (TZX) flights are ~1h40 (from IST or SAW), typically $35–$90 one‑way booked early. Check Omio (flights). Intercity buses take 16–18 hours; if you prefer overland, compare on Omio (buses). For flexibility in the valleys, consider renting a car at TZX.

Day 1 — Arrival in Istanbul (Afternoon start)

Morning: Fly Jeddah to Istanbul; aim for a late‑morning departure for an early‑afternoon arrival (~4h nonstop).

Afternoon: Check into your hotel and decompress with a gentle stroll in Gülhane Park under plane trees. Sweet stop: the historic dessert house Hafız Mustafa 1864 (try pistachio baklava or künefe) near Sirkeci.

Evening: Take a 1.5–2‑hour Bosphorus sunset cruise from Eminönü or Karaköy to see Ortaköy Mosque, Dolmabahçe, and waterside yalıs glow at dusk. Dinner options: Hamdi Restaurant (pistachio kebabs with Golden Horn views), Karaköy Lokantası (seasonal mezes and braised lamb), or Balıkçı Sabahattin (classic fish house in a historic wooden mansion). Early night for tomorrow’s flight.

Day 2 — Istanbul to Trabzon, city highlights and hilltop views

Morning: Fly Istanbul → Trabzon (~1h40). Search and book via Omio (flights). Pick up a rental car or arrange a driver. Breakfast on arrival: Akçaabat köfte with fresh bread and ayran at Cemilusta (a local family favorite).

Afternoon: Explore Trabzon Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya Camii), a 13th‑century church‑turned‑mosque with surviving frescoes and sea views; then Atatürk Köşkü, a white villa set amid pines with city panoramas. Coffee/tea with a view at Boztepe Tea Garden—kids can run on the terraces while you sip Rize tea.

Evening: Lakeside interlude at Sera Gölü Park (pedal boats and level walking path), then seafood dinner at Fevzi Hoca Balık (grilled anchovies in season, crisp salads, fries for picky eaters). Overnight in Trabzon.

Day 3 — Uzungöl day trip: mirror lake, viewpoints, and muhlama

Morning: Drive ~1h30–1h45 to Uzungöl through valleys dotted with tea terraces. Settle in with a Black Sea breakfast—eggs, olives, honeycomb, and muhlama (silky cornmeal with local cheese) at İnan Kardeşler Restaurant by the lake.

Afternoon: Walk the flat lakeside promenade, rent pedal boats, and head to Uzungöl Seyir Terası (viewing terrace) for the postcard angle. Adventurous families can continue by jeep to Garester Plateau for alpine meadows if weather allows.

Evening: Return to Trabzon. Dinner near Meydan Park at Nihat Usta (kebabs and pide from a well‑known local brand) or try pide with minced meat and butter at a neighborhood bakery. Night stroll in the square for corn on the cob and roasted chestnuts in season.

Day 4 — Sümela Monastery and Hamsiköy: frescoes, forests, and rice pudding

Morning: Drive ~45–60 minutes to Altındere Valley National Park. Visit Sümela Monastery, clinging to a cliff since the 4th century—frescoed chapels, mountain springs, and forest trails. Strollers aren’t ideal here; bring a carrier for little ones.

Afternoon: Continue 40–60 minutes to Hamsiköy via the Zigana highlands. Lunch at a village lokanta (grilled meats, beans, salads) and finish with the town’s famed sütlaç (try it dusted with cinnamon). Scenic pull‑offs on the return offer sweeping valley views.

Evening: Back in Trabzon, unwind with tea and sunflower seeds at Boztepe or a seaside promenade at Ganita. Dinner easy‑wins: Akçaabat köfte platters, lentil soup, and salad—simple, kid‑approved, and quick.

Alternative: If your family prefers rivers and tea gardens, swap today for a longer excursion to the Fırtına Valley and Ayder Plateau (suspension bridges, trout lunches by the river, and thermal baths), about 2–2.5 hours each way.

Day 5 — Fly back to Istanbul, Sultanahmet classics

Morning: Morning flight Trabzon → Istanbul (~1h40). Search on Omio (flights). Check in near Sultanahmet or Karaköy. Quick snack: simit and sesame‑topped açma from a street cart.

Afternoon: Dive into the heart of old Istanbul: Blue Mosque (blue İznik tiles and airy domes) and the atmospheric Basilica Cistern (medusa heads and rippling reflections). If energy allows, step into Hagia Sophia to admire its colossal nave and layered history.

Evening: Dinner in Sirkeci at Şehzade Cağ Kebap (rotated skewers from Erzurum served with lavash and sumac onions). Dessert at Karaköy Güllüoğlu, Istanbul’s baklava institution—order a mix tray to sample pistachio, walnut, and chocolate varieties.

Day 6 — Galata to Kadıköy: towers, trams, ferries, and markets

Morning: Turkish breakfast spread at Van Kahvaltı Evi (Cihangir)—try the herbed Van cheeses and menemen. Climb (or elevator) to Galata Tower for skyline views; timed tickets recommended to avoid queues. Coffee at Mandabatmaz just off İstiklal for famously thick Turkish coffee.

Afternoon: Ferry to Kadıköy: children love the gulls and simit‑tossing ritual. Lunch at Çiya Sofrası—seasonal Anatolian dishes you won’t find elsewhere (kış karnıyarık, stuffed vegetables, and tangy soups). Wander Kadıköy Market for olives, spices, and pickles; continue to Moda Park for a seaside playground and ice cream.

Evening: Return by sunset ferry. Tapas‑style meze dinner in Karaköy at meyhane‑style spots (grilled octopus, fava, stuffed mussels) or keep it street‑smart with dürüm at Dürümzade (char‑kissed lamb wrapped with herbs). Nighttime stroll across Galata Bridge for fishermen and city lights.

Day 7 — Bazaars, hamam, and departure

Morning: Spice Bazaar for saffron, lokum, and tea blends, then up to the Grand Bazaar for ceramics and copperware. Keep small bills for bargaining. Snack idea: try a warm simit or sesame‑studded tahinli from a nearby bakery.

Afternoon: Classic Turkish bath (reserve a family‑friendly time slot): Kılıç Ali Paşa Hamamı offers serene marble halls and special hours; Hürrem Sultan Hamam in Sultanahmet is another refined option. Quick lunch by the water with a classic balık ekmek (grilled fish sandwich) at Eminönü before heading to the airport.

Evening: Fly Istanbul → Jeddah (nonstop ~4h). Search options on Omio (flights). Keep Turkish delights in your carry‑on—the sweetest souvenir from a week well spent.

Estimated transport and timing: Jeddah–Istanbul flight ~4h; Istanbul–Trabzon ~1h40 each way; Istanbul airport transfers 45–70 minutes by taxi depending on traffic. Intercity flights commonly run $35–$90 one‑way within Turkey when booked early; Jeddah–Istanbul round‑trip often $220–$450 depending on season and baggage.

Food and family tips: Nearly all eateries are halal; kid‑friendly staples include pide (Turkish pizza), köfte (meatballs), mercimek çorbası (lentil soup), rice pilav, and fries. Carry a light scarf for mosque visits and pack layers for the Black Sea’s quick weather shifts. Strollers work well in parks and along Uzungöl’s promenade; for Sümela, use a baby carrier.

In one week, you’ve traced empires in Istanbul, sailed the Bosphorus, and breathed in the pine‑scented Black Sea highlands. With markets, muhlama, and mountain monasteries, this family itinerary balances culture and nature—leaving just enough wonder to bring you back for more.