Probably first thing you do when you arrive to Istanbul will be rushing into museums. We all know that it is highly difficult to arrange your schedule for all the museums in Istanbul considering the limited vacation time. Below you will find a list of 30 best museums in Istanbul, organized according to their priority. Enjoy!
1. Hagia Sophia Museum / Sultanahmet, Fatih
By its long history both as a church for 912 years during East Roman Empire and as a mosque for 482 years during Ottoman Empire, Hagia Sophia has been the first place comes to one’s mind about Istanbul. During its construction, all architectural pieces were brought from ancient cities in and around Syria, which make Hagia Sophia only more glorious. After operating as the biggest chatedral of Byzantine Empire, it was turned into a mosque by Fatih the Conquerer by preserving the original structure but covering the faces of mosaics on the walls. Today, Hagia Sophia is a magical place where you can see the best examples of both Byzantine mosaics and Islamic calliagrahy at the same time.
Visiting Hours: Summer Season April 15th – October 1st 09.00 AM - 07.00 PM
Winter Schedule: October 1st - April 15th 09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
General Admission: 30 TL (~$15)
Phone: +9 0212 522 17 50
2. Topkapı Palace Museum / Sultanahmet, Fatih
Glory, conspiration, passsion and a palace in the middle of them… Topkapı Palace which had been the administrative center of the Ottoman Empire for nearly 400 years since 1478, has experienced many wars, assassination, riots, births, celebrations and more. Today it is used as an extensive museum where the kaftans, imperial treasuries, arms and weapons, sacred relics, Chinese and Japanese porcelains, gifts from other countries and portraits of the sultans are shown. There is also harem section which you wouldn’t want to miss. Also visit Hagia Irene, located in the outer courtyard of the palace, which served as the church of the Patriarchate before Hagia Sophia.
Visiting Hours:
Winter Season: Between November 1st - April 15th 9:00 AM - 4:45 PM
Summer Season: Between April 15th - November 1st 9:00 AM - 6:45 PM
General Admission: 30 TL (~$15), Harem: 15 TL (~$7) , Hagia Irene: 20 TL (~$10)
Phone: +9 0212 512 04 80
3. Istanbul Archeological Museums / Sultanahmet, Fatih
Istanbul Archeological Museums are consisted of three different buildings.
The Archeological Museum
The Archeological Museum is the first building in Turkey constructed as a museum and its construction date, 13th June 1891, is still celebrated as the Museum Day all around the country. On the ground floor of the Archaeological Museum, sculptures from the Ancient Age from the Archaic Era to the Roman Era may be seen. On the upper floor, there are the Treasury section, the Non-Islamic and Islamic Coin Cabinets and the Library.
Ancient Orient Museum
The building which is used as the Ancient Orient Museum today, was designed as the first Academy of Fine Arts in the Ottoman Empire. The collections of the Ancient Orient Museum consists of artifacts from pre-Greek Anatolia and Mesopotamia and from pre-Islamic Egypt and Arabian Peninsula, which were found between 19th century and the World War I. The oldest love poem is also exhebitied here!
Tiled Kiosk Museum
The Tiled Kiosk is not only the oldest building in the complex but also the oldest civilian architecture in Istanbul commissioned by Mehmet the Conqueror. Today, samples of Turkish tile and ceramic works are exhibited here.
Visiting Hours: 09:00 AM - 07:00 PM except Mondays
General Admission: 15 TL (~$7)
Address: Alemdar Cad., Osman Hamdi Bey Yokuşu, Sultanahmet, Fatih/Istanbul
Phone: +9 0212 520 77 40 - 41
4. The Basilica Cistern / Sultanahmet, Fatih
One of the most interesting monuments that Byzantine Empire left to Constantinople is the Basilica Cistern for sure. Built by Emperor Justiniaus I, the cistern is consisted of 336 giant columns and has 100.000 ton water storage capacity. The most well-known figures of the cistern are two Medusa’s heads that are put under two columns, who is believed having the power of turning people into stone. After the Conquest of Istanbul the cistern was used for providing water to Topkapı Palace. One shouldn’t miss this mysterious place!
Visiting Hours: Winter Season: 09.00 AM - 05.30 PM
Summer Season: 09.00 AM - 06.30 PM
General Admission: 10 TL (~$5)
Address: Yerebatan Cad, Alemdar Mah. 1/3, Sultanahmet, Fatih/Istanbul
Phone: +9 0212 512 15 70
5. Istanbul Modern / Karaköy, Beyoğlu
Since 2004, Istanbul Modern has been the place where the heart of modern art beats in Istanbul. By being the first private museum of Istanbul on modern art, there had been many important exhibitions that took place under its roof such as the works of Kutluğ Ataman and Fikret Mualla. The museum aims to make the modern art appeal to all people from different social backgrounds. No doubt you will enjoy it.
Visiting Hours: 10.00 AM - 6.00 PM except Mondays (closes at 08.00 PM on Thursdays)
General Admission: 17 TL (~$8)
Address: Meclis-i Mebusan Cad. Liman İşletmeleri Sahası Antrepo No: 4, 34433 Karaköy/Istanbul
Phone: +90 212 334 73 00
6. Dolmabahçe Palace / Beşiktaş
Dolmabahçe Palace became the new home of Sultans after its construction by Sultan Abdülmecit in 1856 as he believed that Topkapı Palace had lacked the comfort and luxury of the palaces of European monarchs. The palace was designed with a synthesis of European styles with traditional Ottoman architecture. There are 23 paintings of Ivan Aivazovsky shown in the palace as he worked in the palace as a court painter. Beyond all these, Dolmabahçe Palace is known for its last resident, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, who spent his last days in the palace.
Visiting Hours: 09.00 AM – 04.00 PM except Mondays and Thursdays
General Admission: 30 TL (~$15)
Address: Vişnezade Mh., 34357 Beşiktaş/Istanbul
Phone: +9 0212 236 90 00
Website | Location
7. The Museum of Turkish Calligraphic Art / Beyazıt, Fatih
(currently under construction)
The Museum of Turkish Calligraphic Art is the first and the only calligraphy museum in Turkey and has been an very important place for Muslims. Within the collection of the museum, are Qur’ans written in of muhakkak, nesih, and küfi scripts. In the Holy Relics Section of the Museum, there are a Ka’bah cloth, the Prophet's (s.a.w.s.) beard (sakal-i sherif), a bottle in which some soil brought from the grave of the Prophet (s.a.w.s.), and miniatures.
Visiting Hours: 09.00 AM – 04.00 PM except Sundays and Mondays
General Admission: Free
Phone: +9 0212 527 58 51
8. Chora Museum / Edirnekapı, Fatih
The recent Chora Church was built in the reign of Andronikos (1282-1328) when the former, built by Justinianus (527-565), was destroyed during the Latin invasion. It was expanded towards north, an exonarthex was added to its western side and a chapel to its southern side, and it was decorated with mosaics and frescoes. The characteristic stylistic elements in those mosaics and frescoes are the depth, the movements and plastic values of figures and the elongation of figures, which blow one’s mind at the first sight. Do not ever leave Istanbul without visiting the amazing Chora Museum.
Visiting Hours: Summer Season (April-October): 09.00 AM – 07.00 PM
Winter Season (November-March): 09.00 AM – 05.00 PM
Closed on Wednesdays.
General Admission: 15 TL (~$7)
Phone: 0212/631-9241
9. Galata Mawlavi House Museum / Galata, Beyoğlu
Galata Mawlavi House, built in 1491, is the first Mawlavi house in Istanbul. After many restorations and handovers, the building was reopened as a modern museum in 2011 where the life of sufi dervishes are shown. In the museum you can find Mawlavi clothes, belongings, praying, art and music as well as a hologram of a whirling dervish. On the upper floor there are also exhibitions on Ottoman and Sufi art. On Sundays you can watch the whirling dervishes inside. It is totally a must-see place for whom interested in sufism.
Visiting Hours: 09.30 AM – 05.00 PM except Mondays
General Admission: 5 TL (~$3)
Phone: +9 0212 245 41 41
10. Sadberk Hanım Museum / Sarıyer
By being the first private museum of Turkey, founded in 1980, Sadberk Hanım Museum has been a special place to see Islamic artefacts with Ottoman emphasise, European, Far Eastern and Near Eastern artefacts that were produced for the Ottomans, woven textiles from the Ottoman era, garments and embroideries as well as archaeological relics belonging to Anatolian civilisation from 6th millennium B.C. till the end of the Byzantines. The museum now has 18.000 pieces of artefects in its collection which are all worth to visit.
Visiting Hours: 10.00 AM - 05.00 PM except Wednesdays
General Admission: 7 TL (~$3)
Address: Büyükdere Piyasa Cad. No: 27- 29 Sarıyer/ISTANBUL
Phone: +90(212) 242 38 13 -14
To Ones Who Wish to Explore Istanbul Further More
Miniaturk / Sütlüce, Beyoğlu
You may have only Istanbul included on your travel plan or there may not enough time to explore all around Turkey – don’t worry, you have Miniaturk! Here you will be able to find the most beautiful sights chosen from almost all 81 cities of Turkey. From Cappadocia to İshak Paşa Palace, from Mevlana Museum (Shrine of Rumi) to Temple of Artemis; a great variety of miniature monuments are brought to you in only one place.
Visiting Hours: 09.00 AM – 07.00 PM everyday
General Admission: 10 TL (~$5) each, 8 TL for more than 10 people.
Phone: +9 0212 222 28 82
Panorama 1453 / Topkapı, Zeytinburnu
The fate of Istanbul was totally changed with its conquest in 1453 by Ottoman Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror. This museum aims to bring this era-changing event to life by the joint work of eight painters, lasted for three years. When you leave behind a short corridor with modern miniatures reflecting the conquest from the today’s point of view, you enter into a room, all filled by a giant painting which make you feel like you are in the middle of the war!
Visiting Hours: 08.00 AM – 06.00 PM everyday
General Admission: 10 TL (~$5)
Address: Topkapı Kültür Merkez Efendi Mah., Topkapı, Zeytinburnu/Istanbul
Phone: +9 0212 415 14 53
Great Palace Mosaic Museum / Sultanahmet, Fatih
The museum is situated on the northern section of the peristyle courtyard of the Great Palace of the Byzantine Empire, probably built during the reign of Byzantine Emperor Justinian I. The mosaics which used to decorate the pavement of the courtyard are from daily life and nature and definitely worth to be visited.
Visiting Hours: Summer Season (April – October): 09.00 AM – 07.00 PM
Winter Season (November – March): 09.00 AM – 05.00 PM
Closed on Mondays.
General Admission: 10 TL (~$5)
Address: Hacımimi Mh., Lüleciler Arastası Sk, 80200 Istanbul
Phone: +9 0212 518 12 05
Fethiye Museum (Pammakaristos Church) / Çarşamba, Fatih
This gorgeous, red building which is hidden in Çarşamba district of Fatih, is one of the most important examples of Constantinople's Palaiologan architecture. Most scholars indicate that the church dates back to between 11th and 12th centuries and its side chapel was constructed in the early Palaiologan period. It also contains a small shrine in memory of the late husband of Martha Glabas. Five years after the Conquest of Istanbul, it was converted into a mosque with the name Fethiye Mosque. While its main part in the north still remains as a mosque, the side chapel serves as a museum today where you can see the largest amount of Byzantine mosaics in Istanbul after Hagia Sophia and Chora Church.
Visiting Hours: 09.00 AM – 06.00 PM except Wednesdays
General Admission: 5 TL (~$2)
Address: Fethiye Cad., Çarşamba - Fatih/Istanbul
Phone: +9 0212 635 12 73
Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum / Sultanahmet, Fatih
Known as the first museum including Turkish and Islamic relics, was founded in 1914 inside the social complex of Süleymaniye Mosque and then carried to İbrahim Paşa Palace where used to be a home to İbrahim Paşa, Ottoman Grand Vizier killed by Suleiman the Magnificent. The museum includes carpet, manuscripts and calliagraphy, wooden relics, stone art, stoneware and glass, mining and ethnography sections. Unfortunately, the museum is temporarily closed due to restoration works since 2012.
General Admission: 10TL (~$5)
Closed on Mondays.
Address: At Meydanı Sok. İbrahim Paşa Sarayı No:44 Sultanahmet, Fatih/Istanbul
Phone: +9 0212 518 18 05
Yıldız Palace Museum / Beşiktaş
Situated on Yıldız hill of Beşiktaş, Yıldız Palace is important for being the last example of Ottoman palace architecture. Although Ottoman Sultans, starting from Ahmed I, had been constructing fountains, pavilions and mansions on the hill, the main structuring started in the reign of Abdulhamid II by the buildings for carpenter works, theatre, museum and more culture facilities. The palace has been serving as a museum since 1993 and is a great place to see Westernization movement in Ottoman Empire in arts and culture.
Visiting Hours: Summer Season (April 15th – November 1st): 09.00 AM – 05.30 PM
Winter Season (November 1st – April 15th): 09.00 AM – 07.00 PM
General Admission: 10 TL (~$5)
Address: Barbaros Bulvarı, Serencebey Yokuşu, No. 62 Beşiktaş/ İstanbul - TÜRKİYE
Phone: +90 212 2583080
Yıldız Palace City Museum / Beşiktaş
Although the museum has been founded in 1939, it was reopened as a city museum inside Yıldız Palace in 1988. There are precious collections which represents the social life in Ottoman Empire especially during 18th and 19th centuries, such as paintings, writings and writing tools, calligraphies, sect belongings, porcelains, kitchen wares, coffee sets, jewelleries, tiles, seals and more. You will find the best examples of Ottoman and Turkish painting on Istanbul through the works of Şevket Dağ, Mesrur İzzet, Halil Paşa, İbrahim Çallı, Şefik Bursalı, Bedri Rahmi Eyüboğlu, and other important painters.
Visiting Hours: 09.00 AM – 04.30 PM except Thursdays and Sundays
General Admission: Free
Phone: +90 212 258 53 44
Pera Museum / Tepebaşı, Beyoğlu
Even though Pera Museum can be considered quite new by being founded in 2005, it has already become the hot spot of art lovers in Istanbul. The museum has three permament exhibitions which are “Orientalist Paintings” (including famous “The Tortoise Trainer” painting), Anatolian Weights and Measures, and Kütahya Tiles and Ceramics. Besides these, from Pablo Picasso to Andy Warhol, paintings of many famous artists meet with Istanbullers from time to time here. It has also film programs every month where you can watch non-mainstream films. Do not forget to look at monthly program of Pera Museum when you visit Istanbul!
Visiting Hours: 10.00 AM - 07.00 PM except Mondays
Sundays: 12.00 AM - 06.00 PM
General Admission: 15 TL (~$7)
Address: Meşrutiyet Cad., No.65, 34443 Tepebaşı – Beyoğlu/Istanbul
Phone: +9 0212 334 99 00
Museum of Princes’ Islands / Büyükada
Princes’ Islands are the best for a 1-day getaway from the city rush. However, did you know that it has also a museum? Founded in 2009, Museum of Princes’ Islands in Büyükada provides very detailed information about the history of the islands and culture of the people living on them by 20.000 documents, 6000 photos, films and other visual elements. Temporal exhibitions also take place here to touch on different aspects of the life on the islands.
Visiting Hours: December – February: 09.00 AM - 06.00 PM
March – November: 09.00 AM - 07.00 PM
Closed on Mondays.
General Admission: 5 TL (~$2) / Free on Wednesdays!
Address: Adalar Müzesi Hangar Müze Alanı, Aya Nikola Mevkii Büyükada - Adalar/Istanbul
Phone: +9 0216 382 64 30
Beylerbeyi Palace / Üsküdar
Up from Üsküdar, the white walls of Beylerbeyi Palace stand which had been a summer resort for Sultan Abdülaziz whereas a prison for Sultan Abdülhamid. There are 6 halls, 24 rooms, 1 hamam (Turkish bath) and 1 bath in total on two floors. While the palace was built by mixing both the Western and the Eastern styles, it has the Turkish house plan that can be seen in Harem and Mabeyn parts. This palace is definitely worth to see for its glorious Ottoman decoration mixing with a Western touch.
Visiting Hours: 09.00 AM – 05.00 PM except Mondays and Thursdays
General Admission: 20 TL (~$10)
Address: Beylerbeyi Mh., 34676 Üsküdar/İstanbul
Phone: +9 0216 321 93 20
Time Left?
The Quincentennial Foundation Museum of Turkish Jews / Karaköy
The Quincentenial Foundation was founded in 1989 as a three-year programme based on the mission of celebration the 500th anniversary of the welcoming of the Sephardic Jews to the Ottoman Empire in 1992. Today, this museum of the foundation, situated in the Zulfaris Sinagogue which was built in 1823, serves as a peace promoter between Turks and the Jews by exposing the cultural heritage of the Turkish Jews to its dear visitors.
Visiting Hours: 10.00 AM – 04.00 PM from Monday to Thursday
10.00 AM – 02.00 PM on Fridays and Sundays
General Admission: 10 TL (~$5)
Address: Karakoy Square, Perçemli Str. (the rear of Selanik Pasaji) 34420 Karakoy/Istanbul
Phone: +9 0212 292 63 33 - 34
Florya Ataturk Marine Manson / Florya, Bakırköy
Many people know about Dolmabahçe Palace in where Mustafa Kemal Ataturk had spent his last days, however few would recognize this lovely mansion where he had the happiest photo shootings. The mansion was built on steel piles 70 m (230 ft) away from the beach in 1935 by the Municipality of Istanbul as a summer resort for Ataturk. On a nice day go to see the beautiful photos of Ataturk taken at the site and walk on its wooden floor as once Ataturk and his goddaughter Ülkü did.
Visiting Hours: Summer Season: 09.00 AM – 04.00 PM
Winter Season: 09.00 AM – 03.00 PM
Closed on Mondays and Thursdays.
General Admission: 2 TL (~$1)
Address: Basınköy Mah., 34153 Bakırköy/Istanbul
Phone: +9 0212 426 51 51
Rezan Has Museum / Cibali, Fatih
When talking about this museum, one should first start with the history lying beneath it. The site was a Byzantine cistern built in 11th century whereas it was used as a hamam (Turkish bath) since 17th century. Finally Cibali Tobacco Factory, built in 1880, rises on the ruins of others. In this museum there is one permament exhibition consisting of archeological artifacts from Neolithic Period to Seljuk Empire. In multi-purpose exhibition hall tematic exhibitions, especially on Turkish Painting Art, take place.
Visiting Hours: 09:00 AM – 06:00 PM everyday
General Admission: 3 TL (~$1)
Address: Kadir Has Üniversitesi, Kadir Has Caddesi, 34083 Cibali – İstanbul
Phone: +9 0212 533 65 32
Sakıp Sabancı Museum / Emirgan
This gift of Sabancı Family, one of the richest families in Turkey, was given to Istanbul in 1998 to exhibit Sakıp Sabancı’s rich collection of calligraphy from the end of 14th century until 20th century, and paintings of early Turkish painters as well as foreign painters who worked in Istanbul. Three rooms of the museum are preserved with the furnishings and objects of decorative art of the 18th and 19th centuries that were in use during the period when the Sabancı Family resided there. The museum also hosts thematic exhibitions in certain dates which should be followed.
Visiting Hours: 10:00 AM - 06:00 PM except Mondays and Wednesdays
Wednesdays: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
General Admission: 15 TL (~$7) / free on Wednesdays!
Address: Sakıp Sabancı Cad. No:42, 34467, Emirgan/İstanbul
Phone: +9 0212 277 22 00
Rahmi M. Koç Museum / Hasköy
Founded in the historical Lengerhane (Anchorhouse) Building and then spread to Hasköy Dockyard, Rahmi M. Koç Museum has been the home to industrial and engineering objects including the sections of road transport, train transport, navigation, aviation, living history, machinery, communication, scientific devices, models and toys. You can also find large scale objects such as a submarine, ferry boat, planes and a floating sheerlegs in open air display area.
Visiting Hours: 10:00 AM – 05:00 PM except Mondays
Saturday – Sunday and Public Holidays
October 1st – March 31st: 10:00 AM – 06:00 PM
April 1st – September 30th: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
General Admission: 12.5 TL (~$6) | 7 TL (~$3) for submarine
Address: Hasköy Cad. No: 5, Hasköy 34445 - Istanbul
Phone: +9 0212 369 66 00
Santralistanbul / Eyüp, Fatih
Santralistanbul, consisting of a modern art museum, an energy museum, an amphitheater, concert halls and a public library, is situated within the Silahtarağa campus of Istanbul Bilgi University that was formerly the first power station of the Ottoman Empire that served from 1914 to 1983. The original environment of the power station was preserved in the energy museum as well as its exterior design. Besides that, two new buildings are used to host modern art which forms the main body of the museum.
Visiting Hours: 10.00 AM - 06.00 PM on weekdays
10.00 AM - 10.00 PM on weekends
General Admission: 10 TL (~$5)
Address: Emniyettepe Mh., Kazım Karabekir Cd No:2, Eyüp - İstanbul
Phone: +9 0212 311 78 78 – 78 09
Borusan Contemporary / Baltalimanı, Sarıyer
If you are interested in media arts, Borusan Contemporary is your place! The works of artists who work with time, light, technology, video, software and beyond are exhibited in a mansion called “The Haunted Mansion” (because the mansion remained unfinished since 1910s). Whenever you go here, you will certainly be able to find something interesting.
Visiting Hours: 10.00 am - 8.00 pm on weekends.
Closed on weekdays.
General Admission: 10 TL (~$5)
Address: Baltalimanı Mah., Balta Limanı Hisar Cad., No:5, 34470 Istanbul
Phone: +9 0212 393 52 00
Istanbul Toy Museum / Göztepe, Kadıköy
Who says children can’t have fun in museums of Istanbul? Istanbul Toy Museum, opened in 2005 by poet/writer Sunay Akın, attracts many children and also their parents everyday. The museum was established with toys that were purchased from auctions and antique shops for over 40 countries in 20 years by Sunay Akın and was designed in special sections to teach history with more fun such as space toys or train toys.
You can see some of the toys in the museum through time machine: Click to see the Time Machine
Visiting Hours: 09.30 AM - 06.00 PM on weekdays except Mondays
09.30 AM - 07.00 PM on weekends
General Admission: 10 TL (~$5) | 7TL (~$3) TL for children
Address: Ömer Paşa Cad. Dr. Zeki Zeren Sok. No:15, Göztepe/İstanbul
Phone: 0216 359 45 50-51
The Museum of Innocence / Çukurcuma, Beyoğlu
Derived from Orhan Pamuk’s 2008-published book, The Museum of Innocence invites the visitors into a journey to Istanbul in late history. Pamuk notes that the idea of a museum was developed within the novel while he was collecting objects that he might use in the novel, from junk shops or his friends’ homes. The museum presents these objects as what novel’s characters used, wore, heard, saw, collected and dreamed of – which are still interesting even you haven’t read the book!
Visiting Hours: 10.00 AM – 06.00 PM except Mondays and Thursdays
Thursdays: 10.00 AM – 09.00 PM
General Admission: 25 TL (~$12)
Address: Çukurcuma Cad., Dalgıç Çıkmazı, 2, 34425, Beyoğlu/Istanbul
Phone: +9 0212 252 97 38
Istanbul Wax Museum / 4. Levent
Istanbul has its own Madame Tussouds! Jale Kuşhan, a geophysics engineer, decided to found a wax museum in Istanbul after visiting one in St. Petersburg in 1999. She started with buying 34 sculptures from St. Petersburg Museum. Now she has 60 sculptures including the ones she created by her own means. In the museum you can see famous Turkish personalities such as Timurlenk and Fazıl Say as well as Dostoyevski and Michael Jackson. You can have information about the personalities through 40 min free presentation in four languages (Turkish, English, Russian and Arabic) of a guide. Unlike the other wax museums, here you can have a wax copy of your hands or foots.
Visiting Hours: 10.00 AM – 10.00 PM everyday
General Admission: Free
Emniyetevleri Mah., Eski Büyükdere Cd No:1 D:1, Levent/Istanbul - Europe, Turkey
Phone: +9 0212 268 80 80
The Best Museums of Istanbul http://t.co/yPDf6JGO34 #art #history #Turkey — Atdaa.com (@AtdaaTweets) July 30, 2014
