History Museums
Sultanahmet
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Open now
Admission tickets from $61
THE 10 BEST Istanbul Museums
Museums in Istanbul
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Museums
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Travelers' Choice Awards winners (including the "Best of the Best" title) are among the top 10% of listings on Tripadvisor, according to the reviews and opinions of travelers across the globe.
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359 places sorted by traveler favorites
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Historic Sites • History Museums
Beyoglu
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Open now
Recommended Museum Tickets and Passes (22)
Revenue impacts these recommendations, learn more.
Art Museums • History Museums
Fener & Balat
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Open now
Ancient Ruins • Art Museums
Sultanahmet
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Open now
History Museums
Beyoglu
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Open now
Art Museums • Children's Museums
Open now
Speciality Museums • Amusement & Theme Parks
New City / Taksim
Admission tickets from $19
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What travelers are saying
- Lucas JOregon3 contributionsa very big palace. Everywhere we went was so beautiful. Especially the Kaşıkçı diamond was very special. It's definitely a place to go...Written September 6, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Devesh GhoorbinPetit Raffray154 contributionsThe Galata Tower is a must-visit for any solo traveler in Istanbul. It offers a peaceful yet inspiring experience, with stunning views and a slice of history that will stay with you long after you leave.Written August 28, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- AleksandraItaly16 contributionsOne of the most fascinating places in Istanbul. The mosaics inside are the must see. It is also next to “Tekfur Sarayı” and The walls of Istanbul. The location is far from other tourist attractions and the surrounding neighbourhoods are not the best.Written August 19, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- DavidSan Luis Obispo, CA7 contributionsA well organized collection of antiquities including coins, jewelry, sculpture, and sepulchres. The walkway to the museum and the outdoor courtyard/cafe area host piles of also ran artifacts as well... monuments and grave markers and columns lying about like they're waiting to be discovered and cataloged...Written September 1, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Luana VMalta7 contributionsLarge collections of vehicles used for different modes of transportation; cars, trains, planes, large boats moored at an outside dock, and much more. The displays are well laid out and organised with the collections spread out in more than one building. The staff are also very friendly and helpful. Well worth the ticket price.Written July 18, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Lilac GAthens,Greece362 contributionsUnfortunately not all of it was accessible to the public, but the scenery compensated me as I walked everywhere and took lovely pictures. It is a historic fortress, which was built in that particular spot in order to stop the ships supply for the people of Constantinople, thus conquer the city more easily.Written June 30, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Susan CMelbourne, Australia1,539 contributionsThis four storey building (counting the roof terrace) is a converted warehouse overlooking the Bosporus Strait and the city. The building itself has a beautiful modern design with lots of glass. It's quite stunning. There are great views across the city and the strait from the Viewing Terrace floor on the roof which also has a shallow reflection pool. It wasn't crowded when we visited late on a Friday afternoon and evening when the museum is open to 8 pm and it was another of the museums in Istanbul which were celebrating International Women's Day by giving women free entry that day. Photography without flash or tripods is allowed.
Unfortunately, the building doesn't contain much art. The ground floor contains the ticket office, library, shop and education rooms. The first floor had a restaurant and rooms for events and education and the only exhibitions are the Photography Collection, which was closed when we visited, and a pop-up gallery. This means that it was really only the second floor that has a sizeable display space. Two thirds of the floor is for the Permanent Exhibition Gallery of modern and contemporary Turkish art. The other third is for Temporary Exhibitions. We saw Floating Islands which is on until November 2024 and the Timeless Curiosities Exhibition (February 15th to 11th August 2024) which both had some interesting works. Everything is very modern with exposed lighting and the pieces are displayed on vast amounts of white space. I left feeling that while I enjoyed some of the pieces there just hadn't been much to see.Written May 1, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Sara S5 contributionsThe museum is definitely worth a visit. Not only the cars are interesting, but the entire museum is designed in such way that it attracts to you.Written November 3, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- DavidSan Luis Obispo, CA7 contributionsThe companion museum to Orhan Pamuk's novel of the same name is a great supplement to the reading experience. If you haven't read the novel, it might just be confusing (though they do have an audio guide) or a peculiar and enigmatic potpourri of nostalgic İstanbul ephemera.Written September 1, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- AndyGlasgow, UK60 contributionsNot prominent in guidebooks but one of my favourite museums in Istanbul. It is in a former prince's palace in beautiful gardens with magnificent views over the Bosporous. The museum is attached to the Sakıp Sabancı University.
There are three levels for temporary exhibitions and one level preserved in the state of the original Ottoman palace. When I was there, there was an exhibition of work by David Hockey, touring from the Royal Academy in London, an exhibition of work by an Ottoman Prince and last Caliph of Turkey, and a fascinating exhibition of Ottoman-period calligraphy.
The restaurant is run by the university catering students and serves the best food I had in three months Istanbul. They also serve cocktails including gin and tonic made to your own specification: type of gin, type of tonic and type of garnish (find the menu on line).
Get there by taking a ferry to Ermirğan. It is a short walk from the quay and adjacent to Ermirğan park.Written June 19, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - sara r6 contributionsLoved the converted hotel space and eclectic exhibit of ceramics descending from ancient Turkish designs and pulling the viewer forward to the present. The highlight for me was the 3rd floor “panorama” views and maps of Istanbul from 15-18th Century. A permanent tribute to Osman Bey on first floor. We took 1hr45 min - others may pass thru faster.Written April 26, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Lynn M8 contributionsA unique and quaint experience. What a beautiful collection, relevant for ages 1-99! So much to look at, and the displays are paired with lovely music in a pleasant vibe.Written June 1, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- SydsoloSydney, Australia916 contributionsFor what was a very informative and interesting collection, I was surprised at how uncrowded this museum was. The collection is well laid out chronologically and is very educational for someone like me who does not possess much knowledge of Turkish and Islamic history.
If you are interested in knowing more about Islamic or Turkish history then you should not miss this museum.Written May 28, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Mina AbdiIstanbul, Türkiye78 contributionsAfter visiting "Orhan Pamuk's museum of innocence" I decided to visit "Madam Tussaud's museum", it was a 15-minute walk. The museum is located on Istiklal Street and it's easily available.
At the entrance, you can see the wax figures of " Bariş Manço", “Rihana”, Audry Hepburn" and "Madam Tussaud". Then you can decide whether you want to visit the whole museum or not. I was totally impressed by the atmosphere and friendly welcome of the staff that's why I went to the booth to buy my ticket. (140 TL at the discount of my museum card). It sounded a little bit expensive to me, but I wanted to treat myself to this experience, so the journey started!
The museum had many parts including top figures in the world of science, music, sports, cinema, and politics,...
In every section, there are some accessories and customs such as perukes, caps, jackets, scarves, and glasses, ... that you can put on and pose to take photos with your favorite star. The background, decoration, and music were in great harmony with the section and the figure which created a fantastic atmosphere to enjoy.
I highly recommend you to visit the museum with your family or friends otherwise you can't enjoy it to your heart's content. I visited the museum alone, so I needed to ask other visitors to do me a favor and take my photos, and to be honest when I got to the end of the museum I was feeling like I could enjoy it more, and somehow I missed a lot of fun.
I was about to leave when Ilayda Genç, a super helpful, kind, cute, and friendly member of the staff offered to take my photo. She was well-familiar with the sections and ambiance and took me to every single figure and taught me how to pose to have amazing and supper cute photos. She literally went beyond her duty as a staff member and made me feel like I visited the museum with my bestie.
The second tour of the museum with Ilayda was a unique experience and it was the second time that I felt like I really visited that amazing museum. I rode a bike with ET in my basket, danced with Michael Jackson, talked to the Beckhams, played piano with Mozart, painted with Leonardo Da Vinci, dared to sit next to Will Smith, and paid my tribute and respect to Atatürk, Mevlana, had the honor of visiting Mimar Sinan, …..
There could be more figures such as Royal Family, I wish I could see William and Kate in the collection, but they were away on royal duties :)
Mold and sculpt your hands
There was a counter where they mold and sculpt visitors' hands. If you want to take such a memento home, that should be a fun experience!
Feedback Screen
In the final section, there is a monitor where you can give feedback and contribute to improving the quality of all visitors.
Gif Shop
After leaving the museum, you enter the gift shop from which you can buy magnets, keychains, stuffed animals, Oscars,...Written August 17, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - BARRYBEWestville, South Africa2,632 contributionsWe were fortunate to visit at the same time as they were celebrating Naval Day in Istanbul, so we were allowed to visit for free, which was a real bonus. This museum is situated on several floors and recommend several hours to visit this outstanding museum. It has a magnificent display of boats ships going through the ages. The history of this naval country is comprehensive and interesting. Well worth a visit.Written July 18, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
