Visiting the best museums in Istanbul is a journey into a city of dreams, the capital of empires and a modern voyager. The many exhibitions, galleries and cultural art centres look back at a rich metropolis history and showcase the achievements of empires, civilisations and people both past and present.

As an iconic city, history, arts and culture stalks every corner and no matter where you are, you are likely to be within a 10-minute walk of a museum. Out of all them all, Topkapi Palace and Hagia Sophia are the most popular, and we recommend you visit those first, but for visitors, with more time on their hands, the following list adds diversity.

Insider Tips +Advice

  • Majority of the Istanbul museums open six days a week
  • Majority of them are closed on Mondays
  • Some have later opening and closing times on the weekend and some of the most visited museums are closed one day (mostly in week-day) of the week.
  • Some of the attractions may open later or close earlier during the winter season.
  • Also please check our Turkey’s National, Religious and Public holidays as majority of the museums can be closed during these holidays, or on the first day of religious holidays.

Museum of Turkish & Islamic Arts

Best museum for craftsmanship

Masterful examples of calligraphy, carpets, ceramics, carved columns, illuminated manuscripts and inlaid wood fill the rooms of this beautiful 16th-century palace, formerly the home of the high-ranking Ottoman official İbrahim Paşa. With well-selected and displayed holdings from the 8th to the 19th centuries, the Museum of Turkish & Islamic Arts is a fine place to see how a variety of Islamic art forms developed across the broader Middle East.

Sabancı University Sakıp Sabancı Museum

Initially constructed in the year 1925 by the Italian architect Edoardo De Nari on the side of the Bosphorus, the Sakip Sabanci museum gives the visitors the chance to visit a yali-style house. It means a wooden house on the seaside; yali-style houses are a trademark of Bosphorus and the most expensive accommodation style in Istanbul. Owned by one of Turkey's most famous entrepreneur families, the Sabanci family, the exhibitions include book and calligraphy collection, painting collection, furniture, and decorative objects collection, the paintings of renowned artist Abidin Dino and many more.

Pera Museum

Open since July 2005, this 19th century restored building designed by architect Achille Manousos displays Anatolian weights and measurements, Oriental portrait paintings and Kutahya tiles. Out of all pieces, a must-see is Osman Hamdi’s “Tortoise Trainer” that sold for millions of dollars. The Suna-Inan Kirac Foundation, a project by the famous Koc family runs the building.

Istanbul Modern

Istanbul Modern opened in 2004 at the redeveloped old docks of the Tophane district. Istanbul Modern presents the works of Turkish contemporary artists. It also hosts temporary exhibitions. A museum not to be missed!

Istanbul Carpet and Kilim Museum

Within the Hunkar Kasri (Royal Residence), and sitting next to the Blue Mosque complex, this old building was where Sultans used to rest before prayer. It best portrays unique pieces of old Ottoman rugs and kilims and takes just a few hours to see.

Istanbul Archaeological Museums

This stunning place consists of 3 museums in one; The Archaeology Museum, The Museum of Oriental Works, and The Tiled Kiosk Museum. Dating back to the 19th century when it was established by the famous artist and museologist Osman Hamdi, the downstairs of the main building of the Archaeology Museum boasts sculptures, reliefs, tombs and artifacts; and the upstairs is home to ceramics, medallions and ancient coins. The second museum includes the ancient and mysterious artifacts from Anatolia, Mesopotamia, Old Egypt, and Arabia, along with important historical ruins.

Topkapı Palace

Topkapı Palace, the grand former home of the Ottoman sultans that’s replete with brilliantly colored tiles, gleaming marble and gilded mirrors, has been designated a museum in its entirety. But like a lavishly decorated set of nested boxes, it also contains an array of eye-popping collections. In the Treasury, you’ll find jewel-encrusted daggers, an 86-carat diamond and a throne inlaid with mother of pearl. In the former Palace Kitchens, there’s an array of fine Chinese porcelain. The Outer Treasury has enough blades, guns and armor – spanning hundreds of years of weapons design – to outfit an army.

Private Sakip Sabancı Fine Arts Museum

Private fine arts museum, hosts collections of Ottoman Calligraphic Art, religious and state documents, paintings of the Ottoman era, archaeological and stone works, furniture and decorative arts.

Sadberk Hanım Museum

Housed in a converted 19th-century mansion on the shores of the Bosporus Strait, the Sadberk Hanım Museum is a little-known cultural treasure that contains an impressive collection of artefacts (some 18,000 pieces) from the Anatolian civilisation. Dating from prehistoric times to the Byzantine era, some of the collection’s most beautiful pieces include woven Ottoman textiles and a world-class selection of İznik tile art going back to the 16th century. Relatively unknown even among Istanbul residents, the museum is a great way to take in some history and get away from the crowds. Sadberk Hanım is open on weekdays only.