Entrance Fees of Istanbul Museums 2026
Welcome to beautiful city of Istanbul, there is a lot to see and many things to do in Istanbul.
However sometimes it can be difficult to find information regarding Istanbul museums, sites and attractions so we made a bucket list for you here. You can find best sites to see in Istanbul like palaces, mosque, churches, bazaars, cruises and towers to visit.
You can check closing days, opening hours, entrance ticket fees of sites that you can use while planning your Istanbul tour.
Palaces of Istanbul
Topkapi Palace
Closed: Tuesday, January 1, first day of religious holidays
Opening Hours: 09:00 – 17:00 (last entry around 16:00)
Entrance Fee: 2750 TL per person
Recommended Visit Duration: 2–3 hours
Tip: Enter as soon as the palace opens and visit the Harem first to avoid long queues and crowded rooms.
Dolmabahce Palace
Closed: Monday, January 1, first day of religious holidays
Opening Hours: 09:00 – 18:00
Entrance Fee: 2000 TL per person (combined palace+rooms)
Recommended Visit Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes
Tip: Keep your ticket until the end, as security checks may ask for it when exiting certain sections.
Beylerbeyi Palace
Closed: Monday and Thursday
Opening Hours: 09:00 – 17:00
Entrance Fee: 800 TL per person
Recommended Visit Duration: 1 hour
Tip: Combine the visit with a Bosphorus ferry ride for a full Asian-side experience.
Küçüksu Pavilion
Closed: Monday and Thursday
Opening Hours: 09:00 – 17:00
Entrance Fee: 300 TL per person
Recommended Visit Duration: 45 minutes
Tip: Ideal as a short cultural stop between longer sightseeing routes.
Churches of Istanbul
Hagia Irene Church
Closed: Tuesday and public holidays
Opening Hours: 09:00 – 17:00
Entrance Fee: 1050 TL
Recommended Visit Duration: 20 minutes
Tip: Visit during peak palace hours for a quieter, more peaceful atmosphere.
Chora Church (Kariye)
Closed: Friday during prayer hours
Opening Hours: Open daily outside prayer times
Entrance Fee: Free
Recommended Visit Duration: 1 hour
Tip: Go slowly through the mosaics section as many details are located above eye level.
St. Antoine Church
Closed: Open every day
Opening Hours: Throughout the day
Entrance Fee: Free
Recommended Visit Duration: 30 minutes
Tip: Visit early morning before Istiklal Street becomes crowded.
Zeyrek Mosque (Pantokrator Monastery)
Closed: Open daily except prayer times
Opening Hours: Variable
Entrance Fee: Free
Recommended Visit Duration: 45 minutes
Tip: Combine with a neighborhood walk to experience local Istanbul life.
Mosques of Istanbul
Hagia Sophia / Ayasofya
Closed: Fridays until 14:00 due to prayer time
Opening Hours: Open every day, accessible at all hours outside prayer times
Entrance Fee: 27.5 € per person
Recommended Visit Duration: 45 minutes
Tip: Visit early morning or late afternoon to avoid crowds and see mosaics more clearly.
Blue Mosque / Sultanahmet Mosque
Closed: Fridays until 14:00 due to prayer time
Opening Hours: Open every day, accessible at all hours outside prayer times
Entrance Fee: Free of charge
Recommended Visit Duration: 30 minutes
Tip: Enter from the side courtyards for a calmer experience during busy hours.
Rustem Pasha Mosque / Rustem Pasa Camii
Closed: Fridays until 14:00 due to prayer time
Opening Hours: Open every day, accessible at all hours outside prayer times
Entrance Fee: Free of charge
Recommended Visit Duration: More than 30 minutes
Tip: Look closely at the tile panels near windows where the best Iznik ceramics are hidden.
Suleymaniye Mosque / Suleymaniye Camii
Closed: Fridays until 14:00 due to prayer time
Opening Hours: Open every day, accessible at all hours outside prayer times
Entrance Fee: Free of charge
Recommended Visit Duration: 45 minutes
Tip: Walk behind the mosque after your visit for one of the best Golden Horn viewpoints.
Cisterns of Istanbul
Basilica Cistern / Yerebatan Sarayı
Closed: Open every day
Opening Hours: Opens at 09:00, last entrance at 16:00, closed at 17:00 (before restoration period)
Entrance Fee: 1500 TL per person
Recommended Visit Duration: 30 minutes
Tip: Walk slowly and pause near the Medusa heads to fully experience the atmosphere and lighting.
Serefiye Cistern / Theodosius Cistern
Closed: Open every day
Opening Hours: 09:00 – 19:00
Entrance Fee: 900 TL per person
Recommended Visit Duration: 30 minutes (may take longer during exhibitions)
Tip: Check current exhibitions in advance, as multimedia shows can extend your visit time.
Binbirdirek Cistern / Cistern of Philoxenos / Binbir Direk Sarnıcı
Closed: Mondays and the first day of religious holidays
Opening Hours: 10:00 – 16:30
Entrance Fee: 495 TL per person
Recommended Visit Duration: 20 minutes
Tip: Combine this visit with nearby Sultanahmet sights as it is usually less crowded than Basilica Cistern.
Bazaars of Istanbul
Grand Bazaar / Kapalı Çarşı
Closed: Sundays, Ramadan Eid, and Eid al-Adha
Opening Hours: 09:00 – 19:00
Entrance Fee: Free of charge
Recommended Visit Duration: 30 minutes for a quick walk, up to 2 hours for shopping
Tip: Start from one main gate and exit from another to avoid getting lost and to see more sections naturally.
Spice Bazaar / Mısır Çarşısı
Closed: Ramadan Eid and Eid al-Adha
Opening Hours: 09:00 – 19:00
Entrance Fee: Free of charge
Recommended Visit Duration: 30 minutes for sightseeing, up to 2 hours for shopping
Tip: Walk through once without buying, then return to the shops you liked to compare prices and quality.
Arasta Bazaar
Closed: Open every day, all year round
Opening Hours: 09:00 – 19:00
Entrance Fee: Free of charge
Recommended Visit Duration: About 30 minutes, longer if interested in handicrafts
Tip: Ideal place to buy souvenirs near Sultanahmet without the intense crowds of larger bazaars.
Activities to Do in Istanbul
Bosphorus Cruise
Operating Days: Operated every day of the week with public ferries
Operating Hours: 07:00 – 22:00
Ticket Price: 200 TL per person for public ferry
Cruise Duration: Usually between 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on the ferry company
Tip: Choose a seat on the outer deck for better photos and views of palaces and mansions along the Bosphorus.
Pierre Loti Cable Car / Piyer Loti Teleferik
Operating Days: Operates every day
Operating Hours: 08:00 – 22:00
Ticket Price: 55 TL round trip
Recommended Visit Duration: About 30 minutes on the hill for panoramic views
Tip: Visit close to sunset for the best Golden Horn scenery and a relaxed café break.
Towers of Istanbul
Galata Tower / Galata Kulesi
Closed: Open every day
Opening Hours: 08:30 – 23:00
Entrance Fee: 30 EUR per person
Recommended Visit Duration: About 1 hour including waiting time and panoramic photos
Tip: Go after sunset to see both daylight and night views of Istanbul in one visit.
Maiden’s Tower / Kız Kulesi
Closed: Open every day, 365 days a year
Opening Hours: 09:00 – 19:00
Entrance Fee: 27 EUR entrance ticket plus 5 EUR round-trip boat transfer
Recommended Visit Duration: Around 1 hour including ferry ride and viewing time
Tip: Sit on the outer terrace for the best photos of the Historic Peninsula and Bosphorus.
Museums of Istanbul
Istanbul Archaeological Museum / Arkeoloji Müzesi
Closed: Mondays
Opening Hours: 09:00 – 20:00
Entrance Fee: 15 EUR per person
Recommended Visit Duration: About 2 hours (shorter depending on interest)
Tip: Start with the main building to follow the historical timeline more easily.
Rahmi Koç Museum / Rahmi Koç Müzesi
Closed: Mondays, December 31, January 1
Opening Hours: Tue–Fri 10:00 – 17:30, Sat–Sun 10:00 – 19:00
Entrance Fee: 700 TL per person
Recommended Visit Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Tip: Focus on transportation and industrial sections for the most interactive experience.
Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum / İbrahim Pasha Palace
Closed: Open every day
Opening Hours: 09:00 – 20:00
Entrance Fee: 17 EUR per person
Recommended Visit Duration: About 1 hour
Tip: Spend extra time in the carpet galleries to see regional Anatolian styles.
Istanbul Modern Art Museum
Closed: Mondays, January 1, first days of Ramadan Eid and Eid al-Adha
Opening Hours: Tuesday–Saturday 10:00 – 18:00
Entrance Fee: 700 TL per person
Recommended Visit Duration: Depends on exhibitions
Tip: Check current exhibitions online before visiting to plan time efficiently.
Istanbul Military Museum / Harbiye Askerî Müzesi
Closed: Mondays, first day of Ramadan Eid and Eid al-Adha
Opening Hours: 09:00 – 16:30 (last entry 16:00)
Entrance Fee: 400 TL per person
Recommended Visit Duration: About 1 hour
Tip: Ask about Mehter Band performance times for a unique cultural highlight.
Istanbul Aviation Museum / Yeşilköy Havacılık Müzesi
Closed: Temporarily closed (normally Mondays and first day of religious holidays)
Opening Hours: 09:00 – 17:00 (last entry 16:00)
Entrance Fee: 600 TL per person
Recommended Visit Duration: About 1 hour
Tip: Combine with airport-area sightseeing due to its remote location.
Istanbul Naval Museum / Beşiktaş Deniz Müzesi
Closed: Mondays, January 1, first day of Ramadan Eid and Eid al-Adha
Opening Hours: Weekdays 09:00 – 17:00, Weekends 10:00 – 18:00
Entrance Fee: 400 TL per person
Recommended Visit Duration: About 1 hour
Tip: Best visited after a Bosphorus cruise to connect maritime history.
Pera Museum / Pera Müzesi
Closed: Sundays and Mondays
Opening Hours: Tue–Sat 10:00 – 19:00, Fri 10:00 – 22:00, Sun 12:00 – 18:00
Entrance Fee: 300 TL per person
Recommended Visit Duration: About 1 hour
Tip: Visit on Friday evenings for extended hours and fewer crowds.
Museum of Innocence / Masumiyet Müzesi
Closed: Mondays, January 1, first days of Ramadan Eid and Eid al-Adha
Opening Hours: 10:00 – 17:00
Entrance Fee: 400 TL per person
Recommended Visit Duration: About 45 minutes
Tip: Reading the novel beforehand greatly enhances the visit.
Miniatürk Museum
Closed: Open every day
Opening Hours: 10:00 – 17:30
Entrance Fee: 620 TL per person
Recommended Visit Duration: 45 minutes (up to 1.5 hours with children)
Tip: Use the audio guide to understand each miniature’s historical context.
Galata Mevlevi Lodge Museum / Galata Mevlevihanesi
Closed: Mondays
Opening Hours: 09:00 – 20:00
Entrance Fee: 7 EUR per person
Recommended Visit Duration: About 45 minutes
Tip: Focus on ritual rooms to understand daily Mevlevi life and spirituality.
Rumeli Fortress / Rumeli Hisarı
Closed: Mondays
Opening Hours: 09:00 – 18:30
Entrance Fee: 6 EUR per person
Recommended Visit Duration: About 45 minutes
Tip: Wear comfortable shoes as paths are uneven and steep.
Painting Museum
Closed: Mondays
Opening Hours: 09:00 – 18:00
Entrance Fee: 200 TL per person
Recommended Visit Duration: About 1 hourTip: Focus on architectural details as much as the artwork itself.
Toy Museum
Closed: Mondays
Opening Hours: 10:00 – 18:00
Entrance Fee: 420 TL per person
Recommended Visit Duration: 1–2 hours
Tip: Ideal for families, plan extra time for workshops and special exhibitions.
If you want to combine these attractions in one visit, just contact us and let us do the rest. You will have the best tour in Istanbul with our expert team!