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Museums in Turkey

Numerous museums in Turkey transport you to ancient civilisations and historical wonders. They boast a rich tapestry of culture and heritage and offer a perfect getaway to explore the interesting past. Thrillophilia’s Turkey tour package offers you a chance to visit some of the famous museums, like the Topkapi Palace Museum and the Istanbul Museum of Modern Art.

Our Turkey honeymoon package allows you to discover the beautiful and romantic face of the country through these museums. It lets you walk around the Ephesus Archaeological Museum and see the popular statue of the Greek Goddess Artemis. You can also admire the beauty of the vast building of Dolmabahce Palace Museum. From the grandeur of the Ottoman Empire to the mysteries of ancient civilisations like Troy, each museum offers a journey through time in Turkey.

No matter if you are a history or architecture lover, these museums cater to all your interests and preferences. Every museum in Turkey displays a blend of modern Turkish art and international works. You will get a chance to enjoy the legendary tales of all these museums. 

So, book your visit to the best museums in Turkey with Thrillophilia and explore the rich exhibitions of time with your friends and family!

Best Museums in Turkey

1. Topkapi Palace Museum, Istanbul- Topkapi Palace is one of the most splendid museums in Turkey. Located in the Fatih district of Istanbul, it was once the residence of Ottoman Sultans. Now, it houses a fascinating range of ancient heirlooms, books, and manuscripts. You can admire the breathtaking architecture while exploring the famous Spoonmaker’s Diamond in this museum. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site that offers a glimpse into the Ottoman way of life. 

2. Ephesus Archaeological Museum, Selçuk- Ephesus Archaeological Museum is a must-visit museum for history lovers. It displays remarkable artefacts like the famous statue of the Greek Goddess Artemis and Emperor Marcus Aurelius. The museum also houses ancient coins, sculptures, and remnants. You can explore galleries and halls and admire the centuries-old marvels that were derived through excavations. It is also advisable not to miss the engaging 3D stimulation video that depicts the beauty of ancient Ephesus.

3. Hagia Sophia Museum, Istanbul- Hagia Sophia Museum is one of the best museums in Turkey. It is covered in 30 million gold tiles. With a rich history spanning centuries, it has been transformed from a church to a mosque, and now it has been a museum since 1935. You can admire its stunning architecture that blends Byzantine and Ottoman styles. The grandeur and significance of the museum make it a top attraction for both locals and tourists.

4. Istanbul Museum of Modern Art- The Istanbul Museum of Modern Art showcases a remarkable collection of contemporary artworks. It is the first of its kind in Istanbul and is a must-visit for art lovers. Founded by the Eczacibasi family, it hosts attractive exhibitions alongside photography halls, libraries, cinemas, cafes, and shops. You can explore Turkish as well as international art in this museum. Some of the popular ones include works from renowned artists like Burhan Dogancay and Fahrelnissa Zeid.

5. Mevlana Museum, Konya- The Mevlana Museum in Konya is among the most famous museums in Turkey. It is dedicated to the well-known poet and mystic, Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi. This museum has been divided into sections like Dervish cells and a library. It houses the belongings of the poet, like books, Qurans, prayer carpets, and artworks. Its beautiful architecture has a green dome and tiles, which draw the attention of all the visitors. 

6. Dolmabahce Palace Museum, Istanbul- Dolmabahce Palace Museum in Istanbul is a stunning treasure of Turkey. Situated on the Bosphorus shores, it became a museum in 1984. This vast complex includes various buildings, like an aviary, glass factory, and stables. It is one of the largest palaces in Turkey, with 285 rooms, 68 toilets, and 44 halls. The museum hosts over 50,000 items, including some decorative objects. 

7. Göreme Open Air Museum, Nevşehir- The Göreme Open Air Museum in Nevşehir is one of the best museums in Turkey. It is a top attraction that showcases ancient churches carved into the famous fairy chimneys of Cappadocia. You can explore these rock churches dating from the 4th to the 19th century. Each of these rock churches is decorated with stunning frescoes and artwork. It is also advisable not to miss the Tokalı Church, which has sections depicting the life of Jesus.

8. Yildiz Palace, Istanbul- Yildiz Palace is one of the finest museums in Istanbul. Built in 1880, it was once home to Ottoman Sultan Abdulhamid II. With its graceful Turkish and Islamic designs, it holds great historical importance. You can explore its vast complex of pavilions and galleries, including a 90-meter-long gallery that displays Turkish porcelain. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is truly stunning and also has magnificent courtyards and gardens. 

9. Troy Museum, Tevfikiye- The Troy Museum in Tevfikiye is one of the most spectacular museums in Turkey. It is a treasure trove of artefacts from the ancient city of Troy. This museum showcases images of excavations and life during different historical periods. From the Chalcolithic to the Bronze Age, it offers fascinating insights into the past of this lost city. The highlight of this museum is 24 delicate samples of gold jewellery that date back to 2400 BCE.

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Turkey Museums FAQs

Which are the most famous museums in Turkey?

1.Topkapi Palace Museum Istanbul: The Topkapi Palace Museum is one of the most famous museums in Turkey, Istanbul that houses an incredible collection of artefacts from the Ottoman Empire. The museum is home to many important historical objects, such as the Topkapi Dagger, the world's oldest surviving book, and the jewel-encrusted Topkapi Sword. Visitors can also see the magnificent ceremonial rooms of the palace, including the audience chamber, where the sultan would meet with his subjects.

Location:Cankurtaran, 34122 Fatih/Istanbul, Turkey

Timing: 9 am to 6 pm

Price: 200 Turkish Lira per person

2.Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, Ankara: The Museum of Anatolian Civilizations in Ankara is one of the most famous Turkey museums whose collections are arranged chronologically. It is home to an extensive collection of ancient artefacts from the civilizations that inhabited Anatolia, the Asian part of Turkey. The museum's collection includes items from the Paleolithic, Neolithic, Chalcolithic and Bronze Age periods. There are also many objects from the Hittite, Phrygian, Urartian, Greek, Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman civilizations.

Location: Kale, Gözcü Sk. No:2, 06240 Ulus/Altnda/Ankara

Timing: 8.30 am to 5.30 pm

Price: 50 Turkish Liras per person

3.Key Museum: Opened in 2015, the Key Museum is one of the best museums in Turkey which boasts an extensive collection of restored vintage cars, motorcycles, and automotive artefacts. The collection of this unique museum includes over 200 vintage cars, motorcycles, and various automotive artefacts. The museum's mission is to preserve and promote the history and culture of the automotive industry in Turkey. In addition to its impressive collection, this classic automobile and motorcycle museum also offers a variety of educational programs and events.

Location: ÇapakMah, Özgörkey Cd. No:5, 35860

Timing: 10 am to 5 pm

Price: 20 Turkish Liras per person

4.The Museum of Innocence, Istanbul: The Museum of Innocence, located in the old city of Istanbul is one of the most frequently visited museums in Turkey that is dedicated to the memory of the innocent victims of the Armenian Genocide. The museum was founded by Turkish writer Orhan Pamuk, and it houses a collection of over 4,000 objects that Pamuk collected during his research for his novel The Museum of Innocence. The objects were collected by Dink and his friends from all over Turkey. They include clothes, photos, and personal belongings.

Location: Firuza?a, ÇukurcumaCaddesi, Dalg?çÇk. No:2, 34425

Timing: 10 am to 6 pm

Price: 40 Turkish Liras per person

5.Istanbul Modern Art Museum, Istanbul: Mark your presence at one of the most popular Turkey museums, the Istanbul Modern Art Museum that houses a wide collection of modern and contemporary art. The museum's collection includes works by renowned artists such as Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali, and Henri Matisse. Visitors can also view Turkish art from the Ottoman Empire to the present day. The museum houses a collection of contemporary art from Turkey and around the world which you can see through its temporary and permanent exhibitions.

Location: K?l?ç ali Pa?a, Tophane ?skele Cd. No:1/1, 34433

Price: 72 Turkish Liras per person

6.Konya Mevlana Museum, Konya: Konya Mevlana Museum is one of the best museums in Turkey which is located in Konya, the capital of the Seljuk Sultanate of Rum. The museum houses the tomb of Mevlana Jalal ad-Din Rumi, a 13th-century Sufi mystic and poet, and several other important artefacts. Visitors to the Konya Mevlana Museum can learn about the life and work of Rumi, as well as view some of the most important artefacts related to him. The museum also has a large collection of manuscripts, books, and other artefacts belonging to the Mevlana Order.

Location: AziziyeMah, Mevlana Cd. No:1, 42030

Timing: AziziyeMah, Mevlana Cd. No:1, 42030

7.The Ephesus Archaeological Museum, Selcuk

This archaeological museum's collection includes statues, reliefs, inscriptions, coins, pottery, and other artefacts from the ancient city of Ephesus and its surrounding area. The collection's highlight is the statue of Artemis, which was found in 1877 near the Temple of Artemis. The statue is one of the few surviving pieces of art from ancient Ephesus. If you're interested in learning more about the history and culture of ancient Ephesus, then a visit to the Ephesus Archaeological Museum is a must!

Location: Atatürk, Atatürk Cd. No:12, 35920

Timing: 8.30 am to 5 pm

Price: 18 Turkish Liras per person

8. Zeugma Mosaic Museum, Gaziantep: The Zeugma Mosaic Museum in Gaziantep is one of the best museums in Turkey that houses a large collection of Roman mosaics excavated from the ancient city of Zeugma. The museum also contains a reconstruction of a Roman house, which gives visitors an idea of what life was like in Zeugma during the Roman period. Besides, the museum also houses a library and a cafe inside the premises.

Location: Mithatpa?a, Hac? Sani Konuko?lu Blv., 27500

Timing: 8.30 am to 5 pm

Price: 30 Turkish Liras per person

9.Pera Museum, Istanbul: Pera Museum, founded in 2005 is one of the best museums in Turkey which houses a large collection of Turkish and Islamic art as well as a significant number of European paintings. The Pera Museum is mainly well known for its collection of Ottoman portraiture. The museum also has a library with over 30,000 books, making it one of the world's largest collections of Turkish and Islamic art. One can explore its 3 main exhibitions, namely the ‘Kütahya Tiles and Ceramics’, ‘Anatolian Weight and Measures’ and the ‘Orientalist Paintings’.

Location: Asmal?Mescit, Me?rutiyet Cd. No:65, 34430

Timing: 10 am to 7 pm

Price: 25 Turkish Liras per person

10.Museum of Troy, Tevfikiye: Located in the city of Tevfikiye, which is about an hour away from Istanbul, the Museum of Troy is one of the most popular Turkey museums. The museum houses a collection of artefacts from the Bronze Age city of Troy, which the Greeks destroyed in 1184 BC. The museum also has a replica of the Trojan Horse, which was used by the Greeks to trick their way into the city. The museum also has a model of Troy and a reconstruction of the famous Trojan Horse.

Location: 17100 Tevfikiye/Çanakkale Merkez/Çanakkale

Timing: 8.30 am to 5.30 pm

How much does it cost to get into Topkapi Palace?

Topkapi Palace is one of the best museums in Turkey, and as such, it can be quite expensive to get in. General admission tickets start at around 200 Turkish Lira (TL), about $11 USD. However, there are a few ways to get discounts on this price. Additionally, children under 12 can usually get in for free.

Which is the most visited museum in Turkey?

The most visited museum in Turkey is the Topkap? Palace Museum. It is located in Istanbul and was the primary residence of the Ottoman Sultans for almost 500 years. The palace complex consists of four main courtyards and many smaller buildings. The museum houses an extensive collection of art and artefacts from the Ottoman period.

Is the Key Museum worth visiting?

Yes, the Key Museum is worth visiting! This Turkey museum is home to an extensive collection of restored vintage cars, motorcycles, and various automotive artefacts. The museum offers a wide range of exhibits and activities, making it a great option for those interested in learning more about the history of the automobile.

How many days are enough to visit Turkey?

Two days is a minimum for those who like to move about and see many different places in less time. However, if you have the luxury of time and want to explore at your own pace, a week may be sufficient to visit popular attractions including the best museums in Turkey.

How to reach Turkey?

By Air- Many airlines fly to Turkey, and the prices are generally reasonable. You can fly into Istanbul or Ankara and then take a domestic flight to your final destination.

By Train: Turkey also has a good train system that can reach many parts of the country. The downside is that trains can be slow and uncomfortable, but they are cheaper than flying.

By Road: If you are coming from Europe, you can take a bus or drive to Turkey. The journey will take longer, but it can be a more pleasant experience.

Which is one of the most visited museums in Turkey?

Hagia Sophia Museum is one of the most visited museums in Turkey. It is one of the best museums in Turkey and is filled with 30 million gold tiles. Hagia Sophia was first a church and then a mosque, but it was later transformed into a museum in 1935. It attracts a large number of tourists every year from all over the globe to witness its stunning architecture and rich past.

How many museums are there in Turkey?

There are a total of 99 museum directorates under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in Turkey. Moreover, it has 151 private museums in Turkey’s 36 provinces and 1,204 private collections. The country itself seems like a vast living museum that displays the rich culture and heritage of Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman civilisations altogether.

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