Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan)

The Basilica Cistern is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Istanbul. It is a large underground cistern that was built in the 6th century by the Byzantine emperor Justinian I. The cistern is located near the Hagia Sophia and the Sultanahmet Mosque, and it is open to the public for tours. The Basilica Cistern is a vast underground chamber that is supported by 336 marble columns.

The columns are arranged in 12 rows of 28 columns, and they are each about 9 meters high. The cistern is filled with water, and it is said to be able to hold up to 80,000 cubic meters of water.

The Basilica Cistern is a popular tourist destination because of its unique architecture and its historical significance. It is a great place to learn about the Byzantine Empire and to see one of the most impressive engineering feats of the Middle Ages.

The Basilica Cistern is a great place to visit if you are interested in Byzantine history, architecture, or simply want to see a unique and interesting place in Istanbul.


Basilica Cistern Location:

Dolmabahçe Palace

Dolmabahçe Palace is a historical palace located in the Besiktas district of Istanbul. It was built between 1843 and 1856 as a residence for the Ottoman sultans and served as the main administrative center of the Ottoman Empire.

The palace is home to several important landmarks, including the Harem, a secluded section of the palace that was reserved for the sultan’s family and concubines. The palace also features a collection of European and Ottoman artwork and furniture, as well as a large collection of crystal chandeliers and clocks.

The palace was designed by the Ottoman architect Garabet Balyan and his sons. It has a total of 285 rooms, 43 halls, 6 baths and 68 toilets. The palace was also home to several famous Ottoman sultans, including Abdülmecid I and Mehmed V.

Today, the palace is a popular tourist destination, attracting an estimated 3 million visitors annually. It is also a popular spot for locals, with many shops, restaurants, and cafes located nearby.



Galata Tower

The Galata Tower is a medieval stone tower located in the Galata district of Istanbul. It was built in 1348 as part of the fortifications of the Genoese colony in Constantinople. The tower stands at a height of 63 meters and offers stunning views of the city.

The tower has been used for various purposes throughout history, including as a watchtower, a prison, and a fire lookout. Today, it is a popular tourist attraction and features a restaurant and observation deck on its top floor.

Galata Tower has been a major tourist attraction in Istanbul and in recent years, the tower has undergone renovations and restoration work. In 2020, the tower was closed for restoration work and reopened in October 2020.It is an important cultural and historical landmark in Istanbul and is widely recognized as a symbol of the city. It is visited by millions of tourists every year.



Galata Tower Location

Istanbul Museums & Places for Families & Kids (UPDATED: November 2023)

1- Miniatürk (Miniature Turkey Museum)
Location:Sütlüce, Golden Horn
Closed Days:Open everyday
Visiting Hours:09:00 – 19:00 (9:00 A.M. – 7:00 P.M.)
Museum Pass Card:Not Valid
Entrance Fee:250 TL

2- Rahmi Koç Museum
Location:Hasköy, Golden Horn
Closed Days:Mondays
Visiting Hours:09:00 – 17:30 (9:00 A.M. – 5:30 P.M.)
Museum Pass Card:Not Valid
Entrance Fee:400 TL

3- Panorama 1453 History Museum
Location:Topkapı
Closed Days:Open everyday
Visiting Hours:08:00 – 18:30 (08:00 A.M. – 6:30 P.M.)
Museum Pass Card:Not Valid
Entrance Fee:400 TL

4- Vialand Theme Park
Location:Yeşilpınar, Alibeyköy
Closed Days:Open everyday
Visiting Hours:10:00 – 18:00 (10:00 A.M. – 6:00 P.M.)
Museum Pass Card:Not Valid
Entrance Fee:55 USD

5- Sea Life Aquarium
Location:Forum Istanbul Shopping Mall
Closed Days:Open everyday
Visiting Hours:10:00 – 20:00 (10:00 A.M. – 8:00 P.M.)
Museum Pass Card:Not Valid
Entrance Fee:575 TL

6- Istanbul Aquarium
Location:Aqua Florya Shopping Mall
Closed Days:Open everyday
Visiting Hours:10:00 – 19:00 (10:00 A.M. – 7:00 P.M.)
Museum Pass Card:Not Valid
Entrance Fee:650 TL

7- Pelit Chocolate Factory & Museum
Location:Esenyurt
Closed Days:Open everyday
Visiting Hours:10:00 – 17:00 (10:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.)
Museum Pass Card:Not Valid
Entrance Fee:* TL

8- Museum of Illusions (Istanbul Istiklal)
Location:Istiklal Avenue
Closed Days:Open everyday
Visiting Hours:11:00 – 20:00 (11:00 A.M. – 8:00 P.M.)
Museum Pass Card:Not Valid
Entrance Fee:490 TL

9- Madame Tussauds Istanbul
Location:Istiklal Avenue
Closed Days:Open everyday
Visiting Hours:11:00 – 19:00 (11:00 A.M. – 7:00 P.M.)
Museum Pass Card:Not Valid
Entrance Fee:575 TL

10- Naval Museum
Location: Beşiktaş
Closed Days: Mondays
Visiting Hours: 09:00 – 17:00 (9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.)
Museum Pass Card: Not Valid
Entrance Fee: 200 TL

Istanbul Museums – Entry Fees & Visiting Hours & Location Information – Asian Side Museums (UPDATED: November 2023)

1- Beylerbeyi Palace
Location:Beylerbeyi, Üsküdar
Closed Days:Mondays
Visiting Hours:09:00 – 17:00 (9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.)
Museum Pass Card:Valid
Entrance Fee:200 TL

2- Küçüksu Pavilion
Location:Göksu, Beykoz
Closed Days:Mondays
Visiting Hours:09:00 – 17:00 (9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.)
Museum Pass Card:Valid
Entrance Fee:90 TL

3- Beykoz Mecidiye Pavilion
Location:Beykoz
Closed Days:Mondays
Visiting Hours:09:00 – 17:00 (9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.)
Museum Pass Card:Valid
Entrance Fee:90 TL

4- Maiden’s Tower
Location:Salacak, Üsküdar
Closed Days:Open everyday
Visiting Hours:09:00 – 18:00
Museum Pass Card:Valid
Entrance Fee:600 TL

5- Çamlıca Tower
Location:Çamlıca
Closed Days:Open everyday
Visiting Hours:10:00 – 22:00 (10:00 A.M. – 10:00 P.M.)
Museum Pass Card:Not Valid
Entrance Fee:450 TL

Istanbul Museums – Entry Fees & Visiting Hours & Location Information – Beyoglu, Taksim Museums (UPDATED: November 2023)

1- Galata Mevlevi House Museum
Location:Şişhane
Closed Days:Museum is closed for restoration
Visiting Hours:*
Museum Pass Card:Valid
Entrance Fee:*

2- Museum of Illusions
Location:Istiklal Avenue
Closed Days:Open everyday
Visiting Hours:11:00 – 20:00 (11:00 A.M. – 8:00 P.M.)
Museum Pass Card:Not Valid
Entrance Fee:490 TL

3- Madame Tussauds
Location:Istiklal Avenue
Closed Days:Open everyday
Visiting Hours:11:00 – 20:00 (11:00 A.M. – 8:00 P.M.)
Museum Pass Card:Not Valid
Entrance Fee:650 TL

4- Galata Tower
Location:Galata, Beyoğlu
Closed Days:Open everyday
Visiting Hours:08:30 – 22:00 (8:30 A.M. – 10:00 P.M.)
Museum Pass Card:Valid
Entrance Fee:650 TL

Istanbul Museums – Entry Fees & Visiting Hours & Location Information – Golden Horn Museums (UPDATED: November 2023)

1- Rahmi Koç Museum
Location:Hasköy, Golden Horn
Closed Days:Mondays
Visiting Hours:09:30 – 17:00 (09:30 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.)
Museum Pass Card:Not Valid
Entrance Fee:400 TL

2- Aynalıkavak Pavilion
Location:Hasköy, Golden Horn
Closed Days:Mondays
Visiting Hours:09:00 – 17:00 (9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.)
Museum Pass Card:Valid
Entrance Fee:90 TL

3- Miniatürk (Miniature Turkey Museum)
Location:Sütlüce, Golden Horn
Closed Days:Open everyday
Visiting Hours:09:00 – 19:00 (9:00 A.M. – 7:00 P.M.)
Museum Pass Card:Not Valid
Entrance Fee:250 TL
4- Panorama 1453 History Museum
Location:Topkapı
Closed Days:Open everyday
Visiting Hours:08:00 – 18:30 (08:00 A.M. – 6:30 P.M.)
Museum Pass Card:Not Valid
Entrance Fee:400 TL


5- Pammakaristos Church / Fethiye Mosque
Location:Fatih, Çarşamba
Closed Days:Museum is closed for renovation
Visiting Hours:*
Museum Pass Card:Valid
Entrance Fee:*

7- Kariye Mosque / Chora Church
Location:Edirnekapı, Fatih
Closed Days:Museum is closed for renovation
Visiting Hours:*
Museum Pass Card:*
Entrance Fee:*

8- Tekfur Palace
Location:Ayvansaray
Closed Days:Mondays
Visiting Hours (Winter):09:00 – 17:00 (9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.)
Museum Pass Card:Not Valid
Entrance Fee:40 TL

Istanbul Museums – Entry Fees & Visiting Hours & Location Information – Bosphorus Museums (UPDATED: November 2023)

1- Dolmabahçe Palace Museum
Location:Dolmabahçe
Closed Days:Mondays
Visiting Hours:09:00 – 17:00 (9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.)
Museum Pass Card:Not Valid
Entrance Fee:
Dolmabahçe Palace Selamlık + Harem + Painting Museum
(Combined Ticket)
650 TL

2- National Palaces Painting Museum
Location:Beşiktaş
Closed Days:Mondays
Visiting Hours:09:00 – 17:00 (9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.)
Museum Pass Card:Not Valid
Entrance Fee:200 TL

3- Palace Collections Museum
Location:Beşiktaş
Closed Days:Mondays
Visiting Hours: 09:00 – 17:00 (9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.)
Museum Pass Card:Valid
Entrance Fee:90 TL

4- Naval Museum
Location:Beşiktaş
Closed Days:Mondays
Visiting Hours:09:00 – 17:00 (9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.)
Museum Pass Card:Not Valid
Entrance Fee:200 TL

5- Yıldız Palace
Location:Beşiktaş, Yıldız Park
Closed Days:Museum is closed for restoration
Visiting Hours:*
Museum Pass Card:Not Valid
Entrance Fee:*

6- Ihlamur Pavilions
Location:Teşvikiye, Şişli
Closed Days:Mondays
Visiting Hours:09:00 – 17:00 (9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.)
Museum Pass Card:Not Valid
Entrance Fee:90 TL

7- Military Museum
Location:Harbiye, Şişli
Closed Days:Mondays
Visiting Hours:09:00 – 16:00 (9:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.)
Museum Pass Card:Not Valid
Entrance Fee:150 TL

8- Rumeli Fortress Museum
Location:Rumelihisarı, Bosphorus
Closed Days:Mondays
Visiting Hours:09:00 – 17:00 (9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.)
Museum Pass Card:Valid
Entrance Fee:130 TL

9- Maslak Pavilions
Location:Maslak
Closed Days:Mondays
Visiting Hours:09:00 – 17:00 (9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.)
Museum Pass Card:Valid
Entrance Fee:90 TL

Istanbul Museums – Entry Fees & Visiting Hours & Location Information – Old Town Museums (UPDATED: November 2023)

1- Topkapı Palace Museum
Location:Sultanahmet
Closed Days:Tuesdays
Visiting Hours:09:00 – 17:00 (9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.)
Museum Pass Card:Valid (Except Harem section)
Entrance Fees:
Topkapı Palace & Hagia Irene & Harem
(Combined Ticket)
950 TL

2- Istanbul Archaeological Museums
Location:Sultanahmet, Gülhane Park
Closed Days:Open everyday
Visiting Hours:09:00 – 18:30 (9:00 A.M. – 6:30 P.M.)
Museum Pass Card:Valid
Entrance Fee:340 TL

3- Museum of the History of
Science and Technology in Islam
Location:Sultanahmet, Gülhane Park
Closed Days:Open everyday
Visiting Hours:09:00 – 18:30 (9:00 A.M. – 6:30 P.M.)
Museum Pass Card:Valid
Entrance Fee:210 TL

4- Basilica Cistern
Location:Sultanahmet
Closed Days:Open everyday
Visiting Hours:09:00 – 18:00 (9:00 A.M. – 6:00 P.M.)
Museum Pass Card:Not Valid
Entrance Fee:450 TL

5- Şerefiye Cistern (Theodosius Cistern)
Location:Sultanahmet
Closed Days:Open everyday
Visiting Hours:09:00 – 18:00 (9:00 A.M. – 6:00 P.M.)
Museum Pass Card:Not Valid
Entrance Fee:440 TL

6- Museum Of Turkish And Islamic Arts
Location:Sultanahmet Square
Closed Days:Open everyday
Visiting Hours:09:00 – 18:30 (9:00 A.M. – 6:30 P.M.)
Museum Pass Card:Valid
Entrance Fee:390 TL

7- Great Palace Mosaics Museum
Location:Sultanahmet, Arasta Bazaar
Closed Days:closedMuseum is closed for restoration
Visiting Hours:*
Museum Pass Card:Valid
Entrance Fee:*

Museum Pass Card Istanbul 2023

Museum Pass Card Istanbul

In Istanbul, 13 museums under the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Directorate of National Palaces can be visited for 5 days with MuseumPass Istanbul. The price of MuseumPass İstanbul, which is valid for 5 days from your first visit to the museum and the archaeological sites, is 2500 TL.

Please click for Museum Pass Istanbul sales points.