Istanbul Archaeological Museum
(İstanbul Arkeoloji Müzesi)
It has a great collection from excavation sites of Istanbul including the Roman Empire age. It includes 3 museums: Archaeological Museum, Museum of Oriental Antiquities, Tiled Pavilion Museum.
Location: Sultanahmet
Closed: Mondays
Toy Museum
(Oyuncak Müzesi)
It is in Göztepe (Asian Side), owned by Sunay Akin, who is a enlightened Turkish author and poet. He collected many toys from history. Also the football signed by PELE exists here. The museum is a mansion, and very clean. I suggest you to visit WC (Basement) which is like Submarine:)
Location: Göztepe
Closed: Mondays
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Hagia Sophia Museum
(Aya Sofya Müzesi)
Hagia Sophia built in 537. It was a former church and converted to mosque when Istanbul taken over by Ottomans. The dome is accepted to be one of the largest dome and it's still a big questionmark that “How such a big dome can be built in that age”
Location: Sultanahmet
Closed: Monday
Galata Mevlevi Lodge Museum
(Galata Mevlevihanesi Müzesi)
It is built in 1491 and it is the first Mevlevi Lodge of Istanbul. You can see many mevlevi items here. Mevlana Rumi is the creator Mevlevi belief. It is based on divine love, humanity and endurance. You can also watch Whirling Dervish Shows here. Shows are time scheduled and paid seperately, so you can check before making your plans.
Location: Beyoğlu
Closed: Mondays
Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum
(Türk ve İslam Eserleri Müzesi)
It is located in Ibrahim Pasha Palace (Ibrahim Pasha is Grand Vizier of Sultan Suleyman and he married with Sultan Suleyman's sister). Museum founded in 1913. Museum has the biggest Islamic Art Collections (Such as Promet Muhammed's personal belongins, food prints and beards). Also many items of old Turkish countries are presented here as well (Such as 800 year old carpets, karlowitz treaty which caused the first land loss for Ottoman Emprire)
Location: Sultanahmet
Closed: Mondays
Chora Museum
(Kariye Müzesi)
It is known as, having the best condtion fresco and tiles. It is built in 5th century. Fresco and tiles show the Roman Empire arts.
Location: Fatih
Closed: All Days Open
Hagia Irene Museum
(Aya İrini Müzesi)
It is the first church of Byzantine. It means "Holly Piece" in English. It is now used for concerts now since it has a great architectural acoustics.
Location: Sultanahmet
Closed: Tuesday
Miniaturk
(Miniatürk)
Miniaturk is a very big open air museu which includes small models of many Turkish architecture both in Turkey and abroad. Also you can read their history. Its great for shortening Turkey tour to couple of hours:) It has a nice chopper simulator as well.
Location: Sütlüce
Closed: All Days Open
Madame Tussauds Wax Museum
(Madame Tussauds Balmumu)
This wax museum has many celebrities and leaders inside. Like Atatürk, Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi, Maria Sharapova, Marilyn Monroe, Tom Cruise, Leonardo da Vinci and many others.
Location: Beyoğlu
Closed: All Days Open
Cistern Basilica
(Yerebatan Sarnıcı)
Cistern Basilica was built in 6th century by Roman Emperor Justinian in order to provide water for the city. This cistern is an underground chamber of 143 meter by 65 meter. The ceiling, which covers 9800 m2, is being carried by 336 marble columns each 9 meter high. The capitals of the columns are mainly Ionic and Corinthian styles.
Location: Sultanahmet
Closed: All Days Open
Pera Museum
(Pera Müzesi)
It is a private museum and founded in 2005. You can see art collections here (Such as paints, pictures, photos, tiles and more). It is not a favourite museum but nice for art lovers.
Location: Beyoglu
Closed: Mondays
Great Palace Mosaics Museum
(Büyük Saray Mozaikleri Müzesi)
It presents the items found in excavations in 1935. Mosaics are from the year 450-550. Most them about the daily life, mithology and nature.
Location: Sultanahmet
Closed: Mondays
Istanbul Modern Art Museum
(İstanbul Modern Sanat Müzesi)
It was in Karaköy before but it is moved to Beyoğlu. It has the many modern art items and also there are movie shows. It also has a very nice cafe inside.
Location: Beyoğlu
Closed: Mondays
Maritime Museum
(Deniz Müzesi)
It is Istanbul's first maritime museum which founded in 1897. If you like ships and sea wars, you will like this museum too. It has cannons in the gardon. Small ships inside. Also the oldest galley is presented in this museum.
Location: Beşiktaş
Closed: Mondays