Great news for culture and art lovers from the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB)! 🎉 To make our cultural heritage accessible to everyone, admission to museums run by İBB is now just 1 TL on weekdays for citizens of the Republic of Türkiye.
That means you can now explore Istanbul's historic cisterns, palaces, fortresses and art museums for less than the price of a simit. 🥯
So which museums cost 1 TL? When is the offer valid? We've gathered all the details for you. 👇
👉 Days: Every weekday (Monday–Friday)
👉 Hours: 10:00 – 18:00
👉 Who is eligible: Citizens of the Republic of Türkiye
👉 Admission: 1 TL
Don't forget to bring an ID showing that you are a Turkish citizen. 🪪
Located in Fatih, the Şerefiye Cistern is a Byzantine-era structure and one of Istanbul's most impressive underground sites. Opened to visitors after restoration, the cistern also draws attention with the light and visual shows presented among its columns. A must-see stop for anyone who wants to discover Istanbul's underground history. ✨
Located in the Edirnekapı–Ayvansaray area, Tekfur Palace is one of the rare Byzantine palace buildings in Istanbul that has survived to the present day. Alongside the Byzantine palace itself, the museum tells the story of the tile workshops that operated here during the Ottoman period. A great choice for history and architecture enthusiasts. 🏰
Set inside the Golden Horn Shipyard (Haliç Tersanesi), the Istanbul Art Museum invites visitors to experience art in a historic industrial space. It's a cultural stop you can easily combine with a pleasant walk along the Golden Horn. 🎨
The Republic Museum in Taksim focuses on the history of the Turkish Republic and its traces in Istanbul. Since it's in the city center, you can easily fit it into your day. 🇹🇷
Located in Beykoz on the shores of the Bosphorus, Anadolu Hisarı is a historic fortress built by the Ottomans before the conquest of Istanbul. With its historic atmosphere and Bosphorus views, it promises a delightful visit. 🌊
Set between Bebek and Rumelihisarı, the Aşiyan Museum is known as the former home of the poet Tevfik Fikret. A meaningful stop for literature lovers, the museum also enchants visitors with its commanding view of the Bosphorus. 📚
Since the museums are spread across different parts of Istanbul, you can plan your visits by area:
🏙️ Historic Peninsula route: Şerefiye Cistern + Tekfur Palace Museum
🎨 Golden Horn & city center route: Istanbul Art Museum + Republic Museum
🌊 Bosphorus route: Aşiyan Museum + Anadolu Hisarı Museum (take a ferry across and add a Bosphorus cruise to your day!)
Is the 1 TL museum offer valid on weekends?
The offer generally applies on weekdays between 10:00 and 18:00. For weekend visits, we recommend checking the current admission fees.
Can foreign tourists enter for 1 TL?
No, this offer is exclusively for citizens of the Republic of Türkiye.
Are all İBB museums 1 TL?
The offer covers the paid museums listed above. Many other museums and exhibition spaces run by İBB can already be visited free of charge.
There couldn't be a better chance to discover Istanbul's thousands of years of history. Set aside a weekday, grab your ID and go explore Istanbul's cultural treasures for just 1 TL! 🏛️✨
Before your visit, be sure to check the museums' current opening hours and any closure days on İBB's official channels.
YP YAZILIM