Here, you’ll find a great summary of the opening hours and admissions of the most important tourist attractions in Istanbul such as museums, bazaars, theme parks, etc. It is an essential issue to know when the city’s main sights are open during your visit. Checking this page is quickest way to do that, and to avoid yourself in front of a closed door.
And please cross check these information on attraction’s official page as sometimes they change their hours and admissions without any declaration.
Also please check our Turkey’s National, Religious and Public holidays page as many of the attractions can be closed during these holidays, or on the first day of religious holidays.
Opening Hours & Admissions Info
The majority of Istanbul’s most visited and popular attractions are open between 09:00 a.m. and 19:00 p.m., and with last entry at least one hour before the closing hour.
Many attractions are open seven days a week, some have later opening and closing times on the weekend and some of the most visited museums are closed one day (mostly in week-day) of the week.
Some of the attractions may open later or close earlier during the winter season.
Museums
Hagia Sophia Mosque
- Open every day
- FREE
- Wanna learn more about Hagia Sophia?
Topkapi Palace Museum
- Open every day except Tuesdays between 09:00-18:00
- Closed on Tuesdays
- Ticket counters close 1 hour before the museum closing time.
- Please cross check hours and admissions from millisaraylar.gov.tr
- Wanna learn more about Topkapi Palace Museum?
Basilica Cistern Museum
- Open every day between 09:00-18:30
- Open at 13:00 on the 1st day of the religious holidays
- Please cross check hours and admissions from yerebatan.com
- Wanna learn more about Basilica Cistern?
Istanbul Archaeology Museums
- Open every day between 09:30-19:30 (from 01 April to 01 October), 09:00-18:30 (from 01 October to 01 April).
- Ticket counters close 1 hour before the museum closing time.
- Please cross check hours and admissions from muze.gen.tr
- Wanna learn more about Istanbul Archaeology Museums?
Museum of Turkish & Islamic Arts
- Open every day between 09:30-19:30 (from 01 April to 01 October), 09:00-17:30 (from 01 October to 01 April).
- Ticket counters close 1 hour before the museum closing time.
- Please cross check hours and admissions from muze.gen.tr
- Wanna learn more about Museums of Turkish & Islamic Arts?
Great Palace Mosaics Museum
- Open every day between 09:30-19:30 (from 01 April to 31 October), 09:00-18:30 (from 31 October to 01 April).
- Ticket counters close 30 minutes before the museum closing time.
- Please cross check hours and admissions from muze.gen.tr
- Wanna learn more about Great Palace Mosaics Museum?
Dolmabahce Palace Museum
- Open every day except Mondays between 09:00-18:30
- Closed on Mondays
- Please cross check hours and admissions from millisaraylar.gov.tr
- Wanna learn more about Dolmabahce Palace Museum?
Galata Tower
- Open every day between 08:30-23:59.
- Ticket counters close 30 minutes before the museum closing time.
- Please cross check hours and admissions from muze.gen.tr
- Wanna learn more about Galata Tower?
Museum of Islamic Science and History of Technology
- Open every day between 09:00-17:30.
- Ticket counters close 30 minutes before the museum closing time.
- Please cross check hours and admissions from muze.gen.tr
Galata Mevlevi Lodge Museum
- Open every day except Mondays between 09:00-19:30 (from 01 April to 01 October), 09:00-17:30 (from 01 October to 01 April).
- Closed on Mondays
- Ticket counters close 1 hour before the museum closing time.
- Please cross check hours and admissions from muze.gen.tr
Istanbul Museum of Modern Art
- Open every day except Mondays
- Please check hours and admissions from istanbulmodern.org
Private Pera Museum
- Open every day except Mondays, Tuesday – Saturday 10.00 – 19.00, Friday 10.00 – 22.00 and Sunday 12.00 – 18.00
- Closed on Mondays + 1st of January + 1st days of religious holidays
- Long Fridays: FREE from 18.00 to 22.00 every Friday.
- Please cross check hours and admissions from peramuseum.org
Istanbul Madame Tussauds Wax Museum
- Open everyday between 10:30 and 19:00. Last entry is 18:00
- Please cross check hours and admissions from madametussauds.com
Miniaturk Museum
- Open every day between 09:00-18:00
- Please cross check hours and admissions from miniaturk.com.tr
Private Sadberk Hanim Museum
- Open every day except Wednesdays between 10:00-17:00
- Closed on Wednesdays + 1st of January + 1st days of religious holidays
- Please cross check hours and admissions from sadberkhanimmuzesi.org.tr
Private Sakip Sabanci Fine Arts Museum
- Open every day except Mondays between 10:00-18:00
- Closed on Mondays
- Ticket counters close 30 minutes before the museum closing time.
- Please cross check hours and admissions from sakipsabancimuzesi.org
Private Rahmi M. Koc Transport Museum
- Open every day except Mondays, Tuesday-Friday: 10:00 – 17:30, Saturday-Sunday: 10:00 – 19:00
- Closed on Mondays + 31st of Dec. + 1st of Jan. + 1st days of religious holidays
- Please cross check hours and admissions from rmk-museum.org.tr
Theme Parks
Vialand Theme Park
- Open every day between 11:30-20:00 (till 21:00 at weekends)
- Please check hours and admissions from vialand.com
- Wanna learn more about Vialand Theme Park?
Istanbul Aquarium
- Open every day between 10.00 – 19:00 on weekdays, 10:00 – 22:00 on weekends.
- Please check hours and admissions from istanbulakvaryum.com
- Wanna learn more about Istanbul Aquarium?
Istanbul Dolphinarium
- Open every day between 09:00-18:00.
- Closed on Mondays.
- Please check hours and admissions from istanbuldolphinarium.com
- Wanna learn more about Istanbul Dolphinarium?
Aquarium Sealife Istanbul
- Open every day between 10:00 to 18:00
- Please check hours and admissions from visitsealife.com
- Wanna learn more about Aquarium Sea Life Istanbul?
Istanbul LEGOLAND
- Monday to Friday: 10:00 – 21:00 ; Saturday and Sunday: 10:00 – 20:00
- Please check hours and admissions from legolanddiscoverycentre.com
- Wanna learn more about Istanbul LEGOLAND Discovery Center?
Bazaars
Grand Bazaar (Kapali Carsi)
- Open every day except Sundays between 09:00-16:00
- Closed on Sundays + national holidays
- Can be restricted during the Muslims’ Friday worship at noon, because of the lack of space in the nearby Beyazit Mosque.
- Entrance is FREE of charge.
Egyptian Spice Market (Misir Carsisi)
- Open every day from 09:00-21:00 (11:00:19:00 on Sundays)
- Closed on national holidays
- Entrance is FREE of charge.
