Last Updated on March 28, 2021
Experience and enjoy these top free museums in Istanbul and admire the culture and art of the city with many free exhibitions that this beautiful city has to offer. While you can find several free museums, you can also visit several private museums for free during their once a week free museum days offers.
Free Istanbul Museums
Note that majority of the Istanbul museums open six days a week, and majority of them are closed on Mondays.
1. Private Sakip Sabancı Fine Arts Museum
free every Wednesdays
Location: Emirgan
Private fine arts museum, hosts collections of Ottoman Calligraphic Art, religious and state documents, paintings of the Ottoman era, archaeological and stone works, furniture and decorative arts.
Wanna learn more about Sakip Sabanci Museum?
2. Private Pera Museum
free between 18.00-22.00 every Fridays
Location: Taksim
A private museum, permanent collections of orientalist paintings, Anatolian weights and measures and Kutahya Tiles and Ceramics, temporary exhibitions, publications, audio-visual events, educational activities.
Wanna learn more about Pera Museum?
3. Istanbul Modern Art Museum
free every Thursdays for Turkey residents
Location: Beyoglu
A museum of modern and contemporary art, permanent and temporary exhibition galleries, a photography gallery, cinema, restaurant, design store and library.
Wanna learn more about Istanbul Modern Art Museum?
4. Turkey Is Bank Museum
Location: Eminonu
The Turkey Is Bank Museum is a free museum taking its visitors back to its establishment period. You’ll see many works developed by the bank and related to the history of the bank.
Visiting hours: open daily between 10:00-18:00 except Mondays.
5. Sirkeci Orient Express Museum
Location: Sirkeci
The museum dates back to 2005 and serves within an area of 45.5 square meters. You can experience and enjoy the wide range of railway devices used by the Republic of Turkey State Railways since its establishment, communication devices, various photographs that witness the history and many other items.
Visiting hours: open daily between 09:00-17:00 except Sundays & Mondays.
6. Galatasaray Museum
Location: Istiklal Street, Taksim
The museum belongs to the world famous Turhish football team Galatasaray. You’ll witness the more than 2,000 cups and many exhibits.
Visiting hours: open daily between 10:00-18:00 except Mondays.
Address: Huseyinaga Mah., Istiklal Str. No:90, Taksim, Beyoglu
7. Yapi Kredi Culture & Art
Location: Istiklal Street, Taksim
This a lovely art gallery belongs to the Yapi Kredi Bank and situated along the famous Istiklal Street. You’ll find variety of great art exhibitions and events for free.
Address: Istiklal Str. No:161, Taksim, Beyoglu
8. SALT Galata & Ottoman Bank Museum
Location: Karakoy
Salt Galata is a lovely art and culture center where you’ll find several exhibitions and events during the year. There is also the Ottoman Bank Museum inside the building where you’ll find great collections of official archives of the Ottoman era. Visitors may experience the Ottoman banknotes, orders of the palace officers and the photographs of the bank branches.
Visiting hours: open daily between 11:00-17:00 except Mondays.
Address: Bankalar Str. No: 11, Karakoy, Beyoglu
9. Mehmet Arsay Classic Automobile Museum
free every Saturday and Sunday
Location: Halkali
The museum opened in the Halkali district within the 12 years of big efforts of Meryem and Mehmet Arsay. You’ll enjoy a total of 50 classic cars produced between the years 1920 and 1970 at the museum.
Address: Ataturk Mah. Ikitelli Str. No:178, Halkali
