Here you can find our useful guide to experience the best accessible Istanbul museums with our guide. Most museums in the city offer free admission or at least big discounts for disabled visitors. And they also include a necessary companion.
You can also access to all public areas of the most of the Istanbul museums including the galleries, shops and cafes.
Several popular and iconic museums of the city may not be wheelchair accessible due to their being a cultural assets and therefore no intervention and accessibility arrangements can be made to the buildings.
Top Accessible Museums in Istanbul
1. Basilica Cistern Museum
Location: Sultanahmet
The Basilica Cistern is one of the most impressive and mystical buildings of the city that was built for the Byzantium Emperor Justinianus I in the the 6th century (532). Aside from being a cistern that were used for water needs, this is a very unusual place in the city.
The 140 meters long and 70 meters wide cistern covers a giant rectangular area of 9,800 m2 and has a capacity to store 100,000 tons of water. It is accessed by 52-step staircase and shelters 336 columns, each of which is 9 meters high and within a 4,8 meters distance from each other.
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Museum Accessibility
- Basilica Cistern is wheelchair accessible. However, there is no wheelchair service available on the site. You need to provide your own wheelchair if needed.
- Visitors will find an elevator providing easy access to the sightseeing platform.
- The visiting area is designed to be accessible by wheelchair.
- Entrance is FREE of charge for disabled visitors, including one companion.
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2. Miniaturk Museum
Location: Sutluce, Golden Horn
Miniaturk is a fantastic open air museum that showcases the miniature form of the greatest landmarks and architectural monuments of Turkey. Also called as the Miniature Turkey Museum, it is an ideal place for the ones who want to have an exciting tour of Turkey.
Bringing together the rich architectural heritage from the cultures of every civilization that ruled and left a trace in these lands from Antiquity to Rome and Byzantium, from the Seljuks to the Ottomans, you’ll see the miniature form of all these landmarks and monuments, in the 1/25 of their real sizes.
Museum Accessibility
- Miniaturk is wheelchair accessible. You can also find battery powered wheelchairs for visitors with walking difficulties and a charger for battery powered chairs as needed.
- It has a very convenient area for the disabled visitors. The museum is also call itself as barrier-free museum.
- There are ramps in the excursion area in order to provide easy access.
- There is also WC and parking area for disabled visitors.
- Entrance is FREE of charge for disabled visitors, including one companion.
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3. Madame Tussauds Istanbul Wax Museum
Location: Istiklal Street, Taksim
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A wax museum and entertainment center situated in a 2,000 square meters venue of the Grand Pera building in Istiklal Street.
Madame Tussauds is a museum chain for life-size wax replicas of famous celebrities and historic icons as well as historical and cultural heroes from the history of Turkey, along with current celebrities from the arts, sport and politics.
Museum Accessibility
- Madame Tussauds Istanbul is wheelchair accessible. However, there is no wheelchair service available on the site. You need to provide your own wheelchair if needed.
- There is a safe box providing priority for the disabled visitors at the entrance.
- Visitors can enter the reception with the help of a private ramp, and than access to the visiting area by elevator.
- The visiting area is designed to be accessible by wheelchair.
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4. Istanbul Museum of Modern Art
Location: Asmalimescit, Beyoglu
Istanbul Museum of Modern Art is the first private museum of Turkey that hosts modern and contemporary art exhibitions.
You’ll see permanent and temporary exhibitions from the early 20th century to the present day, a photography gallery, and several areas for educational and social programs. Abstract art works, landscape paintings and watercolor works are among the best works.
Museum Accessibility
- Istanbul Museum of Modern Art is wheelchair accessible. There is a lift at the entrance.
- There is a FREE wheelchair service at the entrance.
- The visiting area is designed to be accessible by wheelchair. Top floors are accessible by elevator.
- Accessible WC is available at the first floor.
- Entrance is FREE of charge for disabled visitors, including one companion.
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5. Panorama 1453 History Museum
Location: Zeytinburnu
The Panorama 1453 History Museum is the first full panoramic museum in the world. The museum allows visitors to experience the conquest of Istanbul.
In the exhibition area, you’ll see original miniatures, engravings, plans, drawings, paintings and photographs of original objects with the description of the period, how it is perceived, expression and art works.
You can also visit the museum via 360 Degree Virtual Tour >>
Museums Accessibility
- Panorama 1453 History Museum is wheelchair accessible. However, there is no wheelchair service available on the site. You need to provide your own wheelchair if needed.
- There are ramps on both at the entrance and exit.
- You can access to the visiting platform by elevator.
- The visiting area is designed to be accessible by wheelchair.
- Entrance is FREE of charge for disabled visitors, including one companion.
Visiting Hours
Museum is open every day between 08:00 – 17:00.
Contact Info
Address: Merkez Efendi Mah., Topkapı Kültür Park İçi Yolu, Zeytinburnu, Istanbul
Tel: +90 212 415 14 53
6. Serefiye Cistern Museum
Location: Cemberlitas
The Serefiye Cistern was built by Emperor Theodosius to provide water storage through the Bozdogan Arch (Valens Aqueduct). It is one of the cultural treasures of Istanbul with a history of 1,600 years.
Also known as the Constantinus and Theodosius cistern, it has a 9-meter-high roof supported by 32 marble columns.
Several cultural and art events such as exhibitions and classical music concerts are also held in the cistern throughout the year.
Museums Accessibility
- The Serefiye Cistern is wheelchair accessible. However, there is no wheelchair service available on the site. You need to provide your own wheelchair if needed.
- You can access to the visiting platform by an elevator.
- The visiting area is designed to be accessible by wheelchair.
- Entrance is FREE of charge for disabled visitors, including one companion.
Visiting Hours
Museum is open every day between 09.00 – 18.00.
Contact Info
Address: Binbirdirek Mh., Piyer Loti Cd. No:2/1, Fatih, Istanbul
Tel: +90 212 568 60 80
