Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum
If you are fascinated by the history of Islam, Turkish and Islamic Arts are the best place to visit. The building of the Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum in Istanbul was originally a palace. Ibrahim Pasa, the brother-in-law of Suleyman the Magnificent, used it as a gift after his marriage with the Sultan's sister. It was the biggest palace in Istanbul, which was not owned by the Sultan or the Sultan's family. Later on, the building commenced being used as a residence for the Grand Viziers of the Sultan . With the republic, the building was converted to be the Turkish and islamic Arts Museums. In the museum today, you can see the calligraphy works, decorations of the mosques and palaces, Holy Quran examples, carpet collections, and many more.
Turkish and islamic Arts Museum in Istanbul is open every day between 09.00-17.30. Entrance is free with Istanbul E-pass.
The Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum is within walking distance to most of the hotels from the old city hotels.
From the Taksim Hotels: Take the funicular from the Taksim Square to Kabatas. From the station in Kabatas, take the T1 to Sultanahmet station . From the Sultanahmet station, the Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum is within walking distance.
Istanbul Modern
If you are a fan of Modern Arts, the place to go is the first modern museum of Istanbul, Istanbul Modern. Opened in the year 2004, the museum suddenly became the center of the contemporary arts in Istanbul and initiated other modern museums in Istanbul to open. The wide range of collections becomes even bigger with temporary exhibitions throughout the year. In Istanbul Modern collection, paintings, photographs, videos, and statues were created from the beginning of the 20th century. In the permanent exhibitions, you can see every possible collection that shows modern and contemporary Turkish art. All in all, one of the best museums to admire modern and contemporary arts, Istanbul Modern would be a good place.
It is open every day except Mondays between 10.00-18.00.
From the old city hotels: Take the T1 to Eminonu station. From the Eminonu station, take bus number 66 from the other side of the Galata Bridge to Sishane station. From the Sishane station, Istanbul Modern is within walking distance.
From the Taksim hotels: Take the M2 Metro from Taksim Square to Sishane station. From the Sishane station, Istanbul Modern is within walking distance.
Pera Museum
It is one of the best-known museums and cultural centers of Istanbul. Opened in the year 2005 by the Suna - inan Kirac Foundation, Pera Museum also became internationally famous by bringing the works of the popular artists Pablo Picasso, Frida Kahlo, Goya, Akira Kurosawa , and many others as temporary exhibitions. Besides the temporary exhibitions, you can enjoy orientalist paintings, Anatolian weights, and measurement tools and tile collections in the exhibition permanent of the Pera Museum.
It opens every day except Mondays between 10.00-18.00.
From the old city hotels: Take the T1 to Eminonu station. From the Eminonu station, take bus number 66 from the other side of the Galata Bridge to Sishane station. From the Sishane station, Pera Museum is within walking distance.
From the Taksim hotels: Take the M2 Metro from Taksim Square to Sishane station. From the Sishane station, Istanbul Modern is within walking distance.
Salt Galata
Opened in the year 2011, SALT Galata is among the famous modern art exhibition centers in Istanbul. The building that serves as SALT Galata today was constructed by the renowned architect Alexandre Vallaury in 1892. Back then, the construction project was for the Ottoman Bank, but there were many additions and modifications in the building throughout history. In 2011 with the final renovations, the building was renovated according to the original plan and opened as the SALT Galata. Aside from being a museum of economy, SALT Galata earns its fame by a busy temporary exhibition calendar. If you enjoy modern art and have time in Istanbul, do check the exhibitions of SALT Galata.
It is open every day except on Mondays between 10.00-18.00. There is no entrance fee for SALT Galata.
From the old city hotels: Take the T1 tram to Karakoy station. From the Karakoy station, SALT Galata Museum is within walking distance.
From the Taksim hotels: Take the funicular from the Taksim Square to Kabatas. From Kabatas station, take the T1 to Karakoy station. From the Karakoy station, SALT Galata Museum is within walking distance.
Sakip Sabanci Museum
Initially constructed in the year 1925 by the Italian architect Edoardo De Nari on the side of the Bosphorus, the Sakip Sabanci museum gives the visitors the chance to visit a yali-style house. It means a wooden house on the seaside; yali-style houses are a trademark of Bosphorus and the most expensive accommodation style in Istanbul. Owned by one of Turkey's most famous entrepreneur families, the Sabanci family, the exhibitions include book and calligraphy collection, painting collection, furniture, and decorative objects collection, the paintings of renowned artist Abidin Dino and many more.
It is open every day except Mondays between 10.00-17.30.
From the old city hotels: Take the T1 tram to Kabatas station. From the Kabatas station, take bus number 25E to Cinaralti station. From the Cinaralti station, Sakip Sabanci Museum is within walking distance.
From the Taksim hotels: Take the funicular from the Taksim Square to Kabatas. From the Kabatas station, take bus number 25E to Cinaralti station. From the Cinaralti station, Sakip Sabanci Museum is within walking distance.
The Final Word
We suggest you visit to these historic and beautiful museums while you are on tour in Istanbul. Every museum offers diversity to experience.