Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum Guided Tour

Istanbul E-pass includes a Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum guided tour with entry ticket. For detais, please check 'Hours & Meeting'.

Ibrahim Pasha Palace Istanbul

Located at the Hippodrome, just across from the famous Blue Mosque. Ibrahim Pasa Palace was the grandest private residence ever built in the Ottoman Empire. It was a gift to Ibrahim Pasa, the Grand Vizier of Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent after he married the Sultan's sister, Hatice. The palace was in ruins by the 19th century but it was restored and opened to the public in 1983 as the Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum.

What time is the Ibrahim Pasa Palace open?

Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum is open every day.
It is open between 09:00 - 18:00. (The last entrance is at 17:00)

How much is the entrance fee for the Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum?

The entrance fee for the museum is 17 Euros. You can buy tickets at the entrance. Please note that there may be long ticket lines during peak season. Entrance ticket with guided tour is free to Istanbul E-pass holders.

Where is the Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum located?

It is located at the center of Sultanahmet Square, on the west side of the  Hippodrome, opposite the famous Blue Mosque.

From Old City Hotels; Get the T1 Tram to Sultanahmet station. From there, the museum is a short 5 minutes walk away.

From Taksim Hotels; Take the funicular to Kabatas and take the T1 Tram to  Sultanahmet.

From Sultanahmet Hotels; The Museum is within walking distance from the Sultanahmet area.

How Long Does it Take to Visit the Museum, and What is the Best Time to Visit?

Visiting the Museum takes around 30 minutes if you see it by yourself. Guided tours with E-pass is orientation tour and takes around 20 minutes, after tour, you are free to explore museum by yourself.

History of the Museum

Although we don't know the exact construction date of the palace, it is widely believed to have been built sometime around 1520. Ibrahim Pasha was a Greek and converted to Islam. He became the closest friend of Sultan Suleyman the Magnificient during the early years of his reign. In 1523, Ibrahim Pasha was appointed as Grand Vezir, and the following year he married Suleyman's sister, Hatice. As a gift from the Sultan, they were given this palace at the Hippodrome. It is the grandest private residence ever built in the Ottoman Empire. You can have an idea of the great wealth and power that Ibrahim Pasha had at that time by even a casual view of the palace. Later in Sultan Suleyman's reign, when he fell under the influence of his wife Hurrem, the Sultan believed that Ibrahim must be eliminated because he was acting like he was in control of the empire. So one night in 1536, after having dinner with the Sultan, Ibrahim retired to a room in the palace and was executed while sleeping. All of his wealth was confiscated by the Sultan, and Hatice went back to Topkapi Palace.

For some time in the 16th century, the palace was used as a dormitory and school for Topkapi Palace's apprentices. Over the next three centuries, because of many wars and earthquakes, the palace fell into ruin. Finally, in 1983, it was restored and opened as a Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum where you can see examples of  Seljuk, Mamluk, and Ottoman cultural history.

The Final Word

Ibrahim Pasha Palace in Istanbul has been the residence of Grand Viziers of the Ottoman Empire. Now the palace has been converted into a Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum. Thus, it offers an excellent place to learn about Turkey and Islam. If you are interested in looking at precious Turkish carpets and arts this is a must-visit place for you.