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Istanbul Archaeology Museums

Istanbul Archaeology Museums: Our most recommended tours and activities

Istanbul: Tourist Pass with Over 100 Attractions & Services

1. Istanbul: Tourist Pass with Over 100 Attractions & Services

Save time and money with a convenient 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 7- or 10-days online city pass in Istanbul. Access some of the city’s top sights, including over 100 attractions, tours and activities to choose from. Secure your pass to enjoy Istanbul in a simple, convenient and fun way.By presenting your GetYourGuide voucher at the entrance, gain access to (check the meeting point and tour schedule before your visit): • Hagia Sophia Guided Tour in English • Topkapi Palace Museum Guided Tour in English • Basilica Cistern Guided Tour in English • Dolmabahçe Palace Guided Tour in English • Blue Mosque Guided Tour • Grand Bazar Guided Tour • Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum Guided Tour in English • Galata Tower Guided Tour • Fire of Anatolia (requires a reservation) • Discounted one-way private airport transfer (requires a reservation) • Whirling dervishes ceremony (requires a reservation) • Bosphorus Dinner Cruise. Dinner and shows included (requires a reservation) • Combined Miniaturk Park Istanbul and Eyup Sultan Mosque and Pierre Loti Tour (requires a reservation) • Discounted Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour (requires reservation) • Tiled Pavilion Museum -under construction at the moment • Museum of the Ancient Orient -under construction at the moment • Photoshoot in Ottoman attire (1 per pass, not per person) • Madame Tussauds Wax Museum • SEA Life Aquarium • Sapphire Observation Deck with 4D Skyride Simulation • Museum of Illusions • Bosphorus Boat Tour • Princes’ Islands boat trip • LEGOLand (adults need a child to enter) • Xtrem Aventures • Pera Museum • Istanbul Airport Shuttle (1-way) • Sakıp Sabancı Museum • Upside Down House Photo Experience • Jungle, Dungeon and Safari (cannot be visited without children) • The Museum of Selfies • Bursa Day Trip • Sapanca Lake and Maşukiye Daily Tour • Istanbul Segway Tour • Emaar Aquarium and Underwater Zoo • Istanbul Toy Museum Pick-up and drop-off from hotels/rental places in Sultanahmet, Eminönü, Sirkeci, Laleli, Beyoğlu, Beşiktaş and Şişli for the Dinner Cruise, Miniaturk, Bursa Tour and Sapanca Lake Tour are also included with your pass.

İstanbul Welcome Card

2. İstanbul Welcome Card

When you arrive in Istanbul your welcome package will be waiting at your hotel for you. Inside the package, find your card loaded with 10 rides for public transportation and vouchers to join the Bosphorus Cruise, Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, and Topkapi Palace tours. Skip the lines and explore the Basilica Cistern, and the Topkapi Palace with a historian guide. You will have fun on a cruise along the Bosphorus and witness breathtaking views over the shimmering waters of Istanbul's magnificent river. See bridges, palaces, fortresses, seaside residences and, many other historical places. Travel around the city with 10 transportation tickets including metro, tram, ferry, funicular, bus, and metrobus. Take advantage of numerous discounts at many top attractions across the city and discover museums with the included audio guides at your own pace.

Istanbul E-pass: Top Attractions with Skip-the-Line Access

3. Istanbul E-pass: Top Attractions with Skip-the-Line Access

Discover the best of what Istanbul has to offer with your e-pass, offering you convenience and comfort. This digital pass is accepted for more than 55 plans and attractions throughout the City of the Seven Hills without the need of standing in line, along with other benefits. Visit the most popular destinations with the different options this e-pass has to offer, adjusting to the length of your stay with passes for 2, 3, 5 and up to 7 days. The impressive amount of landmarks can be accessed using only one pass. Misplacing or carrying several vouchers is a thing of the past. Explore the ample offer of options in Istanbul with included benefits. Tours of the Hagia Sofia, Galata Tower, Grand Bazaar and several other locations have their own tour guides. Receive special perks for different attractions within the city and nearby, such as a pick up and drop off or discounts for a Gallipoli day tour, a cruise on the Bosphorus, among several other plans for you to choose from.

Istanbul: Archaeological Museums Entry Ticket & Highlight

4. Istanbul: Archaeological Museums Entry Ticket & Highlight

Discover the three museums in the Istanbul Archeological Museums complex, learn about the museums’ incredible histories from your expert guide as you stroll around. Visit the Tiled Pavilion Museum, the oldest building in the complex dating back to 1472, built by Ottoman sultan II. Mehmed as a summer palace. The Tiled Pavilion Museum is under construction at the moment and it is not visitable.See the Istanbul Archaeological Museum, Turkey’s first museum with works from the Ottoman Empire to the Turkish Republic. Gaze at the neo-classical architecture which houses more than 1 million works. Explore the Museum of the Ancient Orient, with unique collections of works belonging to the pre-Greek eras of Anatolia and Mesopotamia, the pre-Islamic eras of Egypt, and the Arabian Peninsula. Admire artifacts that were unearthed in archaeological excavations and brought to Istanbul during the Ottoman Empire. The Museum of the Ancient Orient is under construction at the moment and it is not visitable.

Istanbul: Museum Pass and Audio Guide Smartphone App

5. Istanbul: Museum Pass and Audio Guide Smartphone App

In Istanbul, 12 museums under the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Directorate of National Palaces can be visited for 5 days with MuseumPass İstanbul. So do not search around and don't wait in any lines to get your Istanbul Museum Pass. Order your Museum Pass now and benefit from easy access to Istanbul Top Museums! As a bonus, this pass includes an audio guide app for Topkapi Palace and the Harem, a self-guided Istanbul highlights tour, and a free city map to enhance your cultural experience and make your visit to the city's museums even more convenient.

Istanbul Personalized Tour and Private Guide 1-3 Days

6. Istanbul Personalized Tour and Private Guide 1-3 Days

Discover the extraordinary sights of Istanbul according to your own itinerary with a private guide for 1-3 days. Straddling 2 continents on the Bosphorus Straits, Istanbul was the capital of the Roman Empire and later Ottoman Empire. Today it’s the largest city in Turkey, and one of the most populous cities in the world with about 15 million inhabitants. Choose the attractions you want to see according to your own schedule, and avoid getting lost in the crowd. Guides can be booked for 1, 2 or 3 days, with the option to add on private transportation to transfer you from location to location at speed. Must-see monuments include the iconic Blue Mosque, former mosque of the Hagia Sophia, and stunning subterranean Basilica Cistern. Soak up the exciting atmosphere of the Grand Bazaar, and the enticing aromas of the Spice Market. Learn the history of Istanbul at Ottoman palaces, such as Dolmabahce Palace, and the former residence of the sultans at Topkapi Palace. Go to the imperial Suleymaniye Mosque, or admire the 17th-century Yeni Cami (New Mosque). See the Medieval Galata Tower in the Karaköy quarter, or the Byzantine frescoes of the Chora Museum. Explore some of Istanbul’s fabled neighborhoods, such as Taksim, and wander down busy Istiklal Street. Enjoy picturesque views from Pierre Lottie Hill. Discover the remains of the old city walls, or go to the Archaeology Museum to see ancient Islamic art and Roman artifacts. These are just a few of the things you can do on your tour. A guide will be provided in the language of your choice. By request the guide can assist with pre-booking tickets to the most popular attractions. Need some inspiration? Here's some suggestions; Option 1 - Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace and Gran Bazar Option 2 - Bosphorus trip, Dolmabahce Palace, RustemPasha Mosque, Spice market Option 3 - Europe (Galata Tower, Pierre Lotie Hill) and Asia (Çamlıca Mosque, Çamlıca Hill, Üsküdar Local Bazaar, Foto stop in front of the Maiden Tower) Option 3 can be realized by vehicle so we will be arranging a private vehicle with its extra cost.

Topkapi Palace & Archaeological Museum Guided Combo Tour

7. Topkapi Palace & Archaeological Museum Guided Combo Tour

Skip the line and visit the most important museum of Turkey and the Balkan Peninsula. Discover how the Topkapi Palace was built between 1466 - 1478 and served for over 400 years as the residency and administrative headquarter of the Ottoman Sultans. The guide will explain to you the entire story of the Palace during a one hour tour. Marvel at the great architectural beauty of this important monument of the Ottoman Empire. Discover the three museums in the Istanbul Archeological Museums complex, learn about the museums’ incredible histories from your expert guide as you stroll around. Visit the Tiled Pavilion Museum, the oldest building in the complex dating back to 1472, built by Ottoman sultan II. Mehmed as a summer palace. The Tiled Pavilion Museum is under construction at the moment and it is not visitable. See the Istanbul Archaeological Museum, Turkey’s first museum with works from the Ottoman Empire to the Turkish Republic. Gaze at the neo-classical architecture which houses more than 1 million works. Explore the Museum of the Ancient Orient, with unique collections of works belonging to the pre-Greek eras of Anatolia and Mesopotamia, the pre-Islamic eras of Egypt, and the Arabian Peninsula. Admire artifacts that were unearthed in archaeological excavations and brought to Istanbul during the Ottoman Empire. The Museum of the Ancient Orient is under construction at the moment and it is not visitable.

Istanbul: Self-Guided Walking Tour with Audio Guide

8. Istanbul: Self-Guided Walking Tour with Audio Guide

Explore the beauty of Istanbul on a self-guided audio tour. Admire the incredible architecture of the Hippodrome, the Tomb of the Sultans, the Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum, and the Great Palace Mosaic Museum. Download the MP3 audio tour combined with a fully detailed map of the area and start your adventure with your audio device as your guide. Soak in the vibrant atmosphere while listening to fascinating facts and stories of the city. Spend some time to taste the different food varieties and traditions while you wander through many parks and squares of the city. Walk at your own pace and submerge yourself into the colorful vibe of the capital city of Turkey. Visit the famous Blue Mosque and learn about its many changes over the last 500 years. Continue to see the other architectural heritages such as Archaeology Museum, the Topkapi Palace, the Hagia Sophia, and the Basilica Cistern. Enjoy a hassle-free audio tour to the only city extending over Europe and Asia. 

From Istanbul: Troy and Gallipoli 2-Day Trip

9. From Istanbul: Troy and Gallipoli 2-Day Trip

Begin your adventure with an early-morning departure from your hotel in the city center, and start the drive to Canakkale. When you arrive in Canakkale, enjoy lunch and then begin visiting the highlights of the city. Stops will include: • Brighton Beach • The Beach Cemetery • ANZAC Cove • Ariburnu Cemetery • The ANZAC Commemoration Site • Lone Pine Australian Memorial • Johnston's Jolly (Turkish and allied trenches and tunnels) • 57th Regiment Turkish Memorial • The Nek • Chunuk Bair New Zealand Memorial In the evening, continue on to Canakkale and check in at your 4-star hotel. Enjoy dinner at the hotel and stay overnight. On day 2, eat breakfast at the hotel and after breakfast, depart for a full-day tour and visit the famous archaeological and mythological site of Troy, home to the Trojan Horse and Helen of Troy. You will see the ruins of legends and hear about the history of: • The Trojan Horse • Helen of Troy • The Trojan Wars • The battle between Achilles and Paris • Sacrificial altars • The 3,700-year-old city walls • Houses of Troy I (3000-2500 B.C.) • The Bouleterium (senate building) • The Odeon (concert hall) • Current excavations in progress • Remains of the various cities from Troy I-Troy IX After the tour, you’ll return to Canakkale for lunch, and enjoy free time during the afternoon before you depart for Istanbul.

Unlock the stories of Istanbul at your own pace

10. Unlock the stories of Istanbul at your own pace

Launch yourself on an immersive journey through the ever-engaging city, Istanbul. This self-guided audio tour will illuminate the city's most iconic sights, providing a deeper appreciation of their importance. From the majestic Aqueduct of Valens, where you'll revisit the enchanting narratives of the Byzantine era, to the bustling Istiklal Street, a beloved meeting point brimming with local life. Each stop reveals a unique tale and an intimate peek into Istanbul's rich history, culture, and everyday life. This experience is an ideal match for curious explorers keen on journeying beyond the obvious.

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Other Sightseeing Options in Istanbul Archaeology Museums

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What people are saying about Istanbul Archaeology Museums

Overall rating

4.2 / 5

based on 359 reviews

We met our knowledgeable and friendly tour guide Ilke Nur at the entrance to Topkapi Palace and after a short queue for security walked through the Topkapi Palace Gardens with views of the Bosphorus. Ilke spoke to us about the Hagia Irene and the palace on the way. Ilke collected our museum entrance tickets and explained that we can visit all of the three museums with this ticket, the archeological, the Asian or the tile. Ilke then spent a generous amount of time explaining the highlights of the museum at each particular exhibit focusing on the ground floor. She also mentioned that the ticket price includes the beautiful park opposite the museums. This is a great tour to find out more about the ancient history of Turkey and the museums and parks are in themselves beautiful places to visit.

The guided tours were quite short, and you looked at the sights yourself. But the Istanbul Card was worth it to get past the queue. However, we looked at the Hagia Sophia alone late in the evening, during the day the queue was too long. If you pick up the tickets at the airport, you should know that they are on floor -2, where the buses go. This is incorrectly stated in the meeting point description

Super convenient and easy to work with. The addresses from where the guide will be waiting for you are in a bundle. You can pick up your envelope at the airport at a kiosk. Really the max!

Very well organised, easy to find the meeting points and very professionals guides explaining everything in a very good English.

Easy to use. They’d sent to your address and u good to go